Is My Class A Completely Useless?

[LaLaLaura]

My husband and I both have Class A's. We haven't been OTR drivers since '03. I can't find any companies that are willing to hire us and I absolutely cannot afford the 1600.00 it would take for both of us to go through refresher courses.
I thought Heartland gave a refresher but it seems we've been off the road too long for them. Any suggestions? We're really ready to get back out there. Thanks!

[Rev.Vassago]

If you're looking at any larger companies, they are gonna require the refresher course. Your best bet would be to look for a very small company. They tend to be more forgiving, although the economy might even close those doors.

[LaLaLaura]

Thanks, Rev.
Comapnies, I suppose, can afford to be picky now-a-days. We started with Covenant back when they still had the school. I thought we'd be able to get back on with them fairly easily considering we left on good terms but no such thing. Not only that, but they pay .05 less per mile than when we started out. Yikes, man! Pay-cut, indeed.
It's not like we haven't been driving, just not Class A OTR stuff.
Any other suggestions would be much appreciated. (other than leasing a truck from cr england! I might be a newb, but I've been reading the threads ...lol)

[tbogle]

Any other suggestions would be much appreciated. (other than leasing a truck from cr england! I might be a newb, but I've been reading the threads ...lol)

Lease a truck from JB Hunt....lol

[VPIDarkAngel]

Lease a truck from JB Hunt....lol

or Prime, or CRST... Note the sarcasm here.

[LaLaLaura]

lol, guys. I think I'll pass on that advice for now.

[1TruckDrivinSunUvAGun]

I agree with just start at the small companies. All you can do is start calling, e-mailing, filling out apps, whatever you can do. I don't know if you have tried Swift? CR England has team company drivers. Roehl? Knight Transportation? Millis? Prime? CRST? Werner? I'm pretty sure Swift and Werner will take you if your willing to go out with a trainer. Your going to have to apply at companies as if your a student not an experienced driver and expect to go out with a trainer for a long time. Good luck.

[outkast]

about 3 years ago, I went back to SRT after being off the road for almost 4 years, my advice is to keep checking, someone will hire you.

[Greeneyed Trucking Girl]

I agree with just start at the small companies. All you can do is start calling, e-mailing, filling out apps, whatever you can do. I don't know if you have tried Swift? CR England has team company drivers. Roehl? Knight Transportation? Millis? Prime? CRST? Werner? I'm pretty sure Swift and Werner will take you if your willing to go out with a trainer. Your going to have to apply at companies as if your a student not an experienced driver and expect to go out with a trainer for a long time. Good luck.

Roehl will make them take their driver training course which is about $2,400.00. They will make them go through everything except take the DOT driving test.

[Oakdancer]

Many states subsidize training for people in your situation, often paying 100% for your acquiring the skills to make you more employable. Check out the US Dept of Labor page at U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Training

If you don't find what you're looking for there, drop by your local state unemployment office and explain your situation to them. They may have more information. Good luck!

[Voyager]

Roehl will make them take their driver training course which is about $2,400.00. They will make them go through everything except take the DOT driving test.

To me that is a bigger rip-off and scam than bating a starry eyed newbie. Once you know how to drive a truck you never forget. The basic skills are always there, although you might have to shake off the rust a bit, A simple refresher to learn new DOT laws, company procedures and the like, as well as a day on the range or a week or two with a trainer should be sufficient in the case of an experienced driver who's been off the road for a few years.

[looneygirl48]

try CRST, their refresher course is only 500.00 each and they take it out of your pay weekly.