still can't get on with a decent company

[rickc1970]

Well I have applied with numorous compnaies and still can't get hired on. I have some incidents (fairly minor) that are holding me back. So my question is should I just give up on getting another driving job? I do have a driving job now and have not had any incidents since I was fired from Crete. It's just the job I have is hauling chips locally and it doesn't pay a whole lot. The benefits where I work are expensive and we have a baby coming next month so I was hoping to get a better job.

On the plus side. I have never had an accident on the highway and have avoided several accidents by good driving habits. I have no traffic tickets. I have always delivered on time except when circumstances beyond my control popped up such as weather or a breakdown however I was able to be rescheduled and made it there on time. I'm good with the customers, I have pretty thick skin so I can handle the customers that aren't that desirable without losing business for the company.

The other thing is that I do understand that the company I drive for has to make a profit. As a driver it is in my interest as well as my employer's that they turn a profit. It is my responibility to be productive. I just want to find a company that will hire me and be honest with me. I'm tired of people blowing smoke.

Well if you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate them. Also I would prefer to stay away from flatbed. Tried it a few years ago and didn't muck care for it. Thanks

[Crete_drvr]

I have some incidents (fairly minor) that are holding me back.

Can you be more specific?

I do have a driving job now and have not had any incidents since I was fired from Crete.

Why'd you get canned from Crete?

we have a baby coming next month so I was hoping to get a better job.

You wont get to watch your youngster grow up if you're on the road and it's painful, I speak from experience, are you prepared for that?

I'm good with the customers, I have pretty thick skin so I can handle the customers that aren't that desirable without losing business for the company.

Someone without that wont last long in this industry, so that's good.

[mmjohn]

where abouts do you live. If you live in the Indianapolis area try M&M Transport. runs are out and back, good money, good benefits.
check them out at www.mmtransport.com

[Rawlco]

When you switch jobs you probably will be without health benefits for 30 to 60 days. With a new baby on the way I doubt that you want to be without health insurance that long.

[fireman932003]

I know that you said they pay is low but beggars can not be choosers. I would just stay where you are at and give it some time. After a while you will prove yourself and show that you are a better driver then maybe a company will hire you on. Just keep your nose clean! BOL

[Sizzle]

I would stay where you are until after the baby is born. You definitely won't have benefits for 60-90 days with a new company. Can't imagine paying for the birth of a baby without benefits?!? That must cost a fortune!!!

I have been looking for the perfect job for 3 months. Quit my job thinking I had two great offers. Well-recruiters with tell you anything. There is no such thing as a perfect job. Fortunately, I have savings-unlike most drivers I know. But I'm tired of draining my savings. I can go back to being an Accountant-fortunately I have two degrees. However, I love trucking so am trying to stay in trucking.

I almost went with a company that I had negotiated with for three weeks. I asked the right questions and found out that I'd have to move hot water heaters. Don't think so.... I have driven for 28 months and won't take any piece of junk.

I can tell you from looking around for these three months. It's just a matter of what you'll put up with. All the large companies are so similar that you have to remind yourself which company you're talking to at that particular moment.

Although, you were fired from Crete-can't you find someone who will give you a good recommendation there-that you know. I guess it matters what you got fired for.

I can't imagine without having a moving accident on the highway that no one will hire you. I had a major accident and 1 incident and have been hired by every company that I've applied to. Perhaps it makes a difference since I didn't get fired. I don't know. But with only incidents I can't imagine what the issue is...

If you live near a port, check out some of the local container outifts (AKA: intermodal). Those guys will hire just about anybody. And I mean ANYBODY.... immigrants, felons, bad MVR's, meth addicts, Democrats LOL...basically the Who's Who of asorted low-lifes in this biz. The pay sucks and every other load will be overweight, overspeed, overhours...etc. Plus them old rat-trap tin cans will leave a trail of parts behind you on the interstate. But you can work local and get home at least everyother day with weekends off to boot. And if you keep your nose clean (literally), you can move up to bigger and better things down the road.

[rickc1970]

Well I was fired for too many preventable incidents. One incident was listed as two separate. Another was for getting stuck in the mud at a shipper which damaged the front bumper when the truck sank in the mud. The mud looked like solid dry ground. The other two were minor and my fault. That is what happens when you are honest. Had I lied and said they happened at a truck stop while I was sleeping I would still have my job.

I have over three years experience and have probably gotten my money back from what I paid the trucking school so perhaps it is time to get out of this business. Companies do not seem interested in forgiveness when a driver makes a mistake. They do not understand that sometimes personal problems come up in our lives that may affect us on the road. I could understand it if I had rolled the truck, rearended someone, reckless driving, etc. but that is not the case. My incidents are all pretty minor, the last one was a matter of 1/4".

I guess a company would rather hire a new driver with no experience than someone who has experience in driving in extreme conditions. When I started out my first winter was spent driving in the mountains out west with no incidents.

Also when I am assigned a load I will do everything to get it there on time safely. I don't hang out playing the cherry machines or goofing off.

Crete did say that I would be eligible for rehire after a year or two upon review. However in the meantime I am having a difficult time finding a decent job in the trucking industry. What I have now is pretty bad..I am looking for a factory job as it would probably pay better.

as far as the benefits go if you are currently insured and you change jobs you usually can get insured immediately. I know because I received my medical benefits immediately upon hire with the company I am with now. Their policy is for a 60 day wait unless you had coverage at your last job.

Anyhow looks like I will give up trucking. I can't really see the good side to this industry anymore.

[fireman932003]

Well, look at it this way. Lets say you lent someone your car. They come back a week later and there is a small ding in it. That one ding can be explained and insurance may take care of it. Now, lets say that each week that same driver keeps coming back in YOUR car and has new dings in it. They are all very minor in part but as a whole they add up. Would you continue to let that driver drive your car?? I don't think so. Also, Insurance would not carry you if it kept up. All these "Minor" incidents add up. The company is paying for the repairs not you. Lets look at this from another angle. Why do you keep having these incidents?? I am not trying to make myself or anyone else look better then you so don't take this that way, but in 9 yrs of driving, I have only had 1 incident. That was a minor one and I was not at fault. I was in a truck stop and while I was in there someone backed into my truck and broke my mirror. Now if you only had one or two, that would not be as bad but several, well then it must be something that you are doing. I am not trying to bad mouth you or anything so don't take it that way. You just may need to look at yourself and try to figure out what YOU may be doing wrong and fix it. Don't give up!

[doboy]

not sure when your wife's due date is but the company i work for (conway truckload) insurance start the 1st day of the following month. if you start working anytime this month, your insurance will start dec 01. they believe in safety and will not ask you to run unsafe in any circumstances.

[BADLIONSFAN]

as far as the benefits go if you are currently insured and you change jobs you usually can get insured immediately. I know because I received my medical benefits immediately upon hire with the company I am with now. Their policy is for a 60 day wait unless you had coverage at your last job.

First time i've ever heard of this policy. i'd say this is the exception, not the rule.