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Seeking Advice About Getting Back Into Driving

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Daa, Jun 8, 2015.

  1. Jun 8, 2015 #1
    Daa

    Daa Bobtail Member

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    Jun 8, 2015
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    Ok so here is some background before the question. About 3 years ago i worked as a water truck tanker driver in the oilfield for about a year. I stopped because i wanted to be back in the city and never got back into it because i didn't have much experience driving in the city and figured it was going to be much more stressful. Well now that iv'e worked a few dead-end jobs and and dealt with the stress i was trying to avoid i feel like i'm ready to get back into it. Although i still have my CDL, the problem now though is its been 3 years since iv'e driven any semi.

    So my first question is: After not driving for so many years, is it hard to pick things back up? The things i am concerned about most are shifting and turning in the city with a 53' trailer (i drove a 42')

    I have looked into a few places to get hired and some like Swift are willing to retrain me from scratch (at the expense of starting as a 100% new greenhorn along with the greenhorn pay)

    Honestly i feel like if i had like an hour in the truck it would all come back to me but i am pretty sure no company will allow me something like that. Also, would a trucking company even hire somebody who hasn't driven in 3 years without a refresher?

    I am going to get back into trucking, so what i'm trying to figure out is, what should my next course of action be? I don't care what kind of trucking i do as long as i can feel more confident behind the wheel like i did before. I am thankful for any advice given.

    Also, I am from the Salt Lake area so if anybody has any potential job leads or good places to start, it would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Daa, Jun 8, 2015
    Daa, Jun 8, 2015
    #1
    Chinatown Thanks this.
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  3. Jun 8, 2015 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    James H. Clark & Son will probably hire you. They're based in Salt Lake City.

    Pride Transport might hire you also. They're also based in Salt Lake City.

    Earl Henderson Trucking will hire you. New pay package showing on the website; $.38 cpm with a guaranteed minimum pay for 2100 miles per week.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2015
    Chinatown, Jun 8, 2015
    Chinatown, Jun 8, 2015
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  4. Jun 8, 2015 #3
    Daa

    Daa Bobtail Member

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    Wow you are really good. These all look like great companies to work for. Just curious though, Why do you say Earl Henderson "will" hire me?

    Also, in regards to what i was saying earlier about not driving for 3 years. Do you think i should worry about that for the driving test they would have me do? Or do you think companies might be understanding in my situation and offer OTJ training?
     
    Daa, Jun 8, 2015
    Daa, Jun 8, 2015
    #3
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  5. Jun 8, 2015 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I should have said "will probably hire you". There's been some recent posts about the company from new drivers and all the comments were very good and positive. Don't worry, you'll be just fine. Those companies will put you with a trainer to get you back in the saddle. They all do urine test for drugs and Pride does hair follicle.
    You will need steel toed work boots; slip-on are better, but what ever you have is fine.
    Work gloves
    Flashlight
    Sleeping bag and pillow - this is good while riding with a trainer because you have to use the bottom bunk while the truck is moving. When it's your turn to drive, just roll up the sleeping bag and stow it.
    Enjoy; trucking is a great career.
     
    Chinatown, Jun 8, 2015
    Chinatown, Jun 8, 2015
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    Daa Thanks this.
  7. Jun 8, 2015 #5
    dca

    dca Road Train Member

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    The decision about a refresher or starting over belongs to whomever you apply to. With a year experience and 3 year hiatus there's a training phase that can't be avoided. Like you mentioned with swift but you'll get your foot in the door regardless as long as you hang in there and learn city driving, backing, etc. Don't stress on whatever the company of choice requires.. Get it done, and get out on your own..
     
    dca, Jun 8, 2015
    dca, Jun 8, 2015
    #5
  8. Jun 8, 2015 #6
    dca

    dca Road Train Member

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    While you're at it.. Try to learn some tricks.

    Don't be so confident you can't be taught
     
    dca, Jun 8, 2015
    dca, Jun 8, 2015
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    Daa Thanks this.
  9. Jun 8, 2015 #7
    Daa

    Daa Bobtail Member

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    Thanks a bunch for the advice.
    I agree with this 100%. I just meant confident enough to get behind the wheel. I would still consider myself a greenhorn at the 1 year mark and ready to learn what i can.

    I just feel nervous about getting into a truck with a 53' trailer and doing a premeployment/road test before i had time to train or practice...but i guess its something i have to get over unless i decide to go through Swifts starter course.
     
    Daa, Jun 8, 2015
    Daa, Jun 8, 2015
    #7
    dca Thanks this.
  10. Jun 8, 2015 #8
    FuzzFace2

    FuzzFace2 Medium Load Member

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    If you are like me it should come back to you easily and you already drove a trailer you just have to adjust for it being a little longer. Then again if a dry van and the weight is good the tandems could be pushed forward and be about the same as the tanker if I under stand you right.

    BTW got my class B back in 1983 (dump truck & equipment trailers) and only drove that summer but kept it up till 7/2014 when I went for my class A. Driving came back pretty fast even if it was a trailer truck. In school for class A we had 48’s but the school was in the city, I would have adjusted for a longer trailer if they had them. In school I did city & hi way driving, test was city in the rain and passed first try. After getting my class A (12/2014) because of medical restriction I could only get a class B job driving a heating oil truck in the winter. First time driving a tanker and I liked it looking to drive tanker / bulk trailer.

    I say don’t sweat it

    Dave ----
     
    FuzzFace2, Jun 8, 2015
    FuzzFace2, Jun 8, 2015
    #8
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