Back to Trucking after a Few Years

Yeah, I read an old thread where Chinatown said Abilene hired someone that had been out for over 20 years. I've also heard the consensus is to target smaller companies.

Shouldn't be impossible to find something other than megas. Pride, as mentioned earlier in this thread, seems like it could be an option at least. KLLM - not too crazy about that idea, since they require an actual 9 day refresher course plus 240 hours on the road with a trainer, which is the same length as for a new driver.

Anyway, I'm thinking about starting another thread about the best time of year to apply.

I'm trying to wrap things up with my current project right now, and need some time still. I could probably rush through things and get back to the USA in October, but that's ambitious. I've heard November/December is a bad time to start looking because of the holidays. And then I've heard freight usually slumps in January. So, I'm not sure what the best play is. I think summer is generally a good time, but I'm definitely not ready now.

Since I'll be going with a trainer, I'd probably like to start in the winter just so I can get some proper winter mountain driving training since I never really got that sort of training in the past and only encountered a handful of sketchy road conditions in the past. Never had to put chains on either, so it would be good to have the trainer work with me on that. That would justify the time with the trainer.

Pride's one week with a trainer is completely reasonable. Some of these companies that want you to go with a trainer for 3 weeks or a month or more just to bump docks with a reefer or dry van are a little ridiculous.

 

And what about reputation? Don't the reputable and safe companies still get pulled in less to the weigh stations?

 

They're in my tier A contact list. Thanks for flagging that post again though. The part you mentioned about hiring with a long gap is definitely noteworthy. I'm also looking at some similar outfits from that same region.