Headed back to the Road

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by jhudsonred, Oct 31, 2015.

  1. jhudsonred

    jhudsonred Bobtail Member

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    What's going on folks? Well i'm transitioning back to the road. For the last 7 1/2 years I have been working in the oil fields offshore all over the world. While the money is great im just getting tired of it. Sometimes im in a different country for 2 or 3 months, go home for 2 weeks then gone again. This job has become so stressful that I believe its actually taking years off my life. LOL.

    Well some history of my driving experience: I drove over the road from the time I turned 21 till I was 28. So roughly 7 years OTR with about 1 year of being a dispatcher thrown in there. Had the opportunity to head to the oil field and I've given it a try. So with all that said what's the easiest way to get back in a truck?

    I have a mutual friend that has 25 or so trucks that said he would put my in one asap, no training needed. I've driven a couple times in my 7 year hiatus, so driving isn't a worry for my. I grew up on farms and have been holding a steering wheel since I could reach the pedals. I do know that most of the big carriers will require a refresher or some sort.

    My future plans consist of me owning my own rig. I was trying to avoid working for this mutual friend as its a job where im home once during the week and home every weekend. And to most that sounds awesome but im so used to being gone now id like to work 2 or 3 weeks at a time and go home for 4 or 5 days kind of gig. I wouldn't mind a bigger carrier that allowed the work schedule I've mentioned , just trying to avoid a month with a trainer kind of thing. And I know most will say "you need the training". Well maybe on learning elogs and company policies yes, not on shifting gears. You don't forget those sort of things.

    If anyone knows a good way to slide back in the seat please pass it on. I may have to drive for this mutual friend for a year to get the fresh OTR experience. IDK? Cheers guys/gals. Keep the rubber side down.
     
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  3. Short circuit

    Short circuit Bobtail Member

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    They now call it a refresher course. Doesn't take long
     
  4. jhudsonred

    jhudsonred Bobtail Member

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    That would be good cause I cant be trucking with no trainer long. Got too many miles under my belt for all that. Ha
     
  5. Orangees

    Orangees Light Load Member

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    Where do you live?
     
  6. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    Why not take up your friend's offer?
     
  7. jhudsonred

    jhudsonred Bobtail Member

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    North Mississippi. Yeah I might just do that for a year or so. May be the only option I can live with. Not saying im perfect but seems I have to many miles under my belt already to have to do the trainer route.
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Look at Schneider Bulk; good money in hazmat/tankers.
    Schneider Bulk might hire you after a refresher course.
    Ace Training Center in Byrum, MS has refresher.
     
  9. mydogIzzy

    mydogIzzy Bobtail Member

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    You may want to go with your friend. I just spent three and a half years in the oil fields in North Dakota hauling oil and production water. I would stay 3 or 4 months at a time my longest stint was 7 but every time I went home it was for 30 days. It all went to s*** real quick I decided to get a gig driving OTR. Every company I spoke to wants one year in the past three years in a minimum of 15 states. I've been driving truck on and off since 1989 and grandfathered CDL. Past experience will not matter you can talk all day long about how great you are at driving it won't work. If you've ever been in North Dakota oil fields you know how the roads are and the winters are really nasty but that didn't count,I was really surprised. The only company that would go back to my recent over the road experience (9-2010-12-2011) was Dart. They wanted confirmation directly from him over the phone and paperwork. They offered me a company job but I turned it down and went with lease purchase. You'll be hard pressed to find someone to give you a job, Schneider would not even talk to me. If you go with your friend you could do a minimum of 6 months then you may get job offers. Going home for 5 days or week might be impossible unless you own your own truck. Last time I was home I spent two weeks and it took me two loads to pay for it.
     
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