New driver that has had CDL for over 20years

How recent was your most recent CDL experience?

How much total CDL driving experience do you have? A year? More? Or less?

How clean is your MVR? Any accidents? Citations?

What is your zip code?

-- L

 

With 20 years in the Fire dept that's almost as good as years spent in the Military as your used to discipline and following directions. I'm sure companies will give you a go, its just that you've chosen a tough period of time to do so with the economy in an unofficial recession, keep knocking and a door will eventually open for you, there are lots of folks in here that will give you some good direction and companies to choose from. All the best future OTR driver.

 

My first career was with a metropolitan Fire Dept 250 miles north of your future zip code hiring on in 1985. I drove and owned big trucks my entire career on my off days. I have been an owner operator with this company the last 8 years and they are an excellent place to call home. The Terminal Manager in Huntsville is a great person and fortunately most people with H&A are very easy to work for/with. If you have any interest in hauling cars I can Private Message you his office or cell number and you can give him a call to see if his schedule opportunities would suit your needs. I am not familiar with the average company driver pay at that terminal, but you can ask him. Typically experienced company car haulers average $2,000+ a week after you become skilled. After becoming skilled and you learn where to run and where not to run you should be able to achieve $2,000+. If this particular opportunity doesn’t work for you United Road hauling out of the Spring Hill Terminal might. If you have been driving semi rigs on your days off for several years and FD rigs for 20 years you have enough experience. I would sell it as continuous experience and the lack of OTR is not important. They won’t let you out on your own until you are ready.

 

So far....you don't describe/specify what type(s) of freight interest you -- or when you think you will move to the 35750 zip code area (very good choice on that, by the way ).

With that said -- you should understand at this point that the overall CDL market really is already in a recession, and jobs for less experienced drivers are actually a pretty tough pursuit. How soon this will end...for now, is anybody's guess.

I say this not to scare you off, or to discourage you....but rather, that you start your search with realistic expectations -- it's just not a "driver's market" like it was a year ago, or further back.

With all of the above said, here are some suggestions:

• Go back, and pick up that doubles/triples endorsement. The reason: you want to be able to go after any/all possible opportunities that may come your way, when they do. This assumes you still in fact have those tanker and hazmat endorsements: if you don't, go back and get either (or both) of them, as well. In the current CDL job market -- you need to bring "to the table" every advantage you can get. Those endorsements are door-openers -- and money-makers!!!!
• Another concern I have is that the CDL world will not look favorably on that seat-belt violation. It's not as bad as a fender-bender, or speeding, or a wreckless driving charge -- but I'm not fuly convinced they will just let it slide. To sidestep this potential problem -- I would suggest you apply to CDL companies that are self-insured. These are the larger fleets: Swift, Knight, Werner Enterprises, Roehl Transport, and the like. These fleets each also offer a formal, time-tested training program. They can evaluate you -- and decide if you need still more instruction with their freight types (or not).
• Most of all -- be patient, and DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. If you have to weather several "no" answers to finally get a "yes"...it's mostly just the present market climate.

-- L

 

Be sure you list the driving you've been doing part time.
~
" Have driven locally for farmers hauling grain in hopper bottoms, pig feed with an auger feed trailer. Worked for a local carrier running pneumatic, hauling cement and fly ash. Have pulled end dump a little for current part time job."

 

Do you want local or regional or OTR?
~
My cousin retired from NASA in Huntsville.

 

Since your CDL is still up-to-date and DOT physical up-to-date, will be easy to find a trucking job.
The fire department background is a big positive for you; that shows discipline and is a respected career.