Companies that hire felons out of school

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At one time, and maybe still do, hire drivers right out of prison.

 

Look at Craigslist which has trucker pages for 1099 trucking companies.
Many drivers with similar or worse problems than you, found OTR trucking jobs there.

 

Western has flatbed and dry van divisions. Ask about both.

 

Looks like PI&I changed their hiring criteria. I'll mark that one off my list.
This article even has a photo of a PI&I truck.
Carriers, States Team on Felon CDL Training Programs - TT

 

This is why the smart move, beside the obvious, is DO NOT GET A CDL UNTIL YOU FIND THE EMPLOYER WILLING TO HIRE YOU, with your background. If you were missing a leg, you wouldn't probably buy a $5,000 bicycle, sell your home, and move to France, and then once in France begin to think about how you will make a career as a professional bicycle racer. You probably can eventually get a CDL job, but very few drivers without a perfect record are getting hired right now. Many people have used trucking to turn their life around. I did. It's going to be more difficult for you and take longer. Stay busy working ANY legal job while you keep searching. It will not help to have drugs/legal problems AND no recent work. ANY JOB pays more than no job.

Can I guess someone else paid for your CDL school? You knew you had your background and should have asked the CDL school what is their job placement rate for people with similar background. The CDL school is in the business of selling a dream, or just taking the money of those with a CDL dream. You are supposed to protect you. Go ahead and blame the CDL school, they should have told you how hard it will be to get hired, but I suspect you believed whatever story they told you so you could start right away. I've been desperate before, also. Only you can protect you. Don't give up.

 

NOT EVERY FELONY IS A TSA DISQUALIFICATION FOR HAZMAT

Disqualifying Offenses and Other Factors | Transportation Security Administration

The OP's convictions are not permanent disqualifications for HazMat background check.
TSA is more interested in "Unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture, purchase, distribution, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, delivery, import, export of, or dealing in a firearm or explosives".

The OP appears to MAYBE have a 7 year disqualification for the TSA background check for "Distribution, possession w/ intent to distribute, or importation of a controlled substance". I believe, but don't know, felony possession of illegal substance is a lesser felony than "possession w/ intent to distribute". If my presumption is correct the OP should pass a TSA HazMat background check right now. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY AND THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE.

 

Western Express will take you in a heartbeat

 

I always find these types of questions interesting. My son-in-law is a lieutenant colonel in the US Army. I speak to him at least once a week, most times over the phone. A while back he told me about a conversation with another Air Force officer. It seems this officer's brother served time in a Federal Prison, and he is also a veteran, if I heard correctly, is getting a 60% VA disability rating. He went to a Military base near his home and attempted entry. All I know is he was not an SO but the offense was considered violent. Not expecting to get access because of his record. He was granted access and his VA ID was added to the local access system. I am going to amplify @tscottme here and add something else. All you have to lose is the money charged to get fingerprinted if they say no.

Please don't get me wrong. Today's society is MUCH more forgiving and easily granting 2nd chances than maybe is wise, but society does. You will never know what you can do if all you do is sit on your backside saying you can't! Can't never could do anything!