Back in the Saddle

You could try Butler Transport out of Kansas City Ks, Hired a friend, and he was out of driving about that long too and they flew him down and took his road test and passed and put him in a truck and went out on his own. Talked to him about 2 weeks ago and said all is good still.

 

Where is your home base?

 

If needed be, take the "refresher" mine lasted one month and then I jumped. A month goes fast and you may spend that much time looking for a co.

 

Some companies will ask for 12 months in the last 36? I wish you well, I took the last year off due to a family emergency. Take Care.

 

I was away from driving for 10 years. Fortunately, my former employer is self-insured and doesn't have the insurance companies dictating that you must have recent experience. I got my CDL renewed and started up again. You know, you don't forget this stuff even if you are away for a decade. The driving came back immediately, it took a few weeks to get things like backing skills back up to par. A refresher course would be good, especially to bring you up to speed on new regulations.

 

Paschall Truck Lines has a refresher that's free if you stay 12 months.
Maverick will hire you, if you still have a CDL. Maverick has several divisions including a reefer division.
Schneider will probably hire you. They have a good tanker division also.
Check with some companies that do lots of business around Birmingham, such as Tidewater Transit, Boyd Bros., McElroy, Melton Truck Lines.

 

Give Tyson Foods out of Springdale Arkansas a call: 1-800-933-6442.

They have approved company schools that they take students out of. Tyson Foods can give the name of one of their company approved schools closest to you. I believe that Alabama is in their hiring area.

Tyson Foods has a reputation of treating their drivers very well, along with receiving excellent pay, benefits, 401(k), and well maintained trucks. The truck drivers are all company drivers.

Providing that I am NOT mistaken, Tyson Foods keeps their drivers moving at a constant pace, even with the waiting times at many of their plants and destinations. Their lowest rate per mile, AFTER their initial training and orientation is over is 39 cents a mile with an average of 2600 miles per week.

39 cents X 2600 miles a week = $1,014.00 aweek
$1,014.00 a week X 52 weeks = $52,728.00 a year
$52,728.00 a year divided by 12 months = $4,394.00 a month

Many drivers working for Tyson Foods will NOT earn this much, Many will EXCEED these amounts, including some of the newer drivers. This is based on previous posts by various truck drivers who currently drive for or have driven for Tyson Foods.

NOTE:
Initial training package is $400.00 a week.

Good luck to you!

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

Sometimes, smaller companies can get you approved by their insurance. I just got back in the seat after 13 years out, with a smaller company, but we are buying the truck (purchase agreement, not a lease), and I'm teaming with my hubby, but they were able to get me approved. Since you haven't been out of the seat as long, you may be able to find a smaller company that could put you back in the seat.