Trying To Come Back (C R England And Stevens)

Hello guys. I'm new to this site so I hope I'm following the rules lol. But seriously, I had my CDL class A for about 14 years now but unfortunately not the experience. I drove for a few companies between 2000 and and 2005, including schneider, jb hunt and swift. I left swift for a series of reasons and decided to try my own business (not driving) but, alas, it didn't work. I tried several other things and I even thought to make a career as a Paramedic (I'm an EMT) but the God complex of almost everyone I met in the industry drove me away. Anyway, I tried several times to reapply to several trucking companies when I was about two years away from trucks but everybody turned me down because they said I was away for too long, hence the reason a tried something else. I tried again a few days ago with the one company that said yes (Maverick) but when I thought I was going there they said I didn't have enough full time work for the last year (I was working part time as an EMT) and that they could probably help me in another six months. I tried searching for other options and finally C R England said yes and I'm suppose to go to Richmond IN. form refreshing training. STEVENS transport also called me (I haven't respond yet) and I'm trying to decide what to do. I know first hand that several companies take advantage of drivers, specially those with little experience, and I want to make this transition as painless as possible. CRE said I would have to take 10 days orientation and retraining and that I will have to go (in two faces) with another driver, so basically, start all over again. I'm welling to do it but I want to make sure I don't run into some nasty surprises. I'm not really interested at all in getting into any leases (I have read some horror stories) and I just want to get some experience again so I can have options. I must say I wasn't trilled with Maverick either specially because I don't care for flat bed ( had some bad time with a local company) but it seems companies now have different strategies to attract drivers. So basically, I haven't drive trucks since 2005 (other than a about 3 months in 2008) and I try to find a good company. I would really appreciate any input you guys can provide.

Thanks to all

I am sure this will be said to you again but apply to as many company's as possible. Brett has a link here somewhere for all the major company sponsored CDL schools if that is what you are looking into. Maybe as an option you can look into a private school and try other companies that hire from them as it is usually a larger list of companies. Best of luck to you.

If you click on trucking school at the top of this page and then click on the Company Sponsored schools link you will see a ton of trucking company logos. Each one has a really in-depth critique of that company's training program. The reviews seem to be really honest and highlight both the positive and negative aspects of the company's program.

If this is what you want as your new career I would take the time to read the Company-Sponsored Training and then make Your choice based on what each Company has to offer and what you feel fits you best...this is the best site to gather info regarding getting started or back into Trucking

Devid the deal. Most companies fall into these guidelines. ....

Drivers must have 12 months driving in the 3 years. Some it's 12 months in the last 2 years. And still some are 6 months in the last 12 months.

You seem to fall outside of all three areas that most companies find acceptable before they demand retraining for drivers coming back into the industry.

One point in your favor is that you have maintained your CDL. That's good but the bad part is lack of recent experience and lack of employment in the last year. Let's deal with one at a time....

1) lack of employment can be over come by a few things. affidavits. Getting 3 to 4 people you know to verify you were doing what you said you were doing. Tax records since you should have being filing taxes even though you were not working full time. These two things are the easiest to get and the simpliest. Other than that you might just have to apply at all the companies out there and take what is offered to you at the time. Worry about getting back into trucking first then worry about the small stuff later.

2) No recent experience. ...that's a tough one. No short cuts here. You will have to go back through and do a refresher course and retraining with a company certified trainer. No getting around that. Problem is you have no experience since 2005. That's 8 years. Unless you take some type of refresher course no company will touch you.

So you have two things going against you so the best advice is going with the one that will allow you to get back into trucking the fastest and get a year in of good safe driving then you can worry about switching companies later.

Devid the deal. Most companies fall into these guidelines. ....

Drivers must have 12 months driving in the 3 years. Some it's 12 months in the last 2 years. And still some are 6 months in the last 12 months.

You seem to fall outside of all three areas that most companies find acceptable before they demand retraining for drivers coming back into the industry.

One point in your favor is that you have maintained your CDL. That's good but the bad part is lack of recent experience and lack of employment in the last year. Let's deal with one at a time....

1) lack of employment can be over come by a few things. affidavits. Getting 3 to 4 people you know to verify you were doing what you said you were doing. Tax records since you should have being filing taxes even though you were not working full time. These two things are the easiest to get and the simpliest. Other than that you might just have to apply at all the companies out there and take what is offered to you at the time. Worry about getting back into trucking first then worry about the small stuff later.

2) No recent experience. ...that's a tough one. No short cuts here. You will have to go back through and do a refresher course and retraining with a company certified trainer. No getting around that. Problem is you have no experience since 2005. That's 8 years. Unless you take some type of refresher course no company will touch you.

So you have two things going against you so the best advice is going with the one that will allow you to get back into trucking the fastest and get a year in of good safe driving then you can worry about switching companies later.

Thanks for your reply Guy. I ended up deciding for CRE because Stevens was giving me the "tuition" talk and that I would have to pay for the hotel (deduced from my check) and I am not welling to pay for that since I already have my license. They said though that if I sign a one year commitment that I would not have to pay anything but then again, their training is 6 to 8 weeks. On the other hand, CRE said that there is no payment or tuition involved (they even asked why any company was asking for it if I already have the license) at all and they will pay for hotel but I will pay for food during the orientation and that the only thing is that I will not be paid the 10 days orientation. After that I will go with a driver for 30 to 45 days, depending on how I do. They say I will receive my first check 3 to 4 weeks after I start with the trainer. I will wait and see what happens and hopefully I will be able to get back on track.

I want to thank you all for your comments. I will give CRE a chance and we'll see what happens. In my opinion companies are not very different from one another ( learned that working for JB Hunt, US Express, Swift and Schneider National) so I think the idea will be to stick with one for the time being so I can gain the experience I need right know and we will see. Time will tell.

Thanks again to all.

I want to thank you all for your comments. I will give CRE a chance and we'll see what happens. In my opinion companies are not very different from one another ( learned that working for JB Hunt, US Express, Swift and Schneider National) so I think the idea will be to stick with one for the time being so I can gain the experience I need right know and we will see. Time will tell.

Thanks again to all.

Just a quick question, Do you have any cash saved up? Reason I ask is if you have a private school near you ( I dont know where you live ) then you can go take a refresher course there and that might open up possibilities for you.

Any way you look at it, you will have to do ATLEAST some classroom to learn their paperwork and rules...then time with a trainer...thats about standard. But when you get with a company, stick with it for ONE YEAR....then you will have the experience and the proof to take to any other company that you want to work for...Good Luck..

And the link you need to apply to trucking companies (since you already have your cdl) is here Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Hey Troy. I can't afford to go to a private school for refresher training. I'm still paying for an associate degree I got in 2012, which didn't help much in West Virginia. I will give CRE a chance since they are giving me one. With them I have to go to Indiana, which my wife can drive me to, and they offered to pay for fuel and since she drives a prius is ok. The drive is about 6 hours so is not so bad, and besides, I really hate those buses. (o: With Stevens I would have to take a bus to Dallas (no way!).

I want to thank you all for your comments. I will give CRE a chance and we'll see what happens. In my opinion companies are not very different from one another ( learned that working for JB Hunt, US Express, Swift and Schneider National) so I think the idea will be to stick with one for the time being so I can gain the experience I need right know and we will see. Time will tell.

Thanks again to all.

Just a quick question, Do you have any cash saved up? Reason I ask is if you have a private school near you ( I dont know where you live ) then you can go take a refresher course there and that might open up possibilities for you.