Turned down again

[kc0iv]

Originally Posted by GMAN

I don't know why they would even bother, either. They know they will not pass the drug test yet they come to orientation and take the drug test anyway. In addition to wasting everyone's time they are also costing the carrier money for orientation, housing, food, drug test and background check.

Many think they can pass by following ads like Pass Drug Test, 500% Money Back Guarantee - How To Pass a Drug Test Successfully or Pass A Drug Test and many more.

kc0iv

[Jumbo]

I clicked on the testimonials and read this one:

Dude,

My frind and I sparked a dube the size of a baby 4arm last night, put on backside of the moon and spaced out for a wile. Thats when my old lady (mom) came down to the bacement and told me I had a gob intreview in the mornin. I took sum of your yourin pills and I past no problum. I am now a fri kook at Mackdonelds.

Tanks again

[lowrange]

Originally Posted by Jumbo

I clicked on the testimonials and read this one:

Dude,

My frind and I sparked a dube the size of a baby 4arm last night, put on backside of the moon and spaced out for a wile. Thats when my old lady (mom) came down to the bacement and told me I had a gob intreview in the mornin. I took sum of your yourin pills and I past no problum. I am now a fri kook at Mackdonelds.

Tanks again

"the size of a baby 4arm"!

[matcat]

Originally Posted by lowrange

"the size of a baby 4arm"!

I bet it was at 4:20

[GMAN]

Originally Posted by Graymist

And I'm pretty sure that these malcontents then race for the nearest internet connection, and spew out venom about how they've been hard done by, by the company.

I am always skeptical when I see someone trash a former employer. They are usually trying to cover up their own behavior by focusing blame on their employer. They can always find a reason the employer terminated their employment or they left. It could have been that the dispatcher didn't treat them nice so they abandoned their truck. They are then surprised when the employer wants them to pay for recovery costs and may withhold their last paycheck to help pay for those costs. So they trash their employer on the Internet. They could have tested positive or refused to take a random drug test so it is their employers fault. It had nothing to do with them taking drugs or drinking. They embezzled money or sold fuel and got caught. They are surprised when their employment is terminated or if the employer can prove it has them arrested. It is difficult to prove to the court that a driver is selling fuel, but it is easy for the company to detect.

It is in the carrier's best interest to keep good, reliable drivers. Recruiting new people is very costly for companies. There is no reason to terminate a driver who is doing a good job unless something such as the current economy comes into play. Yet, there are those who continue to blame the employer for their woes.

When I read or hear about a driver trashing their former employer or trying to cause them problems then I suspect that there is more to the story that they are not telling. MUCH MORE!! If you have a problem with a former employer you address the issue with them. You don't go on a Internet forum and spew your venom. I always take things such as that with a grain of salt.

[bigrigjoe66]

When I read or hear about a driver trashing their former employer or trying to cause them problems then I suspect that there is more to the story that they are not telling. MUCH MORE!! If you have a problem with a former employer you address the issue with them. You don't go on a Internet forum and spew your venom. I always take things such as that with a grain of salt.

I will say this. Out of all three companies that I attended orientation maybe I did not give Arrow a fair shake. I mean I left one in pain, one never gave me a ride but with Arrow I read a lot of bad stuff here and one other message boards. I read how they were so bad and were bottom feeders. When I got to orientation I had a preconceived idea that they were just that. So when I saw they had 70 plus per class, most had criminal records and all the trucks abandoned all over the country I thought, they were right. Maybe I should have stayed. Maybe they would have been a good fit for me. I now know that most negative stuff here is only one sided. Live and learn.

[Uturn2001]

While you can find a lot of useful info on the net it is hard to filter out the BS from the truth.

When talking about hiring people with criminal records I think it is important to take into consideration what the record is for. Is it for something major or is it for something minor?

While many people can and do go through their entire life without any real run ins with the law it actually is not that hard to wind up with a record that will follow you forever.

[GMAN]

I would not discount hiring a driver simply because he had a criminal record. It would depend on the offense and the rest of his background check. It isn't as difficult as you may think to get a criminal record these days. A friend of mine got a ticket a few months ago at a weigh station. It turned out to be a misdemeanor. He had just leased on with a carrier and forgot to take his old expired tag off his truck. I believe that he had his cab card, but left the old tag on the truck. All they wanted is a fine and court costs, but the offense is considered a misdemeanor. So now he has a criminal record. He was extremely upset that he now has a criminal record for something so simple. There are a couple of states where you can be charged with a felony for simply having a gun in your vehicle. In most of the western states or south we don't think as much about having guns. Many of us hunt. Get into some of the communist states such as New York, Massachusetts or California and you could be in serious trouble.

