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Going back to trucking after 6months off

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Mar 17, 2013 #1
    truckersteve73

    truckersteve73 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    Hey Guys,

    I've been off the road for 6 months now, but will be going back in the next couple weeks. I'm just wondering if anyone of you have been off for an extended time and returned to trucking. Sitting here thinking about it I'm wondering how rusty I will be, prior to leaving I was a good driver and was very comfortable controlling my truck both forward and backwards lol... anyway I kind of feel like I can't remember what its like to drive, I try to visualize myself doing it but seems kind of hard. I'm very confident that I'll pick things back up within a day or so, but am worried that upon going to a new company that my rust will be apparent on road test etc... and I'm hoping they will be understanding about that.

    Bascially I'm confident that I just need 1 day to shake off the rust, I'm assuming companies will understand. Or maybe I'm just over thinking it and will do just fine once behind the wheel. The other thing that worries me is that the last truck I had I put over 120k miles on it and it was a 13 speed T600, and I know these are somewhat uncommon for company drivers and its likely I'll be given a 10speed, which I have driven but not as much as a 13. So that kinda adds to the uncertainty. Don't get me wrong I know after a day or so I'll be very confident in my abilites, so I guess I'm wondering if they give you some time to get used to the vehicle before testing you on road and backing etc... plus any other tips or experiences guys could share that have been in this situation.

    Thanks!
     
    truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013
    truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013
    #1
    mje Thanks this.
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  3. Mar 17, 2013 #2
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

    3,938
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    May 10, 2012
    Temple, TX
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    Don't worry so much, you'll do fine.

    You can probaply find out before hand, what kind of Transmissions they use.
    Road Test, is gonna depend on who gives it really, but most should understand.
     
    Balakov100, Mar 17, 2013
    Balakov100, Mar 17, 2013
    #2
  4. Mar 17, 2013 #3
    OFTOTR

    OFTOTR Medium Load Member

    653
    678
    Jul 19, 2011
    Toccoa GA
    0
    That's probably the least of your worries. If you are applying to a large company, many will question the time off from driving, and may make you document you weren't driving a truck, had a problem, and are trying to cover up an accident, dui, or firing.

    You need to get back to driving as soon as you can, the longer you are off the road, the harder it is to get hired.

    I took a break of a year, and most of the big companies treated me like a criminal, even though I had a good record of over 20 years.
     
    OFTOTR, Mar 17, 2013
    OFTOTR, Mar 17, 2013
    #3
    mje Thanks this.
  5. Mar 17, 2013 #4
    truckersteve73

    truckersteve73 Bobtail Member

    18
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    Mar 10, 2013
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    Thanks Balakov, I'm hoping that will be the case, I think its just because I haven't been gone this long before that I'm a little nervous about it.
     
    truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013
    truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013
    #4
  7. Mar 17, 2013 #5
    truckersteve73

    truckersteve73 Bobtail Member

    18
    5
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    OFTOR, thanks for the advice, I thought this was more of an issue if you have been off the road for a couple years etc... the company I'm looking at isn't one of the mega carriers so hoping it will be ok, plus the last company I was with, I left on good terms and they just emailed me wondering if I'm interested in coming back... had to take some time off to help my terminally ill father, but also was doing some vacation rental stuff but not working out as I had hoped due to circumstances that I can't control, so looking to go back on the road... but will be doing just western 11 this time around so happy about that
     
    truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013
    truckersteve73, Mar 17, 2013
    #5
    mje Thanks this.
  8. Mar 18, 2013 #6
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2012
    Temple, TX
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    I came back after 1 year off the Road.
    Try not to be too Nervous.
     
    Balakov100, Mar 18, 2013
    Balakov100, Mar 18, 2013
    #6
    mje Thanks this.
  9. Mar 18, 2013 #7
    truckersteve73

    truckersteve73 Bobtail Member

    18
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    Mar 10, 2013
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    Thanks Balakov, when you came back after your time off what was the biggest thing to readjust to?
     
    truckersteve73, Mar 18, 2013
    truckersteve73, Mar 18, 2013
    #7
    mje Thanks this.
  10. Mar 18, 2013 #8
    NYROADIE

    NYROADIE Heavy Load Member

    773
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    Jun 24, 2010
    Rochester NY
    0
    I did the same for my mother but I only had a few months exp. and was out of driveing for a couple years. Crete took me on but I had to go out with a trainer, they said for up to 6 weeks. I wasn't to happy about that but what could I do? Three weeks later I had my own truck:) biggest problem I had was down shifting, i just had the hardest time getting the RPM's and timeing right after awhile I gave up on the clutch and just floated em no problem! Good luck just try to stay calm and don't worry.
     
    NYROADIE, Mar 18, 2013
    NYROADIE, Mar 18, 2013
    #8
  11. Mar 18, 2013 #9
    AchioteCoyote

    AchioteCoyote Light Load Member

    227
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    Jul 24, 2011
    West Jordan, Utah
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    I'm returning after eight months of being away. Was hired by James H. Clark & Son and attended their orientation last Monday. Filled out the paperwork and started watching safety videos, then this guy comes up to me and tells me it's time for my road test. Failed my road test..... get back and the guy says I just need a couple weeks behind the wheel with a trainer, but that they don't have the manpower to have trainers. Told me to come back after I had some fresh experience under my belt.

    Am now headed to Pride Transport with their orientation starting this morning. Will go to them and receive two-weeks with a trainer with them, then am released to go solo.

    So yeah.... the possibilities are out there. There's too many driving jobs for them not to give you an opportunity to show your skills!
     
    AchioteCoyote, Mar 18, 2013
    AchioteCoyote, Mar 18, 2013
    #9
  12. Mar 18, 2013 #10
    Snowshoes

    Snowshoes Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 23, 2012
    Pleasant Grove, Utah
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    You will do fine. What company did you decide to go with?
     
    Snowshoes, Mar 18, 2013
    Snowshoes, Mar 18, 2013
    #10
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