No Recent Experience

Yeah, then after your 'refresher course' one of these bigger carriers will put you with a trainer that has 1-2 years OTR tops and you'll have to school him.

24 years experience... sheesh the industry should be ashamed of itself. It's simply sad!

 

I haven't been on in a while, but,.. I'll post this thought again after being back on the road for a year this month after being out of trucking for 10 years. Your best bet may be to look at small companies close to where you live just to get 6 to 8 months road wear again. One of the big questions they need to know is, did you let your CDL lapse while you weren't driving???? The reason is, if you kept it current they can probably get you by their insurance company. The smaller company may not be a lot of fun though,...

The 1st company I worked for owned 52 trucks, when the economy went south, I mean for freight last fall, my paychecks were as low as $98.00 for the week. These guys would take a day and a half to two days to find a load after you called in empty. They also dispatched you as if you had a fresh 11 hours to drive, meaning, you had to play with the comic book a lot! They also docked your pay if you damaged the truck or trailer, tires, etc. It took 8 months but I finally served my time in purgatory and found a better job.

I drive for an owner now who has 4 flatbeds and one van, which I drive. He's teamed with a friend who owns the dispatch side of the business and they do a good job of keeping me in productive freight lanes, get me home on weekends and I take home about $500 a week net, unless I take the 3 day holiday such as Memorial day. I'm driving a '98 Volvo but it was the top of the line tractor when it came out, all the comforts, like a small RV, it's not governed, runs well and I'm able to keep my checking account in the black, once I got out of the Red.

So don't give up, it will take a little work to find these companies,.. and throw pride out the door for now. I had to, but I saved my car and my home. And yes, I did get pissed off enough that I cussed out both dispatchers with the company a couple times, but because I was never late with loads and performed I survived, also with the Grace of God. Good luck in your search, there is someone out there who will hire you, you just haven't found them yet!

Roy

 

King hunter, Thanks for the heads up on Armellini. I applied there last night. Maybe they will call.

 

Try LCT as well. They have a flower terminal in miami. See my PM.

KH

 

S Fla, did you get on with Armellini? Noticed there's not much info about them on this forum.

 

I haven`t been driving for years myself. Anyone know if any companies out there offer a refresher course? Or a will to finance one...

 

Small Regional Carriers is the place to look.

 

Fleet owners is a good way to get back into Driving!!!

 

I did find a company that took me on with very little recent experiance. I spent 2 weeks with another driver then on my own. only problem is it is all OTR work and only home for 34 hr restart each week. I guess I should be glad I have that. Must companies won't even consider you with less then 6 months to a year of recent exp. I hate it. I want to be home daily.
I was able to find a company with local runs with hoourly pay. 4 10 hour days and 3 off but, you guessed it, the pay is low. now I am home but making 1/3 what I was on the road. So what do I do?
Option 1 go back out and get home once a week and make 2 and a half times more a week and the bills paid or live paycheck to paycheck and be home every day? If I can make it on the hourly wage for the next 3 months local, I will have more option for better local or regional runs with plenty of home time and great pay. But till then, the wife and I are so stressed. Or, Live in my truck for 3 months OTR. UGH

 

Maybe try to find a part time gig on your 3 days off? Drive for a local tour type bus company? They do really well on tips from passengers,at least on any trip I've ever been on they've passed an envelope for the driver,on top of what the company pays you. You'd have to get a "P" endorsement for your CDL however. Just a thought if you don't want to go back out OTR. Good luck man,I hope it all works out for ya.