Going to start driving again, do I need a refresher course?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by scott180, Apr 23, 2019.

  1. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    I drove for about 10 years. A year and a half driving doubles doing dirt hauling and then around 8+ doing fuel. All of this time was spent in the SF bay area. I did 6-8 loads of fuel per day as well as ethanol and jet fuel.
    Stopped driving in May of 2012, seven years ago after a car sideswiped me and caused nerve damage in my back.
    Pain medication proved useless so I have been doing a desk gob since. Oddly enough the Keto diet has reduced the inflammation to the point a good driving gob is realistic again.
    • After seven years is a refresher course necessary?
    • I stayed local before. Will this be a hindrance in getting hired with a OTR company?
    • I no longer have any ties to where I am now at. Relocating or living in the truck are both an option.
    • Oil field or OTR. What pays more?
    • What oil field would you recommend and why?
    • I have a chance to get on with a OTR company paying .55¢ a mile. With 2019 equipment. Good deal?
    • I should receive my new DL by the end of May.
    • Should I get my Hazmat and TWIC back?
    A person can get used to anything if they have a goal in mind. My main thing now is money so I can buy land and a house. With these things in mind where would you go to meet this goal?
     
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  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    You look at the Dakotas or Wyoming Oil Fields, I have a thinking that there you have that oil If that is what you want.

    If inflammation is your true enemy (We are getting ready to see about adding steriods to my body after I discovered that a OTC medicine that has some is helping in some good ways off label for me) then it is good you are off Pain management. I am pain management also just finally started a new medicine this past month that is strictly a body pain killer, leaving my mind clear. I don't know if I want to put the liver through that morphine all the time just yet long term. It's a good medicine. But not something the doctors are willing to give out because at my weight the doses come up to just over 50 MME daily limit per CDC and Arkansas. They will be getting a letter challenging this prescription this month but it will be ok. No worries.

    Good luck to you.
     
  4. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    Take a look at Keto. I took morphine and it only took the edge off and the side effects were bad. Keto and supplements like Turmeric did more for me than the pills or injections. I like Dr.Berg and Dr.Berry on youtube. Good luck.
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Which OTR company offered you a job?
    That oil field trucking probably exacerbate the back problems with rough roads and off road driving.
    If you relocate, consider Texas or Nevada for the tax benefits and good weather.
    Line haul companies pay really well; probably start out at around $70K then move up fast to $80K - $100K. May not be the best if you want to live in the truck though.
    Line haul companies:
    Old Dominion Freight Lines
    Estes Express
    R&L Carriers
    Reddaway
    If you decide to live in the truck; consider coast to coast reefer outfits.
    Here's two, but there's plenty more.
    Trucking Companies - Home - Schuster Trucking Company
    Company Drivers | Drive Freymiller
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2019
  6. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    local company here in UT. They are big in dirt but are starting to do OTR so they need drivers.
     
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  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Probably a good place to get back on the road. After 3 - 6 mos. plenty of other OTR companies will hire you.
    Yeah, get all the endorsements. Plenty of good tanker jobs out of Texas and Nevada if you do decide to relocate somewhere.
    [​IMG].[​IMG]
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Can you pass a hair follicle drug test? Some prescription drugs are forbidden in trucking these days.
     
  9. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    I haven't taken any pain meds in at least 6 months and only with a prescription. That was from a dentist. The hard pain meds I haven't used in years. Did not work and caused more problems than they helped.
     
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  10. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    I enjoyed my time doing tankers. Will any hire with no recent experience? How is the pay vs regular OTR?
     
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Over 6 mos. you should be ok then.
    I don't know of tanker outfits that hire with no recent experience, but, never know for sure until you apply. Sometimes they go all out for a driver that drove a few years ago.
    Indian River Transport is a good one and they run OTR.
    Indian River Transport Company
    Trucks:
    • Indian River Transport runs a late model tractor fleet consisting of 600 Peterbilt tractors.
    • All trucks are furnished with refrigerators and premier interior packages, over 70-inch sleepers.
    • All tractors are assigned and are less than 36 months old.
    [​IMG].[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2019
    x1Heavy and Flat Earth Trucker Thank this.
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