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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.