Truck Driving Jobs

jefster · Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 38

been driving local last 3 years before that did flatbed for maverick for a year. I have been having a heck of a time getting back otr in a flatbed. I'm starting to wonder if maverick may have put something on my dac but dont really know why.

I got a call right after I got a load of sheet steel that my mom was put into the hospital and I needed to go home asap. Well turned out she had terminal bone cancer. I called my fleet manager and told him that I am just going to turn the truck in and stay near my mom until she either gets better or passes on.

He found another driver to swap with me and I took the truck to the Middletown, Oh terminal and rode the bus home.

So I have been driving local ever since and right now our work stinks and has been for the last 3-4 months.

So far I have been turned down by Maverick, Hunt Transportation flatbed, Builders Transport Co, and TMC.

Arrow and Swift flatbed have both accepted me but I dont think they even took a look at my app because it wasnt 10 minutes after I hit the send button that they were calling me trying to invite me to their orientation.

Yes I have used the search button and read all the good, bad, and ugly about them 2.

So what do you think the deal is, why am I being turned down?

dle · Joined: 03 Jan 2005 Posts: 706 Location: Texas

Have you asked the recruiters why you were turned down?

Have you gotten a copy of your DAC report to see what is on there?

stuart9277 · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Indianapolis

By getting turned down by TMC et all you are entitled to get a free copy of your DAC employment history ffrom DAC. This is part of the Federal Fair Credit Act. Good luck in getting anything reversed, but at least you:
A Will see what Maverick reported so you can address it on future apps.
B After seeing their report you can report a response to DAC on that.
Hope this helps you.

Uturn2001 · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

You could be getting turned down for no other reason than it has been 3 years since you were in a truck doing OTR.

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9128 Location: Tennessee

The only ones who can shed some light on why they would not hire you are the recruiters. As was previously stated, I would order a copy of my MVR and call those whom turned you down and ask them.

There are plenty of jobs still around for those with good work histories and mvr's. I have been getting a lot of calls from drivers with poor work histories and bad MVR's. Some of us are more particular than others about whom we will hire. I would rather a truck sit than put a careless or bad driver in one of them. The tightening economy makes that much easier, but will make it more difficult for marginal drivers to find suitable employment.

The problem you may be having is the long gap between your otr driving and local. You only had 1 year otr when you left to go local. There is a difference between an otr and local driver. You also didn't mention whether you have been with the same company for those 3 years. Having a lot of jobs in a short time frame can also limit your prospects. Many carriers are reluctant to hire those who have had more than 3-4 jobs in the last 2 years.

Only this week I had a driver call and tell me he had a good mvr. When I received his report there was a speeding ticket for 57/25 and an illegal passing ticket along with several suspensions. He stated that he didn't know anything about the speeding ticket. If I had received a ticket for more than 30 mph over the posted speed I think that I would remember it. His response told me that he was dishonest. He will find it difficult to find anyone who will hire him until these infractions drop off of his MVR. Frankly, this is the type of driver we don't need in this business.

jefster · Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 38

Yes I have been driving local for the same company for these 3 years.

I have one speeding ticket for 64 in a 55 that will be 3 years old in november.

I though Builders Transport Co, and TMC were training companies? Cant figure out why I would be turned down at them 2.

I know about getting a free copy of my dac, I bought one while I was at maverick, guess I need to get another.

Just got the call from Swift that they turned me down on their flatbed division but are more than happy to take me in their van division..no thanks I dont want to drive van.

The Swift recruiter said their reason for the turn down is no recent flatbed experience. Other recruiters would not tell me their reason.

I called Boyd Bros and they said they think they can work with me without the recent otr or flatbed experience.

If push comes to shove Arrow still stands by their offer but Im not so sure thats such a hot idea. Thanks

stuart9277 · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Indianapolis

I'd think that Arrow is a good option for you now. A year or so at Arrow and a slightly stronger flatbed freight demand at that time and you are in a very good position. If this was Howie Mandel... I'd say DEAL.

Uturn2001 · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:29 am Post subject:

Quote: I though Builders Transport Co, and TMC were training companies? Cant figure out why I would be turned down at them 2.

Some training companies do not like to hire drivers who have been off the road for a limited number of years. While the driver may not have what they call recent experience they are still "fresh" enough to not want to be "re-trained" and end up causing all sorts of headaches and whine and moan about going out on a truck for a few weeks with a trainer.

Pony Express · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Atlanta, GA

I too was in the same boat as you except I have a bunch more experience and was limited to 2 companies that would hire me, Arrow and Shelton. I went with Shelton. The fact of the matter is that if you want to go back to OTR, you're going to have to bite the bullet (like I did) and put in your time. I hate it for you, I hate it for me and everyone else that has to go through this again. It takes your pride away, but you have to swollow it. I've got 14 yrs OTR plus another 6 yrs local plus 2 yrs self employed (not driving) and the majority of the companies told me I would have to go back to school for a refresher. ( I've probably got more miles driving backwards then some drivers do going straight) But them's the breaks my friend. It all boils down to how bad you really want it and you go from there.
I wish you luck in whatever you chose.

jefster · Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 38

Well for now Im keeping my fingers crossed on Boyd Bros, I have never heard of Shelton.

Hey U Turn if you read this are you in the Champaigne/Urbana, Danville area?

I Live in Springfield but deliver in Danville every night.

ollie · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 9

Former Drivers can request a copy of their DAC from Maverick at this link:

https://dol.usis-csd.com/Maverick/LoginForm.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fMaverick%2fmain.aspx

You will be required to fax a copy of your Driver's License and Social Security card to them, but the turn-around on authorization is same-day, and you can view it on-line.

Good luck in your job search.

jefster · Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 38

Very interesting blog Ollie, sounds like they had you in the wringer over there in specialized. Maybe I got lucky, I dont know but my experience with the regular flatbed was uneventful. Thanks for wishing me luck.

Karnajj · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 1075 Location: Cincinnati

Uturn2001 wrote: You could be getting turned down for no other reason than it has been 3 years since you were in a truck doing OTR.

I can virtually guarantee you this is the reason. Local experience counts for zilch in the eyes of most otr companies. It's almost like you never had a cdl in the first place.

Jumbo · Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 600 Location: Northern Wisconsin

Karnajj wrote: Uturn2001 wrote: You could be getting turned down for no other reason than it has been 3 years since you were in a truck doing OTR.

I can virtually guarantee you this is the reason. Local experience counts for zilch in the eyes of most otr companies. It's almost like you never had a cdl in the first place.

I have to disagree with you. I had no otr experience in the last ten years, I drove locally and I had no problem getting on with a flatbed carrier. A good flatbed carrier that has a very low safe stat rating. We are told to log legal and take every precaution to make sure the load gets there in one piece. You just have to look around.

Karnajj · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 1075 Location: Cincinnati

Jumbo wrote: Karnajj wrote: Uturn2001 wrote: You could be getting turned down for no other reason than it has been 3 years since you were in a truck doing OTR.

I can virtually guarantee you this is the reason. Local experience counts for zilch in the eyes of most otr companies. It's almost like you never had a cdl in the first place.

I have to disagree with you. I had no otr experience in the last ten years, I drove locally and I had no problem getting on with a flatbed carrier. A good flatbed carrier that has a very low safe stat rating. We are told to log legal and take every precaution to make sure the load gets there in one piece. You just have to look around.

Anecdotal evidence at best. Certainly not the rule. As far as safe stat records are concerned, they give you absolutely no
indication of whether a company is good to work for.

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