Second Opinions on Options

Quick rundown of the situation: I have my CDL - drove for a year back in 2009, haven't driven since. CDL is current, no tickets, no accidents, no DUIs - clean and clear. I've been self-employed for the past 2 years but am now struggling (residential services) to keep a steady flow of work, and a fair part of my income goes to supporting my parents (their mortgage, prescriptions, medicare deductibles, etc.) So I'm looking to go back OTR. I have all the necessary paperwork to verify self-employment as well as where I worked a couple years ago before being laid off. Also, my previous "experience" is verifiable through the company I drove for.

I'm not in a position to pay for a refresher (40-hours at costs ranging from 2K to 3K) plus the time there spent without an income. That being said, I'm not fool enough to just want to jump back on the road - meaning that I realize I could certainly use some training/refreshing. I'm up on current HOS but I know a lot has changed in the past 4 years, plus I'm rusty and have forgotten a lot, I'm sure.

I'll have to start somewhere that I won't want to stay long term, I know. I understand that and really don't have a problem with it. I drove with one of the megas with the worst reputation out there, and I didn't let them get to me then - so I can overlook a lot of negatives as long as I'm making progress toward my goals and have an end in sight.

So my goal is to go back OTR and drive as much as possible, building my experience and resume. I'm not concerned with hometime aside from getting by my parents house once every couple months to take care of maintenance issues they can't do themselves. Other than that, I just want to build safe miles and send them money.

I don't mind at all starting back with reefers or even dry van if I need to, but the plan is to get 6 to 12 months of recent OTR experience and then move into flatbeds - I want the extra physical labor of it.

So, after speaking with multiple recruiters over the past week, here are what seem to be my current options as to where I can start back:

1. Swift: For them, I'll have to change my CDL from Alabama to SC - I'm out of their hiring area here and have relatives in SC. 3 days of orientation, 14 days with a trainer (all paid at minimum wage + $1, which basically equates to what seems to be average training pay.) After that, out on my own at 30-32 cpm.

2. SuperService: I can go here, but probably won't, so I won't list details.

3. PTL: 2.5 days of orientation, 6K miles with trainer at .15 cpm total truck miles. After that, solo at .33 cpm.

4. Western Express flatbed division: 2 days orientation (unpaid), 3 days load securement at $50/day, then 2 to 4 weeks with trainer at $375/week. Then solo at about .30 cpm (cpm depends on total trip miles, .30 being the lowest.)

5. Prime: I pay them $100 for a 5-day refresher, then drive team (I'm assuming with a trainer) at $600/week for 60 days. After that, solo in their flatbed division at .38 cpm.

Other companies I've contacted include Millis, Schneider, Stevens, Melton, Maverick, Roehl, Ozark, ACT and a few others. Each of these either don't hire in my area (on the beach in Alabama, between Mobile and Pensacola) or require a 40-hour refresher that they don't provide or both.

My current plan is end up at Maverick - I talked at length with them and they say they'll take me after I get 6 months recent experience.

Of all of the 5 listed above, my current leaning is to pay Prime the $100 and go with them even though their training period for me will be the longest. While I can tolerate most any company to accomplish my goals, I want to set myself up as best as possible for the long haul (no pun intended.) However, I know that even with a lot of research, I probably miss things here and there and I'm certainly no expert on the current trucking industry. I also know not to believe a lot of what a recruiter tells me in terms of current average miles and other things.

So I'm asking you good folks for any insight or a second opinion. Y'all are out there everyday and some of you drive for these companies.

I appreciate any help y'all are willing to offer. Thanks!

 

Beau: Thanks, I'll look into McKenzie. Their website is down right now (tried loading it in both Chrome and FireFox, but neither will bring it up.) I did look into the community college route - the nearest me that offers it is in Mobile. Again, due to current expenses, I can't afford it and I'm really not one to seek financial assistance through the government unless it's it's my very last option. Fortunately, I've never reached that point and really don't plan to.

WanderingAimlessly: When I spoke with the recruiter at Prime and he pulled up my zip code, he was a little hesitant at first, then asked if I'd be willing to go into the flatbed division - which, flatbed is what I ultimately want, anyway. However, the impression I got is that reefer and tanker aren't open to my location, which is fine with me. Given the choice, I'd prefer flatbed or tanker over reefer or dry van. So, if I go with Prime, it will be the flatbed division, as would Western Express.