Is there life after termination?
 

I am a very new driver. I completed training with Werner in December and got a job in January. I worked for six weeks before getting pneumonia. I took time off to get well, then found out my CDL had been disqualified, due to some information I forgot to turn into the state. I have that all taken care of and my CDL is up to date again.

However, the reason I'm writing is because I was terminated by Werner. I had a couple of minor backing accidents on Werner property or it's customer's property (I backed into a fence). The other accidents involved running into a mattress on a highway, and my trainer told me to do this because the SUV it fell off of was over on the side of the road, and I couldn't go left because of the traffic, the other was getting stuck in snow while trying to back up.

No one was killed or injured during these incidents. The trailer I backed into was slightly scratched. When I ran over the mattress, there wasn't any damage to the truck. When I got stuck in the snow, I had to be towed out, and the fence was slightly dented, but still upright. The support post for the barbed wire separated from the regular fence post.

Werner terminated me because of these accidents. I am wondering if there is any hope for me to get a job as a driver. I nearly bankrupted myself to change careers and go to trucking school and get a CDL. I am worried sick that all this may be for nothing.

I have no other convictions. As I said, in these accidents, the only one that happened out on the road was the mattress incident and getting stuck in the snow, but that was a quiet street and I was not blocking traffic. The backing happened on either Werner property or its customer's property. For the last 14 years, I've not had an accident in my passenger car, I have no DUI's, no misdemeanors, no felonies, I don't do drugs and never had any convictions and I've never been in jail.

So should I keep trying to get a driving job? Like I said before, I'm worried that I've basically worked so hard for nothing and I should look for different work. Unfortunately, the only jobs here in town are crap jobs, which is why I wanted my CDL in the first place.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

Re: Is there life after termination?
 

You know that is a shame. One thing I really think is that some drivers get under pressure and try to rush backing up, which is one of the most challenging manuvers for newbies. As a new driver I think I would rather take an hour backing up than risk hitting a fence.

I don't really get why you took a hit on the mattress thing, did DOT come? Or did your trainer rat you out?

In any case, I would get a copy of your DAC and DMV records and see exactly what is says. I think your choices may be limited, but the career is ok for now. Good luck!

The first part of your post has me concerned more than anything else---

you had your CDL -- suspended? revoked? disqualifed? because WHY? a omission of information?

I'd almost bet money that this is why Warner actually fired you-- if you omitted or lied on your application or had your CDL- disqualified--

as for running over anything that falls off another vehicle-- your trainer was an idiot---- why do you have that reported as an accident-- if-- there was not a single bit of damage to YOUR vehicle---- if anything why didn't you stop and get all the information on the OFFENDER-- inspect for damage and make a decision then as to where to go from there.

Getting stuck in snow-- isn't a accident either-- as long as there was no damage to equipment-- that is more like breakdown-- road service-- at the very most-- they are pissed you cost them MONEY-- or were insuffently competent enough to get out of that mess without costing them money.

the others are non-dot reportable property damage? all happened off the public roadway?

perhaps it the combination of all this-- that they deem you an accident waiting to happen.

Without knowing the actual particulars as to why your CDL "had been disqualifed" I couldn't say for sure if your totally S.O.L.-- but the other stuff is all minor enough-- it's just the SUM TOTAL which is troubling.

I would think that most companies would want you to definately go back with a trainer for more time......

Well...if you really want to drive the big rigs, you'll keep pursuing a driving career.

You may have to take a deep breath and accept a less-than-ideal OTR driving position initially, but stick with it for a year and the possibilities will open up.

Oh yeah...keep a sharp eye out for highway mattresses! :shock: :)

All the best!

I would look into USA truck and Trans AM. thouse are my guesses

Hi Everyone.

Thanks so much for responding.

Okay. For starters, the reason my CDL was disqualified in March was because I forgot to send a survey to the state of Indiana. Apparently once a year, I have to have my doctor fill out a survey saying that my CPAP machine (used because I have sleep apnea) is working and that I'm getting enough rest. With finishing up my training last year right before the holidays, I completely forgot that I needed to get that form filled out and turned in. I don't think the state sent me a form, either, so I had to contact them and they sent me the form, I had the doctor fill it out and fax it back, and my CDL was reinstated. I just basically forgot I had to have my doctor fill out the form. I took care of the issue and my CDL was reinstated.

