So this is what a recruiter told me today...

Before any wannabes read this and go running to truckstops to pester O/O's let me say this lying recruiter needs a slap in the side of the head .
If an O/O wanted another driver in the truck there are plenty of experienced drivers to choose from . If he runs solo that's because he chooses to run this way .
You're right about insurance . Insurance companies set the same qualifications for drivers of trucks owned by O/O's as they do for carriers . No O/O could take you on without experience unless he is leased to a carrier that accepts students . You will need a refresher course .
Call Moorman Farms in Utica ,KY and see if they know of anyone that would hire you . They run tanker and hopper bottom and run through your area . Also check with Southern Ag Carriers although their web page says they require 3 years experience .
It's been a while since I worked around Atlanta but there may be local opportunities working with drayage companies working out of the railyards .
Peachtree Truck and Trailer had shops in Atlanta and Suwanee but I can't find a listing in Atlanta now . Also check Eastern Seaboard Packaging in Norcross . I've known them to hire inexperienced drivers .

 

Go back to covenant....I did just to get OTR exp after 4 years off the road, now I am heading to FL to get on a truck with an owner op that has 5 trucks....I stayed with Covenant 8 months.....long enough to get recertified and enough time to know the ***inside*** truth about a company I heard so much about years ago,and it's all true and worse....
But to get recertified it was worth it,a trial by fire if you wish.

 

Old trucks/old trailers and the pay is low for flatbeds but, Cypress in Jacksonville, FL would probably take you with a couple weeks in the truck with a trainer. Not sure if they are even hiring now with no building products being sold. I quit over 4 years ago. It was my first trucking job and most folks get out once higher paying offers come in.

 

If you wouldn't of said.. something about , buying coffee for truckers.... Thats, exactly, what would of happened. I bet somebody, would've started washing windshields ..before too long?
I'm truly a blessed man reading these posts.... I'm not in a truck, but I'm working and, so is the wife.... Thank God !

I wish, I could help..or had something encouraging to say... maybe, Obama will give everyone in America 100K... It would be better than these, early reports on are progress, so far..in this nation.... Maybe, It's to soon,to tell?

 

Since you are in GA use the HOPE program to pay for your schooling which woulod cover you for your refresher course at which point it MAY open some more doors for you if you can prove your previous exp.

 

I wrote to my Congressman and told him to quit wasting taxpayers money funding trucking schools because there is already an oversupply of drivers .

 

FYI.... There was a student in my CDL class, who had 4 DUI's, and several misdemeniors..... WIA(state program) was paying him for gas(to,and from school), and the training itself.

 

And he'll never get a job