Looking To Get Back In The Seat After A LONG Time Off

A lot has changed in the last 25 years. I only worked for Schneider for a little over a year, and I never drove a truck with a hood if that gives a time frame.

I had just started driving in 1998 and had a dirt bike accident in 1999 that left me unable to drive for over a year. I changed careers and moved to Las Vegas. After a few years I let my CDL go as I didn't think I would drive professionally again. Then covid changed the world I lived in. After nearly 20 years working in a casino, I was suddenly not an essential worker. I went to driving school and was looking to get hired as a "new" driver. But my wife's job was paying very well in spite of the pandemic, and we had two younger children and we decided that I'd be a stay-at-home dad.

So, I have had my license for three years and now am looking for somewhere to work. I spoke with Schneider, and they will consider me as a rehire if one of the positions they hire for with no experience opens up. I was on the Family Dollar account way back when and I don't think I'd enjoy that type of work, but I live within the area they are always hiring for.

I'd ideally like to find something that's drop and hook.

I liked the way I was treated at Schneider as a new driver and felt the training and emphasis on safety to be reassuring.

Hi brian, what type of position are you looking for, or not looking for?

Are you looking for a position that gets you home daily, weekly..?

Is driving over the road an option? Are you willing to drive over the road in order to get your foot in the door and gain experience? Driving over the road might be the quickest way to gain experience, which could open more options for you in the future. Not only with schneider but with other companies as well.

If you don't mind listing what you're willing to do or not willing to do, it will help us provide you more valuable feedback.

Should have said I'd like to be in dry van. I am open to driving over the road and being out three or four weeks with five or six days home. I'm in Las Vegas so maybe a Western 11 state type setup? I was 27 when I started driving and took the Family Dollar account because of the guaranteed paid and a big sign on bonus. Being 53 years old soon I'd rather drive than touch freight.

Like I said, I liked Schneider and think they are/were a good setting for a new driver. I know a lot has changed to make things more efficient and comfortable plus safer for the driver. I'm curious if there are other comparable options.

There are definitely more options if you are willing to drive OTR.

I don't know if you are actually in need of advice or if you are simply just kind of expressing your thoughts and looking for feedback.

I'm not saying that to be rude. The opposite in fact. I don't want to come off as condescending by offering advice or information that you already know from prior experience.

The way I've researched trucking jobs in the past is to check out their websites and try to get an idea of what types of positions they are hiring for. Similar to what it sounds like you have begun to do by contacting Schneider.

Swift, Knight, Prime (Prime is reefer though), Rhoel, and other large trucking companies offer similar opportunities to get back into driving. It's probably easiest to find an OTR position with any of these companies. That doesn't mean you should settle of course.

Check these companies out. Speak with recruiters and see if they can offer you a position that works best for you. OTR is usually recommended for new drivers bc it allows them to get up to speed and practice new skills at a more comfortable pace. Since you haven't driven for so long OTR might be more beneficial for you as well. Then again you did start your career on a "Dollar" account, which is a heck of a lot harder in my opinion than driving OTR.

I can't offer any specifics on any of these companies other than Prime, bc I've driven for Prime in the past.

If you do some investigating and have more specific questions regarding a company you are interested in, you can always post a new topic asking for information. Members here who currently drive for - or who have in the past - a company you are curious about should be able to answer any questions you have.