Fresh out of the penitentiary

Good luck!

 

If you are determined to get hired as a trucker, you will get hired. Simply apply to every SMALL trucking company in the country, preferable mom-and-pop shops. The big boys almost always run background checks, or at least have lines on their applications asking about a felony. With the small firms, they may hire you just from talking to you on the phone, seeing your MVR and CDL school certificate. Seen it done.

However, you are out of luck regarding a TWIC card or Hazmat endorsement, as those are federal background checks which would flag you pronto. So apply everywhere, but if you see a line on the app asking about a felony, you may be able to use the app for starting a fire this Winter because MOST big firms' insurance requires they not hire felons. There may be a few big firms who do, as mentioned in this thread.

I hope you find work, stay out of trouble and get ahead, like the rest of us.

 

Who's getting ahead?

 

I have hired at least one felon and have never had my insurance company mention their past criminal history. If they check it was never mentioned. The criminal history is more important to the carrier unless the shipment involves being bonded or perhaps some other type of sensitive cargo. For most shipments it should not be a factor. When carriers hire someone with a criminal history, especially one that is fairly recent, they are opening themselves up to potential liability. Most are not willing to take the risk. But, I think that everyone deserves a second chance. That is all some want. There will still be those who never change their behavior, but I think that unless companies offer people an opportunity to earn an honest living, they will never be able to become a solid member of society.

 

I doubt you will be able to get on with any of the bigger companies. The DUI alone would work against you but in combination with the possesion charges it's going to be tough. My suggestion is figure out a way to get your CDL and try to find a smaller company or an O/O. Several of my guys are convicted felons that just needed a break. Hopefully you can find someone willing to give you one. Good luck.

 

My current gig I got with an email, a phone call (he called me), and a handshake. Bossman didn't even look at my license. And this is the second job I've gotten that same way.

 

Anyone hauling oil or water in the oil patch, that has half a brain to not drink away their $2000/wk paycheck, or spend it on a woman.

 

Yup, that sucks - learned my lesson : (

 

Let me break it down for you, I have been there done that! Did 12 flat...

 

Let me break it down for you, I have been there done that! Did 12 flat... Now I am an O/O... As soon as I got out I went and got my cdl. Yeah it will be a pain in the ### to find a job, so save your self a lil time and stay away from the Swifts, Werners and all the other large outfits. You are gonna have to start at the bottom of the barrel. You will have no problem getting a job hauling containers or working out of the rail yards. Its the worst part of trucking but you will get your experience. Thats what I did. Once you get a year or two under your belt all them larger companies will look past your felonies. As for the DUI, make sure you read the application, it usually says have you been convicted in the last 5 years, well you got that hurdle beat, been over 6 years. Let me know if you need any more info... Good luck to you, patience is the key to success!