prime requires you to be "gainfully employed" for 30 out of the last 36 months

I guess it all comes down to how much effort you're willing to put in... I've been self-employed for the last 13 years, so sure, there were a couple hoops to jump through... but nothing too difficult... thankfully my accounting dept (AKA: the wife) keeps good records

Only real issue was one of the contractors I've done some work for used handwritten 1099s & he's real slow at getting back to people that leave messages... so it was no big surprise that I had to swing by his place & rattle his cage.

 

There are an abundance of reasons why he chose this route, one of which is simple - almost ANY company you apply to will tell you that you are over-qualified. Sounds to me like you're sitting in judgement - perhaps the reality of this economy hasn't yet bitten you on the arse yet? It sure seems that way and believe me, it will. I myself now make in one month what I used to make in 2 days - now THATS a harsh lesson to come to terms with. I "had" a friend of mine do exactly the same ##### to everyone, passing judgement left & right, saying harse ##### - that was, until he got his fat ### laid off. Now he's screwed just like everyone else!. I worked my ### off for 3 decades in the corporate world (graphics & advertising) before I wound-up becoming a driver. I was out of work for almost 2 years and I made every effort to appy/find a job and/or get more training (hence the CDL class A) I even took a job driving school busses (this was AFTER 2 years of looking at every available job scenario) so PLEASE - spare everyone the Judgement and just look at the REALITY of this economy, period!

 

I've gone through a number of these recessions while in the white collar world. This one by far is the worst of the bunch. UE is a life preserver for your life - that's it. There's no such thing as living "high off the hog" on UE. I always ended up working harder looking for a job after a layoff than most days at work. Finally got tired of the cyclical job-interuptus after the last one following 9-11.

ZeeSchnogun is right. This is no time to be passing judgement on others. Jobs are slow to come back, and in many cases (just like after 9-11) those jobs have gone to other countries and won't come back. Keep in mind, there's a bunch of our financial betters who think their stock dividends will get a shot of steriods if Mexican OTR drivers are allowed to take YOUR job. It's not that far from being you next!

And the deal with thorough documentation of periods of non-employment? Its the same with any new-hire at any trucking company. Its an old dodge for drivers to hide employment when they had a preventable accident by claiming they weren't working.

 

See if you can find a real minimal job to work at while you're looking into trucking companies. That'll get the no-job deal into the past.

 

Anyone ever thought that they utilize some of these "disqualifications" on a case by case basis? If you come across as someone they want as an employee the "disqual" can be waived. If you don't meet some obscure standard, the "disqual" stands. I work for Prime and have seen many testify to being "let go" for things that also would have prevented me from being hired on. Yet, here I am.

 

Maybe it is a case of this, or that could disqualify, or be overlooked. However, if they see this AND that, then you are out of contention.

 

I'm presently on unemployment 50yrs old master plumber/pipe fitter/gas fitter and licensed sprinkler fitter. I have applied to 100'S jobs a few interviews many have expressed interest two biggest stumbling blocks have been age discrimination and the fact that I have been self employed for the majority of my career.

I have application in with prime awaiting a few co. to respond back to them. I want to work it sucks starting over at my age I made more money 20 yrs ago than have in past few years . Construction is down I used to go to look at jobs to price for people at no cost to them but plenty cost to me(time,fuel,research an such people used to get three prices now I had people getting as many as 12 quotes for job an not all are same parameters so yes it does suck.

I'm hoping this works as i need a break an a change of pace wanted to do this when got out service 30 yrs ago. hope to hear from prime sonn an be on road to working again.