Am I still hireable?

[mario724]

In the past three years I have:

1. A lane change in morning rush hour traffic in Diamond Bar, CA, that was not my fault. I had the room to make the lane change, but, a woman saw that space (my opininon, because i was checking to make sure that i could make the change and trying to not hit any cars) and while the right front tire of the truck crossed over to the next lane, the woman changed lanes and hit the right front tire. Was not given a ticket for it, but still shows up on my driving record. Happened around November of 2006.

2. A rearend accident in Arizona, leaving Vicksburg, AZ, on I10, to be exact. Was about 7am Arizona time, had been driving for a little over 6 hours straight. Had the cruise control on at 63, since thats the highest it would go. Next thing I know, must have dozed off for 5-10 seconds, when I opened my eyes, was rapidly coming upon a small pick-up (I found out later, was doing between 55-60mph). I had no chance to avoid hitting the pick-up, I hit the brakes but still ended up hitting the pick-up, damaging the right rear of the pick-up. Luckily, when that happened, the truck didn't swerve and there were no cars around. Was given a ticket and 1 point, the violation(s) were listed as follows: Speed greater than R&P to avoid a collision. Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. Happened October 2008. (Company fired me after this accident)

In the same time period, got an overweight ticket, a ticket for not keeping my log current. Nothing really major, other than that was listed. I have some other incidents that are listed in my 10 yr Driving Record, but those are 3+ yrs old.

Have ordered my DAC through USIS, just waiting to get it. In the mean time, have tried applying in other places around home, but have gotten no callbacks or have been told that I would have to wait 1 year after the accident in October.

Since there are other incidents on my record that are 3+ years, some over 5 yrs old, could a company take that into consideration or would they just look at the past 3 yrs?

Regarding the way that the AZ State Trooper listed the violations, could that be construed as wreckless driving?

If there is anything else that needs clarification, let me know and will provide the info. as best I can.

Thanks in advance for your opinions on this. Mario724

[stonefly]

Had the cruise control on at 63, since thats the highest it would go. Next thing I know, must have dozed off for 5-10 seconds, when I opened my eyes, was rapidly coming upon a small pick-up

If you're joking, you're funny. If you're not, let me seriously suggest some other line of work.


stonefly

[mario724]

stonefly;

I know that sounds funny to you, but its not, hope you got a good laugh. Thats how it went down, ok. Believe me, if I was trying to be funny, this would be the last place I'd be looking for a laugh. I'm being serious. Just want any and everyone's opinion, if they have one, great, if not oh well. mario724

[Fredog]

I say you will have a very hard time finding someone to hire you.

[stonefly]

stonefly;

I know that sounds funny to you, but its not, hope you got a good laugh. Thats how it went down, ok. Believe me, if I was trying to be funny, this would be the last place I'd be looking for a laugh. I'm being serious. Just want any and everyone's opinion, if they have one, great, if not oh well. mario724

Falling asleep at the wheel of a vehicle at 63 mph is not funny. It's only funny if it did not really happen and you concocted the entire story as a joke, to put everybody on, but now I realize that you're not kidding.

Did the experience of falling asleep at the wheel of a big rig frighten you? Did you experience a sense of disbelief at first, something like, "I never thought this would happen to me?"



stonefly

[stonefly]

Sleepiness does not come upon one suddenly. A driver needs to pay attention to signs of sleepiness. It is impossible to fight sleep. Fighting sleep is actually falling asleep. When the signs of sleepiness appear a driver must get off the road. When the sleepiness passes, a driver can get back on the road. When you experience signs of sleepiness, you must get off the road.

If you have years under your belt as a professional driver, how could you have let yourself fall asleep on an interstate at 63 mph? That sounds inexcusably reckless to me, setting the cruise as high as it will go and then nodding out.

I ain't kiddin.' If you're gonna fall asleep at the wheel of a big rig, and you're main worry is whether or not someone will hire you, then you're worrying about the wrong thing...entirely.

You asked if you're still hireable. If the experience of falling asleep at the wheel scared you so bad that it will never happen again, and the prospect of losing your livelihood scares you enough that you will keep your driving record clean from now on, you may still be able to find your way back into driving. If the incident you described was not the first time you fell asleep at the wheel, then I think you are a very dangerous person.



stonefly

[matcat]

I had a rear end accident myself in February of 2008, took me a year to find another job, and that was with an O/O, not a company. Even now after getting some good time in driving again, most companies still won't even look at me, and I have a spotless driving record! So good luck to you.

[bentstrider]

I would say find something simple and stick to it for now, wait until the economy has a noticeable recovery then go for it.
I'm doing my old security position I had long before I even got a CDL and it sure beats burger flipping like others have suggested to those who've been involved in an accident.

[Orangetxguy]

In the past three years I have:

1. A lane change in morning rush hour traffic in Diamond Bar, CA, that was not my fault. I had the room to make the lane change, but, a woman saw that space (my opininon, because i was checking to make sure that i could make the change and trying to not hit any cars) and while the right front tire of the truck crossed over to the next lane, the woman changed lanes and hit the right front tire. Was not given a ticket for it, but still shows up on my driving record. Happened around November of 2006.

2. A rearend accident in Arizona, leaving Vicksburg, AZ, on I10, to be exact. Was about 7am Arizona time, had been driving for a little over 6 hours straight. Had the cruise control on at 63, since thats the highest it would go. Next thing I know, must have dozed off for 5-10 seconds, when I opened my eyes, was rapidly coming upon a small pick-up (I found out later, was doing between 55-60mph). I had no chance to avoid hitting the pick-up, I hit the brakes but still ended up hitting the pick-up, damaging the right rear of the pick-up. Luckily, when that happened, the truck didn't swerve and there were no cars around. Was given a ticket and 1 point, the violation(s) were listed as follows: Speed greater than R&P to avoid a collision. Operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. Happened October 2008. (Company fired me after this accident)

In the same time period, got an overweight ticket, a ticket for not keeping my log current. Nothing really major, other than that was listed. I have some other incidents that are listed in my 10 yr Driving Record, but those are 3+ yrs old.

