Looking for some advice from you experienced drivers on this forum.
Let me give you the back story:
I was working for a transport company. While they did maintain HoS rules they did it begrudgingly. I was sent out of town to work at another yard because they had one driver at that yard. I stayed out for a week then came back. Several other drivers from other yards were there as well and I basically came in with a partner of mine to relieve them. After all was said and done, someone reported the pushers for drinking while on duty and smoking marijuana. Myself and my partner's names got thrown into the mix and I was called up on the carpet. I told them what I saw, which was indeed one of the pushers drinking when he was supposed to be on duty. I didn't see the other one smoking anything but he did have a pipe and I don't mean the type of pipe your grandfather smoked. I was then told thank you we will handle this internally. After this incident I noticed I would write up stuff on my truck and it would not get taken care of. I simply would just jump into another truck but when I mentioned to another co worker that per DOT, I could refuse to go out if they didn't fix the stuff written up, I was told I just needed to do my job and not stir up trouble. I then got sent out on a job and was given the wrong directions. When I called for correct information, I was given more wrong directions. I couldn't get a response on the radio or anything. I had cellphone service and my boss wouldn't answer when I called. I decided enough was enough and returned the truck to the yard (didn't abandon equipment) I then left a note (it was 3am) for my boss to call me. 8am rolls around I get a call and he wants to know why I didn't do the job. I asked why nobody would answer when I called on the phone or radio and got the "you didn't call me" line. I told him that I felt that since I brought up the two pushers violating DOT regulations I got the feeling I was being forced out. He said if that is the way you feel then go. My wife didn't want me to stay because she didn't want me to work around those #####. So I turned in my equipment and parted ways with the company.
Now for the present. I have applied at several companies driving various types of equipment. I am getting the same response when I call these prospective employers that my background check is taking longer than normal. Now I got my background check for haz mat back in less than a week and supposedly that is all criminal databases (or so I was told) I only have one charge on my record and that was a 2003 charge for unauthorized use of a credit card. I have had two tickets in the last three years in a non cmv and no accidents in the last 10 years. I have lived in the same town for the last 7 years, my current address for the last three and have lived in Oklahoma all of my life. My question is could my previous employer be keeping me from getting any of these current jobs by something they put on my DAC? I just got my cdl in February and have only been driving a CMV since August of 2011 (permit until I obtained license) I checked with OESC and a former employer can not tell a prospective employer anything other than "yes/no he/she worked for us" I guess I am asking first off is the DAC tied into the background? and if so, could a former employer do something like that? and how do I go about checking my DAC?
Question regarding employment
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by jimjam38, Oct 23, 2012.
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You need to pull a copy of your DAC and find out.
http://www.hireright.com/Trucking-Background-Checks.aspx
Yes, your former employer could have placed something on your file.jimjam38 Thanks this. -
I figured they might because when I hired in there were seven drivers and I made eight. Then the other drivers started quitting because with this job one week we would max out on our hours, then the next you would be sitting around the house twiddling your thumbs. When I left there were just three drivers at our yard and as of yet nobody else has came in for a job. It pays terrible and the thing is the inexperienced drivers like myself can only get jobs here unless we just happen to come across someone willing to give us a chance.
Someone asked how the pay worked. Basically like this:
Interviewer: How much experience do you have?
Applicant: I have driven big rigs for 20 years but I haven't worked in the oil field.
Interviewer: Well you have CDL experience but no oilfield, so we will start you at 14/hour until you can be evaluated. After one year you should be at 17.25/hour
Reverse that experience and have an oilfield hand who has just gotten their cdl and they still pay the same.
If you have experience at both then there is some reason why you would want to work for them seeing as how there are other companies doing the same type of work and starting drivers out for more (and yes I have applied)
but back to original question, is a DAC tied into a background check or can something on your DAC be used in a background check? -
you didn't go to the link for Hire Right who manages the DAC did you.....
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yeah I clicked on it already and filled out a request was I not supposed to?
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I doubt they would go through the trouble to try and keep you from getting a job. It sounds as if they have enough problems of their own. Also if they are a small company they probably aren't paying the money to report stuff to DAC. I would order your DAC anyway but I think it should be fine. As for potential future employers calling for reference, your last company you worked for, or any of them for that matter, are not allowed to say anything about you in a bad light or bad mouth you. You could easily sue them for that. Its called "defamation of character".
jimjam38 Thanks this. -
yes you were supposed to.
That's how you find out what and who put anything on your record. -
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Yes you are correct they sure can fine you and give you points if you do not have triangles. I think overall you should be ok. Get your DAC and go from there. Maybe try and stick to the smaller companies. Here's a good website with some smaller companies listed...
http://www.truckdrivercentral.com/truckingcompanies.html
Just click on the state you live in.
Good luck man...jimjam38 Thanks this.
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