Returning To Trucking

Company policies vary. Talk to the specific company and/or drivers at the specific company.

 

Started in 1999 got out in 2005. I was out for 10 yrs. Wanted to drive again in 2015. Found a Russian with 5 trucks on CL. He threw the keys to me. I was pretty nervous when I got behind the wheel of this Pete. But it's like riding a bike. Everything came back instantly. Switch jobs after I got recent experience. Been driving since.

 

There is decent work out there if you are in that position. We take guys like that, hell I had let my CDL lapse and they hired me on the condition I would use one of their trucks and go get my license again.

 

How long have you been out? I came across a guy that had been out of it for 4 years, and he was able to find a job without having to do a refresher, he began driving in 2000 or 2001, but I think his experience outweighed how long he's been out. The megas will probably make you do a refresher or go out with a trainer for a bit, but the smaller companies sometimes will wing it and trust you.....I would just do some digging and be upfront about your situation

 

I know a company that hired a couple of drivers that had been off the road 20 years.
Simple process; the company makes it easy.
Abilene Motor Express in Virginia. Give em' a call. Nice trucks.
Nationwide Motor Freight Company | Abilene Motor Express
https://www.abilenemotor.com

 

The megas will want you to take a class, or a refresher course.

When the recession hit and the local wages went down the toilet. I considered them. And they wanted me to take a refresher course.

I never stopped driving. I just stayed local. And decided the only money at that time. Was OTR.

When I asked why. Their answer was to make sure I can sit for long periods at a time.

I guess local drivers don't do that. SMH.

 

Not hard. Last time I touched a big rig was as a Crew Boss in Adesa Little Rock back about 2010 more or less. This would be with trailers of all kinds and tractors particularly older ones of all kinds. One of my responsibilities was to take my assigned group of CDL A temps and sort who knows manual but not auto and who knows auto but not manual. Teach both groups very simple move truck instructions enough to allow them to get into the big sale barn bay get to sale floor out of the barn and park it without killing people, jerking or looking really bad.

I was a yard jockey for a jacksonville factory complex responsible for 25 trailers move them into factory docks (Three total) and when loaded shuttle them half a mile north to packing and shipping building dock them on the long house in order by number and ensure outside trucks are in order as well.

Back trailer in, drop next trailer load hook pull from dock one with a Ford 9000 Day cab late model close doors, drive half a mile, pull in drop into the log dock by it's number. If this is trailer one then far end on left. Trailer two goes next to it, grab trailer 4 empty, hook, drive south to factory docks, back in with doors open, Drop. Get trailer number two hook, drive to packing bulding, dock next to trailer 1, grab trailer 5 etc repeat until the boss man sends you home it could be 4 hours or it could be 30. No log books here. Pay was 20.00 a hour. Plus overtime and half after 40.

The first time I backed trailer in was one move within one inch for me perfect so that rust was broken off fast.

The actual doing, is like riding a bike or the process or procedure for being with wife in bed or woman etc. Not hard at all. Mainly 10 minutes of butterflies because its been a while.

My state had me grandfathered on CDL A for many years, if I want back in it's 50 dollars plus big truck plus full grown driver plus road test plus written test plus security things required for Gold Star Real Update in addition to CDL A Photo, med card (Swear a tier two until med card is valid) and eye test which is no big deal. Thats it.

I have one lifetime job with my old Superliner 500 waiting patiently in the haybarn on the farm back east just need to show up at sunrise. And I have another standing job with McKesson for medicines in high dollar situation in Memphis So there is that. I am also welcome in FFE and two other friendly trucking companies so getting a job or whatever it is is primarily a paperwork exercise for me. Thats going to happen in about one year.

The important problem in my mid 50's is a pending building a virtual copy of my heart and it's entire support system inside my chest with three scanning tools once that data is assembled the doctor will add a stress test and throw that data into his decision. Three questions are going to be answered. One: The three known valve issues are they adequate or need replacement parts Two: Insurers demanded a Formal Heart Failure determination if That is proven medically to be true without any mistakes or iffy guesses etc then the trucking is out with one exception that being temporary then Hospice when the time comes. And that would be the end of my story here in this life.

That is where I am at and am getting back into it there will be a couple of surgeries to get out of the way soonest just because we can with insurer telling me it's essentially free up to 2 million in billing until Jan1. So why not. Start the sawbones chopping. Other hip joint up first.

Thats my story. The trucking part is not a problem It's the little details that may or may not be a problem because I already have very strong opinion on whats allowable or not inside "My Truck" if I found out a employer does for example driver facing cam then I quit within 5 minutes and go home. There is no compromise. That is a example.

Good luck to you. Your rust will break off easy in a big rig. Dont worry.