man where do i begin without sounding like a complete baboon. i have just changed careers i want to become a otr driver for many reason. 1 mainly is being is being out on the road enjoying somewhat of freedom. i was tired of sitting in a factory with the same people. well in any event i have contacted many companies abot a driving position. i have my class a w/dbl/trp and tanker. i went to a cheesy cdl school which gave me an online study guide to the cdl test. and 10 hours of in truck trianing.problem is most great companies wont even give me a shot because of the cheesy school i went thru. the only one who is semi interested in is >< swift. well i applied to swift sent a background check out for conviction report. ( i have a few misdomeanors on my record from years ago. last being over 12 years ago. they were all for fighting. simple assault disorderly conduct harrassment etc.. not proud of my past but thats the only thing i have on my record(funny it was all in my home town) and i grew up well before 25 years old.i called the swift investigations dept. answered there questions etc... talked to my recruiter again. it has been 4 days. still no yes or no if they will hire me. i know i have to start somewhere looks like swift is pretty much my only opportunity where i live (middle of montana).figured i would give it a shot.anything was better then spending another year in the #### trade i was in for many years. i consider myself living a quiet life. im a peacful guy get along with most people. but swift is now pissing me off. i have no clue where to go and what to do with this cdl now. i know i need the experience and i guess swift is my only choice. but with them not answering me about wheter or not im going to lewiston idaho next week or not is getting me pretty pissed.in a way i hope i dont go. i another way i hope i do for the fact im broke and need a job and some experience.sorry for the long rant. had to get it out. anyone have any advice or suggestions please feel free to tell me. im lost.i know i would make a good driver. just need the chance to get it done. thanks

Not really sure what I can tell you as I'm relatively new to this myself. I do not have your history, but for the most part from my understanding with stuff that old it should not matter. Most companies are more concerned with felonies than anything else.

If I was you, I would personally just blow off the thought of your old CDL school if it was that cheesy and just apply to every company that you can which hires from your area as a student driver. And let them know your willing to do their training to get your foot in the door.

Your going to have to have anywhere from 3-12 weeks of trainer training anyways, if you have to squeeze in a 2-3 week school as well then go ahead and do it. Providing you can get the pre-hire agreement with your past.

Number one thing to remember is to be honest with the companies that you apply to, that will go so far to helping your cause than anything else you can do.

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TexasMike
No place like Texas ...

thanks mike. ive applied to everyone i can think of.i shouldnt say the school was cheesy ive got my cdl.it was the school i was sent to by workers investment act. i didnt pay for it. so i guess i shouldnt complain. those misdomeanors i have are just for fist fighting (imo it was long ago and shouldnt be a major issue now) ive job hopped in the last 4 yrs tho. i have always been in the printing trade but i have worked in multiple shops. this last company i was in was the last straw for me. i was just plain sick of it. so im not sure if that past work history will reflect.(since i was let go from my last job) no reason given and i was able to collect.(which in turn made me eligible for w.i.a. most companies say they dont have a load for me to get home to montana. which i only live like 4 miles from I-90.its just getting frustrating. waiting on swift is a major frustration. which i really dont want to go with them. but i have to bite the bullet and get some training.

ok just got an email back. they said investigations said i was ok to hire. now they said they are going to run my dac and mvr. my dac should be spotless right? since i just got my cdl? and what do they check for on mvr? how far back what states etc????

I don't know about dac, We don't have those in Canada. Your mvr, they'd just be checking traffic convictions, speeding, reckless driving, etc.

They'd probably be looking five to ten years past. Most likely five.

IMO.

thanks pc. alberta eh? just drive a few miles south to montana youll run into me. hahahahahahaha. they just check the state you have your license in? or past states? not that anything is wrong(its not) but just curious how they do things.

More than likely they'll check the state you are licened in. Maybe check other states you were licenced in depending on how long in your current state.

I've been to Havre before a few years ago. I want to get out there on the road really soon.

I watch the youtube videos and I get all anxious to get out there.

Once you get that CDL, your DAC record contains just about every bit of information about you, including your MVR, Criminal, Civil and even credit histories.

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Watkins Shepard is in Missoula, Montana. Have you tried them? I've gathered that they're actually one of the better training companies out there.