Experience Gone??

I am having the same problem. I drove from grad trucking school in may 1996 to june of 2002. due to complications with a relationship, i was awarded custody of my kids, their mom had left and wanted freedom, anyway, I took 4 1/2 yrs off and now the last week i am finding it extremely hard to find a company that will allow me to take a week refresher course. They ALL state I need a trainer for 8 weeks. I cant live off of 300 a week when I drive limos for double that.

I want to be back on the road, traveling , driving , etc and can't get anyone to take me without 8 weeks with a trainer. I was told to find a small O/O and see if they will take me with a very long road test. Just like the advise above, I feel as though it will pick back up quick, but the guy at Prime said , yes, you can come and take a test after orientation, but if you happen to fail the test, you are on your own for a way home. England advised me to go with a trainer for 8 weeks to learn quallcomm. Why would it take me 8 weeks to learn that.

WHen I grad trucking school, I passed with a 98% total grade for everything, the only thing I missed was the fire extingushier on my pre-trip. I studied hard, had a great school to provided me with alot of 1 on 1 since most of the students dropped out the first 3 weeks. But I still have a problem with finding a company to take me. If you have any ideas, please send me a Private message or a public one on what to do.

 

dont forget that you will be making him money as long as he is trainning you. that may speak for something as well.

 

I am in the same situation. I have been calling and e-mailing since about May-June and have been told by everyone the same thing as you. I just can't decide which company will be the least painful to go out with. As was stated above you can thank the insurance companies for the situation. I have a local job driving Class B right now but I've been wanting to return OTR for a long time, probably gonna do it early part of the year. You have any luck post it, I've seen quite a few on here and elsewhere with the same issue so any news good or bad helps...

 

What I am failing to understand here is, if company XYZ requires 3 years of recent verifiable experience (due to insurance), then how is okay to run with a trainer for just 6 weeks, then get turned loose solo. What gives here?

 

Insurance co's feel that if you are a recent grad or cut loose from a trainer you will be more careful. Studies have shown that the seasoned drivers get more comlacient and are in more wrecks. I myself question that.

 

I question that too. By that logic, 16 year old kids would have the cheapest insurance rates. I have no love for insurance companies whatsoever. Neccessary evil, with evil being the operative word.. LOL

I have been out of the OTR sector for a few years myself, so the thread does open my eyes to expectations and requirements these days. Personaly, I find it painfull to know that a newb fresh out of the accadamy with no experience, is more hire-able than myself, with hundreds of thousands of miles safe OTR experience and been to 45 states and every major city. ALOT of it in NYC and metro Jersey pulling 48 ft refers, 53 ft vans, as well as tankers. Todays world really makes very little sense to me anymore.

 

I think they get kickbacks from the schools. As high as the schools are I bet someone is in someone's pocket.