Comments By Arejay (RJ)

Hi Rose! Welcome to Trucking Truth!

I think BK covered commenting on ability issue and med card part pretty well, I don't have anything to add there. I do want to add, however that so long as you can get a new med card, you should check with your state's DMV office what would be necessary to re-instate your CDL A. You haven't mentioned what state your located, and I don't see it listed in your profile.

Just for reference, Years ago when I moved to Florida, I had no need for my CDL then, so I let it get re-classified to a Class C. Years later when I wanted to return to driving, all I had to do was get a new med card. Made an appointment with the DMV, I showed them my med card and they happily re-instated me back to a shiny new Class A CDL. I only had to pay the $85 fee the DMV charged for processing. On top of the $100 fee for the medical exam that is.

This observation isn't directed at the OP, but it's a general concern: why are so many people driving as if they're auditioning for the next Fast & Furious movie? Can we hit pause on those audition tapes? It seems like the need for speed has taken over the streets lately. Let's all take a breath and remember, it's not a race out there. Safety first, folks! 🚗💨

After inspecting the image for a moment, what strikes me as odd is the worn appearance of the tag itself. There's a remnant of another sticker at the top of the plate, yet there's no residue on the surface above the plate. Additionally, there are no damages or scratches visible on the surface under and around this damaged plate. From what I can discern of the stickers to the left, they also seem clean and new.

In short, it seems to me that this VIN tag originated from an old, worn-out trailer and was transferred to this one for some unknown reason. Moreover, the transfer doesn't seem to have been done with care.

Considering these observations, I wouldn't feel comfortable pulling this trailer either. Just from the one photo you shared, several red flags arise in my mind.

Oh, and about the discussion earlier regarding referral letters, I took a few minutes to experiment with ChatGPT prompts to write up a quick template. I should say that since I'm not a lawyer and I've never had to go this route to cover my own job history, it's very likely that this might need some adjustments based on the requirements of the company you're applying to and the legalities in the related states.

[Advocate's Name]

[Advocate's Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern,

I, [Advocate's Name], having known [Applicant's Name] for [duration] years, can and do attest to the fact that [he/she] has been retired since October of 2015. Also, I know that it is [his/her] intent to re-enter the workforce.

Furthermore, I have personal knowledge that since retiring, [Applicant's Name] has resided in the USA at the following address:

Applicant's Address: [Applicant's Address] City: [Applicant's City] State: [Applicant's State] ZIP Code: [Applicant's ZIP Code]

Signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________________

Notary Stamp and Notary Signature:

[Notary Stamp]

Notary Public: [Notary Signature] Date: ________________________

[Advocate's Name]

I've been following this conversation from the start, but haven't had the time to respond until now. I'll begin by saying that I can relate to some of the points made in this post.

Some background:

I first earned and utilized my CDL back in the early 90s with CRST and drove for them for about a year. Life threw a wrench in my plans, and I ended up transitioning into the IT field for the next 25 years.

The motivation:

I always missed the driving life and occasionally considered getting "back in the saddle," so to speak. After much research, which consisted of years of lurking here on Trucking Truth, much time practicing my Google-Fu, and much contemplation, in 2018, I finally decided to leave the Information Technology field and return to driving.

More background:

During the years from 1994 until 2018, I went through a few significant changes that may have made my return to driving a bit tougher. Since I didn't plan to return to driving, I didn't keep up my medical authorization for many years. When the medical card requirement became mandatory, and I moved to Florida, I downgraded to a Class C license.

The Good News:

When I decided to drive again, I contacted the Florida DMV to inquire about my license. I was informed that all I needed to do was get a new/updated DOT Medical card, then present that card to the DMV with $85, and I could walk out with a brand new Florida Class A CDL burning a hole in my pocket, ready for a driving job.

The better news:

After much more research, I applied to one company: Knight Transportation. After a couple of phone calls and many questions asked of my Knight Recruiter, I was offered and accepted an opportunity to attend CDL training with Knight at their Squire Training Academy in Phoenix, AZ.

The news gets even better from there:

Per my conversations with my recruiter, it was agreed that considering the many years that had passed since I drove a large truck, I would plan to spend the entire three weeks at the school in Phoenix to complete their full CDL course. However, when I arrived in Phoenix and the lead instructor saw I was doing well on the pad (and found out that I already had a CDL in hand), he informed me I should be able to test out a week early.

At the beginning of my second week, unfortunately, the lead instructor fell ill with a health emergency. So, I mentioned what the lead instructor had told me to his second-in-command. Soon after, I found myself discussing the matter with him and the lady in charge of the school the very next morning. Long story short, I was tested out of training that same morning and was sent home to begin my road training right away.

In summary:

Many years after downgrading my CDL to a Class C, I was able to upgrade back to a Class A CDL with only a DOT Card and the required fee. I attended Knight's Squire Academy in Phoenix, expecting to be in training for three weeks, but was sent home with my training certificate after only six days of training. They abbreviated it to refresher training.

The rest is history. :) If you've read this far, I hope you've been able to spot at least a nugget or two of helpful information in my long winded rambling story, LOL.

Just an FYI for applicants who have done gig and/or cash work --

After bussing to Phoenix from Denver and attending the Academy for a week they sent me home. I provided tax records, 1099's, references, etc.

Swift does have a minimum income requirement. What that minimum is I do not know, but if you have not made whatever arbitrary income they *think* you should have made you will be sent home.

I was not rich enough for Swift. Not a joke.

Huh? Did they actually tell you that you didn't meet a minimum income requirement?

I'm surprised nobody has commented yet on a glaring detail in your photo of paradise!? Was it you that spray painted your "Greetings to Trucking Truth" on the side of that Barr-Nunn truck before snapping this picture?

Here's another suggestion (if you don't already have it on your list)... for parking location suggestions, use the drivers company as context for additional parking suggestions, company terminals and drop yards.

I found BK!

That's awesome! 😀

Great start to your training diary! I hope you keep it up... I've found it to be both entertaining and informative. I'm sure there will be many in the future who will appreciate your efforts to document your experience at the Swift Academy. I'm looking forward to seeing more installments in the near future.