newb can’t get hired

That's not surprising really, about TMC. Only company I have seen that asks health questions on the employment application.

 

Some of these guys are a bit rough around the edges, but that's pretty much a trait you need to have as a truck driver. There's no room in this business for the thin skinned, timid, or not being able to deal with pressure. What do you do when you accidentally turn down a road and suddenly see a sign for a 11'2" over pass ahead? Freaking out isn't going to save your bacon. You have to stay cool and be able to analyze ANY situation fast, and pick the correct solution. So, when you come on this forum and you run into a bit of blunt speak, well, that's just kind of how truck drivers are. Now, if someone is an arse, and there's a few of those on this board, not many, but a few, just use the ignore function.

That said, if anything that's been said in this thread bothers you, then you're probably not cut out for trucking because, quite frankly, it's pretty tame compared to what you'll experience out on the road. For example, you're new and you pull into the truck stop at 8:00 or 9:00 pm and there's only a couple of spots left and you're setting up for one. Every single experienced driver in that truck stop can tell your new. You poke around like molasses in the winter trying to back in. Now, here comes an old salty veteran driver and he wants that spot you're setting up for. Guess what, he's going to start riding you like a porpoise at sea world, "Come on boy, are you going to get into that hole or blow kisses at the other drivers. Come on man, I could've been in that spot ten times over". He's going to be relentless. Guess what, if you're the nervous nelly type, you're going to crawl out of there with your tail between your legs and he's going to move right in, laughing his arse off, because he intimidated you out of the spot. And, now, while he's kicking back with all the amenities of a truck stop (food, showers, etc...), you'll be slinking off to some crap hole somewhere all because you couldn't handle the pressure.

That's just the start. It goes on and on until you learn the ropes and how to not let any of it bother you. But, yes, your first year or so, every experienced driver on the road can spot your rookie arse from 10 miles away.

 

Don't know what everyone else does but I am usually cussin a storm in my truck. Those signs, especially the no truck signs are just that, down the road they don't want you to be on rather than right at the corner where you can actually see it before you turn.

 

Nah man. There will be someone that will hire you, I am sure. Just may have to do the driver training thing. Stevens? Have you tried Stevens? No local company close to you will hire you? I am thinking maybe a food service, US Foods, Sysco, Labatt (if there is one there), Performance Food Group (PFG)?

 

We have those and weight restricted roads all over Arkansas. There's a 13' over pass that I go under all the time. One time there was a wreck on the interstate and all these trucks were taking a detour. One of them, instead of continuing straight for a couple of miles to get on the interstate, decided to follow me and turn down this road that has the short over pass. I hollered at him on the radio and told him to stop. I pull a tanker. No issue for me. He was pulling a 14' dry box. Fortunately for him he had a radio and heeded my warning. Of course, I have no idea how he got back up and off that street, but at least he stopped before he plowed into the overpass. lol

 

Someone just needs to have a little patience with you is all. Let you get use to it again. I'd done it, if I wanted to hump that product down a ramp and all that but never did get into the groove of that, though I did try it out once. Just when you do find the place that says yes, might have to stay there and suck it up for a year or two before you can go on to something better with at least that experience under your belt to show someone you have been driving again.

 

And if you go to the non-picky companies your anxiety will really start to kick in.
There is a lot more pressure with those jobs.

I have a daughter that suffers from anxiety, and sometimes has panic attacks.
The meds don't always help that much.

What would happen if you had a panic attack while driving the truck in a stressful situation?
Your brain basically shuts down in that situation and you can not think clearly.
80,000 pounds of uncontrolled mayhem on wheels.

Like I said before... a liability and a danger.