Didnt pass probation
 

Well, i was working for an LTL company and they decided "i was not a good fit for the company" it was a union shop so i was on the docks working 16 hours a week. that alone was gonna make me quit anyway but yhey beat me to it. they wouldnt tell me any specifics as to why and i never got into any trouble or did anything wrong that i could see.

Problem is, its tough to find a local job now. with this slow economy, it seems no one is hiring. ive decided my only choice is to go OTR.

Sooooo, my Question is. What should i tell my future jobs about my LTL job. the manager agreed not to tell anyone that i was fired.
I am thinking it may look suspicious that i just quit a job before looking for a new one.

I need your help and suggestions my fellow drivers.

P.S. this was my first trucking job, i just got my CDL in August 07.

i worked for the LTL company for only 10 weeks

Re: Didnt pass probation
 

I would try something along the lines that the LTL company was only giving me around 16 hours per week and that you needed to find a full time job with benefits to support yourself and your family if you have one.

Also, if you are planning on working for a company that pulls dry vans, I would mention about all of the grueling dock work that you did at the LTL company as another reason why you left there. If you are planning on getting into flatbedding, I would not complain about the dock work.

Tell them you weren't getting the hours needed to pay the bills and quit. Personally, I would say you got laid off. With the economy anf freight moving slow right now I don't think anyone would even question it.

That's exactly what you should say...

Re: Didnt pass probation
 

Well, as I read this post, it sounds like this company never put you in a truck. You got screwed.

I would check out what the local fuel haulers are doing.....some might even take you to train for a little while. You will need a tanker and hazmat endorsement.

Good luck.

Get a letter of recomendation from your last employer, He might have let you go for finacial reasons.. That letter could mean alot, it vouches for your carachter and work ethic.. Maybe someone will put in the time to train you!

Thats what im gonna say. my now former boss said that they are very limited to what they say when called for reference checks.
he told me they dont really say anymore than i worked there for the time i did.

as far as tankers go, i did try a couple of tanker places but everyone seems to want experience. at least a year or so.

today i have an interview with a local beverage delivery company.
hard work, i know. but the pay is decent and im not afraid of a little hard work.

thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I've heard that Saladinos in West Sac is hiring but I don't know any specifics.

My company hired a guy last week, the jobs are out there but you have to look hard for them. When I was looking I had a motto, "If you see a truck, put in an application"

I applied at saladinos. for some reason, based on my application, i didnt meet the criteria. lack of experience i guess.
i got on with an employment agency that says i meet the qualification for a local beverage company they hire for. looks like i may have a shot.
wish me luck.

if that doesnt work out, my father in law can get me on at his company hauling flatbed OTR. its a small family company. i like the idea of working for a small (but not too small) outfit. and they train recent grads too.

i found out some of these larger companies found here on CAD have these rules that wont allow me to work for them because i graduated more than 60 days ago from school and have not been driving at the LTL company, only dock work. so im screwed at Watkins Shepard and Con-way truck load. those are the 2 companies i was looking into for OTR

Re: Didnt pass probation
 

WOW.. our situations are almost IDENTICAL... I got my Class A in September of last year.... was going to start with swift(last resort)... but at the last minute got hired on by a local foodservice company in October.... then they "terminated me without reason given" 2 days before I was to pass probation.....all my numbers were good... no problems with customers or co-workers/supervisors..... I have no idea why I was let go......anyway....I am also finding it VERY difficult finding local work with so little experience(3 months)...even the dirt/gravel companies are requiring experience or not hiring due to the slow economy..... let me know how you make out with finding something local....I am giving myself 2 weeks to find something or else I will HAVE to go OTR to continue paying my bills...... craig.... ([email protected])