Profile For Donald Y.

I finally was ready to get off of disability, my doctors cleared me for work. So I thought I would try getting on with Maverick USA. Called the recruiter and was going through all the questions. We talked about me being a convicted felon and having one DUI which all was well over 10 years ago and he told me it was nothing to worry about. But when I finally told him that I was coming off of disability He stated we cannot hire someone that's been disabled. This totally threw me off because right after that he hung up. I did send an email trying to find out more to no avail. I called corporate offices and still no response. Is this a normal practice for trucking companies? I have been medically cleared. Do they realize that they can qualify for a tax break? Why would they discriminate against disabled or someone that was on disability?

Just don't get discouraged or feel sorry for yourself. You are right keep looking someone will hire you. You just have to keep your chin up no matter what. Going crazy because you can't get on, yea I do understand that very well. Don't know how I have kept my sanity. But I have to keep my chin up. You do the same it may take time but you will succeed as long as you do not get down on yourself. I wish you all the luck in the world.

None of the gaps were due to being fired, and I even gave a 2 week notice to a company I quit because they lied to me. That's more than fair. If they hire some guy that has been on disability for 8 years before me, I'm gonna have a bone to pick with them. Or maybe I should just get on disability myself if that's a way to cut through the nonsense. :P

I was laid off, was a Senior Manager and worked in a Fortune 50 Company. I have not met you, and you may not be indicative of others, but unfortunately because of a choice in the past, you get lumped with them, that is reality. My experience is those who have gaps, and quit because they did not like something or someone, were likely to quit within a few months. There is a cost to recruiting, on boarding, and getting them up to speed. Knowing they have quit in the past, and it is an indicator they will do it in the future, if I had 2 candidates that had equal qualifications, why burn my time and money on one I am not sure will be around? You may very well be the best employee I have working for me over time, but I have work to get done, and when there are candidates with a better track record, guess who I will hire?

The other side of the coin is, Prime felt you were not a good fit, it happens, look at me, I am an accomplished IT Sr Manager, even have a few patents, yet I can't find a job in IT, the reason, I don't have a degree. While I have literally hundreds of rejections, I keep looking, my Plan B, is OTR.

When I worked I was away for weeks at a time living out of a suitcase, it is driving me crazy being home. I need to be out and about. I was able to get a grant to pay for school, here in a week or two I will start filling out applications, who knows, maybe Prime won't hire me, but at the end of the day, there are other companies that will, I just have to find them.

Thank you for the encouragement. And I will succeed.

Apples and oranges. Gaps in your work history are an indication of a worker who had problems finding a job because of attitude or other problems or just didn't take the responsibility seriously. I suspect your attitude may have influenced their decision. Donald was certified by a doctor as being medically unable to work but now wants to be a productive member of society. Different employers have different requirements. When I started out Roehl wouldn't hire because I live outside of their hiring area but that doesn't mean I didn't earn a good living driving for one of the many companies that would hire me.

I've met drivers who were in prison, keeping house/raising children, going to school, running their own business or doing other activities besides what most would call, "work". They got a job driving a truck because they were able to document what they were doing with their time.

You know it really disturbs me when some one thinks that being on disability means your lazy or whatever. I have worked since I was 15 years old. Being in and out of hospitals for the past eight years is not fun. Heck back then the doctors gave me 6 months to live due to colon cancer and lung cancer. After all the surgeries they were amazed that I am still alive. I'm a fighter I will not give up. Maybe you should keep trying for the job you want and not give up. It really sounds like you are. But hey I wish you luck.

I already passed the TSA background check, and prime still wasn't interested in me due to having gaps in my work history. I don't think it's just about not having proof you haven't been off fighting for ISIS. If that's really what it's about, employer are ridiculously stupid.

I know it's rude for me to ask, but may we know what your disability is, Donald? Trucking isn't an easy ride, so to speak. It's a fairly stressful job with a lot of responsibility.

Thank you. I did not know that it would not matter because of being on disability. I thought you had to be on a "job" and not on disability. Very much appreciated for everything. Yes I do have my driver's license.

You have a work history, it just doesn't involve working. The purpose of the background check is more about proving you weren't hanging out at an ISIS training camp training to kill infidels, not proving that your butt polished a chair somewhere. Fortunately, your work history is full of documentation from medical records and government payments so it shouldn't be that hard to prove your story.

Did you have a driver's license during that time? Employers are going to want to see that you have at least one year of recent driving history and a valid driver's license. That may be a bigger hurdle.

Currently I am on disability, I understand that companies want a solid work history. I do not have that because of being on disability. My doctor says I can now go back to work after 8 years on disability. How am I going to get a job with no work history. I am 47 years old and I want a driving job. What can I do?

Brett Aquila Thank you. It is great to hear that I will have a good chance. I did not realize that it was that easy to switch companies. Thanks for the heads up I will keep that in mind.

Donald, if you haven't had any legal trouble in 20 years then you're absolutely going to be able to get a start in trucking. No question about it. There will be a few companies that will turn you away but who cares? You only need one to give you a shot, and quite honestly I don't expect you'll have much trouble finding a few takers.

I want a company that I can retire with.

You don't have to worry about looking that far down the road. This industry is very easy to move around in. Once you choose you first company make sure you stick with them for one full year and learn all you can about the industry. There are so many opportunities and so many different styles and types of driving jobs that there's nothing wrong with taking a shot at something new after that. Maybe you'll be thrilled right where you're at, maybe you'll be anxious to try something new. If you get to that one year mark with your first company you'll have all sorts of opportunities available - more than you can imagine.

Errol V. Thank you so very much. I have not seen that article. But now you have taken all doubt out of my mind.

Don, it'll be a few more hours before more experienced members are online, but tell me:

I have been told by a few truckers that I need to find a different type of job.

Are you going to work for these truckers? Then you don't need to take their word as gospel. This type of information can easily be bounced around, twisted and dipped in cold coffee. In other words, no believability.

Policies on felons vary among companies. Yours being so old, with no subsequent "issues", you should be able to get driving.

Check this TT article out:

Trucking Companies That Hire Drivers With Felonies

Ok here it is I am a convicted felon, I have 1 DUI conviction (1988) No type of legal trouble in 20 years. I have been told by a few truckers that I need to find a different type of job. Worked most my life doing remodeling of homes. I need to know if anyone can tell me if a company will hire me. I am tired of hearing people tell me there is no hope to become a truck driver. Yes truck driving is hard work but I will succeed in driving. I am just tired of hearing that there is no way I can do it. I want to drive for a company that also hires O/O's my goal is to company drive for at least 3 years before I purchase my own rig. I want a company that I can retire with. Won't they give me a chance to prove myself? Can someone please point me in the right direction. Thanks to all that have any information that may help. It is very much appreciated.