I oppoligize if this is in the wrong forum or if it's a little lengthy. I'm writing this in hope that someone will offer me a job or maybe just some advice.
Last year after being layed off from my job (I was a 'cable guy' for 6 years) I decided to become a driver. I went to Schneiders school in Green Bay and then started driving for them. I was really happy I made the choice in careers and put in 48k miles in 5 months. All was going well until last month.
I was sent to NYC (a bad sign already!). But before I could even make it to my delivery I broke down. I sat on the George Washington Bridge for 7 hours before 'help' arrived. But all they did was tow me off the bridge. To make a long story short, this saga went on for 3 days. I was repaired, broke down again, sent to Brooklyn, given wrong information, on and on... During this time I slept a whole 5 hours (in 3 days) and basically felt abandoned by the company. On day 2 of all this I was involved in a minor accident. I backed into another vehicle (less than $200 damage). I shouldn't have even been driving with that little rest.
After making the delivery (2 days late) I drove back to the office where I was let go (I took the 'quit' option but basically I was fired). I thought this was really unfair after all I'd been through and all the hard work I'd put into being a driver.
When I got home I found out that there are 3 accidents on my DAC. I have no idea where the third one came from. I think it must be an error but I'm finding out it's damn near impossible to get something taken off your DAC although I am pursuing it. Also, no one will hire you with more than two. All three on my report are 1 mph backing incidents with little or no damage.
I am not ready to give up on being a driver, far from it. I really think I'd be a good employee for someone out there. I'm honest, hard working, and drug/alcohol free. I have a clean MVR and background check. I have a class A CDL (expires 2011) and medical card. I have no immediate family and require very little hometime. I just want to get back out there and drive. If anyone can help steer me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. Feel free to call me with any questions you might have.
Michael
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first off....stop feeling bad and start applying !!!

schnieder screwed ya....what did ya expect?
time for a bigger, better job....just get after it
like everything else in trucking its gonna take work

after you do get anouther job, get a copy of your DAC report...the 800# is posted somewhere in this forum...and dispute anything you feel is false!

its your life driver...dont let them do it to you againwith anouther job

Remove your phone number or you will get an infraction.

Good luck. I hope you find work.

Well, so far I must've spoken to dozens of companies and recruiters. No one will touch me with my DAC the way it is. I did manage to get a rebuttal added to it but I doubt it'll help. Still working on getting the one taken off but I'm finding out it's worse than pulling teeth. It's a shame because I think I'd be an ideal employee for someone. I'm willing to go through any re-training and or go out with a mentor. I'd also travel to interview with someone in person. Anyone?

I would say to get away from your big companies but you may not have enough experience for that.
You could try to find someone who needs a driver to team with. in that scenario insurance companies are usually more understanding then just turning out a guy with 5mo.
so what are the three accidents? you only mentioned one.

I have never liked schneiders mandate to send all new guys right from school to the east coast. Makes no sense to me.

Apply at every trucking company you can think of. It is a tough job market right now and there is over capacity as far as trucks but you may find an outfit that is pretty desperate and willing to give you a shot. If this doesnt work then you may have to wait until these accidents are a year old before the insurance underwriters will permit a company to hire you. It really is the insurance companies that are mandating alot of the hiring criteria especially for inexperienced drivers.

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Knowledge is Power

This is another case where new drivers need to be aware of what the job entails.
It amazes me that most of the hard luck stories I see posted here involve drivers with around a year or close to two years OTR experience. The accidents and incidents that are cited are mostly preventable.
Like the driver on another thread who got caught on the 80 without the IFTA paperwork, WTF!!!

Is it that the schools are turning drivers out like the public schools in the "No Child Left Behind" farce or are these drivers not paying attention???

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The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so
- Mark Twain

Let's support our new president,
but Obama should remember one thing,
Gray Davis.....

That pretty much sums it up right there.

One mans minor backing incident is another mans sacralige damage to ten years of hard work.

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Save a target... Shoot a Tweeker
Why is common sense so damned uncommon?

(Spoiler) Swift kills Dumbledore

DAC reports?I looked at mine a few months ago,it was clean.I worked for a large LTL carrier for 13 years and they did pay for USIS's services.Not all companies subscribe to USIS for info on a driver.Most local and some regional companies just request your DMV record.You can do the same,before you apply.Pay 10.00 dollars and get a copy in the mail.Having a copy at an interview helps alot.Remember,USIS is just like a credit reporting agency and under law you have the right to contest whatever is on your record.Look local or regional.Your states DMV record might come up clean regardless of what DAC says.Good Luck.