Need some honest advice and guidance.

I have been looking at these forms for a few months, just created an account, and have a need of some solid, honest assistance.

I'll start with the with the background and pose the question at the end. I am currently attending CDL school in Dallas, and will graduate in a couple of weeks. My story starts in 1986, I was 17 and without getting into too many details, I was arrested and charged with Aggravated Robbery, the lawyer I had came up with a plea agreement, I was to take 3 charges in return for a 10 year deferred sentence. After 9 years on probation, it was revoked for a failure to report, and was then sentenced to 12 years in prison. I was convicted of three charges, they ran concurrent and are all considered the same instance, although there are 3 case numbers. I served a little over 5 years, and was released on parole in July 2001. In July 2008 I completed parole, and have had no other involvement with prison, jail, or the police.



I am now 45 years old, and have been off parole since July 2008 (6 years), the conviction date was July 1996 (18 years ago) the original arrest was May 1986 (28 years ago).


The recruiter from the school assured me that with the conviction date being so long ago, I should be able to find a job in the Trucking industry. I have learned, however, she has been telling some companies I have one conviction. I don't want to lie to anyone about this, I want to be upfront and honest, as I don't want anything to come back. I don't want to get to an orientation just to be sent home for not disclosing.


In my favor, my driving record is clean, no tickets or accidents. And I have had the same job for 9 years, I teach driving safety courses, and currently hold a license issued by the TEA (Texas Education Agency). I have also held a TABC (Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission) to teach seller/server classes. However, teaching these classes are only “jobs”, contracted per class, and I am now looking for a career.


I would like to run 48 states OTR. I am loyal and would work for any company that hired me for a minimum of a year before looking for another company, or deciding to stay. I am not worried about home time, I am more concerned with having a decent paying position (miles and pay/mile), and benefits that a “job” doesn't offer, like medical, dental, maybe even vacation time, or the ability to pay for such. Even things like direct deposit would be a plus, as I don't have it now.


So the question is this, does anyone know of or can direct me to any companies that would hire a new CDL driver, convicted felon, with 3 felonies from 1996, based in DFW?


I know I am not going to get hired on with the top tier companies, but would just like to work for a company that is honest (or close to) with me as I am with them. I don't want to be in a position where I am asked to do anything illegal, HOS, loads, as I will reject them, I have much more to lose than the company. If hired the company I work for will soon learn I will be a hard worker, learn quickly, am loyal, and would be a benefit to both our bottom lines.