As for running over the mattress, I said before, I couldn't pull off to the right or else I'd hit the SUV, which had already pulled off. Going to the left wouldn't work either, because of the traffic. My trainer was a wonderful woman, but pretty much went by the book on everything. Because Werner wouldn't hardwire an inverter without a prescription from my doctor, I had to spend the last four weeks of training not using my CPAP. There simply wasn't an inverter strong enough so I could use my machine. My first trainer had an illegal inverter, so I could use my machine, but my second trainer wasn't going to do that. I couldn't afford to get a CPAP machine that plugged into the truck, plus, I couldn't sit around at home to wait for it, even if I'd had the money. Anyway, she reported it as an accident; she had me take pictures and fill out an accident form and everything. Law enforcement showed up to talk to the SUV driver and us, but we didn't get a ticket, and our truck wasn't damaged. I am not positive that I "took a hit" on the mattress thing, but I'm guessing that it's on my record, since my trainer insisted on reporting it.

I agree getting stuck in snow doesn't seem like an accident. I took a wrong turn, but thought I could back up enough, make another left turn, and get back where I needed to be. If it hadn't been for the snow, I would have been able to do it. But I got stuck and called breakdown. Again, the truck wasn't damaged and there wasn't any property damage either. This happened on a residential street very late at night/early morning, and I wasn't blocking anyone, nor was I blocking an intersection.

The fence is probably the only non-DOT property damage, that and the mattress. The trailer I bumped the other day would be the only DOT prop damage, and as I said, it was scratched.

And the night I backed into the fence, I was extremely sick with what was diagnosed as pneumonia a little more than 24 hours later. I'd been working off and on, because I was new and didn't want to take a lot of sick time. I'm thinking I never should have gone into work that night, and considering that sleeping the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday and not getting any better would have given me a clue.

Thanks again, everyone for responding and your suggestions. I sincerely hope someone will give me another chance, as I've nearly bankrupted myself getting schooling and extra tutoring to get my CDL. I did this to have a more interesting job and better pay. Now, I feel like i'm back to square one.

There is no solid answer for this question...You've had a few rough situations, but everybody does. Someone should give you another shot. And make sure YOU get a copy of your MVR so you arent RATTING YOURSELF out on things that dont even show up on your report.
Good luck. Keep us posted.

And when you do find something.....Take your time & get out and look!!

Just keep putting in applications.

Ironically enough, I DID get out and look on this last backing try...four times. Maybe I should have walked around the entire truck. Having someone stand there and rate my performance didn't help my nerves any, either. :cry:

Well first of all I'm sorry to hear you're going through a rought time. Second of all: YOU say your trainer was OK, I say she wasn't! Why on earth did she fill out an accident report if there was no damage?? I get you couldn't go either way on the interstate, so you run over the mattress. If there would've been damage she would have had to go to the people who had the mattress on their SUV and get police involved, so YOU are protected.

Now to the CPAP machine - if you need one according to your medical status and Werner knew about it, they would've had to make sure you can actually use it. You can't get good sleep without being on it and are therefore a danger on the road (according to DOT regs). I can understand you forgot to have the form signed; that'd be something that could happen to anyone.

Being stuck in the snow stinks; was there no one who could've pulled you out without calling breakdown? I know it already happened and you can't turn the situation around, but for future reference always try and have someone else (another trucker) help you if possible so the company won't know anything about it.
I don't know the exact situation you were in so I'm just saying what I'm thinking right now.

I think you just need to try and get a job elsewhere - just fill out applications, call recruiters and explain what happened, but be 100% honest on the applications or you are done. Even ask recruiters if any of these things will disqualify you from being able to drive for them.

Don't hurry backing in the future; it took me months before I could decently back up and it's not about speed! Don't let Billy Big Rigger fluster you; take your time and make sure you're good to go. Besides, I'm very good at backing now, but still have days it won't go so well as will happen to drivers who have 30 years experience.

BOL to ya! I hope you find a better company to drive for soon!!

Hey There CrazyTulip!!

Thanks for writing!

Well, I'm not sure exactly why my trainer filled out the accident report. When I hit the mattress, it stayed in the lane and hooked on to part of the underside of the truck (I think it was the landing gear) but as for actual damage, there wasn't any, or else my trainer would have reported that as well. I guess the fact that I HIT something was enough to file an accident report. The SUV driver did call law enforcement, and we did talk to the cops, but we didn't get a ticket or anything. It was basically like, "the people loading the mattress onto the SUV were at fault" so that was that.

