Thinking about getting back out there....

When you are checking out schools ask if they have a test preparation or refresher option. These are cheaper and shorter than the full school and you skip a lot of the "value added" content that you already know from your earlier experience.

Also, if you can pay the cost yourself you will not be obligated to the carrier for paying back your school cost. You'll be able to move out if they turn out to be horrible employers without having to pay them for the privilege.

The downside is there may be companies that require the full school for hire, but your experience should help with that.

 

I'd like to report my findings so far, OP. I'm not trying to hijack your thread at all.

The three apps I finished, all three got shot down yesterday, which brings my one month total to nine, which includes the three which won't return my calls.

The three truck schools in driving distance: one no longer has a refresher due to not enough instructors. One charges an hourly rate for refresher that is so high, that a 40 hour refresher would cost more than the regular course, and the last hasn't returned my 3 calls.
A staffer/recruiter I was referred to wanted to place me with CRE.....
A local staffing agency has CDL A positions available for $15/hr no bennies.......
Roehl wants to put me through their full school, 20 days with a trainer, and a 120,000 mile solo commitment.....
And Big Orange wants to fly me to a three day refresher, fly me to a home terminal for ojt, then I'm committed to them for.....3 MONTHS??
Heck, I lived with my MIL for 6 YEARS!!

Plus, they have dedicated tank work in my area, which is what I'm looking for. Still combing the internet for the downside of this deal and still can't find it. Haven't talked to a live person about it yet, though.

And I'm trying to schmooze a couple local fuel hauler outfits, too. I hope you're having better luck, OP! Stay on it, brother!

 

That's a good deal with Schneider. I doubt there is a down side since it's tanker division.

 

Thanks, China. I'm still reading a lot of angst about the Pumpkin Mafia, but I'm a ol' tanker yanker from back in the day, and it sounds good to me so far. Everything I've read so far about SN bulk has been positive, or at least neutral.

 

Yeah.. a lot of the staffing agencies don't advertise for truck drivers like they do other industries.. cause they they get so many calls and applicants... a lot of the gas will be LTL, local and stuff, not a lot of OTR... but, it can get you in the seat and some recent experience...

Good luck to you.. and hang in there ...

 

Thanks for the info. This school I found is down in Clearfield, PA and they do have a refresher course but it requires you to have your CDL already which disqualifies me since mine expired so I am guessing I would have to go at least 4 weeks at a cost of 4500 bucks. I will have to call and explain my situation and go from there. All I really need is brushed up on rules and regulations and logs. As far as driving goes, just some time behind the wheel to get used to the feel again is all I would need there. Backing would not be a problem either as that is like typing, once you learn it you don't forget it. LOL...

 

Don't worry about hijacking the thread, I look at this as a discussion so we can all throw our two cents in. Sounds like you are busy with apps. Keep your baited hook out there and you should get a bite or two sooner or later. The biggest thing is recent experience as most, if not all OTR companies have to require it for insurance purposes which is understandable. If I do go ahead with this I plan on paying for the schooling out of my pocket so I am not committed to anyone for paybacks or employment. Speaking of tanker work, reminds me of my first company I drove for out of trucking school. I got on this weekly run where we hauled coal tar pitch from Clairton, PA up to a local carbon factory here in town. Not a bad gig either and gave me some tanker experience too. They were quick loading you and you unloaded yourself when you got here so was some easy money for sure. I also liked running paper loads out of Domtar about 10 miles up the road, dang nice paying runs and easy as heck, especially the Langhorne, PA run and over to Milton, PA. Oh, here I go with old trucking stories so better cut it short before I put you all to sleep. LOL. Gotta love those gravy runs though.

 

I know PDI in Churchville, NY had a road test prep course for $2950 as recently as last summer. They're in the wrong state for you, but if you know someone in the area who'd let you crash or maybe stay in a campground for some of the time... Maybe someone has a sleeper cab sitting you could use.

There is an idea: Check for schools in areas you have friends and relatives that would let you crash for a few weeks. Opens a lot of possibilities.

 

I just thought of something else: Take a look at agriculture operations in your area. They use a lot more trucks than you might realize and a lot of them train and get their own drivers licensed who they use for a wide variety of jobs as well as the driving.

I suspect they are already paying really high insurance rates because of the farm operations because they don't seem to be at all afraid to hire new, inexperienced drivers. And you are not that.

 

OMG I remember those days!

Like, computers? People play on computers? I had a stick and a few rocks to invent a game with. lol