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     A number of outstanding questions were sent to me since the last column. Please continue sending questions and I will do my best to answer as many as I can. If I don't answer your question in the column there is the possibility that a similar one has already been answered in a previous column, so I encourage reviewing the archives when possible. For next month, let me know what your number one concern about the future of trucking is. Thank you for making this column the success that it is.

FORM MAILER 2010-11-19T18:24:09 Submitted by: 74.93.198.70From URL: http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/recruiter/ 

I graduated over a year ago from tractor trailer training. Now I'm ready to drive after a family issue. Because I don't have any recent driving experience or training will i have to attend school again?

First of all, congratulations on your commitment to attend a truck driver school and completing that education.  I do find it curious, however, that you would need to postpone your desire to drive truck for well over a year, but things do happen.

To answer your question, assuming you have a current CDL, you won't necessarily have to attend the full blown truck driving school again.  However, you will be required to take a refresher course or, better yet, you will be required to still go through the training process that any carrier hiring student drivers requires.

Once you graduated from school any carrier that was going to hire you would require that you go through their training process.  That might mean riding / driving with a company trainer for 6-8 weeks or more (depending on your skill level).  As long as you have a current CDL you should be able to find a carrier that hires students and jump in just as if you graduated last week from the school.

This is written with the assumption that it has been just over a year since you graduated and not much longer.

FORM MAILER 2010-10-15T17:01:22 Submitted by: 75.27.81.153From URL: http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/recruiter/ 

Is it worth the extra headaches to become an owner operator?

Now that is a loaded question.  There's little doubt that it is quite different to run as an owner operator compared to that of a company driver.  As an owner operator you work for yourself (essentially).  You are responsible for paying all of your bills, for saving money, for your own schedule, for the maintenance of your truck, for your truck payments (even if you are sick for a week or two, or need a vacation - the truck payment must still be made).

But, most owner operators aren't truly independent.  That is, most owner operators "lease on" with a carrier.  That carrier will pay a mileage or gross rate and will arrange for your loads.  If you are truly independent you will find your own loads - but this can create even more "headaches," as you refer to them - but the rewards can be greater.

The real issue in the decision process is about risk.  How much risk are you willing to take?  The greater the risk, the greater the "headaches," but the greater possibility for higher profits.

So, is it worth it?  That really depends on how much risk you as an individual are willing to take.

FORM MAILER 2010-10-29T17:09:43 Submitted by: 184.98.114.151From URL: http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/recruiter/ 

I have a CDL Class "A" with all endorsements (except P) with a current medical card and a clean DMV.  I haven't driven in 4 years and wondered if I can use this CDL ever again to drive?  Would I have to go back to "Student Mode" and start over?

The fact that you have a current CDL with all endorsements and a current medical card is a great start.  Your experience will prove to be valuable for almost any carrier. There are of course some details that were left out of your question.  Is your safety record solid?  Why did you quit driving 4 years ago?

Yes, though, you will need to go back to "student mode" for a brief period of time.  You will likely need to find a carrier that hires student drivers.  They will then require you to drive / ride with one of their company trainers.  Now, depending on your skill level, you could be with the trainer for 6-8 weeks, or it could be as little as a couple of weeks.  Most companies empower their trainers to identify those with a high skill level and get them out in a truck of their own sooner rather than later.

You will not need to go back to a trucking school though.  And, to get back in the industry after 4 years, the "refresher" with a company trainer is not an unreasonable expectation.

We're glad to have you back!