And as for the CPAP machine, it was weird, because in January, I produced a prescription saying I needed one. Only then would Werner hard wire an inverter powerful enough so I could use my machine. THEN, they put me on an account where I was out and back every night, so I didn't even need the inverter.

Then, when I called the terminal and told them I needed another truck assigned to me with an inverter hard wired, the safety guy got very upset and said that was against Werner policy. When I explained that I had one installed in January, he was even more upset and put me on hold. He said in order to use a CPAP machine, it would have to be one that plugged directly into a cigarette lighter. I could get one eventually, but since I'm practically broke right now, it's not in the budget.

I'll keep applying for jobs. I'm disturbed though, by the fact that I filled out seven applications day before yesterday and only got a couple responses. Usually I'd have seven emails by now. I guess nothing is preventing me from calling them, which is probably what I should do. There's only so much room to explain yourself on an online application, which is why I'd rather talk to someone and fill out a paper application instead of going online.

Thanks again for writing!

After you put an online app in give them a couple of days and then call them. Some co dont look at them right away so i would a make sure they got the app . Request a copy of your dac report . takes a couple of weeks to get it .

Not trying to down you, but welcome to the club.
I only had one, reportable roll-over, and that has pretty much gotten me into the bad-graces of other companies.
So far, half of everyone tells me to keep plugging away and something will give.
The other half tell me that it's over and I should be an engineer or some other "people-person" occupation.
Right now, it's security as a fall-back position.
Moneys not that good, but it gets the bills taken care of.
Not to mention I don't have to deal with too many, other people, aside from truckers dropping, or picking up trailers.
I get along fine with these guys and most of them hope to see me back in the seat again.
If anything, just keep thinking about why you like driving, and how its high-points stack up against other career-options.

New drivers are not the problem its the trainers. To many trainers look at training a second log book to make more money. I just had a freind go to cr england and her trainer and her ran as a team right from the start. it was a fleece operator . :roll:

I told my husband about your situation and he said Crete used to put inverters in trucks for drivers who needed a CPAP if they had it on paper by their physician. Did you try them? I don't know if they still do but if I were you, I'd make a list of exactly what you described above, but make it a clear story so they won't have to ask too many questions - be honest though. After everything is explained to them, ask them if it is a problem for them or if you can put in an application. After that, if they tell you No, at least you won't have to waste all that extra energy in filling out all these applications and then have them toss it aside. So if I were you, I'd call whoever I was interested in, if they say yes we can probably work with it, then fill out app. BOL!!

Get a copy of your DAC and see what is on there - just to make sure you know what you are dealing with.

Thanks again for the responses, everyone.

I heard about the DAC--I was told almost two years ago that you couldn't see your DAC--that the companies could, but you couldn't.

I guess I will go ahead and get it--also my MVR. My current plan now, since I almost literally have no money, is to get a temp job ASAP (I've applied to probably 12 or more jobs/temp agencies since I was fired Tuesday, and then keep looking for a trucking job.

I was looking at trucking as a means to an end, basically a job that would pay decently so I could make some headway on bills, to get out of debt. Ironically, I've nearly bankrupted myself getting the training and re-taking the CDL skills/road test in order to pass. Maybe that should have been a red flag right there. The only thing that came easy to me was the classroom part, where I got 93 percent at both trucking schools.

Anyway, thanks again for your comments and support--I've applied to probably eight trucking jobs/companies, and Monday I guess I'll start calling to see what they have to say.

Good things come to those that feverishly stab at it and stay on point.
We'll all eventually get back on the road if we really want to.

I would have to agree that your trainer was not great if she didn't call that mattress killing a nonpreventable and support you on that with the safety department. Running over what you can see and know you are going to hit is better that hitting another vehicle to either side. It shows presence of mind that you didn't swerve and create a bigger accident. That shouldn't count against you but you do need to get a copy of your DAC to see how that is reported. Since your application has been denied somewhere you are entitled to a copy.

Getting stuck in the snow is a preventable incident. So is backing into anything. That makes three preventable incidents if I have read this correctly and there are several companies that I have heard of that will terminate you for three preventable incidents in a certain period of time. I guess this is why most people don't report scratches or minor damage as long as nobody sees them. I am not advocating that, just commenting.

