Been out of the loop for a few years.............

[Pony Express]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums and have been reading various topics and have a question for you.
I am a veteran driver with 14 years OTR experience, I drove company trucks as well as my own. Thing is, I gave up the road about 10 years ago to drive locally and am now itching to get back out there. Basically, what I am asking is..........this is going to hurt me isn't it? Is it going to be like starting from the very begining all over again?
I'm waiting for my DAC to get here but have already contacted a few companies (TMC) being on the top of my list. But I guess I'm worried that such a company won't touch me anymore.
What are your opinions?

Thanks and hope to see ya out there soon.
Pony Express.

[GMAN]

If you have held a CDL for several years and been driving 18 wheelers during that time, it may not hurt you with some carriers. There are others which might have a problem with it. Frankly, I don't see why it should make a difference as long as the skills are there. Your best bet would be to call some of the carriers that you are most interested and talk to a recruiter. Policies vary from one company to another.

[Pony Express]

I drove all that time except for the last 2 years, my wife and I started a business and now I can't stand it. lol

[GMAN]

Most carriers look at the last 3 years for experience. Are you looking for flat bed, van or what?

[Pony Express]

Most carriers look at the last 3 years for experience. Are you looking for flat bed, van or what?

I've done just about everything except for flatbed. I've done a few runs with one, but nothing to really count as flatbed experience. But yes, I am very interested in flatbed (TMC in particular) but I am going to keep my options open to whatever comes along providing it's not one of the major companies that we all love. lol

[GMAN]

If you decide to go flat bed you will need to get some training on securement and tarping. You can either find a larger carrier who has a training program or a smaller one that will help you get a start. With a year of experience during the last 3 you could probably find one of the larger carriers who could get you by the insurance company. That is the main problem these days with finding qualified drivers. The insurance companies dictate who they will cover. Unless a driver can be insured, we cannot hire them. If your MVR is in good shape, I don't think you will have a problem getting on with someone. You may need to go with a trainer for a couple of weeks to get your feet wet again. I would call TMC or any of the carriers that you are interested.

[Chris M]

I was in the same boat. I didn't have any varifiable OTR experience so I would of had to go with a trainer. Roehl even told me I had to go back through school to get my CDL??? I already have it??? Good luck and I hope it works out for you. Keep us updated.

[Pony Express]

I was in the same boat. I didn't have any varifiable OTR experience so I would of had to go with a trainer. Roehl even told me I had to go back through school to get my CDL??? I already have it??? Good luck and I hope it works out for you. Keep us updated.

Wow that's tough! I hope you got it all squared away. I'm thinking things might be a little rough for me since I've been gone for so long. I had no idea how many changes have taken place since then. "Paperless logs", I laughed my butt off when Werner first started this way back when and thought to myself, it will never work. Boy was I wrong.
I drove for ETV and my main run used to be from Grand Rapids to CA.
I would turn it in a week by myself. lol
It's definately gonna take some getting used to, I'm still finding new things sine I joined here.