Heading back into Trucking
 

Hello Everyone
I used to drive for Schneider and i only got to 3 months due to Family deaths. I graduated in Aug 2004 left in nov 2004, have been attending College but its So Slow and i'm 39yrs old married 15yrs.
I'm at a cross roads in my life and now is the time for me to get Serious about this. i have a Current CDL-A w/ Hazmat and tanker ..tanker i added as a maybe.
I haven't drove in almost 3yrs now
Does anyone know if i'm Employable anymore?

Thx in advance

What does you criminal record look like? What about employment? If it has been 3 yrs you will more then likely have to go out with a trainer again. Have you called Schneider back to see if they will rehire you? BOL

With basically no experience there is a good chance many companies are going to want you to take a refresher course and then spend time with a trainer.

i have no criminal background thx god..driving record is clean too..no DUI's.
Work history is i have been working under the table and for myself the past 2yrs and i was also in school.wife works also so it balanced out at the time.
I understand that i will go thru Refresher training or be with a trainer for a while,so they know i'm safe and trust worthy..i didn't have any accidents when i was driving.i'm even think about teaming to get more experience or insight on how to do things better.
i have a few ideas on things i can change when i'm OTR,but i got to get there first.
I would feel so ashamed going back to schneirder,after i quit them already.isn't there any other way to do this?

Don't be ashamed! They get that all the time. Family comes first in my book! give them a call.

Fill out some app's and you will have your choice of many. From what I learned when I started thinking about getting back into trucking,...places like:
Schneider, Heartland, Swift, and JB Hunt were the ones who called me the most.
You will have to go through the training process all over again,...(I could not handle that so I went OO), but if your OK with teams then you should be able to get with a company,..stay with them to fulfill your contract with them, and then go looking for greener grass,....if you're not happy with the way the place is treating you.
I considered going to Schneider or Swift to get my feet wet again, and then switching to JB or Heartland.
Good luck to you, the doors will all open if your license is clean and you can pass a drug test.

Re: Heading back into Trucking
 

I'm not knocking trucking by any means but if you're in college and have the opportunity to finish it then do it! Getting that degree will open up many more opportunities for you, and you can still drive a truck after that if you choose to do so. Get the degree first, it will be worth it in the long run. You're almost 40...you should be enjoying the next years spending time at home with your family, not driving a truck for weeks at a time. So get the degree, then go from there. Trucking is always there for you. Just my 2 cents.

This is my first year in college.
Its a big accomplishment for me,so far i earned 7 credits first semester and i need 65.this fall i might be able to get 7 more if i don't go trucking.i'm looking at 3-4yrs of schooling.
Don't get me wrong Love school justs looking at where i'm at right now in life.
I justs renewed my CDL-A X and i have the fridge/cb/xm radio/laptop and i have no job at the moment. (not proud of no job justs this is the facts)

I recieved inquires from these carriers:

Schneirder
J.B Hunt
Covenant Transportation
Ltc Transportation
midwest-coast
CRST
CR England
Celadon
Crete Carrier
Melton Truck Lines

I understand i will be starting over and i'am thinking that i should go team to make the money and pay my dues and i will learn alot with being with someone other then trying to tough it out.
thx for any and all respones.

Re: Heading back into Trucking
 

I should think that under the circumstances two things happened. You had to leave Schneider due to deaths in the family, which is a valid reason. Secondly, Schneider will realize that, and probably anyone else at Schneider would do the same as you under those same conditions were they in your shoes.

My opinion, for what little it may count..is this: You started with Schneider. Contact Schneider and work with them to get back with them. Going back there will count for more in the long run than you might think. Also, if you have your hazmat and tanker (endorsement X) as you have stated.... see if they have any tanker work in their bulk division that you can get into. Do that training. It will open far more doors over the long run, pay better, and you will be happy you did it. Do not even talk to any other company until you have fully dealt with Schneider. As long as you left under friendly circumstances and didn't burn any bridges... you should be fine.

Now, I don't want to be a wet blanket on the college thing....but since you are 39 now....and even if you manage to get all of your credit hours for graduation in 4 years... you will be 43 then. I am afraid that you will more than likely find that your age will be a serious impediment to getting hired in a well paying job...unless you have a specialized degree. Age discrimination is illegal, however, you will find that there are more ways to get around that illegality than there are holes in swiss cheese. Been there, done that. But if thats the route you want to take, by all means do it!

Its your life, and its your decision.... as well as your wife's, because she's your other half. What does she think. Not necessary to tell us. Its just for your considerations.

But, as I said earlier....if you come back to driving.... go to Schneider, and try to get into their tanker division. It, if you come back to driving, will be your best option over any of the other companies. If you go through "Cyanide's" tanker information thread..... look at the pay and bennies for tanker drivers compared to box haulers....and you'll see why.

Best of Luck to you!! Its a tough set of decisions.... I know. I was there 14 years ago after I sold my businesses and technically retired.... The excuse everyone gave me for not hiring a 44 year old college educated and highly experienced salesman/manager was: "You're over-experienced". Legal jargon for "you're too old".

Thank very much for the replies
I agree totally Skywalker on age and how it would be great but almost impossible in the real world ..thats why i figured use what you got and enhance from that ....Again thx for replies and i will contact schneirder to find out where i stand...i will update as i find out