Location:
VA
Driving Status:
Considering A Career
Social Link:
I received my Class A CDL in 1998, earned it based on prior landscape / construction driving experience with the help of a local lumber yard. Drove a day cab and 45' flatbed locally for 2-3 years, did some intermodal, and regional vans & flats in a sleeper cab untill 2005, then drove recycle trucks and very small combination unit (day cab w/ 30' flat) delivering new dumpsters until 2007. I have not driven commercially since then. Went back to school and been working in an office...can't stand it any longer. I've tugged equipment trailers and camper trailers around with my pickup since then so I can still back up (LOL). I'm looking at going to a refresher course offered by a big company to get back into regional flatbed work. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
Concerned about refresher course vs. 4 week course
Thanks to all for the wealth of information available on this site. Truly an excellent resource! I am strongly considering getting back into commercial driving. Here's my situation: I received my Class A CDL in 1998, having earned it based on prior landscape / construction driving experience with the help of a local lumber yard. I then drove a day cab and 45' flatbed locally for 2-3 years delivering building materials, I then did some intermodal, and regional vans & flats in a sleeper cab untill 2005, then drove recycle trucks and very small combination unit (day cab w/ 30' flat) delivering new dumpsters until 2007. I have not driven commercially since 2007 but I HAVE kept my CDL class A and medical card current. I went back to school, earned a few degrees, and been working in an office...can't stand it any longer (due to financial and other reasons). I've tugged equipment trailers and camper trailers around with my pickup since then so I can still back up (LOL). I'm looking at going to a refresher course offered by a big company to get back into regional flatbed work. It's a short "refresher" course (2-3 days), then 4 weeks with a trainer (No charge if I work for them for 9 months, if not its $2500). All automatics in their fleet, so shifting will not be a concern. Do you think I will get back in the groove quick enough? My guess is the company doesn't set people up to fail since they are paying to get you there, etc. I explained to the recruiter my concerns and they say the program is designed for people who have been out of a truck for at least 2 years or who have never used their CDL at all. This route is appealing to me since it would get me behind the wheel solo in about 5 weeks. OR, would I be better off going to the local CDL school near my home and taking the full 4 week course in a 10 speed? (the refresher course at this school is not an option as it costs much more than the full course which is available through a grant in my state for a cost of $1500 to me). The big disadvantage here is being out of work for the 4 weeks while taking the course. So...you think I'm worrying too much? Any advice? Thanks.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
Concerned about refresher course vs. 4 week course
Thanks to everyone for the great insight. I really appreciate it.