issue with school I attended

so here's a question for the pro's, hypothetically suppose a driver has worked for a larger company for say 5 or 10 years. And said driver has some sort of issue medical, family issues, fell out of the truck etc. whatever the case, and he or she ends up being off work for 3 to 6 months. when or if they return to work would they be required to take a refresher or is the refresher only for those with no experience?

 

Truck driver training is a scam. All the companies know the courses turn out people who can 'pass the test' but that's it. I graduated from a PTDI certified school, but I always call it 'PTSD'. (Also paid for it myself.) This is why companies assign you to a trainer for a month. But if the company just wants their trainer to make bucks and couldn't care less if you yourself actually ever go OTR for them, you will be used to warm the seat while the trainer does all the backing and dock deliveries required. After training you will know even less than when you started, because your skills will be rusty by then. I really needed a good teacher when I started, and I didn't get one. Nightmare. If you fit a profile - young and male and compliant and trained by a father or brother already so you know what you're doing (lol) - you may get through the process. Otherwise, prepare to be chewed up and spit out by all the greedy power-trippers out there. The USA doesn't need more drivers. They're getting ready for the robot wagon trains.

 

Ignore the experience needed part on the Mixer jobs, unless it is a big union company they will be fine. This time of year they are getting ready to gear up for the season and will be in dire need of drivers. They pay should be better than tandom dump asphalt. It is allot of work but I did it for a few years. Once you learn to get the slumps right and washing in and out down it is not a big deal. The guys on the job sites are good people and help with what they can.
You will not get rich and you will probably be laid off winters. But it is work.

 

I'll reply, not because I consider myself any 'pro' as directed to, in your post, but mainly since your post was in reply to my post.

In your scenario described above,, an experienced driver would not be required to take a refresher after being "out of the seat" for a mere 3 - 6 months.
The "stale" CDL situation is mainly directed at new CDL students, fresh out of CDL school/training.
Since they have so little actual experience, most companies consider a new CDL to be 'stale' if not used/employed within 3-6 months following school.

The only time an experienced driver may have some problems, is if there was a long duration with him/her not driving Class A (such as years).

 

If you paid $2500 for a 30 hour school, you got hosed.
You need 160.
Most 160 hour schools charge 4-5k.

 

Sounds like you landed a pretty good gig.
Keep us posted on how it goes.
Thx for the update & good luck.