Ways to prove experience?

I'm really sorry you're getting that impression.

My situation is just a little different than guys just learning to drive a truck and trailer and having to "pay dues".
Granted, the big truck is a little bigger, but the difference between that and towing a loaded 50' trailer behind an FL-60 is just slightly different. Aside from the extra 6 or so feet of length, it's easier in most regards.
I'm sorry if I don't find it magical. Operating the truck safely just seems second nature to me because of a long history of running trailers right at the Class C/A line.
I'm sorry if I don't feel "new". The sleeping in the truck comment was a joke ("I've slept in the cab"). I followed it with "lol" because that was funny to me for the fact of how many 100's of uncomfortable nights I've slept at truck stops in my medium duty trucks all over the country.
I never thought operating a Class 8 was going to be a big jump, or be so much different...and when I bought my Class 8...well... honestly it isn't.
Same basic principals, a little bigger, a few different processes, but the common sense, spacial awareness, and responsibility are very similar.

The reason I present my experience is so that the audience I'm asking the question to can tailor their responses to such.
I really don't need vague answers like "just go drive for Swift to learn what you are doing"...at least not in regard to the operation of the vehicle.
The reason is also because my question involves employers, and I understand that some employers *might* prefer someone older with a lot of road time who may for the first time need a CDL, as opposed to someone just getting on the road for 6 months out of community college who has never gone down icy roads completely scattered with big rigs in the ditch, but gotten there safely. Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't, but that is why I'm presenting the experience that I do have in the question...so that I can get answers in regards to that.

So far, the answer I've gotten is "they don't care...in their eyes you have zero experience".
Ok. I get that. My feeling aren't hurt. That is exactly the information I was looking for, and I am thankful for it.

One thing that I am admittedly new to is the *business* of trucking.
I'm naive. I'm a boob. I know nothing. That's why I'm here.
The question I asked in this thread pertained to the trucking business, and how to find a place in it...and what I'm up against.
I am humbled and impressed by what you guys go through with regulations, paperwork...the whole business side.

Now I'm sorry if you think that if I don't know those business things that you think I'm the guy who will put a truck in the ditch...or worse. Only I can know better, and driving for Swift for 6 months I can guarantee is not going to make me any more qualified not to do so. Too many miles, too many grades, too many years, too many hairy situations survived.
If I were going to start putting things in ditches or plowing through crowds at bus stops, I would have done it decades ago. Relax, your children are safe.

I'm not trying to cheat. I'm trying to learn the business side of things.
I think as a grown 48 year old man who owns his own truck, that it is a perfectly reasonable question to wonder how I can make sure my future miles count towards employment in a field that I had never planned on being employed in up until recently.

I really don't think you're in any danger from me on the road, and I am sad that you feel you have to say that. I will say that I have been accident free for 30 years and much of that time was pulling trailers. I don't feel any different in my big truck. I didn't just forget how to drive when they stamped "commercial" on my license, but I was challenged with how to make money doing something I already knew how to do.

I really appreciate the direct and helpful answers I've received from some of you.

The bottom line as I understand is that I'll have to simply get my own authority, take a bunch of crap loads for 6 months, and pay special attention to the idea that my logs will be my proof of experience.
After that, I can choose to work for someone else, and will have graduated into being "a real trucker".
Going this route costs me about 10-20 grand. You can't blame me for wanting to ask what I have asked, but I guess it is what it is.

Peace

 

Reddaway uses C drivers in Portland, and often has ads for city drivers...https://reddaway-yrcw.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1&searchLocation=-12821-Portland

 

My Brother drives around the country pulling the same type of trailer but he does it as a RV'er. Maybe you should go to school, I would recommend it to learn the "Business" side of driving. At least with the Swift drivers we hold some type of hope that they don't do it alone and has some type of training before do any dangerous tasks. They must not be all that bad since, their tractors are not all piled up in the wrecking yards. My opinion of what you should do is find a good Community College and get you CDL and then hit the bricks.

 

We, as a carrier, PREFER to see the Class A date on a mvr......trouble is some states don't give the history, only the most current....so then we're typically looking for documentation from prior employers.

Just to put it into OUR perspective, a brand new Class A, right out of school......up to 6 months or so, would start pricing with a 50 - 100% debit........a driver with more than 12, but less than 24 months runs in the 25-50% debit range....the variable being the drivers age.......hate to say it but a new CDL in the hands of a 23 year old, as compared to a 45 year old makes a big difference in how we price things....based on OVERALL driving experience.