Letter to the wife? Do I have a shot or am I mis-guided?? Rochester, NY

Brianman72 · Jan 10, 2013

I agree with everyone here that it is going to be difficult to get hired on with the DWI's, but if it is meant to be, then it will happen. Just seek God's will and he will put you were he needs you.

Tonythetruckerdude · Jan 10, 2013

gdsimmons said: ↑

Thanks Tonythetruckerdude, that's what I'm looking for, honest opinions from those who know, I appreciate the feedback from veterans like yourself who can be unbiased. Kinda funny how the trucking school, says, "2 DWIs, no problem, we get jobs for people with 4 or 5, now sign and pay here" LOL I haven't signed yet.
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Smart decision, the school will be a waste right now. But in all honesty..It could take you a VERY long time to overcome your past....But I believe that God has a plan for each one of us pal....HE will reveal his for you....only thing is it WILL be in HIS time. I know that you are well aware of this and will just lay it all at His feet...Have FAITH my friend ..Good LUCK

gdsimmons · Jan 10, 2013

Good point on the HOS, I thought about that but didn't know what the policy is. That's good to know. I also see your poibt in the long rin about OTR exp needed for insurance if I wanted to look into o/o in years to come. All good things to consider, I appreciate the comments

dptrucker · Jan 10, 2013

windsmith said: ↑

Honestly, it's going to be tough. Your best bet is to get a job with a food service or soft drink company. You'll be working long hours doing very hard physical work in all kinds of weather. I think that's your best opportunity to match your current income level and get the home time that you're wanting. And you may not even have a chance with those 2 DWIs. Also keep in mind that one single mistake can cost you your career. Just one.With LTL, you're going to be at the bottom of a seniority list. Part-time may not fit with your full time job, so you may need to choose one or the other of the jobs. Insurance will be your biggest hurdle with the owner operator step. Insurance companies and / or companies that you'll lease on with will want you to have at least one year of OTR experience, something you won't get running local.edit: another thing I forgot to mention - you must log time spent at your full time job as 'on duty' time in your HOS logbook. That means that between the two jobs you can only work 70 hours in 8 days. And you can't drive 14 hours after you start work until you take 10 consecutive hours off. This will severely limit your usefulness as a driver to any LTL company that you may be considering.
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windsmith.. you said exactly the same as i was going to say.

900,000-tons-of-steel · Jan 10, 2013

"Best" paying LTL job in two years isn't going to happen no matter what. There are numerous other drivers with years and years of experience and the field from which to hire drivers is perhaps at an all-time high. HOWEVER, (and this is the caveat) the field from which to qualify desirable (clean driver license, no criminal background) is smaller but companies will still hire from this pool of drivers before they hire you. You have the DUI's and you want to be home every night and weekend just starting out which is being just a tad unrealistic. Not saying it's impossible as several come out of school and land on the sweet spot but the odds are really against you at this point in time given the current driver and company climate in addition to your background driving history. Listen to what the other driver said ... you're more than likely not going to make more than what you're making now. If that is OK with you and you don't mind going OTR (MOST companies want otr experience) then I say go for it. You have to remember there are many drivers wanting what you want ... you have to sell yourself to the company and convince them you are the best driver for the position and that simply isn't going to happen with two DUI's in your background. Then again, there are a few self-described Christian-owned companies who may listen to your story and give you a chance because of your recent "coming to Christ" but the company insurance companies usually prevail over all in regard to hiring decisions. Good luck.

gdsimmons · Jan 10, 2013

Thanks MisterG. Based on the feedback so far it looks like I'll need to be very non-selective to get a start somewhere based on my 2 DWIs. Very understandable and I am the one responsible for my past. I will check out some of these outfits and see what they are talking in my region.

sammycat · Jan 10, 2013

windsmith said: ↑

Honestly, it's going to be tough. Your best bet is to get a job with a food service or soft drink company. You'll be working long hours doing very hard physical work in all kinds of weather. I think that's your best opportunity to match your current income level and get the home time that you're wanting. And you may not even have a chance with those 2 DWIs.

Also keep in mind that one single mistake can cost you your career. Just one.

With LTL, you're going to be at the bottom of a seniority list. Part-time may not fit with your full time job, so you may need to choose one or the other of the jobs.

Insurance will be your biggest hurdle with the owner operator step. Insurance companies and / or companies that you'll lease on with will want you to have at least one year of OTR experience, something you won't get running local.

edit: another thing I forgot to mention - you must log time spent at your full time job as 'on duty' time in your HOS logbook. That means that between the two jobs you can only work 70 hours in 8 days. And you can't drive 14 hours after you start work until you take 10 consecutive hours off. This will severely limit your usefulness as a driver to any LTL company that you may be considering.
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misterG said: ↑

Don't limit yourself to only LTL's. Try lumber yards, trash haulers, Newspaper companies, recycling companies. Many of these employers need class A drivers, and don't have the ability to limit whom they hire. As much as the big freight haulers do.
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Both excellent posts!

Since I live in the same place as you =I am pretty aware of the jobs here and trust me, local jobs are not that easy to get.
Even WITH experince my SO (who has ALOT of OTR and good record) still found most companies did not pay- you might not even get what you are making now, and ran junk equipment for the most part. HOS could be an issue. Even PT you may see conflicts with your current job, if for instance you couldn't finish your run ''on time'' (when you thought) due to the weather and you know what the roads and traffic are like here in winter! Imagine driving a big truck with the storm we had 2 weeks ago!!

misterg has some good ideas about trashhaulers- I see them posting occasionally on Craigs List among others.
You may also consider the bus company (RTS) I am not sure if they are currently hiring (need class B) but the starting pay was akin to what you are making now.

Good luck.
My best advise is to keep your job currently and get your degree.
My SO is currently going to school PT with plans to go FT soon and get OUT of the transportation industry

gdsimmons · Jan 10, 2013

900,000 tons of steel, good info and I understand. I have a lot to overcome (on paper). I don't need to be home every night but I also know gone 2wks at a time wont fit at the moment. Perhaps I need to bag this for 3 to 4 more years and pray the economy gets a lot better. Before I bag it though, I will get the permit and do a serious attempt to get on somewhere. If all I get is closed doors than so be it. God has blessed me with my current job for the past 5 years and that's the advantage I have. I can look but I'm not desperate.

gdsimmons · Jan 10, 2013

Thanks TRKSHONEY, I'll pray your honey receives what he's seeking. I appreciate the feedback and our local economy is still depressed so the pay most likely is depressed to. I'll know in a few days once I talk to these outfits.

gdsimmons · Jan 10, 2013

Thanks Sammycat. Yup, nippin' this last year of college in the bud seems to be better bet due to my driving record. I have a lot to think about but time is on my side. Good luck to you and SO!

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