Say I have 6 years OTR, but not recent enough it seems. I have enough $ saved to buy a 2001-2004 Freightliner, but everyone carrier seems to be requiring my experience be withing the last 3 years and I quit driving in 4 years ago. Are there any companies that will take on owner-ops in this situation? Or is my best bet to get a brokers license and broker my own loads?

I think heartland has a refresher program, AND o/o program. Why you'd want to buy a truck from the "git-go" after your time off is beyond me.

Heartland think I did call them ...hmmm am quessing thats their standard new driver training training program really though? yeah not looking tp have to go through any new driver programs; had enough of training programs myself when I trained for a major carrier a couple of years.
Either I can sign a truck with them (which they dont seem to want to let me without the reason experience) so thats out , so I will have to get a license and broker my own loads I quess?....seems the only option? Would really love though if anyone things of another?

Heartland has a website too with the "refresher" info.

I'm not trying to sell Heartland, but they do have a refresher program. Pretty sure theres a few other carriers that have it too.

HTH

Thks Bandit, but not really interested in a company driver in any shape or form. Hmmm quess I will have to just try and get contract authority and try to survive on internet broker loads. I know to most of you old hands and very experienced that probably sounds like a bad idea at best, but I will premise that I have very low needs financially, if I can make enough to just feed myself, pay insurance, and operating costs I will surive

Your experience could still come into play if you get your own authority. They ask for your last 3 years experience, or at least mine does when I hire a new driver. I don't know if they actually check it, but they send me a form for the driver to fill out prior to covering them. If you have had your CDL for all of the time you have been away from the business, you may get away with it. I don't want to discourage you. I think it will all come back to you, even after being away from it for a few years. Before going to the expense of buying a truck, I would suggest checking on the insurance first. You may find it a real eye opener.

That brokering option sounds easy.
But you may want to spend a year at selling Fuller brushes or Mary Kay Cosmetics before you try that aspect of the busness.

Ditto what GMAN said, insurance will be your biggest obstacle.

Appreciate all adivce; yeah the insurance issue is the problem none of the companies want to take me on. They all want an owner OP, but the thing is I have been away from commercial driving for 3 and a half almost 4 years....something about DAC only keeping my records 3 years, but I thought DAC was al,l powerfull so they must be somewhere. Yeah since I hsve been only comparing and pricing used trucks, from 2001-2003, and dont actually have 1, havent looked into insurance yet, I Imagine this is the insurance that covers the freight itself and not the insurance that covers the truck itself?