Felonies

Will a 7 year old felony conviction hinder someone who gets their own authority, their own truck, finds their own loads off the load boards, etc?

 

Nope. But possibly hazmat endorsement depending. Also TWIC might be a concern.

 

....no.... as long as you don't try to go to canada

 

What's TWIC? Yeah...I went and took my hazmat test, passed, went to OKC and paid $90 to get fingerprinted so I could my endorsement added to my license and TSA sent me a letter 4 weeks later denying it due to "criminal history". When I was 19 I plead guilty to 2nd Degree Burglary, Concealing Stolen Property, and False Declaration to a Pawn Broker. It was all 7 years ago. I'm 26 now and haven't even had so much as a parking ticket since then, but they still denied it. I'm having a hard time getting on anywhere too, because of this. That's why i'm getting my own authority, truck, etc. I've owned a lawn and landscaping business for 3 years now, have contracts with the city, i'm a member of the chamber of commerce, got my pesticide applicator license from the Dept. of Agriculture, etc. So i'm not intimidated by the paperwork that comes with having your own authority. I've always been an entrepreneur (as i've had hardly no choice due to my record holding me back from getting a decent job). I'm just trying to investigate the business a little bit more before I jump in with both feet. I've got the cash to go buy a $7,000 to $8,000 used International, and with my lawn business being in season right now, I can come up with the insurance money and other related costs to getting my own authority. I just need some schooling on how to find loads, etc.

 

a good lawer could probably get that stuff wiped off your record.

 

TWIC is a background clearance similar to hazmat that allows you to go to ports. It's a homeland security thing.

 

I see. So i'm probably going to get denied on that one too, wouldn't you say?

 

yes, it's the same background check. Mostly flatbeds running the ports though. I've never needed it so far

 

Hey Al (i've heard the other guys call you that in the other threads), i've been looking at some used International 9400i's for the 7K and 8K price range with anywhere from 700,000 to a million miles on them, air ride, air slide 5th wheel, power locks and all the creature comforts. Do you think something like this would make a good starter truck? Remember, the truck will probably sit 6 to 7 months out of the year while i'm mowing and spraying. This will be my means of income in the Fall and Winter. If I could just net 2K to 3K a month I would be happy. Maybe get in the truck and haul a load 3 or 4 times a month, other than that just let it sit so I don't wear it out. Just something to help make ends meet in the Winter for me, at least for now. Later down the road I would like to run full time and just sell my lawn business.

 

you won't net that much on 3 or 4 loads a month. Not with an old truck. I think you don't understand the costs involved with a truck as it gets older and you can't just let it go. There is allot of guys out here that can't seem to make that much running full time lately. Rates are close to what they were in the mid nineties and expenses have doubled more times then I car to remember in that time.
It's been 10 years since we had our own authority though so what do I know. Not much according to some around here.
the binder is a solid truck though and a good deal. I'd take a binder over a freightliner anyday