All About The Money

A lot of places have a zero tolerance on DUI's. And previous misdemeanors don't help. It's nothing against your character, just insurance companies dictate the hiring habits of carriers.
A lot of the good jobs just need a bit of experience.
I spent my first year hauling dry van for a mega carrier. Pretty much anything that fit in a van I pulled, mostly GM and dry grocery. They pay sucked. I ran my ### off and just barely grossed over 30K.
Went to a smaller company pulling dairy and produce loads from CA to the midwest and back. Much better pay. Eventually I got moved onto pulling speciality temp sensitive and high value loads. Mostly medical. Last year was about 60K.
I have my hazmat, twic, and passport so I can pull those loads too. And I don't have a fear of NYC, just a healthy respect.

 

Oh yeah. With OD I made the mistake of saying that I occaisionally visit a chiropractor to correct my back. Wrong move. Off for a 300 mile round trip to do a work steps physical.

I think I have a 'ticking boxes' OCD disorder.

 

The DUI will not work for companies that go to Canada....something about being on a FBI list that is shared with the next door neighbors. Other than that most will hire a driver with 5 years clean MVR (DUI). Frankly carriers are not going to pay top dollar for a rookie. The bottom line is there is no easy way or fast track to the big bucks. The financial reward is directly proportional to how much you work!

The road goes on forever and it it is not as forgiving as you may think....we are constantly be judged by the Man in Charge...(Safety Dept, DOT and FMCSA) we have to maintain a Basic CSA score to keep our jobs.

 

You should be OK with some experience behind you. DOD loads are nothing special; these days they go to the low bidder. I hauled a few of those from Ft.Lewis, WA to Wilmington, NC on flatbed.

You can't go to Canada with a record, but no big deal. You can do tanker/hazmat though and can get a TWIC and hazmat. There are a few felonies that prevent TWIC, but you have no felonies,so that doesn't apply.

 

Get a year or two experience to prove to other companies you are reliable. After a year or two, then you can get those $55K - $60K+ jobs.

Here's some to use as a goal in your future & they hire in the LA area:

Trimac Transportation
Schneider Bulk
Quality Carriers
Oakley Transport
Safety-Kleen
Clean Harbors
Air Products
Praxair

Always keep a backup list for the future.

 

In fairness, I learned a lot from this forum also. Keep the applications going; you'll have a good job soon. Maybe you can move to an area without the gunshots in the background.