Fresh out of the penitentiary

The 12 month contract she was speaking of was probably what we like to call the "bottom feeder" companies. The huge outfits that could care less about you or your life and are happy getting even one load hauled before you quit. But you are up against a huge obstacle having the felony drug conviction. Especially with it being so recent. The problem is with the big bottom feeder companies many are permitted for Canada. With your conviction you can no longer go there. Also, as stated before, the insurance companies now dictate who these companies can hire. From the big self insured companies all the way down to the mom and pop. You may have a small outfit willing to give you a chance and their insurance company will not give them the go ahead to hire you.
When you ask if all truck drivers are upstanding pillars of the community... Many are. The ones that mess up are put out of a job and in this day and age of registration, regulation, and the checks and balances don't usually get to come back to driving. This isn't 1974 anymore. The stereotypical truck driving days are gone. But too many people still think it's here.
You can ask the recruiter point blank anything you want. And they will tell you point blank anything you want to hear. They are in the business of teaching you the skills to pass your CDL test in your state. After that they could give a sh## what happens to you. They got their money and moved on to the next guy. This game they play with pre hires and job placement is all B.S. It's like buying a car. The sales people don't care if you default on the loan. They got paid.
Bottom line is your up against it. You would be better to find that back-alley mom and pop outfit who will give you a chance.

 

Your gonna get alot of sarcastic remarks along with negative one's, this post ain't gonna help you much if your looking for advice. Your not lock up anymore, so be patient and learn how to suck up some bad comment's. "Just some advice friendly Im giving you".

 

Well Big Rig, you got a uphill battle ahead of you and you are doing the right thing. Doing your research and getting advice from those in the industry. I don't know what kind of drug felony conviction that you have whether it's resale,transport or simple procession. Some companies will overlook the drug charge, but the DUI, it's usually ten years or more. Others will not hire you with just a simple misdemeanor.
I have seen many enter into this industry in desperation and come out worse then before driving. In your case, like another had said on this thread, just watch out for those who just want to make money off of you or just plain rip you off.

 

Just some friendly advice...don't read into what I am saying...please!

Much of your "protective/defensive" survival "skills" from prison are very evident in your posts. I understand "humble" will get you into trouble behind the walls, but here in civilian life...humility will take you farther than aggression...even in your words.

I'm not saying to put out the "yes sir" BS...but responding with "OK, I get it" will be more appropriate, and get you closer to the door you are trying to open.

In my past I was an Inmate Crew Boss....minimum custody felons, fire crews...I was not in corrections but with the forestry department. I did my best to get my crewmen to learn to back down when appropriate and not be so aggressive as they learned inside.

With the convictions you have...drugs and DUI...you will be seen as an easy "buy off" target for the drugs side, and "questionable" with the DUI side, by the trucking companies...especially the training carriers...(Swift, Werner, Stevens, JB Hunt). In California, the Parole/Probation Dept. maintains a list of smaller, local trucking/transportation companies that are willing to work with felons and ex-felons...you might give them a try (your local PO should know).

Just so you understand...a pre-hire means absolutely nothing! It only tells you your name is now on their "potential" list...also they haven't even done the smallest of background check before they send out a pre-hire letter. The school you are talking to is sucking you in....don't fall for it!

Good luck to you...as you can already see....you're going to need all the luck you can find for this task!

Another thing to consider....are you out on paper or did you clean up your sentence? If you are on paper...you probably won't be allowed to leave the state! Check with P&P!

 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...s-news/67624-who-says-ex-cons-cant-drive.html


http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/20/news/economy/ex-convict_job/index.htm