Some states will charge you with a DWI or DUI if you are sitting in a parked car with the key in the ignition or refuse to take a BAC. I think most states consider these alcohol related charges as misdemeanors. Some may consider them as a felony. I think Canada considers them as a felony. We have some nutty laws in this country. You need to look more closely at the charge and total record of the individual. If someone is a habitual offender then I would likely not hire them. One of the best drivers that I have had was a convicted felon. He made a mistake a number of years prior to applying with me. Large carriers would not even talk to him. I checked him out and gave him a chance. He did a good job for me. I have had some with no criminal records who have not done nearly as well.

[GMAN]

Originally Posted by bigrigjoe66

I will say this. Out of all three companies that I attended orientation maybe I did not give Arrow a fair shake. I mean I left one in pain, one never gave me a ride but with Arrow I read a lot of bad stuff here and one other message boards. I read how they were so bad and were bottom feeders. When I got to orientation I had a preconceived idea that they were just that. So when I saw they had 70 plus per class, most had criminal records and all the trucks abandoned all over the country I thought, they were right. Maybe I should have stayed. Maybe they would have been a good fit for me. I now know that most negative stuff here is only one sided. Live and learn.

Apparently, you are having difficulty getting on with any carrier. I believe you stated that Arrow was willing to give you another chance. I don't see as you have anything to lose. I believe you stated that you only have 14 months experience. It is much easier to find a driving position when you have at least 2 years of solid work experience. I don't know much about Arrow. I would also not discount a carrier simply because they had a lot of turnover. The average annual turnover in this industry is about 136%, as I recall. That is only an average. Some will have more and others less. I am not trying to sell you on Arrow or any other carrier, but if you want to get back into this industry then you need to step back and check your options. If you stay away too long then it will be necessary to take a refresher course. That will be expensive. As I stated, you can't believe everything you read on the Internet about a particular carrier. I don't recall anything negative being written about Arrow on this forum. Regardless of whom you finally go with I would count on staying with them for at least a year, no matter what. It will help to over come some of what has taken place in your background. You will find things that you don't like about any job.

[rigidsporty]

Originally Posted by bigrigjoe66

I have been to 8-10 and they all say I need more experience. I anly have 14 months most want 24.

As sh*tty of a job as it is... try Food Service Delivery. Most only require 6 months (or less) and the pay is... well... adequate. Do that untill you get your 24 months and move on if you wish. There are a lot of companies who only require 2 years "tractor trailer" experience... not necessarily "OTR" experience. Pay no attention to the "Sky is falling/Gloom and Doom" bunch around here... you'll find something. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Jumbo

I clicked on the testimonials and read this one:

Dude,

My frind and I sparked a dube the size of a baby 4arm last night, put on backside of the moon and spaced out for a wile. Thats when my old lady (mom) came down to the bacement and told me I had a gob intreview in the mornin. I took sum of your yourin pills and I past no problum. I am now a fri kook at Mackdonelds.

Tanks again

Now THAT was funny!!! Now I remember why I dont eat at Mickey D's very often.

[Double R]

Originally Posted by rigidsporty

As sh*tty of a job as it is... try Food Service Delivery...........

HEY!!!!! I resemble that remark!and the job is not that sh*tty.

You are correct, MOST will take you with six months experience. Some will even take drivers with, are you ready for this, ZERO EXPERIENCE! They prefer to train a driver "Their way".

[rigidsporty]

Originally Posted by Double R

HEY!!!!! I resemble that remark!and the job is not that sh*tty.

You are correct, MOST will take you with six months experience. Some will even take drivers with, are you ready for this, ZERO EXPERIENCE! They prefer to train a driver "Their way".

Just because your a glutton for punishment doesn't mean the rest of civilized society is. Just yankin yer chain RR... you are definatly the ranking "Food Shoveler" around here. I made it a year and decided my back was more important than a $400 to $500/wk paycheck.

It seems to be all in the route you get... some are capital punishment and some are gravy train. I can say this though... when my route went to High Schools... I ate GOOOOD!!!

[rigidsporty]

Originally Posted by Double R

Some will even take drivers with, are you ready for this, ZERO EXPERIENCE! They prefer to train a driver "Their way".

Yup... I started with a guy fresh out of a CDL mill. It was the first driving job he ever had... even thought the companies website said "6 months experience required."

If it wasnt for them changing my route every week or so, I'd probably still be with them... but getting up at 3am and not getting home till 6pm (manually lugging 20,000lbs daily) got old fast.

