Help, I had an accident 5 years ago and cannot get hired

[emac130]

I have not driven since November 2002 and am at a point where I realize that no job suits me better than driving, but cannot get hired. I have tried Swift, Schnieder, J.B. Hunt, U.S. Express, C.R. England, CRST, Prime, Mavrick, Melton, and even Driver solutions (USA Truck, PAM)

Mavrick says I need a year of OTR before I can be hired by them, others just don't respond or don't tell me why. Should I try O/O? Should I go to a CDL school for refresher training? Would someone then take me as if I where a new driver?

Does anyone know of a local company that will give me another chance in the Lancaster, York, or Harrisburg areas of PA?

Any help is much appreciated, even if it is not what I want to hear.

[classB]

I'm not familiar with your area so my comments are more general.

5 years is a long time ago. Have you had any tickets since that accident? The company I work for demands a clean driving record for the past 3 years.

You have options. Are you willing to spend a year driving something other than a truck? What about a city bus? Or a cement truck? Or a delivery truck? Even if it's not exactly what you want to drive it will give you a year behind the wheel.

If the companies are not giving you a reason for not hiring, I would keep calling. Pick out one of the companies where you know the recruiter and get him to tell you the exact reason they won't offer you a job. Then work on that reason. If it is because your too expensive to insure I would offer to have a lower pay the first year or two to offset the insurance cost. There has to be a way in if you want it and are willing to make compromises.

[JeffTheTerrible]

I have not driven since November 2002

Unless this accident involved a fatality, or one hell of a lawsuit against the company you were driving for, I might venture a guess that this is the real setback you're facing.

[Mackman]

Does anyone know of a local company that will give me another chance in the Lancaster, York, or Harrisburg areas of PA?

Try a couple of these companys

Wiker Paving - local Dump Truck
McMinns Asphat- Local dump truck or trailer job.
Kidnard - local and OTR trailer job.
H.R. Ewell- Local and OTR trailer job
Kleins Septic- Local honey Dipper.

There is a grain hauling place off of rt283 forget there name they got red trucks. it is something farms. Think it starts with a G.

[DagWoodOTR]

Try Zimmerman Truck Lines in Mifflintown. I do know they need flat drivers.
I was of the road for 23 years and faced the same issue you have albiet without the accident history. I took a refresher course at AAA school in Harrisburg for $2500. Turned out the instructor was someone I teamed with 23 years ago at Lebarnold. We drank coffee and talked about old times. I took the test was was out on the road in 17 days.
Keep away from Schaffer/Crete whatever you do. Also there is a small flat company at the Stop 35 Truck stop in Mifflintown that has a rather loose hiring policy concerning accidents. Fetter(something). Brothers trucking in Middletown is another. Just to get a few miles/experience you could try D&H Dist. in Harrisburg as a local driver. One final try would be C. Bean Transport in Ark.
Best of luck to you.

[Rev.Vassago]

I agree. I doubt the accident is what is holding you back. You're going to have to likely take a refresher course, and then you should see some doors opening up for you.

[GMAN]

Have you considered asking some of the companies where you applied why they would not hire you? If it were me, I would want to talk to these people directly. At least you would know. After 5 years my guess is that it is the length of time out of the seat that is causing the most problems.

[emac130]

I have not driven since November 2002

Unless this accident involved a fatality, or one hell of a lawsuit against the company you were driving for, I might venture a guess that this is the real setback you're facing.

This is correct Jeff, and it I did not say it because it is not an easy thing to bring up. I have explained what happened to a few companies that asked but it did not matter. They don't tell me if the reason is the Homicide by vehicle charge that is 5 years old or the fact that I have not driven since. If I had been more focused on things around me and the other driver had been paying attention (it is a shame they did not see my 70ft orange truck skidding up to and thru the intersection) none of this would have happened.

I almost believe the only way in for me is owning my own truck and finding my own shippers. I don't think they will not ask about my past . I was quoted $10,000 by GEICO Commercial for a one year liability policy. Is that high? THe only other way is for me to apply for a state pardon, which is a long drawn out process. I of course would have to say the reason I need this is because it is difficult to get any kind of job. I have tried to work at many non-trucking places and have had no luck. I assume either my criminal report or the economy is to blame.

