Advice needed for getting back into trucking after 10 years...

Hello everyone, ill keep this as short as I can.

I got my CDL through a college, and I actually drove for Covenant Transport for 8 months or so. I was under a lot of stress at the time with my wife having to handle our toddler child. The stress and emotion of being away eventually caught up with me and I stopped.

A couple years later, I drove for a mom and pop shop pulling a flatbed. Hauled pretty much everything from suicide coils to concrete bridge parts. That job only lasted about 4 months though because the truck I was driving tore up and they chose not to fix it since the company was starting to go under anyway.


Now, it has been probably about 8 years since I have even been inside a truck. My kids are now 8 and 12. My wife and I have both gained maturity since the first time I went out on the road.


My current factory job has changed they way they pay employees (long boring story). Suffice it to say that I can no longer make ends meet and we have no extra money to do anything together as a family. I am considering getting back into trucking and giving it a real shot. I know I will be away for 2-3 weeks at a time but at least we would have the money to do something together when I came in compared to sitting here at home doing nothing but watching TV like it is now.

I have absolutely no clue how or even if its possible to get back into trucking. I still have my CDL, Tanker, Double/Tripple, and a clean MVR but I would say I have ZERO experience since it has been so long since I have driven. Hell, I'm sure I have forgotten most of a pre-trip inspection or all the laws regarding log booking.

What would yall suggest I do? Would a mega carrier take me? Would I have to go back to school? I am hoping that I could get hired for minimum CPM and be put with a trainer for a few months to get back in the swing of things before I am turned loose. I just dont know if companies do that type of thing or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

I guess I should give a few more details. Im 34 years old and have no health problems. And before you worry about the amount of money ill be bringing home. I currently make 19,240 a year....GROSS. I make 9.25 per hour in my current job. Surely even entry level jobs would pay more than that per week (most of the time).

 

Sorry guys, I live in Blue Ridge, GA which is right on the state line of TN. About 2 hours north of Atlanta, or 2 hours South of Chattanooga. Either way.

 

Profile updated, just made this account today. Ive been lurking for a while but finally decided to ask.


I just printed out my 7 year MVR. 0 Points on my license and the only thing I have citation wise is a "Improper Lane Usage" back in 2010 when I was in the HOV lane around atlanta while riding alone. Doh...

I requested a copy of my DAC report but I haven't gotten it yet.