Ex con trying to drive trucks......

your very welcome

 

There companies out there that will hire you just getting off parole. Depends on where you live. They are not the best companies but they will give you the miles you need and want. You will be running #### trucks but you will be putting in your time behind the wheel. Check with CDI in NC good school great instructors, but the owner is a a--hole. If you want to drive truck then do it! Convict Cargo sucks but learn how to drive a truck.

 

Big misconception there. Truck driving schools are paid by you to teach you how to pass the CDL tests and get your license. And they will promise you the moon in order to get your money. In fact there is probably a hundred threads on this sight from people who where/are not hireable has drivers for various reason. And each time the schools swore up, down and side ways on a stack of bibles that they could "get them a job just sign on the dotted line" only to leave them high and dry after.

 

again it depends on the school. I had a recruiter with USTDS tell me I'd never drive a truck because of my record. 2 or 3 yrs later I saw the same recruiter at a jobs fair, after I got my CDL and was driving for someone. I started to talk to him, when I told him I had a felony he told me to buy a shovel and start digging ditches. I told him I didn't have time, I was too busy running 2,500 to 3,000 mile per week driving a semi, then proceeded to show him my CDL with Hazmat endorsement. I went through MTA for mine, they helped me get my first job for a local beverage distributor, I took it from there. In the 12 yrs I've had my CDL I've been unemployed a total of 15 days and that was in the first 9 months.

 

Have you checked around in the 13 past years? This is not the same trucking in just that short of time. Hard to get a decent job if you are squeaky clean.

 

I know, I've been watching what some companies are doing. The part I'm finding interesting is the ######## excuses these companies are giving. Knight had an ad in the local paper saying No felonies, when I called and asked why they said cause you can't get Hazmat endorsement. When I told the recruiter that I have a federal felony and a Hazmat endorsement and haul hazmat a couple times a week she said well you must not have renewed lately, I told her I renewed my license/endorsement in March of this year. All she could do was stutter and stammer and say she had to go. Same with a local flatbed company, tried the same line. Same with a local reefer company that hauls intermodal reefer from the ports, he said I couldn't get a TWIC card, I told him I am already pre-qualified for one, I meet all guidelines for it. He told me there was no way, I told him that all I needed to do was go to one of the Ports to finish the process, I already have the paperwork filled out and have already reviewed the TWIC site to know that I am qualified.

 

I'm hoping to get some advice on the hiring process once I get my CDL... I got a reckless driving and a couple speeding tickets 4-6 years ago. In Oklahoma, MVRs only go back 3 years. Do I need to mention these old violations in the application/interviews if they ask me about anything older than 3 years?? I want to start off on the right foot but not dig myself into a hole... thanks in advance

 

If an application says "EVER" or "IN THE LAST 5YRS" - follow that.

EVER means EVER.

A friend of mine started # Swift. Didnt put down a DWI from 15+ yrs ago. She figured who would find out?

Problem is the application said EVER on it..not "Within the last 10yrs".

Once she started solo and someone (insurance company?) did some digging - she was called back and FIRED for falsification of the application. (lying).

So thats my take on that. Be honest and fill out the applications as they ASK and dont leave blank spaces. I use N/A or NONE as needed so they know I read it but it didnt apply to me.

-H

 

thanks for the advice there.. just got my cdl permit yesterday and trying to find a company that will give me the training on the job instead of through a school... i get my mvr clean just in time for the economy to get in a rut...time to start filling out the apps and working the phones, but appreciate your advice