Comments By Stickers

Stickers...the black Freightshaker is a sweet looking ride. I gotta agree, the "go lime" Pete is a serious head turner. Most of my upper body and outerware wardrobe is that color...LOL

Thanks for sharing the great photos.

Thank you sir!

I have always wanted to know what SEMI truck you truck drivers like the most and the reason behind it. I know there are a lot of opinions out there so let's see what truck gets the most likes! Let the opinions come in!

Also if you want go ahead and add the year and model of the truck you like in the discription! Thanks.

If I may..............

My most favorite truck I driven so far was the one I asked to be assigned to., It is an 07 Columbia, 14L Detroit. Loved the power of this thing! The short sleeper made it nice for backing and the only thing it can't pass is the truck stop.

And I have to give this old Pete an honorable mention, drove it for a week while the Freightliner was in the shop. This thing had a super 10 transmission and straight pipes and man was it LOUD! Made for a fun a trip! I have to say this is most INTERESTING truck I have driven, nice smooth ride too!

And If I were to win the lottery or come into some kind of money I would definitely buy my own truck in cash! And if I were to do so I would have to pick up one of these beautiful, slime green 389's from Fitzgerald Gliders. You can get them with the big bull hauler pipes and my beloved Detroit 60!

Hey Seadragon and everyone else!

So it has been 6 months since I last got on the forum here and I did Indeed find employment! Posting the results of my job search considering my criminal history has been something I have been meaning to do here for quite some time.

Anyways, I graduated truck driving school July of this year. After speaking to several of the large companies and getting turned down I went back to what I have always known and that was to post my resume on Craigslist. My CL ad was found and I was picked up by an O/O in August who owns about 4 trucks and runs them through various brokerage services. I got one day of "training" and was turned loose with my assigned tractor. Since August I have run all over my home state of Iowa, The Midwest, Texas, and Georgia. I have been pulling a 53' refer hauling groceries and frozen pork mostly as well as a grain hopper this last fall. I have plenty of pictures that I will probably post later.

Since I have been driving I have actually received two other job offers by other O/Os / small fleet owners. And I did actually speak to a recruiter at Trans Am but I was hired before I could make it all the way through the application process with them.

Now, for anyone else reading this who is looking for a truck driving job I have to give my own personal disclaimer, I was not totally thrown to the wolves as soon as a I started. Upon my interview with the O/O and stated in my resume I DO have experience driving tractor-trailers in city traffic and other environments via the Military which was a concern for the owner. And on a few of my first runs I was in constant contact over the phone with the owner asking specifics about handling bills, truck maintenance, etc. So I may have not gone out with a trainer for several weeks but my limited prior experience and my resources were still there. And yes, I was given a driving test. Luckily, his trucks were the same model of Freightliner w/10 spd that I trained on in school with the exception of a long hood Pete 379 with a super 10 that I used a for couple days while my tractor was getting repaired.

To sum up what I have learned as far as finding a job in this industry with a criminal record is to have a solid resume and put out there where potential employers can find it. Have full disclosure on your criminal history when you are contacted as to not waste your time or anyone else's. And being able to provide a solid, professional interview over the phone and in person is a pro as well.

There is many other forums and job boards around the internet that have want ads by Owner Operators who are looking for drivers for their trucks. Since they are not a huge conglomerate with corporate policies in place they tend to be more lenient with criminal history and from what I found it is usually what they are personally comfortable with and the requirements of their insurance carrier that will be the main factors in hiring you. This is of course if they are not currently leasing their trucks through one of the aforementioned companies. Better to find an O/O who has their own authority and gets freight through a brokerage service, has their own trailers, and or brokers their own freight.

Oddly enough as I write this I am currently unemployed however I am not to worried about it. I decided that the particular gentleman I was driving for was not going to work out for me. Since I started with him I have had several mechanical/ maintenance issues with his equipment ranging from being stranded on the side of the road to minor safety violations. Because of this I made the decision early this week that I am going to move on. I was asked to take a load out Monday with an exhaust leak, no wipers, and some lights out after I reported the issues and my truck had sat in the yard all weekend to get fixed. I figured throwing in the towel now was better than risking my safety, others safety, the attention from the DOT, and just the general headache of worn equipment. From what I understand this happens at big fleets too and the guy I was driving for gave me a great opportunity and told me I have job there if I ever want to come back. So I do not want to publicly blast him to much, just wish more attention was given to his trucks. I had a pretty good interview this week with a local alcohol distributor and the pay matches what I was making OTR not to mention being home every night. I also still have multiple contacts to get back into trucking OTR if need be. I should be getting more info after the holiday so I will see how everything plays out. I have 6 months of experience now so that seems to be a highlight for some local gigs I have talked with.

- Sorry for the long update, I hope this helps with anyone who is looking for a driving job with a criminal history.

-Stickers.

After reading this i contacted company i plan on going with about dismissed charges cause i didnt disclose them. Why would u have to disclose something that you're not guilty of. Just absurd in my opinion. Anyway they told me they didnt need that information just guilty convictions.

