Comments By G-Town

Good luck Sandman!

For a short time before Walmart, I pulled several trailers for Disney On Ice. PackRat is right though…the backing can be a challenging puzzle.

Hope your backing is excellent. I know drivers that have done the entertainment fleet gigs. One venue in Boston was 3/4 of a mile backing, with two bends and an uphill thrown in.

Far from excellent, but improving. That and the inner city driving will be quite the challenge, but I'll give it everything I got.

My experience shows that drug use of any kind elevates risk and compromised public safety.

Although your post may be truthful, factual, it’s only relevant for someone trying to beat the system to maintain employment while continuing to use substances that cannot safely coexist with a trucking career.

Besides…10 panel screens are more prevalent as are hair follicle tests.

I agree 100%

I am at the posted reduced speed when I reach the sign, not slowing down when I see the sign. I begin slowing a half mile beforehand. I do not mind "being in the way" through these construction areas. Slower is safer and no tickets.

What company?

I disagree.

WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE REGULATION !!!

Nothing shady about a prospective employer talking with a previous employer. You basically provide that disclosure when you fill-out an application. Many of these applications will ask the question like; can we call this company? It's a job history, a performance record. This is a competitive business not affording the token trophy to every applicant. How is any of this shady?

I tend to go the other way on this (no sh**), I do not want drivers with chronically poor safety records falling through the cracks. It's not about you and your perceived rights, it's about public safety and that includes the rest of us out here trying to avoid drivers who for whatever reason, don't belong in the 1st seat.

Sorry Bro, you struck a nerve...

This is a dangerous business that is getting more dangerous purely because of numbers, and I totally support any legal means possible to keep the clowns off the road and on the couch. Not my problem if they failed in the past and cannot get hired as a result of that failure and their attempts to hide it.

Take for instance the OP, he hasn't disclosed what was taken off his DAC. He's had plenty of time to come clean...yet hasn't. I wonder why? He's either a BOT or he is avoiding the truth. We see this as a recurring pattern...we are not going to offer an easy way around basic responsibility and accountability. Sorry...not gonna happen.

This method of employment verification is pretty shady at best and a rights violation at worst! This really needs to be regulated and any communication should be in written form on the report, signed and dated. Companies shouldn't be calling and getting opinions from former employers, they should be able to refer to the DAC report period. If the DAC report is so important than the previous employers should respond to potential employers the same way they reported. If they don't then there should be liable. These people are messing with peoples lives! I mean: If I have repetitive preventable accidents then sure, make a note of it and offer me some form of training to make it right and give me a friggen chance but if companies keep handling inquiries over the phone then the DAC report is just a waste of time. Honestly: I just want a job driving a truck and hauling your freight, I'm not trying to get a job at the FBI! They shouldn't make their decisions on how the company rep. "sounded" on the phone...

[Insert smiley image flipping you off here]

I work for a land clearing company. Most days there is a lot of loaded, off-road driving, both semi and tri-axle. I had over 9 years of experience before I took this job.

I do not want to discourage you at all…but, knowing what I know; I would not recommend this type of job without at least 6 months experience. There are places I go that still cause me to sweat. Conditions of active job sites can change by the hour.

Welcome!

The recommended path for training is: Paid CDL Training Programs

Numerous drivers in the Trucking Truth forum chose that same path, including me.

You will also benefit from the information contained in these links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Good luck.

PJ wrote:

Morale to the story: Remain calm when things go wrong, stay proffessional and offer solutions. It may not always work, but always worth a shot.

Great advice! Keep in mind, the other person might be having a far worse day than yours. And unfortunately as a customer, they typically have all the power and authority over a driver. Our only powers are patience, professionalism and rational behavior.

Matias one man’s success or failure in this business has zero relevance on your ability to succeed. Regardless of having similar educational and professional background, there is no correlation.

Your success depends entirely on your commitment, your focus and your effort. No substitute or fast path.

I’ve recommended hundreds of times that anyone considering trucking as a career invest time reading these links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

And checkout the relevant articles in our blog section. Click on the three bars in the upper left to see a menu of Trucking Truth content.

Good luck!

A remarkable achievement Daniel.

Congratulations!