Greetings all,
I appreciate the information I have gleaned on EO as I've been lurking for the last couple of weeks. I've been trying to learn enough to make a good solid decision, and I really appreciate the way those of you who have been in the business for a period of time are willing to take the time to help us newbies out.
Background: I've been involved one way or another in transportation my whole life, with a father who drove over the road and in various jobs where I drove locally. I currently hold a CDL B with air brake. I've driven a straight truck throughout the Chicagoland area picking up waste tires for my tire recycling company and for the guy who bought me out. No logging was required, so I don't know for sure how many miles, but in the neighborhood of 300,000 to 400,000 miles. I also drove a 120" stretch limousine for 3 1/2 yrs in the Chicagoland area putting in over 450,000 miles. I know it is not a truck, but I mention it to show driving capability. I also delivered RV's across the US and Canada for 3 1/2 yrs, logging over 400,000 miles and earned a 250,000 mile safety award. (That meant NO damage of any kind to any of the trailers delivered. It is different then safety miles in a truck.)
My question is: I have been out of driving for four years now, other than driving a bus for our church and school, but that is infrequent and cumulatively not that significant. I know most companies are looking for current experience. How do I best go about finding an owner to drive for and a company that will put me on? Would a refresher course in a driving school be helpful? I hate the idea of going all the way through a driving school when I'm one of the old farts that was grandfathered into the CDL when it was nationalized.
Thank you for your time.
Jerry
Edited to add: All of the above driving with only 1 moving violation and no chargeable accidents.
I appreciate the information I have gleaned on EO as I've been lurking for the last couple of weeks. I've been trying to learn enough to make a good solid decision, and I really appreciate the way those of you who have been in the business for a period of time are willing to take the time to help us newbies out.
Background: I've been involved one way or another in transportation my whole life, with a father who drove over the road and in various jobs where I drove locally. I currently hold a CDL B with air brake. I've driven a straight truck throughout the Chicagoland area picking up waste tires for my tire recycling company and for the guy who bought me out. No logging was required, so I don't know for sure how many miles, but in the neighborhood of 300,000 to 400,000 miles. I also drove a 120" stretch limousine for 3 1/2 yrs in the Chicagoland area putting in over 450,000 miles. I know it is not a truck, but I mention it to show driving capability. I also delivered RV's across the US and Canada for 3 1/2 yrs, logging over 400,000 miles and earned a 250,000 mile safety award. (That meant NO damage of any kind to any of the trailers delivered. It is different then safety miles in a truck.)
My question is: I have been out of driving for four years now, other than driving a bus for our church and school, but that is infrequent and cumulatively not that significant. I know most companies are looking for current experience. How do I best go about finding an owner to drive for and a company that will put me on? Would a refresher course in a driving school be helpful? I hate the idea of going all the way through a driving school when I'm one of the old farts that was grandfathered into the CDL when it was nationalized.
Thank you for your time.
Jerry
Edited to add: All of the above driving with only 1 moving violation and no chargeable accidents.
