Is my career over already?
#11
12-20-2008, 09:32 PM
So...I started my journey 10/06 graduating a cdl training program. I was hired right out of school by a smallish company doing NE regional work. I worked there until 4/08 when I had to leave for medical reasons. During the time I was there I incurred 2 -5mph over posted speed tickets and two non-preventable accidents.
The two tickets are problematic in that there is the possibility that the LEO downgraded the offenses..... most LEO's would rather wait for bigger fish to come along than bust someone for going 5 MPH over the limit. The two non-preventables, combined with the two tickets, are serious red flags to any safety dept. or insurer. You did not mentioned the medical conditions that sidelined you..... that could also be a factor holding you back. A month later I took a job as a tri-axle dump truck driver. I was recently layed off due to it being mostly seasonal work. I incurred another accident there as well. Mechanical failure(brake proportioning valve malfunction). I've applied online at over 80 different companies in the last two weeks since I've been laid off. All have either turned down my application or offered me a 48 state position. No way in hell I'm running OTR with a family. Would you rather be gone from home, supporting a family, or home, unable to properly support them?? The OTR life style is a difficult one, but not being able to support your family is even less appealing. Given the time that you have been in the dump truck, your experience is no longer recent, so that may well mean having to recirculate through a company's training/finishing program; given your record, it would be to your advantage to go theough it anyway; it lasts a few weeks, but it would help you lay a more solid foundation. Not meaning to rag on you here, 12en, but as G-Man stated, you are really in no position to be pickey; the days when all an applicant needed was a CDL, a pulse, and the ability to pass a drug test, are over now and will be for the forseeable future. Better start thinking about paying your dues, getting back in the cab, and bringing in an income that will support your family. I'm starting to think I should start applying for yard jockey and forklift jobs at this point =[ Yard doggin' or forklifting may be decent work if you can find it, but there is no shoratge of experienced applicants, with records that are far better than yours, lined up waiting for those jobs. Down my way here in Texas, experienced yard dogs and forklift operators are a dime a dozen. When lay-off notices are issued, they are often the first to go. The economy up in the NE is far worse than it is down my way. I'm currently in Oklahoma, I have not been home in over a month, and it 'slooking more and more like I'm going to be stuck out here on Chistmas Day!!.......hoping to make it home for New Year, but even for me, there are no guaranteed right now. No point in complaining to the boss about it, since I am the boss!! (My wife and daughter, as well as her two puppies, are back in Texas, so right now, here in Oklahoma, then By God, what I say goes!!)  I know how difficult it is being gone for weeks at a time with a family at home. I've been in your shoes, and my time as a driver was somewhat "recreational"..... I wasn't doing it for the money. Still, I paid my dues and I saluted, said "Yes, Sir!! (or, Yes, Ma'am"), and I rolled the freight without complaining. As the economy worsens, those who have the best chances of surviving will be the ones who "cowboy up", get the job done, get it done properly, and get it done without complaining. "Sealord" hit the nail on the head; get the phone lines burning!! I'm getting more and more resumes, phone calls, and walk-ins from good, experienced people, looking for any kind of work they can find. As much a I would love to help them, I'm currently fighting to keep from having to lay off my own people, and because we carry no debt, we are in a far better position than many other companies in the real estate and oil/gas industries. If one of the coolie carriers will take you, then I'd suggest that you jump on it as quickly as possible. There is no guarantee that those offers will be there three months from now!! BOL2U Last edited by Useless; 12-20-2008 at 10:24 PM. 
#12
12-21-2008, 12:11 AM
God lord...couldn't Big D find something better than Rosie O for an avatar??? Hideous...simply hideous!!
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#13
12-21-2008, 01:03 AM
there's no shrinking that mouth!  
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#14
12-21-2008, 01:12 AM
With an Avitar like that, you shoudl have SOME type of caption. "Danger: Oversized Load" "The Petro Lunch Buffet.....Look what it did for me!!!" "I went Head-0n with a KW..... Guess who won?? Last edited by Useless; 12-21-2008 at 01:21 AM.
#19
12-21-2008, 05:00 PM
I believe I would have a bit more self-respect than to do that. :lol:
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