Old Experience Equals No Experience

Try small companies, I think you'll have better luck. I know a couple of guys that went that route and were successful. Both work for companies that have less than 30 trucks on the road.

 

You can do exactly what these Big Company's do
Make it all "LOOK RIGHT/Legal"

Just acouple of real address's,real phone numbers and a few folks that will give a personal reference.
Current Law prevents excess dialog concerning past employee's
Former employers are to fill out the sheet and return it to requesting Co.
If you want a ride I'm sure you can get one with minimal effort.

 

Craft a well thought out post about your past history and experience.
Then, craft a subject line.

Consider key words that a recruiter might search for.

Then, post it under the resume section, on CraigsList.
Then, email every recruiter that is looking for drivers, there.

Lots of 3rd party recruiters there, as well.

 

Both Who and Yup made suggestions that will work. Read the ads on here for drivers. I'm still closing out a project and a few weeks from making the job switch. I have found at least four jobs I believe I can get without a refresher course.

Try small fleet owners and companies. I found two opportunities here. Try oilfield work. I found two opportunities here. There is no proof that this will work out until I make the change, but I am certain from the phone conversations that I will get a driving job without a refresher course. My experience is over ten years old but I have had my CDL most of my life.

I believe if you package yourself (resume & what you say) and sell yourself (phone & in-person), you can do this. Online applications and Mega-companies are a waste of time without recent experience. If your approach is not yielding results modify it repeatedly until it does. Good Luck!

 

went tru much of same after a 5 year absent. had 15 yrs under my belt then went into other work came back and you thought i was foming at the mouth. found a small co. that took a chance on me. been back in the saddle now for about 12 yrs. look in to something small. good luck

 

Thanks Wisemagic for the update. Congratulations.

Petecar379 thanks for the conformation.

These two stories add to the half a dozen or so others I have read and what the phone calls I've made suggest. Smaller companies appreciate old experience. Meeting their insurance requirements is the biggest hurdle. Most will give us old hands a chance, if their insurance will.

 

Quit telling people your a "local" driver. When you cross a state line your now Over the Road driver. I was out for 5 1/2 years and start a new job with a private fleet tomorrow, there is a way if you try. It took me 7 1/2 weeks to get back in. Good luck!