I got my cdl 10 years ago. Drove local about 3 years. Have not driven since.
Laid off in 2008 and been doing "contract work" for the last couple years. Want to drive but having trouble getting my foot in the door. Any ideas?

Everything I've been getting is that if you have been out of a truck (verifiable OTR) for a period longer than your previous experience, you will have to go back through training and become "recertified." I've only found one company to offer to take me on with only a 3-day refresher (+orientation) without charging me tons of money, and that was Pam. I.... uh.... haven't bitten on that one yet. Still looking. I've had plenty offer to put me in their school, though, or take me after I attend another school.

Originally Posted by daytona45

Remember too that driver X may be getting a 500 dollar bonus maybe more for every driver they recruit if you use their name so their motives may be less then pure when they tell you to go work there.The harsh reality is that there is no way of telling which company is for you and which isn't what may suit driver 1 will aggravate driver 2 just do your research.You have made a good start by coming here but remember everybody has their own agenda.Some fellows are just angry people with an ax to grind look at all there posts you will get a good Idea of what type of person you are listening too.Nobody here can give you the answer you are looking for I know I was exactly where you are right now because I was there a few weeks ago.If you want to be good safe legal driver then chances are that is what you will be because that is what lives inside of you.Is it scary hell yeah it is scary it is also the best job I have ever had but hey that is me and what works for me may not work for you.Look in the mirror and ask yourself do you want to do this if you answer yes then go for it life is not a dress rehearsal you ought to be doing something you enjoy.good luck with your decision Later

Fortunately my life doesn't depend on thinking up more cliche lines for that post. C'mon, now, I can't be the only new guy that's tired of hearing people regurgitate what they've read on motivational posters in the dispatch office. That $tuff's for the birds, and college grads with office jobs, to remind them how much they envy truckers' freedom. This is my first post. I've been chatting with unhealthy truckers at the local truck stop, and they all complain about this or that. I will be third generation trucker now that i'm out of the army, and I think I've just about had enough of you fellas complaining about $tuff that's your own #### fault. It always comes down to time and money. After driving a truck in Iraq looking for ieds and carrying ten + troops in the back of an lmtv for $h1t pay, I reckon $300/per week to stay away from all the annoying spoiled no-class drama civilians in day to day life is ok. The only downside I see is having to hear the no-class spoiled civilian truck drivers complain about $tuff all the time. I suspect most of you like trucking for the same reason I do: avoid 'normal' life, because you don't fit in or it 'sucks'. Suppose you made more money and had more time. I bet you'd die from all the extra time you'd have to spend living with yourself without having to focus on driving. Imagine staying up for 24hr+ driving (at night without headlights only NVGs) eating MREs when you should be sleeping and ######## in a hole in the ground. Suppose you'd stop your beechin when you got your nice company/oo job back, if you even made it back. Just get over yourselves, holy $hia!

Come on now, tell us how you really feel.. No offense meant, really like your post.

Oh and more importantly.. Glad you made it back, and most important.. Thank you for your service!!

Originally Posted by stone24

Fortunately my life doesn't depend on thinking up more cliche lines for that post. C'mon, now, I can't be the only new guy that's tired of hearing people regurgitate what they've read on motivational posters in the dispatch office. That $tuff's for the birds, and college grads with office jobs, to remind them how much they envy truckers' freedom. This is my first post. I've been chatting with unhealthy truckers at the local truck stop, and they all complain about this or that. I will be third generation trucker now that i'm out of the army, and I think I've just about had enough of you fellas complaining about $tuff that's your own #### fault. It always comes down to time and money. After driving a truck in Iraq looking for ieds and carrying ten + troops in the back of an lmtv for $h1t pay, I reckon $300/per week to stay away from all the annoying spoiled no-class drama civilians in day to day life is ok. The only downside I see is having to hear the no-class spoiled civilian truck drivers complain about $tuff all the time. I suspect most of you like trucking for the same reason I do: avoid 'normal' life, because you don't fit in or it 'sucks'. Suppose you made more money and had more time. I bet you'd die from all the extra time you'd have to spend living with yourself without having to focus on driving. Imagine staying up for 24hr+ driving (at night without headlights only NVGs) eating MREs when you should be sleeping and ######## in a hole in the ground. Suppose you'd stop your beechin when you got your nice company/oo job back, if you even made it back. Just get over yourselves, holy $hia!

Sorry GI Joe, most people that last more than a year in this industry are here to make money. The misfits rarely survive due to having to follow a lot of rules. Your holier than thou attitude will not do well in this industry, and it's easy to see why you feel you don't "fit in". Just like almost every other military braggart, the HSLD guys never talk about what they have done, and the REMF and pogues can't shut their trap.

Ok you got me. I didn't realize you were just a troll.

Originally Posted by stone24

Fortunately my life doesn't depend on thinking up more cliche lines for that post. C'mon, now, I can't be the only new guy that's tired of hearing people regurgitate what they've read on motivational posters in the dispatch office. That $tuff's for the birds, and college grads with office jobs, to remind them how much they envy truckers' freedom. This is my first post. I've been chatting with unhealthy truckers at the local truck stop, and they all complain about this or that. I will be third generation trucker now that i'm out of the army, and I think I've just about had enough of you fellas complaining about $tuff that's your own #### fault. It always comes down to time and money. After driving a truck in Iraq looking for ieds and carrying ten + troops in the back of an lmtv for $h1t pay, I reckon $300/per week to stay away from all the annoying spoiled no-class drama civilians in day to day life is ok. The only downside I see is having to hear the no-class spoiled civilian truck drivers complain about $tuff all the time. I suspect most of you like trucking for the same reason I do: avoid 'normal' life, because you don't fit in or it 'sucks'. Suppose you made more money and had more time. I bet you'd die from all the extra time you'd have to spend living with yourself without having to focus on driving. Imagine staying up for 24hr+ driving (at night without headlights only NVGs) eating MREs when you should be sleeping and ######## in a hole in the ground. Suppose you'd stop your beechin when you got your nice company/oo job back, if you even made it back. Just get over yourselves, holy $hia!

Looks like you will become the next SUPERTRUCKER....you know the kind of guy that will take a subject,turn it around and then tell us his life story.
THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY....It sounds like that is all you wanted was to let us all know that you fought overseas....good luck with the search for a job now that you are back,the big trucking companies that will hire you LOVE the new tough-guy know-it-alls.
Be careful of the wizz test...I think you might need to slow down on the meds.