Coming out of retirement to drive again.

Copy that. Good starting point with a medium sized co.

 

I wish you the best in your search. But I must ask one good-natured question:

You SURE you wanna do this?

 

I too retired. Didn't get bored, just missed the OTR life. From what I read here, it seems you didn't have a lot of long haul experience so my path back to trucking may not work for you.
In my case, I determined that I would not be able to drive for a mega. I know how to drive, trip plan, manage my time, and, most importantly, make my own decisions.
It took a while, but I finally hooked up with a one truck owner that was looking to expand. We talked, worked together to find a truck and went from there. I didn't then and still don't know anything about finding loads or running the business, that's his AO. But I have always treated the equipment like it was mine, and done all repairs that didn't need more tools than I could carry.
Worked out well, he found loads, we discussed them before he booked them and other than that, I was on my own. Per my request, I stayed out 3 weeks and home 1. Pay was salary, even the home week. The thing is, for that to work, you got to have years of experience and a truckload of trust on both sides.
I'm retired again due to a loving second wife, ( I to am a widower from a 35 year marriage ), that worries about my health on the road after a week long stay in intensive care after surgery for a blocked small intestine 800 miles from home.
Good luck!

 

I’m having problems finding work after taking a almost a year off for personal reasons. Have several years of experience, clean record, all the endorsements, fresh medical, and I’m still finding it a challenge. Might have to just settle for one of the megas for a few months until other jobs open.

 

I hear ya. I’m 63, been at it since ‘96. It’s just the daily game of dodging completely brain dead and ignorant drivers masquerading as “professionals” that makes me want to escape before the end of 2025 when I turn 65.

 

What type of work are you looking for? Where are you located? I'm surprised you're having trouble finding work with all endorsements and experience.

 

Retirement isn't the issue. No recent CDL driving is the issue. There are plenty of companies, when they need more drivers, that hire drivers that just completed a refresher course. However, the industry is slow right now, so a lot fewer drivers are getting hired. After about 1-3 years of no CDL driving, you might as well be a newbie with a fresh CDL and no experience according to insurance companies, who set the rules on the hiring requirements. Obviously, you still have of the knowledge and experience from CDL driving.

I wouldn't see this as your crusade to convince employers your employment gap is retirement. Some gaps are caused by extended family or medical issues or other reasons. The reason for the gap isn't very important unless it indicates something about the risk you pose to the employer, and retirement doesn't seem like that. You just need one suitable job, not an industry-wide recognition that retirement is acceptable or noble, etc. Of course, some company can hire you if their insurance allows it.

 

i too after a long furlough am looking to get back into OTR. Seems everyone ive asked needs recent experience instead of any good experience you already have. Makes you wonder why we are doing it in the present if it doesnt matter after we leave. hmmm. Ty @Tolkien

 

How long have you been out of the truck? If your experience outweighs the time you've been out if the truck, there's a chance you can get hired somewhere. I was given that bit of information recently. For example, we had a guy that drove 18 years, but was out of the truck 4 years. He was brought to drive for us. It all depends on what a company's insurance says. Now for those self-insured companies, then I suppose they set their own guidelines.