how to get back in the game

I've been off the road since '94, and it looks like it might be time to think about hitting the road again, for two reasons.

1) It just stays in the #### blood
2) there is little I can do and make the same money

Funny thing is, I worked a piddly $12/ hour job for a while so momma could go back to college. The idea being that once she graduated, she would work and I would take my turn at finishing my schooling. Well, she graduated with her 4 year degree and cannot find work that pays s#$t. So much for that plan.

I think we just live in the wrong place. College people need to live in big towns if they want to get paid anything, and I am not interested in living in a big city again.

 

I went through something similar, drove OTR for 10 years, gave it up for the family. After a few years needed a P/T job for some extra cash, went to a local grocery store chain that was hiring. I needed to convince the safety guy that I had experience since the company that I drove for was closed up. After a short road test, they were willing to take a chance & I stayed there for two years. try looking at driving for a local company for a while, just to get "recent" driving experience. Also you may want to stick with smaller co's. The large companies have a definate idea of what kind of person they want to hire, and will not deviate from it, no matter what. I know when I try to get back in again in a few years I will be facing the same problems all over again.

 

I have found out something interesting,.. I've been out of driving since 1998, the big companies are telling me they want OTR experience in the last 1 - 3 years, even though I never let my CDL expire. I've started talking with small companies and when I tell them I've kept my CDL current they say that's all they need for their insurance company. When I asked one Safety Director if her would put e on the road with one of his drivers for a week, if he hired me, he looked at me and said, "did you forget how to drive?" When I said no he said if he brought me on board he would put me on the road. But it's a small company and he needs to get a truck before he can hire me.

I even approached Schneider to go back with them, they trained me, and they won't look at me. The recruiter said they're only taking experienced drivers right now.

 

Stomper,

College grads aren't getting paid anything i this economy! I've been looking for "regular" work since April and can't get a bite, that's why I want to drive again...

 

Yup. My better half is applying for jobs that only pay $2-3 more per hour than I had with no degree. And non of it is close to what I can make driving, sadly enough. I mean, I like driving, but it's not fun the sacrifices we have to make to do it. It sure gets in the blood though. I remember the frustrations, but I can never get rid of the desire to do it again. I'm going to do all I can to still get my schooling finished; I know I would regret not doing that. But either way I'll probably end up back in the saddle, whether its in a few months or years.

 

Stomper4x4, do you suppose we have an incurable desease ??

 

Yes, it's called Asstrohemorrhoidus Redeyeitis. There is no known cure although it can be controlled with therapy, usually in the form of weekly sessions at a local job where they pay you phenomenal amounts of money to do absolutely nothing. These clinics can be hard to find though, so most victims suffer along for years.

 

BC, the job you discribe sound like a government job... When my brother left the private sector (he was a plumber) for a "cushy" job with the city, he said the hardest part of the city job was learning to slow down, looking busy and making the job you're on last 8 hours....

BTW, Nice uniform.......