Need some help, input, advice

Unfortunately most companies will want you to go through a refresher course and you'll likely be treated as a new driver due to the long stent where you didn't drive.

I think what most may tell you from here is to find a local mom/pop operation and go from there.

Someone else can confirm this but you will need to re-prove your skills. How and where you do it is up to you.

Sni isn't a terrible way to go if you can get 6 months in and you can get hired at a more desirable company. I would ask the companies you applied for if they'd consider hiring you if you got some time in at another company and how much time.

Not what you wanted to hear I'm sure, but hopefully someone will have a better answer.

 

If you want to be an 0/0, then study the OOIDA.com website. Two big hurdles you face are insurance and lack of recent experience. Also, plenty of used trucks that look real good. Problem is many companies are actually keeping their older trucks and selling off the newer ones due to maintenance costs are bankrupting them; it's the new emissions junk causing constant breakdowns. Those tow bills are high also.
Some companies you can make $70K and more but you will have to attend CDL school first. Trimac Transportation is one and you can make over $100K with 2 yrs. recent experience. Contact them and ask which school they hire from in your area.
Trucking isn't the same as when you last drove; the cowboy days are over and trying to cut corners these days can actually lead to a prison sentence and that's no exaggeration.

 

There's also the money you want in food service and also Old Dominion. Both hire new CDL grads and many food service companies have entry level. Maybe food service will fast track you since you have previous driving experience.

Old Dominion
Sygma Network
ABF Freight
Southeastern Freight
Gordon Food Service
McLane Company

 

Sad.... But so, so true. 3 years experience. 11 years absence = brand new driver in their eyes. You'll be back up to snuff in mere weeks ... but not in their eyes.

I'm at a loss for further advice. My apologies.

 

i was out of the industry for about 2 years(08-10) kept my cdl though. When I knew I wanted to go back into trucking I started with a temp service for drivers. Mainly running on the weekends and working in the office during the week. Then went to J and R schugal. They gave me a road test and then put me in a truck.

 

I wish I knew some way to make the stars align for you. I hear what your saying. Toughest part of getting into this at a mature age is being able to afford to. You'll probably have to be with, & talked down to by, a so-called trainer & be his b#$%h / laborer. In my case a 20-something punk not qualified to operate a mo-ped. I knew how to drive the truck & what I needed to learn I learned from other drivers. Usually sought out guys with well maintained looking equip. & watched or talked to them. But that does nothing for your immediate pay. It's been an eye opening experience as to why there is a driver shortage & why you see some supposed professional drivers doing things you'd ground your teenager for. You have it figured out. Politics, red tape, & don't forget insurance companies.

 

I don't believe that you'll have to go through the training all over again... A refresher course should be all that it takes IF you still have an active CDL. (If you let it expire...why?!) Call up a couple reputable schools in the area and tell them you've got your CDL and only require a refresher course, but if they are charging you that much...jeebus. That would be more than I paid initially to get my license.

While it's not ideal, you might also think about talking to a lawyer or judge about the child support/alimony and see if he'll alter how much you pay out based upon your change in pay/career. Granted, he may also request that if you make more than that after a couple years, you do the same and the pay will be re-evaluated. At the very least, it might alleviate some of your concern with pay.