Can I get hired?

Me too. I got really fed up with the whole extra-board system. It's a terrible way to live. I couldn't wait the 5-6 years it would take to get a reliable pay check every week. I'm with Black Horse Carriers now. I've got a gravy gig with them delivering auto part to dealerships. Home every night, off weekends and holidays, paid on salary. They're a good outfit.

 

That's supposed to be a good outfit. ; Black Horse Carriers.
First Fleet was horrible. I did a few deliveries to Cleveland,TN.
I was extra board also. Never could make over $650.00 a week take home. I'd run from Nashville to Phoenix; do a few drops around AZ then deadhead to Los Angeles for a drop & hook back to Nashville & still not bust $650.00. Left there for Tankstar (Schwerman Div.) in Nashville; Rodgers has a terminal in Chattanooga,which is a division of Tankstar.

 

I'd have to agree.

OP, I suppose you have your reasons, but I would suggest NOT mentioning this to any prospective employers. They get the idea that you're just out to "play Big Truck Truck Driver" until you get bored and they're not gonna waste their time on you.

JMHO

 

Rogers will run an ad in the local newspaper here occasionally looking for drivers. I called them a couple of times in the past, but was always told the jobs were already filled. I'm really happy with Black Horse so far though. Been with em almost six months now.

 

Welcome to Trucking @NewTrucker7

I highly doubt you will have an issue getting hired on after a refresher course... Like mention before just be able to account for the last three years and if you have a clean driving record and can piss clean you are going to find a few options.

@Chinatown pointed me towards a great company so I would personally check into every company he listed and start with them and add other companies as you hear about them.

I happen to work for one of the companies that he listed and think it is a good solid company and would love to talk to you more about it as an option for your Trucking Career.

We start 36/CPM but average over 3,000 miles per week... A nice balance of good net pay due to high miles without being run into the ground driving every minute of your 11 hours but you won't be bored sitting often either.

We don't have APUs but don't need them either due to fairly liberal idle rules and bunk heaters that will keep you toasty warm in chilly/cold weather. In hot or cold weather, you idle.

Awesome equipment with inverters and fridges and the trucks are usually O/O spec and not fleet trucks.

We do have front/back cameras but, as much as I hate Big Brother, they are not that big of deal if you are a safe driver they don't have time to sit around watching you drive. When off the clock or in sleeper berth, I put a cap over it.

And we have a rather long training period too so by the time you are assigned your own truck you will be well prepared to run solo.

Again, I would love to talk to you more about Abilene... Just drop me a PM...

And again, welcome to Trucking... It's an awesome career choice... Well, so far I am still thinking it is... LOL

Stay Safe,
MD

 

Thinks this is a pleasure cruise. Its highly unlikely trucker7 will last 6 months in this industry. First time he has to chain up or deal with lumpers at midnite he will be heading back to the mansion.

 

Depends on the company maybe... We don't chain and as far as lumpers it's nothing more than a pre authorized check.... Yes, I like my company... lol

 

There are a few of us. We're odd and eccentric individuals.

I left a very lucrative career in aviation after 20 years and invested in foreclosures at the perfect time when the market was ripe and you could buy them for next to nothing. And I bought a bunch of them.

I don't have to work, I want to work. Having grown up on a farm in the south I have too much of a work ethic to retire relatively young when I'm able to work. . Frankly, after a year off doing nothing but collecting rent I got bored.

I enjoy what I do and I'm going on 5 years in the truck now. I do it on my terms because I can. If I couldn't do it on my terms I wouldn't.

I had a 5 year plan to get to a top tier private fleet and did it in 3. I didn't train at a bottom feeder either.

There are all kinds out here lol my rentals are a much more solid and stable retirement plan than a 401k and the private fleet gig more than pays the bills with an outstanding benefit package to boot.

 

Good luck...

 

I feel the same way about flying, yet you would be surprised at how many thousands of people spend their own money to get a pilot's license. My cousin has a private pilot's license, pretty sure it wound up costing him close to $5K to get it. To him it is the best money he has ever spent, to me it was a colossal waste of money, but it was something he always wanted to do so more power to him and anyone else who is fortunate to do what they want to do with their life.

There are few things worse than being stuck in a job you despise. I finally got out of one of those last year and despite earning less money the feeling of liberation is wonderful and I vowed never to do a job I hated that much again. If you hate trucking that much, then stop driving them. No amount of money is worth the toll on your psychological well being.