Do not give up hope. Somebody will give you a job. It may not be the job that you wanted, but it will be a job. You may also need to brush up on your interview skills as somebody who acts willing to learn and work hard may get a better chance at a job that someone who is arrogant and blames others for their mistakes. It is all in the phrasing when you talk about your accidents. If they are not on your dac I would not bring them up at all because everyone will damage equipment slightly during the course of the job. The important thing is that you have learned from your mistakes, and some people do not learn until they have made the mistake. I have made many mistakes that could have turned into a real problem but I was lucky and they were only near misses that gave me a valuable learning experience. The minute that you get confident in this job you will make a mistake that will humble you, no question about it. Good luck.

Crete/Shaffer does put big inverters on trucks where the driver uses a CPAP machine. At least one of my trainers had one.

BOL to the OP. I wish I still had the link, but there's a thread somewhere in the new drivers area that has a link to where you can get a copy of your DAC.

DAC Report Site
 

Here is the DAC site. There are 2 .pdf files listed on the page. One is a request of your DAC and the other PDF is a Dispute form. Fill out the request for and get it in the mail ASAP. I belive you can request you'r DAC once a year for your viewing, for free! Don't hold me to it ! :lol:

Also this process takes a few weeks the arive :roll:

http://www.usis.com/Consumers/default.aspx

Good luck!! Its Not Over Yet!!

You got told wrong.

When you request it, don't expect it to show up real quick.

Hey Everyone,

I downloaded the DAC request form. I need to print it out and send it. Hopefully I won't have problems with that; as I downloaded it on a PC and it will print out via a Mac. I haven't had problems before, so hopefully it will be okay.

Turns out I HAVEN'T applied with eight trucking companies as I previously thought. The application on Class A Drivers.com wasn't exactly an application, based on the info I provided, I got an email with six companies listed. I talked to one of the companies and they said to visit the companies' websites and apply there. I am going to apply to 30 trucking jobs--local as well as OTR and see what happens. If nothing comes of it, I'll just get a non-driving job (or jobs, as the case may be) and wait a few years, then try and get back in it. I've got some credit problems as well, so I'll have to decide on what to do about that; I was hoping trucking would pay enough to take care of that. If I can't find a trucking job, then I'm SOL for the bills. I feel bad I staked almost everything on being a trucker, and I may not be able to drive.

OK, I think I need to come over and give you a *cyber-kick under your butt*! :lol: Not because I don't like you, I do (since I keep trying to help you out lol) but stop feeling like a victim! It really is not getting you anywhere! Yes bad shit happened and your credit sucks but I think most of us have been there or might still be there!
We, my husband and I, drove team for almost 2 years (!) before we started to make money. We've had weeks on end we were just getting even, having to take out advances to be able to eat and THAT'S a vicious circle to get into. We bought an inverter, fridge, microwave and George Foremann grill and hardly ever eat in truck stops. We stop at Wal-Mart once a week and stock up on food to keep our costs WAY down. Do you know how much you spend in those damn truck stops? It's ridiculous.
Basically to start you might have to live without a lot of stuff you really want but don't need to keep going. Yeah it sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do.
You might find a driving job or you might not; I really don't know - I hope for your sake you will. But even then: you're a solo driver and I hear soooo many solo drivers saying they don't get enough miles and so small pay checks. Even if you were to get another driving job doesn't mean you'll make good money. I would like for everyone to do good in their job and make great money but it's not the reality. So yeah, you spent a lot of money to get a CDL and it's not working out the way you thought it would and it does stink! But seriously, if you get stuck on thinking how bad it all is and how you never get a good job, you won't get one. I've been there and when I was at an all-time low, nothing would work out the way I wanted. Until I kicked myself under the butt and just thought: the hell with it I can do this, is when I got the job I wanted.
I wish you the best, again, and hope it works out for you!!

I sent away for my DAC. We'll see what happens.

I got a job interview on Monday, and yes, it’s for a driving job. It’s for a company I applied to a few months ago. I don’t know if it’s for the same job, or if they are just expanding and need more drivers.

For anyone reading this who was simply 'fired' for cause, I found nothing difficult about finding a new company to drive.

Let go on Wednesday.
Took off Thur and Fri to relax!
Started looking Monday.
Hired Tuesday.
First load was Saturday after orientation.

Another thing that's hurting me is lack of experience. It's a one-two punch, and it worries the heck out of me.