No Recent Experience

What am I missing here? Is it just insurance companies? How could any company not jump all over someone with 20 years experience? I know if it were me, I would take him over a newbie any time. I just dont get it.

 

Sadly you wouldn't be able to if nobody would insure that driver.

 

Maverick,

Happy Thanksgiving! The name of the flatbed company is,.. Maverick. I understand your questioning why they wouldn't hire you with all your experience, I don't understand it either except to say, this is one of the realities of the corporate profit mongering society we are now in. I'm sure there are liabilities based on "studies" that show drivers with no recent experience are prone to make mistakes that drivers with recent experience wouldn't.

I noticed in another post that you mentioned you had "sent out" resumes to a number of companies. May I suggest that you find out where they are and drive to each company to see them face to face. It's more aggressive than sending a resume, you don't know how many are already in a pile on their desk anyway. If they speak to you in person it's your chance to let them see the driver and get to know you better. If you can find an O&O who will let you on one of his trucks is a good idea as you had also mentioned. My personal visit did result in getting back on the road, but I will admit this company isn't the best to be around. In addition to wanting you to run illegal they are having trouble finding freight right now. I'm sitting home today through Sunday with no guarantee they'll be able to find me a load on Monday and I have rent to pay!

You may find that you like a smaller company anyway if you can find one. Don't quit looking,.. good luck!!

 

I drive for TMC and they will not hire you without 3 months of recent exp.or coming out of school.However they are one of the best companies that I have ever worked for.Plus I make d$mn good money with them.

 

Magnum,

When I called Schneider to see if they would hire me back after being out 10 years I asked about a refresher course. The recruiter pointed out that I should make sure the course was "certified" and to find out (if I could) if the company that was hiring me would accept the training from that course. I would hate to see you spend the money and not have the training accepted. I have a friend who is going through a local community college and they have a lot of recruiters coming to the school to speak with their students, it may be a way to go.

For now I'll spend the time I need with the small company I'm driving for and hopefully will be able to hook on with someone who can find the freight when I have 6 months back on the road. Even then I'm not sure that will be long enough, but to me, it's better than no recent OTR...

 

One thing I have heard about former drivers going out with company trainers is that as soon as the trainer sees you know what you're doing they'll release you to go out on your own. You'll know a shoddy trainer right away and could probably "straighten" them out with your knowledge. Their knowledge base of course is working for and within the company...

If your school brings in recruiters I would surely talk to them to gain knowledge. The one thing I have discovered since being back out on the road from 10 years ago is that it is a different world out there than it was 10 years ago. Good luck, keep us posted on your progress

 

Hey Maverick,
I'm currently looking for a school here in central Florida. I was wondering how much the tuition is for the institute in Sanford. What is there program like. Any info would be appreciated.
Spacecoast

 

Theres a thread about technical school in orlando charging 2100 for an 8 week course. Spacecoast, for company drivers, your best bet would be to go the pilot off SR 520 and start asking drivers about their companies. some will be rude and others will be nice. Others will ignore you.

Also, theres a rest area off wickham in the walmart plaza in viera across from super target. I beg you not fall into a lease gig. I have seen drivers on here get warned and come back to complain b/c of crappy companies like Cr England. Heres some companies that hire where we live:

Star Transportation, TN
US Express
Sothern Refridgerated
CFI (now Conway Truckload)
Pemberton
Barr Nunn (8 months)
Werner

Good luck too you.
Hunter