It is frustrating when no one will help me out. I am not the kind of person that gets into trouble with the law. I am 27 and have had maybe 3 traffic tickets in my life, all for stupid things when I was younger. My license was suspended for 3 years and I still drove without getting caught. I have never done anything stupid i a commercial vehicle, I just believe I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When I was inthe Army, I drove day cabs with flat-beads in Germany for 2.5 years and never had a problem. I was an instructor and won our brigade truck rodeo. I know I can drive, I just cannot be trusted.

[bluebeetle]

With not driving since 11/2002 a refresher course will not be of much good. A full CDL course is the step you are looking at. There is a PTDI certified school, YORK COUNTY SCHOOL OF TECH there in York, PA that would be a good start. You haven't driven in over 5 years and therefore are classified as a Student.

Being involved in a fatality accident is enough to scare off any Safety Director right now. The liabiltiy issue is huge. Having a homicide by vehicle charge can also be interpreted as a felony and if it is those rules apply and having a felony in the last 5-10 years scares off even more people.

Personally, I seriously doubt that you will find an over the road company that will take you. There is a possibility of looking at an owner operator who has his own authority as being your best bet. Otherwise, I would suggest if you have a serious love of trucking, look at other avenues involved with trucking such as recruiting, dispatching or truck mechanic.

Good luck.

[classB]

With not driving since 11/2002 a refresher course will not be of much good. A full CDL course is the step you are looking at. There is a PTDI certified school, YORK COUNTY SCHOOL OF TECH there in York, PA that would be a good start. You haven't driven in over 5 years and therefore are classified as a Student.

Being involved in a fatality accident is enough to scare off any Safety Director right now. The liabiltiy issue is huge. Having a homicide by vehicle charge can also be interpreted as a felony and if it is those rules apply and having a felony in the last 5-10 years scares off even more people.

Personally, I seriously doubt that you will find an over the road company that will take you. There is a possibility of looking at an owner operator who has his own authority as being your best bet. Otherwise, I would suggest if you have a serious love of trucking, look at other avenues involved with trucking such as recruiting, dispatching or truck mechanic.

Good luck.

How can a driver get charged with homicide for an accident? A criminal charge makes it sound like the OP was deliberate or wreakless. If the OP can get a pardon I would work at it.

If the OP has not driven in 5 years the first thing he should do is get a regular license. My company won't train people for a CDL unless they have a clean driving record for 3 years. That requires having a normal license and not getting tickets.

OP, maybe the way into the field is to find a related job. Maybe a desiel mechanic working for a trucking company. Maybe an office job at a truck company. You will make contacts this way and maybe someone will be able to push you through CDL school and into a job. If it was me, I would not expect it to be a quick process. They will want to see you are reliable and a good worker, and they will want to see while you work for them you don't get into any trouble or tickets. You have a mark against your record and it will take time for the impact of it to lessen.

Maybe a recruiter here can give you better information. 5 years is a long time ago.

[emac130]

How can a driver get charged with homicide for an accident? A criminal charge makes it sound like the OP was deliberate or wreakless. If the OP can get a pardon I would work at it.

If the OP has not driven in 5 years the first thing he should do is get a regular license. My company won't train people for a CDL unless they have a clean driving record for 3 years. That requires having a normal license and not getting tickets.

OP, maybe the way into the field is to find a related job. Maybe a desiel mechanic working for a trucking company. Maybe an office job at a truck company. You will make contacts this way and maybe someone will be able to push you through CDL school and into a job. If it was me, I would not expect it to be a quick process. They will want to see you are reliable and a good worker, and they will want to see while you work for them you don't get into any trouble or tickets. You have a mark against your record and it will take time for the impact of it to lessen.

Maybe a recruiter here can give you better information. 5 years is a long time ago.

I still have my class A license. I have had my license back for over a year now.

[BigDiesel]

Let me see if I understand the questions posed by the OP.... The OP cannot get a CMV driving job due to a " vehicular homicide charge " from 5 years ago, the OP drove on a suspended license, but that was OK because the OP did not get caught..... Now the OP wants to own a CMV ??

I would suggest that the OP go find a job washing dishes at a Dennys.....

