Retired Trucker Looking For Advice
Topic 33879 | Page 1
Hi Dave! What an interesting situation you have. I really don’t know the answer to your question, but I wanted to say welcome to you. I’m 71 and am a complete rookie compared to you. I don’t even have 3 full years in yet.
If you got your CDL back, I would think you would easily find a job, but that’s just my guess. I wish you lived east of the Rockies where my company operates. They are very old guy friendly.
So I will be interested to see what the other more knowledgeable drivers here will tell you about getting your license renewed. I’m certain they can answer your question.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Hello Drivers, I retired from driving back in 2015 after 25 years behind the wheel. I was in LTL for 20 years, mostly in Linehaul and all regional (PNW). My last 5 years was also regional in the Northwest hauling HazMat tankers. In 2016 I surrendered my CDL because I thought I’d never do that again. Well, at 70 years old I’m finding out that even with a decent pension my desire to see the States probably won’t happen on my own dime. I don’t really want to go to a Mega Carrier to get my CDL back so my question is if I go to a local truck school and get my CDL would a large OTR outfit hire me as an experienced driver, just a little rusty, or would I be treated as a raw newby? I don’t want to go to the expense of forking out 4K plus to find out it will be difficult to get hired. I know this probably won’t mean much but over my 25 years I only had one chargeable accident (backing) and no citations, not even a scale ticket. I would also consider mentoring just to pass it forward. I appreciate your feedback and advice. Also, folks, spare me the “what the heck you thinkin’ driver?” Every once in a while I ask myself the same thing😂😂😂. Be safe out there!
Because of the amount of time that has passed since you last drove, on paper, you will be treated like you are just starting out. However, your experience will definitely give you an upper hand. I think May Trucking and Prime would be two companies with which to begin your search.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
What Ryan says is true. I've been a CDL instructor for five years. Last year I called Walmart transportation dept, inquiring.
With no recent OTR experience I would not be classified as experienced enough to get a fat bonus and a higher mileage rate.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Thanks buddy. BTW Good on ya’ for getting behind the wheel at “our age”. I just never did get to see the U.S. so it’s kind of a bucket list thing for me. I’ll certainly post back here as I progress into these uncharted waters.
Hi Dave! What an interesting situation you have. I really don’t know the answer to your question, but I wanted to say welcome to you. I’m 71 and am a complete rookie compared to you. I don’t even have 3 full years in yet.
If you got your CDL back, I would think you would easily find a job, but that’s just my guess. I wish you lived east of the Rockies where my company operates. They are very old guy friendly.
So I will be interested to see what the other more knowledgeable drivers here will tell you about getting your license renewed. I’m certain they can answer your question.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Thanks for the suggestions. I know I’m going to be rusty and one thing we all learn from this business is the time you stop learning is about the time you hit the ditch. I appreciate you. Be safe!
Hello Drivers, I retired from driving back in 2015 after 25 years behind the wheel. I was in LTL for 20 years, mostly in Linehaul and all regional (PNW). My last 5 years was also regional in the Northwest hauling HazMat tankers. In 2016 I surrendered my CDL because I thought I’d never do that again. Well, at 70 years old I’m finding out that even with a decent pension my desire to see the States probably won’t happen on my own dime. I don’t really want to go to a Mega Carrier to get my CDL back so my question is if I go to a local truck school and get my CDL would a large OTR outfit hire me as an experienced driver, just a little rusty, or would I be treated as a raw newby? I don’t want to go to the expense of forking out 4K plus to find out it will be difficult to get hired. I know this probably won’t mean much but over my 25 years I only had one chargeable accident (backing) and no citations, not even a scale ticket. I would also consider mentoring just to pass it forward. I appreciate your feedback and advice. Also, folks, spare me the “what the heck you thinkin’ driver?” Every once in a while I ask myself the same thing😂😂😂. Be safe out there!
Because of the amount of time that has passed since you last drove, on paper, you will be treated like you are just starting out. However, your experience will definitely give you an upper hand. I think May Trucking and Prime would be two companies with which to begin your search.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
What Ryan says is true. I've been a CDL instructor for five years. Last year I called Walmart transportation dept, inquiring.
With no recent OTR experience I would not be classified as experienced enough to get a fat bonus and a higher mileage rate.
I’m not thinking I deserve top tier wages. I’ve been gone for almost 10 years and things have changed. I’m humble enough to know I’ve got some learning to do. What I do have is an ingrained sense of safety and a depth of knowledge about the industry. I think I can certainly be an asset but I’ll have to prove my skills.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Dave, I see that your biggest hurdle will be getting your CDL back and getting current with your FedMed status.
I don’t know what the possibilities are, but there are two members here who drive for Versatile Trucking, based in MN and I think they run up in the northwest. Both of these drivers are in our age range also. Hopefully they will be along to comment on your situation. Their company may be a possibility for you.
My eventual goal is to finish my driving career and join the Nomad lifestyle. I already have a heavy duty cargo van that I plan to convert to a living/camper van and explore the western United States. That might be something to interest you. There are many YouTube videos about the Nomad movement. CheapRVLiving by Bob Wells is the best known source of information. Some of the people who do this combine the lifestyle with some job for income, but most do it with their savings and/or social security.
There is one driver at my company who is still going at 82 years old, so you are still young by comparison!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Unfortunately, Versatile Transport requires two years recent experience.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Hello Drivers, I retired from driving back in 2015 after 25 years behind the wheel. I was in LTL for 20 years, mostly in Linehaul and all regional (PNW). My last 5 years was also regional in the Northwest hauling HazMat tankers. In 2016 I surrendered my CDL because I thought I’d never do that again. Well, at 70 years old I’m finding out that even with a decent pension my desire to see the States probably won’t happen on my own dime. I don’t really want to go to a Mega Carrier to get my CDL back so my question is if I go to a local truck school and get my CDL would a large OTR outfit hire me as an experienced driver, just a little rusty, or would I be treated as a raw newby? I don’t want to go to the expense of forking out 4K plus to find out it will be difficult to get hired. I know this probably won’t mean much but over my 25 years I only had one chargeable accident (backing) and no citations, not even a scale ticket. I would also consider mentoring just to pass it forward. I appreciate your feedback and advice. Also, folks, spare me the “what the heck you thinkin’ driver?” Every once in a while I ask myself the same thing😂😂😂. Be safe out there!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.