Calling all trucks...need advice/input from wise drivers!

He had no tickets, or accidents for the last 3 years, Is it because he has been off the road?

Go back to the refresher school, dont know what they are, but, have him go back. AND have him change his driving habbits. He sounds like a VERY agressive driver.

Good luck

 

For me a refresher course at a local truck driving school will be $1333. A local community college is gearing up for this and I expect the training will be as good or better for less money, when they are operating.

Often when lack of recent experience is the problem, the best approach is a small company or small fleet owner. The accident is going to present a challenge there though.

I fear a conventional approach to finding a driving job will not offer much opportunity. If it were me, I would be selling myself. I prefer in person but phone can work. There are lots of drivers to pick from so he will have to convince someone to take a chance on him.

I'm not sure what the jobs are like in your area.

Good luck.


EDIT: I forgot to include the "I most likely don't fit the wise label" disclaimer.

 

50 years driving? Talk to me, How was your road to reach the 50 year mark?

 

BigJohn54, you have got to freakin kidding. $1333 for a refresher course. Un freakin real. Is there any one else on this forum, that thinks these refresher course`s are a joke, or what. I think if someone has enough years driving, and is out of a truck for even 5 years, should not have to go through any of these dumb arse driving schools. I just dont get this driving school stuff.

 

midwestconnection, if you truly have 50 years driving, you will have some fantastic stories you can post on this forum. 50 years, thats just fantastic. I have almost 38, and, man, 50 years !!!!!!!!!!!

 

It is ridiculous. All my experience is more than ten years old. It's a 40 hour course at one-third the cost of the full three week course. I thought that was what I would have to do. I'm still closing out a broadband project that I've been working on, so I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger.

I have kept checking and have found four potential jobs without the refresher. Two are oilfield jobs and two are small fleet owners, one leased and one with authority. I spoke with both the small fleet owners by phone and if they get their insurance to approve, which they thought they could, they would both hire me providing of course I can pass the road test.

I think there are companies and owners who appreciate old experience, they are the ones that aren't making big bucks on their training mills.

I'm old-school, to me you get a job by one-on-one selling yourself. I love websites so I can research and do my "due diligence" but I'll pick up the phone or visit the company when it comes time to communicate. I may have to fill out that online application but I want someone waiting for it when I do.

 

Most carriers look at your experience for the last 3 years. They will want at least 6 months to a year in most cases. Smaller carriers can be a little more lenient when it comes to experience. Insurance companies will check how long you have had your CDL. As long as you have had it for at least 1-2 years and it is clean, they will usually approve you. Insurance is the big obstacle that any of us who own trucks and have drivers must deal. It is a shame that insurance companies dictate whom we can hire. Once you have driven for several years it should not be a problem jumping back into a truck. It is like riding a bicycle. My guess is that if you have any difficulties it will come from shifting gears. You may need to practice shifting without scraping the gears. Just take your time, take a few deep breaths and I am sure you will do fine.

 

BigJohn54, do exactly what you say here. Ill bet any money, you get the job. I tell you, I do not do well with this industry, insisting on a refresher driving course. Not for one second, will I have a kid, 20 some years old, with a couple of years driving, TEST me. Im not old enough to be there DAD, im freakin old enough to be there GRANDPA. No offence to the kids on this forum, but, What some post, the OLD SCHOOL drivers, we would like some respect. We created this industry, and the new drivers, changed it. I can gaurantee you, If I were out of work for 5 years, I will not have any problem finding work. Selling yourself, will not be a problem. GAURANTEE, you can do it.

 

I've quit worrying about it. I'm still a few weeks away from making the change. Based on my testing of the market, I'm sure I will find a job. I'm confident in my skills too, even though it's been several years. I'll probably grind a gear or two and may need an extra time pulling up. But I am sure the person giving the road test will be confident in my abilities when we are done. We may get a little rusty but I can't imagine we forget the skills we acquired the hard way.