Trucking companies that hire drivers with felonies

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by vegashaze, Apr 4, 2011.

  1. Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    I see nothing wrong with this comment whatsoever. It's the dam truth.

    Now, to the OP that asked this - any respectable company likely won't consider you.
    Too many applicants to pick from in the current crappy economy.
    When (if ?) the economy ever picks up - then companies loosen the hiring requirements
    and something that happened long ago might not be as much of a concern.

    Until then, you may have to look elsewhere for work...:biggrin_25525:
     
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  3. sandman1976

    sandman1976 Medium Load Member

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    why does he have to work for a bottom feeder freight hauler? i see alot of drivers on here complaining about the big companies,but they are so called established companies. i guess anyone with a record should be on welfare,using up tax dollars for people to whine about that.
     
  4. sandman1976

    sandman1976 Medium Load Member

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    i could see a tanker company that handles hazmat,but just a run of the mill trucking company. i pray that i never have to go to work for a big company.
     
  5. JeepHammer

    JeepHammer Bobtail Member

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    May 6, 2011
    Washington, IN.
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    The WORST thing you can do is lie about your criminal record!
    There are hundreds of search places that will have you on computer, and most of the larger companies will use these services to do the background check!

    Drug possession is a real career killer.
    No place will hire you for high priced loads that have to be bonded, and most insurance companies won't cover you with a drug/alcohol conviction in the past 10 years, if at all.

    The 25 year old burglary conviction probably isn't on computer unless it was cited as an aggravating factor in your drug conviction, or you received it in a big city that was using computers 25 years ago.

    Some companies will 'Waver' you for your felonies, but expect that to cost you money out of your paycheck.
    It costs them extra money on insurance, so they pass the cost on to you.

    You will probably be better off with a small company that has a few trucks. They often don't do extensive background checks.
    Flat bed companies don't haul anything (like computer chips, booze, cigarettes, ect.) that can be a temptation, so I'd start there in your case.

    Local coal, rock, sand, lime, dirt, hauling 'Bucket' trucking companies hire a lot of felons.
    Very little restrictions in 'Intrastate' (Opposed to 'Interstate') companies, and most bucket trucks don't leave the state they are based in.

    The work sucks, but you will build experience points and job references that will help you land a better job when you hit the 10 year marker.

    I was 'HR/Safety' in a company that had about 300 trucks, both company and O/O lease drivers, and an old felony wasn't an outright bar to employment,
    But they did cost us extra for insurance on both the trucks and the loads.

    Mostly bucket trucks, but we had heavy equipment haulers that couldn't enter onto government facilities, and some manufacturing facilities because they wouldn't pass the background check.

    -------------------------

    My personal feelings on the subject are mixed.
    I've known some real useless people that were cops, lawyers, corporate tycoons, ect.
    And I've known some really great people that had problems with the law at one time or another.

    Considering that nearly 1/4 of the population of the US currently has a 'Felony Conviction' now they have made DUI a felony, possession of some types of ammunition a felony in some states, and virtually any type of tax problem a felony... Take it for what's it's worth.

    Every single Marine in my unit was in jail for one thing or another,
    I got arrested for 'Littering' during a street festival by a cop that didn't like Marines.
    (Made it crystal clear that no 'Jar Head' was welcome in 'His' town...)
    That arrest DID show up in my background check,
    And it DID NOT make a difference when I was hauling government loads, my security clearance came though in less than a week.

    The one mortal, unforgivable sin is LYING on the application.
    Once you lie on an application,
    ANY accident the lawyers get involved in is going to cost you your career,
    ANY background check at a later date will get you terminated, and will ruin your employment history.

    REMEMBER!
    NOT doing things by the rules is what got you in trouble in the first place...
    Now you have to do it better and CLEANER than anyone out there to PROVE you are straight now...

    ----------------------
    According to a lawyer friend of mine (who happens to be drinking my booze in the other room right now)...

    You can appeal to the Parole Board of the state you got your felony in and they will help with certification for bonds, insurance, ect.
    I don't know how accurate the info is, but his job is mostly in criminal law, so take it for what it's worth.
    (Anything on the internet is worth exactly what you paid for it!)
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2011
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  6. nubi

    nubi Bobtail Member

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    May 26, 2011
    west jordan utah
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    okay so i just graduated from roadmasters so i am a new grade and i have some misdemeanors on my record such as agg assualt simple assault and interfering with a arresting officer what are my chances if any will i be able to get a driving job ! :biggrin_2552:
     
  7. d o g

    d o g Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sounds as if you would have been better off graduating from anger management classes instead of truck driving classes. (Please don't beat me up. LOL)

    But seriously, I think you'll have problems finding something. There are too many day-to-day circumstances in the trucking business where drivers have to put up with crap. Your record suggests to me that you're not very good at that.

    Guess you'll just have to try a few companies and see what they say. A lot of it will probably depend on how recent those convictions are. But to be honest with you, if you came to me looking for a job, I'd have to pass. Good luck finding something, though.
     
  8. Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    Did you discuss this with Roadmasters BEFORE even starting?
    If so, what did they say your chances are...?
    If not, why not?

    ..many of these CDL mill schools (Not saying RM is one of them), either tell a student "Oh its ok...don't worry" or they dont ask!

    [​IMG]

    ...Then once you pay the tuition and graduate...you find out all you have is a CDL and nowhere to work it at.
     
  9. Christensen

    Christensen Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2011
    West Palm Beach, Fl.
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    ya know, today you can get a felony for just about anything...I got one for protecting my young girls from and illeagal mexican...Who would not even show up in court...Thats why my career is on hold...Have to finish another year of probation... Oh...by the way, my daughters were 13 and 14 at the time...He was 36. I got an assult charge...He got hurt.
     
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  10. bellydumper

    bellydumper Light Load Member

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    Jan 29, 2011
    San Antonio , Texas
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    That is a shame what happened to you. That is true that you can get a felony for just about anything. Alot of people can get a felony from using their own mouth:biggrin_2551: ! Sad but true.
     
    Christensen Thanks this.
  11. Christensen

    Christensen Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2011
    West Palm Beach, Fl.
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    hell you can get one on the computer nowwa days...:biggrin_2554:And yet companies will hire you if it been longer than 3-5 years old...So hope is not lost..
     
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