THe OP has no right to be a truck driver and I hope it that will never happen for the OP. There is no room in this industry for an individual of that caliber....

[Uturn2001]

How can a driver get charged with homicide for an accident? A criminal charge makes it sound like the OP was deliberate or wreakless.

From what the OP has said it sounds like this is exactly what happened.

If I had been more focused on things around me and the other driver had been paying attention (it is a shame they did not see my 70ft orange truck skidding up to and thru the intersection)

From the tidbits of info here and there it sounds like it sums up like:

Got in an accident with a fatality.
Was charged and convicted of a crime as a result of the accident.
Had, at the very least, CDL suspended for a while.
has not held a driving job in 5 1/2 years.

And wonders why no one will hire him.

[Jumbo]

If I were more focused everytime one of you guys posted a youtube link I wouldn't be watching a videos an hour after I clicked on the first link.

[bandits44x]

Try a couple of these companys

Wiker Paving - local Dump Truck
McMinns Asphat- Local dump truck or trailer job.
Kidnard - local and OTR trailer job.
H.R. Ewell- Local and OTR trailer job
Kleins Septic- Local honey Dipper.

There is a grain hauling place off of rt283 forget there name they got red trucks. it is something farms. Think it starts with a G.[/quote]



I work for H.R. Ewell and it's a pretty good job compared to a lot of trucking jobs. I'm almost home every night lately, maybe 1 or 2 nights on the road. I think they are hiring dry bulk drivers now. They hired a guy when I signed on and he didn't have any recent experience. So they might give you a shot. www.hrewell.com

[emac130]

Having a homicide by vehicle charge can also be interpreted as a felony and if it is those rules apply and having a felony in the last 5-10 years scares off even more people.
Good luck.

Homicide by vehicle is NOT a felony, it is a misdemeanor because there was no intent. Someone died as a result of an accident. This does NOT mean I was reckless or deliberate!

[JeffTheTerrible]

Sorry about that. Didn't mean to pour salt in open wounds, but it is something which would've had to come out to get the bottom of the issue.
Isn't an accidental death by vehicle considered manslaughter, though? Homicide is usually given to imply that it was intentional.
I really don't know what to tell you, aside from best of luck to you. I hope you find something which suits you.

[emac130]

Let me see if I understand the questions posed by the OP.... The OP cannot get a CMV driving job due to a " vehicular homicide charge " from 5 years ago, the OP drove on a suspended license, but that was OK because the OP did not get caught..... Now the OP wants to own a CMV ??

I would suggest that the OP go find a job washing dishes at a Dennys.....

THe OP has no right to be a truck driver and I hope it that will never happen for the OP. There is no room in this industry for an individual of that caliber....

I see what kind of person you are, I have read other posts by you. You have made it so much more clear with this one. You don't have to judge me based on what I was charged with. If you knew me personally, you would know that I am NOT a person of that "caliber." You imply that I am a dangerous person which is far from the truth. I have been in the Army for the past 9 years, 3 active and 1 deployment. I even plan on going back in if things don't work the way I would like them to. As far as working at Denny's, that might be where you end up when you fail. For me, I can continue on with 6 more classes and complete my B.S. in IT Network Management. Even if I don't make it back in to trucking, I will not fall to the same level as you my friend. 8)

The least you could do is not respond if you have nothing decent to say. I posted here for advice, not criticism. If you want to tell me it's a bad idea, so be it.

[Uturn2001]

Homicide by vehicle is NOT a felony, it is a misdemeanor because there was no intent. Someone died as a result of an accident.

It can go either way depending on the circumstances.

This does NOT mean I was reckless or deliberate!

Sadly I know and know of quite a few people who have been convicted of this and I have yet to see anyone charged with this offense where it was simply an accident with a fatality. There always seems to be at least one other serious contributing factor that goes along with it. Booze, drugs, excessive speeding, driving extremely too fast for conditions, etc. or often in the case of a truck driver a major violation of the HOS. Based on that I can not help but think there is a lot more to this saga than is being told.

[Rev.Vassago]

I posted here for advice, not criticism.

Well, you're going to get both, because it's a touchy subject. If you can't handle that, you always have the option of not posting your dirty laundry on a public forum.