New Driver in a pickle, advice needed

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Douglajl, Dec 13, 2008.

  1. Douglajl

    Douglajl Bobtail Member

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    Dec 13, 2008
    Dayton
    0
    Hi,

    I'm in a situation here and I don't know how to fix it. Was hoping I could get some advice.

    I graduated from C1 Driver Solutions in August of 08.

    Started with Swift in September, finished my training at the end of October and was issued my truck and started my Solo on November 6th.

    In my 3rd Solo week I had an accident. I was doing a turnaround in a parking lot and hit a light pole. I was turning a corner and watching my trailer making sure I didn't clip anything. Unfortunately I wasn't paying enough attention to the front of the vehicle and didn't see the light pole because I was focused on my trailer.

    I wasn't going very fast but unfortunately the way I hit the pole did some major damage to the truck. The cement base got wedged between my driver side steer and the truck itself. Damaged the hood and knocked off the fairing. Also damaged the steering assembly.

    I was not cited for the accident (although I was ticketed because I didn't have a vehicle registration).

    End result, Swift fired me because of the damage done to the truck, I also assume because it was an easy out so they didn't have to reimburse me for the school tuition which I paid for out of pocket.

    So here I sit, no job in a bad economy. A guaranteed accident on my DAC although I wasn't cited and only 3 weeks of solo time.

    I've already tried USA Truck and they turned me down (I'm assuming because of the DAC). I don't anticipate much luck with other companies.

    So I'm kind of lost on what to do to get another driving job and not let all the time and money I've invested in trying to get into the trucking industry go to waste.

    Can anyone here give me some advice?
     
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  3. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    For starters, look into some smaller companies. It will be difficult but not impossible to get a job. I'm sure there will be some other members in soon with some more ideas.
     
  4. latanea

    latanea Road Train Member

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    Sep 21, 2007
    cincinnati (sharonville)
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    there are several options in Dayton -

    It all depends on your home situation - and wether or not you "have" to be on the road - or if you have a "home" and family...


    Rumpke pays well - and you would run from vandalia to cincy 3 times a day...

    equipment haulers need help right now on the I70 corridor - they pay crap - but it is steady work

    also there are more than 50 small (2-30 truck) operations between Cincy and Dayton on I75....

    some are hiring - some are not - some are OTR some are local...

    the big thing is to BE HONEST - do not try and hide ANYTHING that may be a blemish on your record...

    it is not that the company cares as much as the insurance company does.
     
    Lilbit Thanks this.
  5. jash369

    jash369 Medium Load Member

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    Dec 4, 2007
    roslyn,pa
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    Yeah doug, don't give up. The good thing is that is was not on the highway and did not involve any other vehicles.

    Hang in their.........the smaller companies may give you a shot.
     
    Lilbit Thanks this.
  6. KGB0911

    KGB0911 Light Load Member

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    Dec 13, 2008
    Waterloo, Iowa
    0
    sucks to hear about the accident. had you let them finance the school, you still might be in a job. but then again, maybe not. I had a preventable the 3rd day into my solo career. VERY minor damage, scraped some chrome off another swift drivers truck on the extreme back of my trailer....but i'm still here.

    I've never had to do this, but you've got a CDL....find local concrete company or dump truck company to get 6mo to a year in. then more doors will open for ya. just gotta keep your nose clean, both in your 4-wheeler and in the CMV
     
  7. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    That won't count for OTR though. If he decides to go OTR after doing that guess what? Refresher course. Concrete is seasonal at best and very few are building now.
     
  8. latanea

    latanea Road Train Member

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    cincinnati (sharonville)
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    concrete around here has turned into a minimum wage (almost) job...

    RedBank is hiring at 12 bucks an hour...

    and

    Cincy Readymix is paying even less.

    :biggrin_2554:
     
  9. walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

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    If I could find a 12 dollar an hour job here in northern WI,......I would do a naked happy dance on main street at high noon,..And give you an hour to gather a crowd......lol..
     
  10. latanea

    latanea Road Train Member

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    cincinnati (sharonville)
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    well it is a shame - especially since there was a time (not long ago) that running construction concrete paid well.


    I have a buddy with a side dump gravel truck and a tag along that is about to go broke...

    Then factor in the fact that his equipment will not pass new Cali carbmono laws... jeeez... he is in a pickle too.
     
  11. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    I want video fish!

    Back to topic . . . .
     
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