Profile For Jerry G.

Wow!! That is great information, thank you! I was feeling a bit low after Knight Trans turned me down… thinking that all the mega carriers would share the same policy. Your input really reopened the door to hope. I drove for Schneider off and on three different times over the last 18 years and left on good terms with them very time. I’ve always felt they were a good company to work for and I’m glad to read that you’ve stayed with on with them. I know they have a Portland, Oregon terminal these days and a great refresher course in Fontana, so I will be giving them a call for sure next week when I return to the USA! I actually tried to contact them first but for some reason their system wouldn’t accept a VPN from Cambodia, lol… which is probably a safety precaution and a good idea. Thanks again for your input… I’m feeling hopeful about things again :).

Sorry for the tardy response, by now you may have already resolved this, but in case you haven’t… I was in the same boat as you, returning from abroad after spending 3+ years out of the country. I had pre-hires from six or seven companies who agreed to hire me despite my being out of the country for over three years; I can remember only four of them: Schneider, Werner, Covenant, and CR England. I went with Schneider, who I am still with today. Hope this helps and welcome back!

Portland, Oregon.

Jerry G., where do you live now?

That’s a good idea. Thank you for that information. I’m coming back prepared with all of the documents needed to verify employment in a foreign country. I hope it’s enough. I like your idea about reference letters from friends. Every little bit may help. Thanks again! J

Having kept your US drivers license current will also matter, since you have to had it active at least 1 year. Then proving where you were abroad, get letters from 2 people attesting to your past. Just in case I needed em, 2+ years back I had 2 people who've known me 20 & 50+ years write them, but didn't need them ( I was unemployed & self-employed a bunch years )

Good luck , just apply everywhere, and see if they bite.

Thanks for the response and the information. I had forgotten about that link! One application sent to many companies - Cast a big net! Yes, I kept my CDL active. Oregon has a temporary sleeper mode option that lets up you keep your CDL without maintaining current DOT physicals if your not working in the industry anymore. I’m comfortable with and totally support the idea of a refresher course. After being out of the drivers seat for a long time, a refresher course is good idea. Thanks again! J

Have you used this link to Apply For Truck Driving Jobs? Fill out one application and it'll be sent to many companies. Did you keep your CDL active, including DOT exams Many? Many companies will likely require you take a refresher course at a minimum if you still have an active CDL.

I’m a US Citizen, US Navy veteran and a former OTR driver. I was out of the country working as a teacher abroad for three years. Knight Transportation and some other companies that I’ve spoken with have stated that they cannot hire me because they require “one year of US employment within the last three years”. All of my past employment is verifiable (including the overseas employment) and I maintained an excellent safety record in the past as a CDL driver. Does anyone know of an OTR company (big or small) that may be interested in hiring me? Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this.