Take it from me.. Once you get your CDL stay behind the wheel.

Certanly not trying to advocate lying.... I tend to be an outside box thinker. While your opinion suggest it might not work, and for valid reasons you pointed out. Many years ago, I took a break from trucking to go into management. I had the same problem being out of the truck for a couple of years. I used a friend, got back in a truck and have done fine. In fact just bought a 8 axle W900 & RGN going O/O.

I have first hand experience that it can work, given the right circumstance, that is the only reason I posted it and the fact by his own statement he had past experience and was capable of performing the job. So, in MY case it was a good idea....

 

There are also companies that just send you out with a trainer for a couple weeks and pay you.
Try Prime, JB, Schneider, Stevens, Swift, Knight, and any companies in your area.
Also Roehl, Watkins/Shepard are good I hear.

 

For the most part they only go back 3 years driving OTR as recent experience. Local doesn't even count. Driving is like riding a bike, but trucks change, regulations change and a bunch of other little things. Never quit longer than 3 years.

There are companies out there that offer refresher training at no cost. You just have to find them and go out with a trainer for reduced wages until he signs you off. Usually 2-4 weeks. I'm thinking Crete is one of them. I saw Shaffer was looking the other day on Career builder. Check out both websites.

 

http://staugustine.craigslist.org/trp/3037423604.html

there are a bunch of companies that will take your level of experience.

 

I came back in Mar 2012 to driving after getting out of it in 1997.

I got tired of hearing about all the same excuses you did.

I found a local company with 25 trucks and called him up, asked to talk to him about driving one of his trucks and when would be a good time to come in and see him.

Two hours later he told me I had a job after talking with him for 20 minutes. Contingent on passing insurance and a drug screen. I had a brand new physical in hand that was 3 days old.

 

Guys thank you for all the positive replies. The refresher course option is out for me through a school like roadmaster. Last I checked it was like $1700 dollars. I think it's a week out on the road for 8hrs a day with a few other students and some class room time. At the end of the week and a small fortune paid out, I will still be looking for a job. They only help with finding employment if you obtain your CDL through them. The last sales clown from a trucking school told me I have to go through the whole process again to obtain a CDL A to be hired by anyone. I laughed at him.. Only 7k.. Sure..

I have read some horror stories on here about most of the large companies and the driver mills,high pressure fleece agreement O/O deals. The other is the sign a year to work deal and we help you get your CDL. A few I spoke with don't want to play ball because I have a Class A already. There is no real way for them to benefit by not selling me a class A CDL. At times I believe they're more interested in selling a class A CDL then shipping freight. High interest student loans,predatory business principles with a contract seem to be the industry now a days.

I'm looking into Con-Way here in the Columbus area. I just filled out all the application info online.

 

You'll do fine.

Don't fall for those scams.

Good Luck Driver !!!!

 

All you're doing is rolling the dice. Just beware of what will happen if you get caught lying on any job application. If they file a DAC report you'll have to dust off those construction tools because you'll never drive a truck again. You might get away with lying but just know the consequences if you get caught.

 

Sound advise guys. Thanks! All seem to want 1yr to 2yr verified behind the wheel. I can't set idol for long. I may have to take what ever to make ends meet. Last problem I need is being unemployed for too long on an application. Going to check out a taxi company here locally as well for the time being. Some income is better than none. A friend said he could get me right in. 15 bucks an hr/3 12hr days.

 

Wait a minute. What happened to the car hauling job you posted about 6 days ago???? You were unsure about your driving abilities then what has happened in 6 days where you feel you do not require a refresher course?