Is it normal to be sent back to school?

Is it normal for companies to require you to do a complete 160 hour program when you already have a CDL but haven't driven in 8 years. Considering most CDL schools only train you enough to pass the CDL test it seems like an epic waste of time and money considering they are going to put you with a trainer anyway. To preface this, I drove for 2 years OTR and decided I wanted to serve in the military(not because I disliked trucking but because I wanted to serve). Fast forward 2 enlistments and I am now being told by all recruiters that I talk to my experience no longer counts and that I would need to go back to the full school and start out as if I was a rookie driver with no experience. I didn't forget how to operate a truck maybe just some regulatory stuff that I could read in a book or get refreshed on in a 2 hour class. I started to accept that I had to go back to school when I talked to my dad who has been trucking over 30 years between his military and civilian careers. He thought it was the funniest thing he ever heard. Now its making me wonder.

 

I figured it was either insurance or they were in bed with the school. I do think the most laughable company sponsored program I seen is Swifts Veteran Scholarship program. They spin it as a 100% scholarship for veterans if you sign a 1 year agreement. Hopefully what people realize is that the VA will pay for your school 100% and then you dont have to owe a company 1 year.

 

Makes sense. Luckily I don't have to pay to get trained again

 

Conway isnt even a company I thought of. Checked their site and they start at $19.60 an hour. That isnt too bad even if you only work 40.