old trucker need help!

I think if I were you and did not want to do the refresher thang that everyone is talking about, I would #1 Find an o/o that has one or two trucks and talk to them. The real old timers still go on a handshake and a man's word. You might find someone that just wants a part time driver to deliver for him or make short trips while he takes time off. At least then he could verify your driving time.
#2 and much less desirable in my opinion, is to find a driver or company running team operations.
#3 If you know someone that has their own company, just ask them if they will verify an app, for you, Folks do that all the time. I did it when I had my trucks as long as I knew the guy could drive.

 

I can't even imaging such nonsense! Ugh! Are we the only industry that does this? The O.P could probably show us all a thang or two! I'll be!

 

Don't believe any of the naysayers. You can get a job and there are companies that will hire you with zero experience .... so why wouldn't they hire you? The only problem I see is that you'll either need to go OTR for a while or you'll need to find a local small company who hires on a handshake. They're out there, I promise.

Just FYI....I started my trucking career at age 62, went to school for a month, was hired one week out of school with a good local company at a good beginning salary driving tankers. I had two other offers from local flatbed companies but turned them down because it required OTR. By the way this all happened in May of this year so this is up-to-date info.

The trucking industry is changing fast and the driver pool is shrinking. Estimates are that by 2016 this country will be 300,000 short of drivers and is about 150,000 short now. Finding a driver that has no DUI's, no criminal record, can qualify for hazmat, Twic, and an EDL or Passport is becoming harder and harder so I'd recommend those endorsements before you seek employment. Also, don't underestimate the value of a good *targeted* resume. If you don't know what that is I'd suggest you visit Worksource or google.

Good luck !

 

Thanks

I have a couple that may work out, but it seams like every time I got my hopes up they change their mind.

 

Texas DFW area

 

Thanks for the info, I was thinking I would try containers out of DFW.

 

Im 55 and would like to find some thing kind of local out of DFW Texas.

 

Thanks that is some great advise!

 

Thanks I appreciate all the good advise and info from everyone.

I may have to do the refresher course, but I really don't think I need it! Will see how this all works out.

 

I was in the same boat. I drove flatbeds from 1991-2000 then stopped driving. I came back to driving in January of this year.. I could not find anyone to hire me because it had been so long. All my prior experience did not matter. When I drove before there were far less regulations so I did a lot of studying to catch up on what I missed. I thought Id have to go through a truck driving school or at least a refresher course to get hired.

I dont know if I was lucky or not but I found a local job and once in a while we go out of the local area. It gets me back in a CMV and under current regs. I figure Ill do this for a whiel then move up to where I want to be, either OTR with a company or get my own authority. Its a process now take it step by step and youll get there.