I’m 44 years old and ran over the road from 1998 to 2018, mostly dry vans and jobs where I unloaded my own freight(loved ltl, milk runs). Between 2015 and 2016 I lost both my parents, my wife in a tragic fashion, and even the dog. In those 20 years I ballooned to 477 pounds. I don’t want to share a war story, but I quit in July 2018 for many reasons. The ones I’ll share are: lack of parking, getting the bird multiple times per day, other cars and trucks trying to wreck me, just burned out.
Since October 2019, I’ve lost 232 pounds. I don’t drink or smoke or take drugs and I walk a lot. I’m currently throwing boxes at UPS to stay n shape. I got the TSA letter to get hazmat, which is good for 6 months. I have the tanker and doubles endorsement, but I’ve never pulled these. MVR is clean and so is CSA. That new alcohol and drug clearinghouse registry isn’t a problem. I’d only need a DOT physical, which is no problem since I’ve lost weight.
The elephant in the room is 3 years of not driving. My question to all of y’all is how to get back in without going out with a trainer, like when I was a greenhorn? It looks like a lot of jobs are paying well. Or should I just wait and drive the little brown truck with UPS(not sure how long the wait is for that)? I’ve lived on my 401k for these 3 years( didn’t take unemployment or nothing like that), but this job ain’t paying the money that I’m used to making. I know a lot of jobs are regional now and not really irregular route, over the road. I miss seeing the Midwest and Intermountain west, but should I go the ltl route to keep in shape?
I don’t want to get obese again, first and foremost. And, I don’t want a camera in my face. And, I want to make good money.
Any ideas would be appreciated and I thank all of you who took the time to read and think about my situation.
How to get back into trucking; long thread.
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Evilcapitalist, May 5, 2021.
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NightWind, slow.rider and Chinatown Thank this.
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I don't think not driving for 3 years will affect your ability to land a good job at a good company I bet if you put yourself out to a Bunch of companies you will have multiple jobs offered
slow.rider and Chinatown Thank this. -
Holy #### 232 pounds. You're half the man you used to be, literally!
I'm pretty sure that you can get hired right away by a lot of good companies and not require a trainer truck.
I took a couple years off overseas and came back to the same job without any training at all + a 5000 dollar sign on bonus.slow.rider, rachi and Puppage Thank this. -
I’m sure Chinatown with be here shortly but look at yellow roadway and old dominion if they are near you.
sorry to hear of your family loss.
That’s always a difficult situation for anyone.slow.rider Thanks this. -
Well, LTL should keep you more active and less chance of gaining weight back. OTR I bet would put some pounds back on you. Most legit companies may require you to do a refresher course which means out with a trainer for a couple weeks.
Last edited: May 5, 2021
slow.rider Thanks this. -
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Most any company will hire you even though you've been off the road 3 years.
All the LTL/linehaul companies are hiring. Check with them.
Estes Express
Saia, Inc.
R&L Carriers
YRC Freight
Old Dominion Freight Line
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Some companies have a guaranteed minimum weekly pay, such as:
Great Plains Transport | Truck Driving Company | North Dakota
Great Plains Transport | Truck Driving Company | North Dakota
Not sure, but I think @Knucklehead worked there.
$65,000+ Annual Salary
Up to $1,000 Per Month in Additional Bonuses
Great Plains Transport is a North Dakota trucking company featuring refrigerated freight, cargo, and dedicated transportation services while offering long haul OTR truck driving jobs in 48 states.
Last edited: May 5, 2021
slow.rider Thanks this. -
Climate Express probably hire you. @bryan21384 works there.
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Climate Express
Refrigerated frozen freight trucking dry load shipping TL LTL - Climate Express trucking shipping
Climate Express has been providing shipping sevices since 1996.slow.rider Thanks this. -
Home - Magnum Companies
Home - Magnum Companies
Magnum is an asset-based logistics company with the people, equipment, and technology to provide premium service at competitive rates.slow.rider Thanks this. -
Trucking Company, Columbus, OH - Coldliner Express
Trucking Company, Columbus, OH
Coldliner Express offers dependable, temperature-controlled food shipping across the lower 48 states.slow.rider Thanks this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
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