I have a felony for theft and misdemeanors - can I be a truck driver?

I think you are correct about his being on probation being a deal-breaker.

And I admire his resolve. One thing for certain is those who don't try won't get a chance. I'm not sure much else is written in stone.

 

I would try Prime when you get off probation. I have no personal experience with them. Based on my research and reading, there are many things about their training that I think stand above the rest. They are still a starter company but I think you could do worse.

If I understood correctly, Prime will loan you some money to live on during training. When you start running they take the cost of training and living out of your checks at a weekly rate. After a year the training is paid off. If you stay they start returning the cost of training and in another year it costs you nothing.

The big problem is that if a company puts you in a truck while you are on probation and something happens the attorneys will have a field day.

 

Yeah I looked into Prime and it didn't seem like I qualified. I'll call the to find out for sure. The TWIC requirements might hold me back due to my record. Yeah I understand about driving on probation, I don't expect any companies to hire me while on probation. I think it all depends on what my record looks like after completely probation. But, this is why I am doing research early and contacting companies.

 

It's good to see someone actually practice due diligence. The TWIC card will go back 7 years for background, as will HAZMAT. I'm working on those both now and came across that when I was filling out paper work. Hope that helps.

 

So far the only big company that will give me a chance is Swift. Going to start looking for some local companies around me. It's too bad that I live so far from Dallas. Might be a few around Temple, Waco or Austin. I don't mind doing some more research.

 

Search up "Colorspot nurseries" in Walnut Springs Tx. I used to work for them....small enough they may work with you. Call them and ask for Vicki

 

Swift does not expect you to have $3,900 cash in hand at the beginning of school. They will take it out of your check in a kind of complicated manner that costs you $37.50/week for the first 13 months of employment and then reimburses you $37.50/week for the next 13 months.

Whatever you come up with, I hope it's a good fit. I've worked within Prime...for almost two years. It wasn't a good fit for me.

 

Makes sense to me. That way they can claim "paid training" or "free training" with the fine print being you have to work for them for 26 months. I've seen better deals, though.

My dad loaned me the $3250 to go to a community college CDL program, then said that once I started working, if I could save up that $3250 in 6 months, I could keep it, but only if I invested it. So I put it in a CD.

 

You know, I understand the trolling thing, but did you guys ever sit back and think about it.
Most of you guys and gals are out in the truck, you may hate your job, love your job, be a B.S. artist, tell the truth, hate your life, love your life, whatever the case may be, but the point is you are employed and out in a truck.
You have some drivers that have lost their jobs due to all kinds of situations and may times like my own, at really no fault of my own and now they and I are in need of other drivers help to try to get back into the industry we love.
If I ever started a comment by saying I have X moving violations, X felonies, X accidents, X whatever, it is because if I simply say hey, can you help me get a job, the first thing you guys do is say "well you have to tell me something about yourself, how do you expect me to help you without knowing anything about you or your experience."
I've been out here long enough to take it with a grain of salt but it's just a no win situation with most drivers, your wrong no matter what you do...

Just saying... I kinda find it humorous

 

"X moving violations, X felonies" (and possibly) "X accidents" don't just "happen through no fault of (yours)". Therein lies the problem.