15 year hiatus

15 years gone ?!?!?!?
Wondering were the hell you have been ?
If you still have your CDL many many companies will stand in line to hire you. They will probably team you with a trainer for a month or 2 then you will be ready to run by yourself.
Next time dont be a stranger !!!

 

@Transit_lifer
1) How close to retirement are you with the bus company?
2) Also, would you go OTR hauling tanker materials, (gasoline, oil, diesel, propane, water, syrup, flour, milk, etc.), coast to coast, California to Maine and back?

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

The absolute sheer driving force of our national economy - without truck drivers, our entire national economy would come to an absolute standstill - if not outright be dead.

Over the mountains, through the woods, into the valleys, coast to coast, from sea to shining sea - truck drivers can and do go anywhere and everywhere, every day, every night, all year round.

 

Hi Transit_lifer. This thread is a few months old, so I'm not sure if you are still looking, but I'm in the exact same situation as you are! I drove OTR for about 3 1/2 years and then took a job driving a city bus in Minneapolis. I know EXACTLY how you feel about wanting to get away from the trashy people you pick up on the bus. I used to regularly drive a route that took me right past the corner where George Floyd was "killed." One day I was driving and got spit on by a Somali teenager and that was the last straw for me.

Since you mentioned that you would like to pull a fuel tanker, you could try Love's truck stops. I just saw a video today where their recruiter said they were looking for drivers. I saw in the comment section of the video that they actually hire new CDL holders right out of school, so if that is true, you shouldn't have a problem with your experience. Below is a link to the video on YouTube. Maybe watch that and also read the comment section for more info.



The driver recruiter's email address is: Ashley.Brooking@loves.com

Other possible options would be:

Roehl Transport - They are the company I did my training through and I worked for them for 3 1/2 years after that. You won't get rich with them because they are a starter company, but 7 years ago when I was working for them, they had very nice equipment, they were very safety conscious, and they were decent people who did what they said they would do. They are located in Marshfield, WI. I called them just the other day, and they said that they have a "relaunch" training program for drivers with experience but who have been off the road for a while. Granted, I worked for them in the past, but they told me that they could put me through the relaunch training for between 2-9 days and I would be in a truck on my own, making money the day after that.

Schneider - I don't know a lot about Schneider, but they are another company that trains new drivers. It's possible that they have something similar to Roehl's Relaunch program that could get you back on the road without having to go through the whole CDL driver's training course that total newbies have to do. The reason I thought about Schneider is that they also have a tanker division, so you might be able to kill two birds with one stone by getting back behind the wheel of a truck, and possibly a tanker truck too!

I hope this helps. Best of luck in your post-retirement endeavors!

 

My friend i started doing food service with just switched from school bus to driving a city bus. Has no plans of going back on the road for at least a while anyways

 

Abilene Motor Express will probably hire you right now. Have hired drivers that have been off the road 20 yrs.
You don't pay Abilene; Abilene pays you.
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Nationwide Motor Freight Company | Abilene Motor Express
Nationwide Motor Freight Company | Abilene Motor Express
Jul 13, 2021 · about abilene motor express. Abilene Motor Express is recognized nationwide for our prompt and reliable motor freight services to destinations throughout the continental US. Customers appreciate our flexibility and prompt response to their needs.

 

I can't blame you for that, Brett. Driving a city bus is a good job when it comes to pay, benefits, and home time. You just have to be able to tolerate the freight. If you can do that, more power to you, brother!