SOS

So, I'm back on TR after over 2 long years off. My apologies for not answering the forum messages I received back in 2013. Long story where I've been... involves being captured by space pirates and later abducted by sexy moon maidens... but I'll spare y'all the boring details on that.

Things have only gone from bad to worse for me since I quit driving. My CDL A got downgraded to class C for failing to take the DOT physical & submit the required forms before the national deadline. Now I'm wondering if I can even restore my cdl this late in the game.

Anyway, when I say things are bad, I mean I'm broke, no wheels, and currently stranded in a dumpy Utah desert motel 2 hours south of Salt Lake. The gist of it is, I flew out west from GA hoping to start a small business but the bottom fell out.

For the past several months I've tried everything practical within my tight travel budget to get back to GA and reinstate my class A status, because I really want and need to return to work. I've tried just about everything short of hitch hiking and camping in the woods behind the DMV office until I find proper shelter. I'm not prepared to go that far yet, but I'm honestly close to that point of desperation.

I don't have any friends or family to help, and everyone I've talked to about a possible job, rideshare or place to stay has flaked out & disappeared.

I'm hoping someone out there can help with a driving job of any kind, or just a ride back east, and at least a temp place to stay. I'll have some money in November. Not much but enough to get by on and pay rent and other bills.

As for resuming my trucking career.. obviously that won't be easy after so long out of work, and considering my age (52) and every other factor and obstacle, like having no car. And of course assuming I can even get my CDL restored. After several years out of work, I just gave up trying... stopped applying for driving jobs.

But now I'm hoping for the best, and willing to give it my all to get back to work. I'm posting here because maybe someone has a suggestion, or is willing to offer a no cost refresher course & job training, orientation, or has a non cdl straight truck, pickup, hot shot, cargo van job to offer .

Maybe I can save up the cash for a paid refresher course, or just start out with a small straight truck job, and slowly work my way back to driving big 18s. I can't handle OTR, but a local or regional job would be great. Out 1 week max. Part time, backup driver, anything to turn a few bucks and regain experience. I have 12 years TT experience, pulled mostly dry van & flatbed, but also walking floor, containers, log trailers.

Right now I don't know, and I need to take things one step at a time. Just a ride back east and a room for rent would be a big step in the right direction. Or any driving job at all, especially one I can sleep in the truck or motels until I find a proper home. After that I'll start worrying about resuming my illustrious trucking career.

If anyone can maybe help me out with a lift across country and temp place to stay in GA, NC or SC... please PM me asap. I'm ready to roll within 24 hours or less advance notice. And there's plenty of truck parking space at the gas station half mile away. Again, I'll have rent money in November... and can pay for my own food & other living expenses until then.

Oh, and if you're thinking I should maybe contact a former employer for work, the answer is I can't, because Company A, B, C & D went bankrupt years ago and have long disappeared. Company E's owner died & the company closed. As for company F, they F'd me over bad, and that bridge is burned. Lastly, company G, pulled a bait & switch, hired me on for a full time TT position hauling steel around the SE, then changed tunes the first morning I showed up for work, put me in a ratty old straight truck with exhaust fumes pouring up through the floor. Part time position as well, like 1 or 2 days a week if I was lucky. I was making about $300 a month gross. I hung on as long as I could... maybe 6 months.. until it became obvious I was a donkey chasing a carrot on a stick... those rascals were never going to buy that shiny new KW they kept promising me would arrive any day now...

Thanks for reading & thanks to TR forum for providing this awesome free site, and best wishes to all who are going through tough times.

SOS out