Hello and thanks for reading/ consideration and your help.
I graduated 11/04/11 from fox valley tech college truck driving school, a 10 week/ 43 hr a week program. I had streight A's. Drove 6speeds, 8speeds, 9speeds, 10speeds, super 10's and 13 speeds. had van, flatbed, loaded, doubles and tanker training.
prior I was and still am a self employed tattoo artist for 20+ years now prof.
With the down turn in the economy I lost all my properties, ended up homeless living with my wifes parents, after bankruptcy we opened another shop to get buy, but as expected the economy kept getting worse.
She went to school for criminal justice and I went to be a truck driver. I passed my course and graduated on top.
I am 42 years old now.My problem is this, at 16 years old 1986 I got my first felony, party to a crime of armed robbery, long story short, I gave a couple older guys a ride to a gas station for some beer, and one of them ran out with the cash register, I had another felony in 1996 for throwing a brick through a gas station window, atempted buglary they called it. On top of that I have 5 dui's. My last one was in 2003, sitting on the tailgate of my truck drinking a beer believe it or not.
Needless to say I am really ashamed of this and dont need anyone else beating me up over my past.
As you can imagine Ive been turned down by every company I applied at and I understand their reason, being my past. I know it's going to be hard getting into this business and few care to hear about my life, my past is my past and I am a different person, yet getting into this industry with my past is proving near impossible.
At this point Im thinking the best way is to look into becoming a owner operator which is my plan for the future, however I am still a rookie/grad.
I think Im looking for a owner operator to give me a chance, to teach me what I need to know to become a owner operator, show me the ropes so to speak.
Im willing to take anything at this point, I don't need to have off time or time home, Im willing to prove myself and pay my dues. Whatever it takes.
If I had the cash Id buy myself a truck and try getting into this from that angle.
I had a 3.87 in business and understand professionalism. Im by no means lazy or a criminal type person, yes I made my share of mistakes and I've paid dearly for them, still am, I except that, yet realize I need help really bad to get into this industry.
I've never had a accident, have my fed med card, skid pad training, know the laws and what I need to do to run legal, its why I went to what I was told was the best truck driving school in the country. Fox Valley Tech. College in Appleton Wi.
I knew going into this I was going to have problems, just never thought I would have literally every place tell me no.
All tell me that I am looking for a small ma/pop place or an owner operator to help me out. I need a chance somewhere, I need that 2-3 year experience all ask for. Im hoping someone on here that reads this understands where Im coming from and is willing to give me a shot. I WILL NOT let that person down, and will be forever greatful. I understand mosts hesitations, yet get irritated at all the ones that say Im not worth your time.
Yeah Ive made mistakes, yet Im not a person that can't be trusted, Im not a child molestor or murder is the way I view it I guess and at the same time am angry with myself for the mistakes I did make in my life, believe me, I have to live with me. At the same time I know I will be great at this if given the chance.
So in short, I need help please, if anyone knows anyone that could use a guy like me give them my email. It's [email protected]
OR if anyone out there knows of another way I can get my foot in the door in this business let me know, what ever it takes is the way I see it. I know all have to start at the bottom in this industry, I just have to start alittle lower I guess. If need be I would buy my own truck if I somehow could, I do have collateral , Id put up my harley and all I own up to get into this business. Any help you's could offer would be appreciated.
Thank you for your concern, comments and reading.
Sincerely
Brian Flatoff
Hortonville Wi.
[email protected]