Greetings

Amazing, after being out of the industry for 9 years serving my country in the National Guard, I am stunned that the industry is paying the same thing it was 20 years ago. It is a sad state of affairs considering, I want to return to the industry. I loved Trucking. I spent 5 years with J.B.Hunt and 5 years with Landstar Inway as an owner/operator. I was working with Landstar when I was deployed to Iraq in '05. Since then I have served 30 Months in Iraq, trained military personnel at Fort Bragg, NC preparing to deploy and recieved my Bachelor Degree. It is time to retire from the Army after 28 years of service. Which brings me back to trucking.
It sounds like I will have to start all over again. I had a company call me back the other day and told me they were sorry but they could not hire me because I didn't have 6 months experience in the last year. Well now, that sucks, considering that I train drivers in the National Guard to operate Truck/Trailer combinations.
The question is, is it worth getting back in to the trucking industry at all?
Ok, enough ranting. I'm 57 and attended truck driving school in Greensboro back in '85. I have pulled van, flatbed, fuel tanker (Iraq), and step deck trailers. I have been a company driver (Carolina Western Express, Lebarnold, Reisch, and JB Hunt (Flatbed and Van) and an O/O (Landstar Inway) in addition, I was the vehicle operations manager for Rivard Popcorn Products (5 trucks) in Lancaster PA. I'm currently the Assistant Truck Master for the 1454th Transportation Company (PLS) responsible for the records and training of 130 personnel. But darn it I aint good enough for a decent driving job. What the....
I appreciate all the good information being put out on this site as well as the great videos on youtube (trainerjames, trucking desiree, and others), what a wonderful tool to get the inside scoop.
I want to end by returning to where I began, the state of the Trucking industry for new hires is inexcusable. The damage that these training comapnies do to future truckers and the industry as a whole is shameful to say the least. Ok. I'm done. Lost Navigator, Out.

 

Thank you Chinatown. I will check them out tomorrow.

 

Well Schnieder offered me a dedicated position for Dollar General, Swift called today, only took 2 weeks to respond..., and last but not least Britton Transport contacted me after seeing my resume on H2H (Hero2Hired) veterans job assistance network. I'm leaning toward Britton at the moment because I like the fact they are a small company and seem to have a good philosophy. We shall see. I also have some desk job options as well. May the best job win!