Shine up the CDL / after 7 years not driving

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by vikingman, Nov 28, 2011.

  1. vikingman

    vikingman Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2011
    Mankato, MN
    0
    Greetings Everyone.

    I drove van for Roehl about a year, seven years ago, right out of CDL school. I was driving though Ohio one day and decided that OTR was not what I wanted to do the rest of my life, turned in my time, and drove the truck back to the terminal after completing my dispatch(s). I worked various non-trucking jobs over the past 7 years. Now I am thinking about "shining up my CDL" and getting that 2 years of recent experience often specified for local or 7/7 type jobs.

    I am asking about advice on whether I should look at a 1-2 year hitch at a trainer company or try to find a smaller OTR company that would hire anyway. Or anything else you can suggest. If I have to go out with a trainer again, I'm thinking I might as well go flatbed this time. That is a piece of advice from an experienced trucker that I should have taken the last time I went out.

    You might be wondering why I would want to go back OTR when I left once before. Let's just say that I am looking at it as a temporary solution right now. I also have no illusions about the job, have lower debt, am more laid back, and have learned a lot on this forum that my trainer never taught me. No longer do I suffer from any "romantic illusions" about OTR trucking that afflicted me the first time around (noob's disease). I would think about it as a two year tour of duty. No knock on Roehl here, I think they are one of the better companies to start at. One could do a lot worse.

    When I talk to truckers, it seems to me that everything has gotten worse in the last seven years. Agree?

    Should I look around for a local O/O who wants a few loads hauled now and then?

    Thanks
     
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  3. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    6,501
    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
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    Well you don't know diddly according to the training companies. However, if you've kept up your CDL this whole time, go get a current DOT physical and start shopping smaller companies or owner operators. Driver beware always applies, but that "seasoned CDL" should allow you to be hired by a smaller outfit or couple truck O/O. Another option that pays really well would be to go run the oilfields in the Dakotas and you're already used to that dang cold windy weather.
     
  4. vikingman

    vikingman Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2011
    Mankato, MN
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    Thanks.

    I have kept up my CDL and have a current medical card. The only thing I let slide was my hazmat, cause I did not want to pay for the new requirements if I was not driving at the time.

    I would prefer to drive for a smaller outfit (no qualcomm) anyway.

    I just talked a friend who's been talking to companies about a welding job in the North Dakato fields. The rumor is they have a lot more oil there than they first thought, and the boom (drilling, fracking) should last another 5 or 10 years anyway.
     
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