[Double R]

Originally Posted by rigidsporty

when my route went to High Schools... I ate GOOOOD!!!

That is enough to make even the most season "monkey" want to quit! We had(HAD) the Catholic Schools around here for awhile. That was pure H*LL. The steps,ramps,tight parking lots,tight delivery area,etc. IT SUCKED AND SO DID THE FOOD!!!!!!!!(I know, I went to a catholic grade and high school for my school years). Sad thing is, I use to deliver to BOTH my old grade and high school. Talk about some real H*LL!(for them)

[rigidsporty]

Originally Posted by Double R

That is enough to make even the most season "monkey" want to quit! We had(HAD) the Catholic Schools around here for awhile. That was pure H*LL. The steps,ramps,tight parking lots,tight delivery area,etc. IT SUCKED AND SO DID THE FOOD!!!!!!!!(I know, I went to a catholic grade and high school for my school years). Sad thing is, I use to deliver to BOTH my old grade and high school. Talk about some real H*LL!(for them)

Well I dont know about Catholic schools.. but I delivered to public schools where I ate buiscuts and gravy, sausage, bacon, and all the cartons of milkI could drink. The backing sucked, but the food and hospitality was worth it. Plus they fixed me lunch to go as well. I walked out of there with literally two handfulls of food. I ate so much I wasnt worth a sh*t the rest of the day. I dont know... maybe its a southern thing, perhaps they dont feed PA kids as good as southern youngins.

[matcat]

When I went to school the norm was green hot dogs, hamburgers that I really think where made of cardboard, the kind of pizzas you buy for 50 cents at a dollar store, french fries that I think also where made of cardboard, some nasty government canned fruit, mac and cheese that I think was made with more water then cheese, sandwiches made with the cheapest bread on earth, and the cheapest nastiest processed lunch meats possible. That was in NJ.

[GMAN]

When I was in high school the food we were served was pretty decent. There were some who complained and others who brought their own lunch, but it was a healthy, balanced meal that was fairly inexpensive. We didn't have nearly so many obese students in my class. In fact, I only recall a couple of students who were much over weight. Pizza and high carb foods were usually not offered. We did have the occasional hamburger and hot dogs. Mostly, it was one meat and vegetables with a desert if you wanted. We were also taught basic nutrition in school.

[belpre122]

Originally Posted by GMAN

When I was in high school the food we were served was pretty decent. There were some who complained and others who brought their own lunch, but it was a healthy, balanced meal that was fairly inexpensive. We didn't have nearly so many obese students in my class. In fact, I only recall a couple of students who were much over weight. Pizza and high carb foods were usually not offered. We did have the occasional hamburger and hot dogs. Mostly, it was one meat and vegetables with a desert if you wanted. We were also taught basic nutrition in school.

Wow! I'm in exact agreement with GDOG! Same way at my schools growing up. I remember lunch was .30 cents and we would have something like grilled chicken, peas, carrots, corn, a roll and a fruit dessert. The old ladies in the cafeteria made it all right on the spot. Good stuff for the most part. To this day, still the best dinner rolls that I have ever had! If you wanted an extra milk? 3 cents for white, 4 cents for chocolate. Extra hamburger was dime. LOL Hell, I'm beginning to sound like an old codger here GMAN! What am I to do? Roll with it? LOL

[Jackrabbit379]

Originally Posted by belpre122

Wow! I'm in exact agreement with GDOG! Same way at my schools growing up. I remember lunch was .30 cents and we would have something like grilled chicken, peas, carrots, corn, a roll and a fruit dessert. The old ladies in the cafeteria made it all right on the spot. Good stuff for the most part. To this day, still the best dinner rolls that I have ever had! If you wanted an extra milk? 3 cents for white, 4 cents for chocolate. Extra hamburger was dime. LOL Hell, I'm beginning to sound like an old codger here GMAN! What am I to do? Roll with it? LOL

I started to say... I wished I coulda bought milk that cheap.
I don't even remember what an extra milk cost to be honest. 25 cents I think. My dad used to make my lunch every day. I remember one year for Christmas, I got a Dukes of Hazzard lunch box. I was in tall cotton. No more paper sacks.

I wouldn't have a clue what schools serve now days.

[rigidsporty]

Originally Posted by Jackrabbit379

I remember one year for Christmas, I got a Dukes of Hazzard lunch box. I was in tall cotton. No more paper sacks.

I had a Dukes lunch box in school... I think I still have it somewhere, I seen it not too long ago... cant remember if it was a metal one or a plastic one. I wonder if its worth anything? If memory serves I think its missing the thermos bottle.