New Driver , but not

Ok, looking for some feedback. I have been driving big trucks since 1992. Worked for de Boer many years ago,nothing to speak of regarding that. Had local jobs after that. Worked for Prime from 2003 to 2006 as a company driver then went to lease. Since Prime I have not been behind the wheel in 8 years. Now I have started to apply to be otr again since in my fl town they want to pay peanuts to drive with a class A. Anyway, my problem seems to be my lack of recent experience and being unemployed for 3 years. I am not lazy just where I live here in Fl most jobs driving or not average 8-9 dollars an hour! Wouldn't be much left in a paycheck after fuel expense to go to and from work. Some companies have told me to go back to school. What? I didn't forget how to drive a truck. I probably need some log training since that has changed a bit, 14hr rule started when I was at Prime, but I am a fast learner. I hate to say it but CRST is all set to take me with a 2 week "refresher" course a 8 month contract to pay that back but I am very hesitant from things i have been reading about them. Ok that is enough about that. Any help or advice there drivers?

 

Small company would be great. I just figured that if I could put a little time in at a major carrier it could put me back in the running again to pick and choose. I know I will be on the bottom of the totem pole like a newbee but not like I haven't been there before. I have a clean license and dac and never been arrested. If anyone has suggestions of non mega carrier that would hire out of Fl south of I-4 any info would be appreciated. I definitely cannot afford schooling again and it seems redundant to do that since I can maneuver a big truck,yes with Prime I had my share of the northeast lol. I also had an "offer" from us xpress as long as they can get the word from Prime that I did drive otr. I thought that was strange because they are listed on my dac when I worked for them. Maybe because it was so long ago,idk. I told them I could also show my settlements or tax forms for proof. I will be contacting them this week to see the status, since I am slated to be in orientation on the 23rd, although I know that doesn't mean I am hired of course

 

Well I had a heck of a time at Prime on the company side getting any miles and having a truck that was governed at 58 and a dispatcher that was a #$%k and back then lease drivers were doing well. Of course fuel was not 4 dollars a gallan and it was before the economic fallout. I did not complete my lease due to the fact I need to be off the road to try and fight for custody of my son back then.. I made my money no problem back then. No bad marks when you broke the lease back then, dont know if that has changed. Dont want to play the lease game again for sure. The problem with any local stuff here is first, there are 100 guys/gals that show up and second most dont care that they dont pay crap. I mean I made 9 dollars an hour 30 years ago. I know otr wont pay that much at first but if I can get the ball rolling again it is not bad and I like the lifestyle. Also, end goal is to be able to train my girl to drive so we could do it together. That will be in the future though. Right now I am just trying to get those wheels under me again.