Couple of Questions

Hi. I've been lurking here for about a month, finally decided it's time to "do something."

I have a quick question for you guys...

I'm 38, have a clean MVR and background, and a "decent" work history. I do, however, have a history of anxiety disorder. That said, I haven't been on medication for almost a year and have had no issues. I would pass any drug test with flying colors.

I have, in the past 2 years survived a long period of unemployment, living in my car, and a predatory child support system, without medication for one of those years. The panic is under control without medication. I'm sure the psychiatrist that I saw before becoming too poor to pay for visits and medication would "sign off" on the fact that I am indeed "ok" to drive.

I can't seem to get a straight answer from any recruiters or safety departments. The typical response has been to talk to a physician who performs DOT physicals and find out what they say. I unfortunately don't have the cash at this point in time to do that, I have 119.00 to survive on for the next two weeks after paying my child support obligation. The recruiters backpedal when I ask them what happens when I am "approved" and go to their schools, then "denied" further into training due to an issue I am disclosing up front. A couple have stated that I would still owe the cost of training.

If any drivers here have had or currently have issues with panic disorder and can offer any suggestions, please feel free to send me a PM. I would really appreciate your input and understand your desire to keep the issue confidential.

20 years of I.T. experience has left me high, dry, and sleeping on a friends floor. Hopefully I can get some good news and begin a new career in trucking soon.

Thanks for any help guys!

 

Just got in touch with a company that was able to provide some information. Unfortunately, we couldn't start paperwork as they don't hire out of my state.

Gentleman let me know that medical history is just that, history, and in my case I would be fine as long as I disclosed the information up front and had medical backing that it was no longer an issue. He did tell me that not all companies would have the same policy, but I assume many will as this particular company is apparently one of the tougher "beginner" companies to get hired on with. He KNEW he couldn't hire me, yet spent 10 or 15 minutes of his day talking with me, researching, and answering my "general" questions. If I lived a couple hours to the east I'd be filling out paperwork right now.

I've called quite a few companies thus far, and this is the first guy that seemed to do anything other than get me into their training program.

If there are any other newbies who want to talk to a great recruiter who is professional and extremely helpful, send me a PM and I'll let you know who to talk to. Company is often stated to be the one to start with if you want to drive van, and if he is any indication of the quality of company folks there I'd say they probably are.

Followed up that phone call with a phone call to the local community college. Monday I take the "placement exam" for the sum of 20.00 cash money in order to reserve one of the five available slots for the next two month training class.

I should be starting training this summer, an exact date hasn't been set for the start of classes though.

Eight weeks of training Mon-Thursday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm for 650.00, DOT physical and everything else included. Nice lady I talked to said this is possible due to the community college being state funded. That sure beats the high prices it seems that companies charge for a much shorter period of training and maybe best of all allows me to search for employment without being endebted to a specific company.

I know trucking isn't an easy way to make a living. I've had really easy, comfortable jobs in the past... but I've also survived working minimum wage and living in the back seat of a car, with 50.00 a week to "live" on after the State of Louisiana takes their share for Child Support. Those payments sure go up when you get raises, but they don't seem to go down very much when you become unemployed, homeless, etc. I think I'm going into this with my eyes open, I know there is good and bad, but I really see trucking as an opportunity to work hard and start a new career path.

 

Thanks Hamsterrock74. No sir, never been in an institution

I know trucking is a tough life, but I do think I can make that life work.

 

CondoCruiser, thanks for the advice and kind words.

I am working now, if you call Domino's a job. Actually, it is a lot of work. I'm not big on doing dishes, sweeping, mopping, etc. Especially not for 4.00 an hour plus tips. Oh well, the State wants that child support check, in full, every two weeks, I'll do what it takes to make sure they get it.

It's the first thing I could find once my friend let me crash at his place and I was able to properly bathe and wash clothes.

I have resumes going out daily, but no luck thus for with an I.T. position, or anything else for that matter.

Trying to pick up a second minimum wage/part time job now while I job search and prepare to go to school to drive

Never thought I'd wind up where I am right now, and where I've been these past couple of years. I thought I did everything right and had the "American dream." Oh well, I'm pushing for that light at the end of the tunnel.