Will DOT let me become a trucker...

Ok, first off. The time of three years (5, 7 and 10 is the limit ultimately) not only includes time working if any, but also includes time between jobs. For example I have not worked since roughly 2013. If asked I would simply say that I have been a medical patient since going blind in 2009 and that's all they will get. Which is fine for Homeland Security. I am also a part time caregiver to family from time to time, unpaid. That takes care of the time needed. Whatever it might be. Even if it takes care of dying parent or... sick kids, or whatever.

Your Plant used creativity. Let it go. You will find a greater creativity here in this industry and a lack of what is truth and what is acceptable fiction depending on who is doing the one way conversation to you, in the office. You will find that sometimes on the road having that skill with people who really matter, like that DOT inspector... from time to time works out well.

Knight is just one employer. Of millions of trucks. Who knows how many employers. They say there is 10 million involved one way or another in this industry keeping the trucks our Nation depends on rolling.

You will find trucking in some cases ranging between a low point of our humanity walking about unwashed in flip flops all the way to true class outfits who are really elite in their way of work because the cargo depends on it. You take the people as they come and go. However the actual doing of trucking is not that difficult. Forward 90% of the time, the problems begin when you are supposed to put the trailer into some spot somewhere. Or trying to get out of one. You should see that world famous video of Swift destroying his tractor trying to force his oversize trailer to turn around where there is no space to do it. (All he had to do is back up from low bridge a while and then get out... but Genius chose to wreck his tractor by degrees...)

You will find that these United States as a People and the land we are given is something to behold. Some of it is really tough and not for outsiders. Dating back 50 years to riots of the 60's if not further back in tensions etc. (Camden NJ or Patterson comes to mind) Although you will find that there are many good things with trucking not necessarily in pay. I recall a christmas in one truckstop in a place called Harrisburg one year and it was quite something. Probably wont happen again like that in this life time. But am glad to have been part of it.

Trucking is a land for regulating, rules, laws, 50,000 of them if not more. It's really something when you think about what you don't yet know. Or what the inspector does not yet know. (And you do for a fact with that DOT Green Book in one hand. Be very diplomatic when educating them.) They will always find something. Always keep enough money in hand in cash plus a sufficient credit capable of transporting in any mode home from anywhere in the USA at any time 24/7. That's how stable trucking is not. You will be on your own and that newbie from orientation told to to take your truck. Because of a minor screw up.

Be very careful picking employers. They will decide if your trucking is heaven or hell. For example. I ran for a outfit that did nothing but send me to Alpo in Allentown West to load dogfood by the bag. Mindless, sure. But you physically build 48 pallets and 47800 pounds into 120 pallets for the benefit of the union store you delivered to over hours and hours. To this day I cannot buy a can of that stuff. Ive had it up to here with them. However if it's with McKesson in Memphis medicines and high value loads... now this is what fulfillment is. IF I was go back into it (I will not... but who knows) it will be with them. All of the problems in this industry does not exist running these loads that are taken care of for you.

I can go on but I think it's enough here. You will find out for yourself soon enough. Just learn one word "No." and use it very carefully to your dispatchers who will not understand why two inches on the USA map in a raging whiteout on Emigrant Old Pass does not a ontime delivery make. If you hang in there long enough winter goes to spring and summer and then fall. Sometimes a fabulous season to be working.

I managed to get away with it most my life. Running free relatively speaking out here when my classmates were shackled to their cubicle farms under the micromanagement of our esteemed Tinpot managers who do not know how to handle people from moment to moment of their workday in the salt mines.

Give it some time. This too shall pass when your spine and bones finally force you to stop working so hard. It's a young man's game.

Oh one more thing. The esteemed DOT in all their appearances have not run a big rig one inch among the top leadership who decides what rules we follow. So they are not the sort of High Command whose edicts from Heaven (Or hell) need to be followed. You will find they are more of a enforcement arm. Writing large dollar values on very small tickets allowed to them. /sarcastic.

 

They’re skeptical, the Law says they need 10 yrs previous Employment history, on file. That’s why they’re nervous about it. In case your hiding something. Tax returns, whatever you got for proof, explain the gaps in employment. Even if it’s simply “ unemployed”. Prior Driving Jobs must by Law fill out a request of previous employment form, sent to them by prospective employer. To be kept in your Drivers file.Non Driving Jobs, no such requirement. It shouldn’t be a problem. Lots of People just crawling out of their Parents basements these days. No prior work history, at all. Lol You’ll find a job, just be honest, even if you were incarcerated, for 3 yrs. There’s a warm seat for every ###. In Trucking, keep looking. Someone will hire You. Just be honest, as every little thing is available through background checks, nowadays.

 

Werner has TCU positions open there. I’m fairly certain they are better than red swift. They will give you $250 a month extra to pay back your loan.

@Chinatown used to pull reefers and should have some other suggestions on companies that will hire someone with no experience.

 

@Chinatown

 

Personally, I’d write a detailed list of all employment for the last 10 years and discuss the reasons for any gaps.

Then discuss with them in person.

And probably not with Knight, but that’s just my opinion.

 

I didn't know DOT cares about your employment history.
Looks like it's Knight that doesn't want you.