Am I hire-able?

Call a few companies, it's free to find out!!!

 

This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't worry about the passport thing. Yes some companies like it that a driver/person can go to Canada, but its not overall all that important. I would just explain given the chance your situation for your work history. I am sure they would understand completely given the economic mess this country has faced. I am sure with enough effort you'll be able to find a company willing to train you and give you the chance.

I am basing this on the fact that your past doesn't include any trucking jobs, right? Because then, once you begin your trucking career, that's when a bad work history is really going to be a deciding factor in your job search.

Just because you had a hard time in a non trucking job market, doesn't mean a thing.

But if you bounce around, quit , come and go from trucking jobs, they will judge you accordingly.

So go ahead, be positive and optimistic about getting in. I am sure you'll have a really good chance of getting started soon.

All the best to you my friend.

don

 

there are plenty of "no canada" companies out there...passport not a huge problem. arrears in child support COULD be a problem, depending on how the law views you currently.1 accident 4 years ago should not be a problem with most if not all companies. spotty job history should also not be a problem with most companies, provided you can have someone vouch for you during any times of unemployment. you didnt mention drugs...two things that will keep you out of trucking potentially forever are...alcohol offenses and popping positive on a drug/alcohol test. so be SURE when you go to school, and when you go to a company's orientation, that you have been clean from any time of illicit drugs for several months, and no alcohol the night before a test.

 

I would first try calling a few companies that do their own 'in house' training. Its cheaper in the sense that you don't have to pay out of pocket to get your CDL. However the down side is, you become an 'indentured servant' in a sense to that company. Usually for about a yr, because they charge a fee, but then have you work it off per se.

Some companies also will pay off your student loan or debt from a CDL school, but its the same thing, you will need to work for a given amount of time, usually one yr, and the company will pay off your debt.

check with whatever school you are going to , to find out more.

Don't over think your past, it is after all, in the past.

Good luck to you, I sincerely mean that!

 

P.S.

I forgot to add, that if you quit from a company that has the 'so called' free CDL training, or its own, 'in house' training. They put a charge of usually several thousand dollars on the service you provide. Your contract with them will be, you work off your debt with usually 1 yr of driving. And then your debt is paid, you owe them nothing. But if you decide to quit, you will usually owe them the entire amount of the debt. I have heard in some cases, its as high as $5000.

If your now unemployed, maybe there is some 'social' program that may pay for job retraining, meaning your truck driving school. Try and find out, because its a heavy responsibily to have that kind of debt hanging over your head while you still learning truck driving.

just a thought,

 

Check out a community college. Thats what where I went. It cost less than $500, for the school, physical, and DMV lic.

I agree with you, you'll have more freedom in sense if you walk in with your CDL already in hand.