Inexperienced w/CDL wanting to get back on the road.

OK Experienced guys/gals, I have a couple questions. I got my Class A CDL with X endorsement back in '08 from an accredited school right before I got out of the military. I drove for Werner for 2 weeks, then had a family emergency while bringing a load from out west back to Ohio. I called the dispatcher so we didn't get a reroute, and they had a load waiting for us at the terminal in Springfield, OH (I live closest to that terminal) only 50 miles away. They gave me a couple days to be home for the situation, but when I called back (3 days later as agreed), they told me I was terminated. Although I have been employed since then at a power plant and making decent money, I really want to get back on the road. I haven't driven anything bigger than fire dept ladder truck since then, so I'm planning on taking a refresher CDL course. I've ordered a copy of my DAC Report, because I'm pretty sure Werner gave me a bad report from the way I've heard they do business. Am I out of luck getting a job with one of the big companies if they gave me a bad report? What are your suggestions to get back into a truck?

 

I think Werner has given so many bad DAC reports, most companies are immune to those.....unless there is an accident or abandonment, you should be able to explain the termination.

 

try looking at a smaller company in your area.....they may be willing to put you on

 

I would tend to agree with Nic, if it was not 3 years later and only 2 weeks in the seat. But it sure is worth checking into. Let us know what you find.

 

I'm not sure what DAC actually says yet. I'm still waiting my 15 days to see it . I'm really afraid from some of the horror stories I've heard about Werner, that they put an abandonment charge on me. I don't know how another company would consider that being as how I wasn't alone on the truck and the trainer had already picked up the load.

Nik, I've talked to a couple of the local small companies, and I got the impression that they're in fear of not being in business much longer. I even asked if they'd let me drive for free when I'm on my off days (I get 7 straight days off every month) with one of their drivers, but no luck there either.

 

I would doubt highly they could do that when your in training as you were not totally responsible for the truck. I'm sure they checked the box not rehireable, but that should easy to explain. I was under the impression you had been on your own at that point. You will need to attend a 40hr refresher and start over, you might get a commitment from a carrier before retraining.

 

HillyBilly, I have heard many stories about Werner myself. My nephew drove for them and did not like them at all. Once you get your DAC you can check and see if they did put anything. If they did, and you had a reason for getting off the truck, you can fight to get that taken off your DAC, but it could take a while. The best thing to do, is take your refresher course and talk to another company, or talk to another company first that you might like and see what they say. They can run your DAC as well and can get it a lot faster than you can. So they would be able to look it up and see if there is anything there and they would be able to tell you where to go from there.

 

Best thing ,

would be to work for a company that doesn't use DAC !!!!!

 

Well, got good news today! Thank ya'll for the help! Werner didn't screw me over on my DAC after all. I was stressing it pretty hard. Paranoia gets ya every time! LOL

 

Woo Hoo - good news