Profile For Rodney W.

Old School,

Thanks for your insight! You are right in that I have considered the very real possibility that my brother in law (B-I-L) may not make it for one reason or the other. Fortunately, I am not worried about him bailing on the lifestyle as he is a retired Air Traffic Controller who spent over 10 years remotely in Alaska (away from family, working shifts at remote sites) in order to get his retirement, and he has been considering OTR even before I came back into the picture. My biggest concern is his ability to actually learn to drive a Big Rig safely, and where that could leave me with CRST. Like all of us, he has his unique way of learning and approaching things, which may or may not be lost on, or tolerated by a trainer, not really invested in their trainee. Getting a good/patient trainer is a Crap Shoot, but with that being said, he has to get his CDL and pass his training ride without me. That is actually my biggest concern. As I believe you may be suggesting, I am considering other companies as well, which would leave me the option of running Solo, should that happen. Thanks Again!

Thanks guys.

It has been about 7 years since I had my CDL.

CRST does look like a good option. We have the option of schooling in Jacksonville, FL (private) or going to Cedar River. Even though I like the idea of heading home on the weekend while at school (getting my Harley windshield time while I can), I am thinking it would be good to see HQ and put some names with faces and scope things out there. I am waiting until after July 4th to start. One last family VAC. My twin daughters are teachers and summer-July 4th has been the designated family reunion at my parents in the NC Mountains for years.

The story is: I am going to team drive with my brother in law. I am a former OTR and local CDL driver (5 years pre and post millenium!) who let my CDL lapse when I went into management (bad decision). I am coming back into trucking with my brother in law who has never driven. I want to help him transition into trucking while also getting us some miles. I will be going to school with him. Although I provided Safety training (Smith and CARE), drove and backed CMV's around the yard, ran local routes and managed local drivers during the last 10 years, I know I need refresher training and to become reacclimated to OTR (always alot to learn=never stop learning). I am considering CRST due to the Team driving and the starting CPM. I joined this site because of the lack of negativity and finger pointing it tolerates. Asking for some input on company sponsered or provided training. I have read all the company reviews under that topic (very informative) and spoke with a few companies. Hometime will be taken in the Southeast (FL, upstate SC). Any words of wisdom-suggestions?

Thanks for the replies, guys..... The companies claim they can not help since everything went digital since then... Old School, It surprised me when the "Recruiter" said he could up my CPM based on past experience even though it is that old. I have been in driver related positions "Distribution Supervisor, Transportation Manager, DC Manager..etc" since I let my CDL lapse and stayed involved in the industry but have not driven OTR since 2006. Funny that they did find my CDL school transript from 1993 with my 4.0 GPA however. I did not even remember the name of the school!

I drove OTR and Dedicated for a couple of companies during the early to mid 90's and am now coming back to OTR . What is the best way to verify that experience for a company who states they will increase my starting CPM if I can verify it? I do not have my tax files from those years...... I did not renew my CDL when I left the industry in 2006.