Trying to get back in the saddle.

After 17 years, I'm going on the road again, or trying to. Got apps out everywhere and the only callback so far is Prime. So it looks like I'm gonna try to get on with them. Got a lot to re-learn since I've been gone so dang long. Absolutely WON'T go back to school because I can drive as good as or BETTER than a lot of so-called instructors.

 

Lostreb, welcome back!

I drove for 14 years OTR and was away for 18 months on a military deployment. I got on with a regional company and I was amazed at how much I needed to relearn, especially about backing, hours of service, logging, satellite, scaling, etc. I'm not suggesting that you need a school, but things have changes quite a bit since the early 90's.

Don't be upset if your carrier wants you to go out with a trainer for a week or so, it's not an insult, just kind of a refresher to insure your success.

Good luck with Prime or whoever you end up bro.

 

Actually I wouldn't think abot going out without a trainer simply because of the reasons you mention. As far as handling the truck, I have been driving locally for the last three years and the local companies seem to think that Minimun Wage is a joke. Lucky to get $4.00 per hour out here. And for the latest installment, Prime turned me down. Back to the drawing board.

 

please tell me your not for real.....

$4.00 to drive a truck?

 

Sorry to hear about Prime brother...

I do understand your objection to returning to a driving school, I would see it as a bit of an insult to my ability as well. Since you obviously can handle the truck, know the regulations, have a FedMed card, etc. Wouldn't it be acceptable to you to run with a company trainer for a week to prove that you have excellent skills and then make an extra 20 or 30K a year?

I know that in my neck of the woods (30 miles from Schneider's Headquarters) a lot of the big companies will bring you in to orientation and ask you to go out with a trainer who is just there to evaluate your skills not "train" you so to speak.

Just trying to help you find options! Also, I just read that it is a federal regulation that your hours on duty (not just driving) for local commercial transportation (100 miles or less from where the truck is domiciled) must be compensated at federal minimum wage which is $6.55 an hour and goes to $7.25 on July 24th 2009.

My advice would be to jump in with a trainer, kick ##### and take names for a week and go solo for twice what you're making now!

 

Getting back in the saddle doesn't sound like a bad idea,...But finding a different horse is probably a great idea...lol..

 

Most local runs out here are based on the load and not per hour. $30.00 per run when it takes one hour round trip (loading and unloading included) is not bad in itself, but when you can only make three runs in a day because lack of equipment or too many trucks, then it sucks.

Going out with a trainer for a week or two is exactly what I need, not a month of setting behind a desk and practicing in the field. The skills are there, but no one will let me prove it.

 

My advice would be to jump in with a trainer, kick ##### and take names for a week and go solo for twice what you're making now!

That's exactly what I plan to do. I have read all the posts I can find, good and bad, and long story short, it looks like I'm going to SLC with CR England. I have to get my mind set right before I get there though, but they say they will put me in a truck solo after ten days. I am going in VERY CAUTIOUS!

 

You'll do fine. Good luck!

 

From all I've read lately, you've jumped from the fryin' pan into the fire, going with England, king of the bottom feeders. The rejection from Prime may be a blessing though; I burned out with them as my last driving job, 19 years ago. 16-18 hour shifts were what it took to make their schedules, although I'd tell 'em to kiss my butt now.