Have ordered my DAC through USIS, just waiting to get it. In the mean time, have tried applying in other places around home, but have gotten no callbacks or have been told that I would have to wait 1 year after the accident in October.

Since there are other incidents on my record that are 3+ years, some over 5 yrs old, could a company take that into consideration or would they just look at the past 3 yrs?

Regarding the way that the AZ State Trooper listed the violations, could that be construed as wreckless driving?

If there is anything else that needs clarification, let me know and will provide the info. as best I can.

Thanks in advance for your opinions on this. Mario724

You have to look at your situation, as though you are a "Truck Boss". Given the incidents you say are in your work history....Would you hire yourself?

Stonefly was right, in his stating that you should have recognized the "sleepiness" and gotten yourself off the road. Especially that stretch of road! You would be surprised how "recuperative" a 30 minute nap can be. If you were to sleep longer than 30 minutes....that is just an indication that your body needed the rest.

I have nodded off before. That was back in the early 80's, when I was a "Kid" that was gonna get the job done. I learned quick to get the truck parked, stretch out across the seats if in a daycab, or climb into the bunk if in a sleeper, and get some Z's. I have slept for an hour, with my arms drapped across the steering wheel of a KW T-800 day-cab.

By 1985, I had decided that no amount of money was worth dieing in a truck over...or killing another person with said truck, just for the buck.

If the boss doesn't like the napping....simply point out the alternative.

[SickRick]

You have to look at your situation, as though you are a "Truck Boss". Given the incidents you say are in your work history....Would you hire yourself?

Stonefly was right, in his stating that you should have recognized the "sleepiness" and gotten yourself off the road. Especially that stretch of road! You would be surprised how "recuperative" a 30 minute nap can be. If you were to sleep longer than 30 minutes....that is just an indication that your body needed the rest.

I have nodded off before. That was back in the early 80's, when I was a "Kid" that was gonna get the job done. I learned quick to get the truck parked, stretch out across the seats if in a daycab, or climb into the bunk if in a sleeper, and get some Z's. I have slept for an hour, with my arms drapped across the steering wheel of a KW T-800 day-cab.

By 1985, I had decided that no amount of money was worth dieing in a truck over...or killing another person with said truck, just for the buck.

If the boss doesn't like the napping....simply point out the alternative.

Have done a bunch of LD driving last year, both 4 wheeler - and 36,000LB Bus/RV. Round trips to Atlanta (from Lauderdale), and LD trips on "tour". Whether 4-wheeler or bus - at the first signs of drowsiness - I either switch drivers (yeah, make the DRUMMER DRIVE), or pull in somewhere and sleep. In ALL CASES - I know WAY AHEAD OF TIME, that it's getting DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. And fatigue, sleep deficit is VERY REAL. When these musician A-Holes keep you out until 4:30AM after a gig, and you gotta get on the road to the next one at 9:30AM - I'm "shot out" after a couple of hours and need an hour or 2 to get back behind the wheel and not be a HAZARD to myself and those around me.

"Micro-Sleep" of even 15 seconds can be DEADLY.

I'm sure you told neither the cop, or your company that you "nodded out". Rear Enders in a CMV are a result of SPEED (too fast for conditions) or INATTENTION. We are PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS (not civilian kamikaze's) and as such are held to a MUCH HIGHER STANDARD (and rightfully so). In countries like Japan - you would have likely been CARTED OFF TO JAIL for that accident.

Since a rear-ender PREVENTABLE is considered a "major" by most carriers (and more importantly, by their INSURANCE COMPANIES) - you likely aren't getting hired until that one is older than 3 years (from the date of CONVICTION) so, Nov/Dec 2011 would be the earliest I would expect to no longer be "shut out" from employment.

Rick

[bigtruckman]

I have 3 backing incidents on my dac two have property damage ( i hit a truck on my passenger side little damage done) the other no damage done but my luck the driver was new and panicked called her dispatch who want to report it anyway. i didn't think anything about it until my this thing with swift driving school in tenn. happen now i have to retake written and road test, pass written but have to find a school or o/o to take road test. any ideas on what companies willing to pay for schooling with this on dac.

[cdreid]

accidents are MUCH more common than you think with newbies. The first six months is supposed to be the "line". When the economy turns around id bet any of the newbie companies would take you in a heartbeat.

Mario this is JUST my opinion. But your problem is going to be the logbook violation. Big companies are Terrified of that now. Find a small local company and you probably will do better. In fact they'll probably like seeing it.

As for the supertruckers posting their infallibility here. Microsleeps are common in truckers and pilots. You can go through them and never even realise it. It sounds like the sun knocked you out. I specifically dont drive between about 430am and 630 am for that reason. The sunrise does something to my clock and knocks me out. Its only a point and thats the biggy with the insurance companies (who really decide who gets hired). That logbook and tire thing though. Thats gonna hurt. Good luck man and cant hurt to try.

[geeshock]

stonefly;

I know that sounds funny to you, but its not, hope you got a good laugh. Thats how it went down, ok. Believe me, if I was trying to be funny, this would be the last place I'd be looking for a laugh. I'm being serious. Just want any and everyone's opinion, if they have one, great, if not oh well. mario724

lets put it this way, find something to keep you busy till everything is over 3 years old. I speak from expeirience, times are tight and the requirememnts have gone up. If you have only 2 tickets in 3 years and they are both over a yaer old you MIGHT posably try USA trucks.