No recient experience.

[oldrookie]

Hope this forum is the correct one. nothing else seems to apply. I have been out of the seat for 7 years. I tried heating and air conditioning. I would like to re-enter the trucking industry; but all that I talk to want two years of recent experience. I have 20 years and 1.7 million miles. Clean record. I consider myself a very good driver and have confidence that I can 'pick it up' again if I am cautious; as always. Still have CDL A with doubles and tanker. I let the Hazmat go; so I would have to refresh that endorsement. Other than going back to school; do I have options? :?:

[inmate1577]

Probably have to go out with a trainer to see what you know....or dont know.
Pretty much no other option with that long of time out of the driver's seat.

I'd stick with HVAC it I were you, better money and more opportunity in the South.

[4roses]

did you post this in the O/O section ? .... you may be able to find someone who is looking for an experienced driver as you, but not with the recent driving record. .... also, call the smaller companys and talk to them. I know there's a few out there would take you now. ..... Otherwise, from personal experience ... once your off the road for 5 yrs you'll have to go back through a training program in order for the insurance companys to let them hire you ..... :wink:

good luck

[GMAN]

If you have kept your CDL current, you may be able to get around some of the insurance companies. They measure experience mostly from how long you have had your CDL. You will probably need to go with someone for a week or two to make sure of your ability. After all, it has been 7 years. I agree about checking out smaller carriers providing you have kept the CDL up.

[oldrookie]

Thanks for input guys. Maybe I'll go drive a tow truck for eight years. Retire and do HVAC on the side.

[nsxman2001]

I don't think u should give up so fast if u wanna drive a truck again but I think alot has changed in 7 years..I'm sure other will agree with me on this One..

Good luck

[oldrookie]

nsxman2001,
Thanks for advice. I'm not really going to give up. I'm still looking. A temp. employer in Atlanta recommended Swift for training. Well I read a partial 'diary' post on someone going thru their training. No thank you for many reasons. One or several possibilities is fast approaching. The holiday season will soon be upon us. Mail contractors, UPS, Fed EX. and others will have ALLOT of extra work that they cannot cover. They will be desperate. If I or anyone else hires on and runs dependably, there is always a very good chance of permanent work. What happens is a regular employee runs too hard, he gets burnt out, his wallet is fat; so he quits. It's a historic fact.
Anyway, I won't stop looking. At 58 years old my body is telling me to back off. Driving is the only thing I know how to do that will be the kindest to me. In the area I live in jobs don't pay very much. Traffic is insane. Gas is high. The obvious choice is 'the seat'. Time will tell.

[Ironturkey]

Try some smaller outfits 100 trucks er less, with the experience you say you have and a decent driving record they will be all over you like stink on poop.

[Chris M]

Try some smaller outfits 100 trucks er less, with the experience you say you have and a decent driving record they will be all over you like stink on poop.

Not necessarily. I am in the same boat and they want me to go out with a trainer or get a year somewhere and come back. I am hauling gas part time now and have a line on a salaried driving position pulling HAZMAT. I am crossing my fingers.

[oldrookie]

I ran into the same thing almost exactly. A local propane company needs a seasonal bottle truck driver. They only wanted to pay 14.00 an hour. I told them no. A seasonal position would not give me what I want. At that wage, they are getting their bred buttered on both sides. Not me. Since then they have a bigger ad in the paper. Those dudes will be running 20 hours a day delivering propane.
I called one of the big truckload carriers last month. They said I would have to pass a road test and train running double for 43 days. Firstly, I don't run double with anyone. I MIGHT do it for a week. 43 days is not training. It's getting your freight hauled for a big discount.
I know I will have to take a position below my standards but I will only go so far.

[GMAN]

Hope this forum is the correct one. nothing else seems to apply. I have been out of the seat for 7 years. I tried heating and air conditioning. I would like to re-enter the trucking industry; but all that I talk to want two years of recent experience. I have 20 years and 1.7 million miles. Clean record. I consider myself a very good driver and have confidence that I can 'pick it up' again if I am cautious; as always. Still have CDL A with doubles and tanker. I let the Hazmat go; so I would have to refresh that endorsement. Other than going back to school; do I have options? :?:

What type of driving experience do you have and what are you looking for? For instance, are you looking for van, reefer, flat, etc.,

[oldrookie]

Gman.
My experience is long and painful. As I said in my origional post; I have 20 years and 1.7 million miles. First year I hauled cars. Mostly dry freight-line haul. About five years regional flatbed. Two years pulling double vans. about two months each at smooth bore tanker, dry bulk and reefer.
At this point; I can't be too picky. But, given a choice I'd like two long turns or four or five short turns a week. Day cab, drop and hook or slip seat. Vans. Doubles or single. Flatbed regional is cool. No reefer. I'll drive a taxi before I do reefer again.
I would very much like to avoid the standard OTR job. If I wanted to do that, I'd buy a truck.

[DaveP]

If flat doesn't bother you, you might check into Greenbush Logistics.

They have terminals in Conyers and Jesup, GA.

An old time trucker over my way says they treated him well and worked with him on a schedule they both could live with and if his priority these days wasn't fishing thats who he'd go back to in a heartbeat.

Good luck to ya!

[coastie]

Hope this forum is the correct one. nothing else seems to apply. I have been out of the seat for 7 years. I tried heating and air conditioning. I would like to re-enter the trucking industry; but all that I talk to want two years of recent experience. I have 20 years and 1.7 million miles. Clean record. I consider myself a very good driver and have confidence that I can 'pick it up' again if I am cautious; as always. Still have CDL A with doubles and tanker. I let the Hazmat go; so I would have to refresh that endorsement. Other than going back to school; do I have options? :?:

Find a small Company Owner operator with own authority.

I was in the same problem 7 years out of the seat. All the large companies wanted me to go back to school. Small and Owner Operators did not care.

You do not have to go back to school if you look hard enough. It can be done, I did....

[oldrookie]

DaveP: I'll look into Greenbush. Thanks.

Coastie: As far as the owner operator route goes; that would work except for one thing. Good health insurance. I own my home outright. Hospital attorneys would lick their chops if I couldn't pay the bills on a major injury. No thanks.

[coastie]

DaveP: I'll look into Greenbush. Thanks.

Coastie: As far as the owner operator route goes; that would work except for one thing. Good health insurance. I own my home outright. Hospital attorneys would lick their chops if I couldn't pay the bills on a major injury. No thanks.

Also look at the small companies, they will offer insurance. I mention Owner Operators as an example. But look at Local Own companies. Not that far is several small companies that may be good, Furthest of 100 miles or less is Crane Trucking, owner Danny Crane.

But I basically saying in my original post it can be done without going back to school. You must look though.

As for medical Benefits, I always ended up with large bills even after the insurance paid, so I no longer think of it as a Benefit, but a lost of income. But I do have VA to go to for my medical needs.

[oldrookie]

I'll check out Crane. I know what you mean about health being a cost rather than a benefit. That's why I wrote 'good' health insurance. There's a difference even with the same provider. Depends on the plan. Every individual has their own needs. What's good for me may be considered over kill by some that are younger in better health. Thanks.