Not a newbe, or am I ?

yep, if you go with a major you are a newbie.

 

Unfortunately sir with the amount of time you have not been driving (OTR) they will require you to have a refresher course.

Some companies may give you some credit for your experience in your CPM but you will have to go out with a trainer and start on the bottom ....

 

WELCOME to the forums, Mr. Hall!

YuP!
As the other posters have already mentioned, even with your prior experience most of the companies will consider you to be a newBee, and require at least a refresher course and to spend awhile with a trainer --- who may have less experience than you've had. But it's CURRENT experience, and that's important.

I suspect with your prior experience that you'll pick up Big truck truck driving quicker than a real newBee though. Your trainer will probably love you for that, as they'll probably be able to eat more miles and fatten their paycheck as a result. A trainer's dream trainee.

If I were you, I'd welcome the refresher time. Some things have changed out there and you should be brought back up to speed. Remember, a trainer CAN release you early if you show them that you can handle the program --- but I wouldn't rush it.
Who knows? Maybe YOU can show your trainer a thing or two.

Research the wealth of information contained here and
keep us posted as to what you decide to do.
And if there's any way any of us can assist you in your decision making process, don't hesitate to ask.
A word of caution though --- avoid C.R. England.
ESPECIALLY their lease program, --- or ANY company's lease program. They make it sound like a road to riches, but all too often it's a dead-end road.

 

You're very welcome!

Have you considered Schneider?
They have a dry van division as well as a tanker division,
and their training program is one of the best in the industry.

How far from Green Bay is Rosholt?

 

I had a co-worker who worked as a forklift driver after leaving OTR years ago to be home more often with his family. Now that the kids are off to college, he was in the same situation as you. He called up an owner-operator friend who agreed to lie for him. He wrote on his application he'd been driving for this guy for all the years he had left trucking. The company called to verify, and his friend vouched for his experience. He only drove for 2 months as a company driver, before getting his own truck and authority, then became an O/O with the same company.

 

I don't recommend giving or providing false information.
It could come back to haunt you, and/or anyone who provided such false information.
The trucking industry is watched by Homeland Security these days.
Better to be safe than sorry.
Besides, refresher courses won't hurt you.
Rather they'll be a benefit.

 

Not to much has changed.......