On your application you need to put what you were convicted of of course unless they ask otherwise. I have seen some applications (not in trucking) that asked for you to list any time you were arrested. Every place is different. Rainy D. had commented on another thread that Prime had given her a big fuss when she got hired due to a BS domestic charge that was supposed to be expunged but Prime said it was a "complaint" and just had some kind of issue with it.

I assume with the high turnover rate of the trucking industry these companies are looking at your history to see how many run ins with the law you have had regardless if the charges stuck or not. If you have had a a lot time interacting with cops and judges most people will start to question your integrity.

Remember, these companies are looking at your to drive $200,000 + worth of their equipment and their customers freight unsupervised through the United States. If you have had a history being arrested for (charged with) theft you are probably not the best candidate for the job in their eyes regardless of what was proven in court (convicted of).

That is just how the cookie crumbles unfortunately.

Okay guys I have a question. I already have my CDL through a private school and already have a couple offers on the table but the main company I want to work for is Melton Truck Lines. When I was 20, I got into a little bit of trouble. I was arrested and charged with an Underage Consumption, but after a few months of court it was dismissed and I was to pay court costs. I've been upfront with everything. Even though it was dismissed I knew it would be better to tell them. The other companies had no problem with it, but the Melton recruiter said that she would have to send it to their attorneys to look at it. My question is do any of you think this would disqualify me or should I be okay since it was dismissed? I've done my research and Melton is definitely the company I want to work for and I like everything they have to offer. I'm 24 now just so you know.

So far in my hunt for my future employer Melton was the one that I was on the phone with for the least amount of time due to my criminal record. Everyone I have talked to seemed to want to work with my record to a degree but Melton wanted nothing to do with it. Their website states that that you cannot have a misdemeanor or felony within the last 6 years. the gal I talked to made it sound like they were not interested in ANY criminal background in the last 6 years.

If you want to know exactly how your criminal record looks I would get the certified copy of it from your county DPS office. That arrest you have shows up on it regardless if the charges stuck, trust me on that. It will also say what you were charged with AND convicted with.

I was interested In driving for Melton or Keim TS so I could go rollerskatin in one of those blue KW's but after coming here and talking with everyone as well as looking at all the company reviews I realized that I could obtain my goals elsewhere. At this point I am really leaning towards Maverick and their U.S. Flatbed Div as everyone who has anything to say about them has been genuinely happy there. They also factor you criminal history with your work history to make their decision on you too, nothing is an automatic DQ.

best of luck!

The human body needs a place that is cool, dark, and quiet to get adequate rest. Ambient background noise can make you want to sleep as well i.e. the drone of your motor going down the highway. Having the optimum sleeping conditions even if you are well rested can make anyone nod off ( I always fall asleep on planes for the same reasons).

I always keep my eyes moving around, listen to something on the stereo that is not a constant rhythm (sorry classic rock), and crack to window every now and then to change the temp of the cab / inside of the car.

And like is has already been said, just pulling over to check your lights, do a walk around, or just walking across the rest area parking lot can do wonders.

This doesn't just apply to trucking but anyone marathon driving. I think have seen more youth group/ church vans in the ditch than tractor trailers because of dosing off.

Stickers I have a little more time to thoroughly respond to your post.

G-Town wrote:

Stickers has a basic request for his future trainers hygiene:

Stickers responded:

Comments like that are starting to make me think you are trying to chase me away.

Not sure why you are starting to think that, but to reiterate, totally false. I am trying to give you information that is relevant to addressing your concern. What I wrote in response to your point about "stinky trainers" was the truth, offering a solution for handling it, and if you read my words it's obvious (at least to me and Errol) that not only do I understand but I agree with you. At no time did I imply that your concern was invalid, unfounded, or in "poor taste".

No one in any of the companies that most of this forum membership work for or have worked for, would expect a trainee be subjected to a foul and dirty trainer. In fact all of the companies I know of want all of their drivers to project a professional appearance and demeanor that includes basic hygiene. Bottom line if your trainer smells like the cat house at the zoo, avoid tossing your cookies and request a replacement.

Your concern although valid, IMO should not be a deterrent from pursuing trucking as a career.

It won't be a deterrent and thank for clearing that up, sorry for the assumption.

I and I think we all have heard/ read the horror stories about bad trainers. It honestly is the biggest concern I have at the moment all though I do not focus highly on it as it is only small chapter in my future career. I like to think most people who have a genuine problem with their trainer is something it is more of personal indifference that stems from having to live in someone else's space for the first in their (trainee) life.

I am not a woman and I am a smoker so I anticipate being able to get a in a training truck at the first opportunity made available I hope.

Stickers has a basic request for his future trainers hygiene:

Comments like that are starting to make me think you are trying to chase me away.

Look, I was in the Army for 4 years to include an deployment in Iraq. When I was there I essentially lived inside of the cab of an armored HEMMTT wrecker with my truck commander, it was a space no bigger than the inside of full size pickup truck cab + radios and other equipment necessary for our mission. Also during my career I cannot recall a time I was no farther 5 feet from another person either working, eating, showering, or sleeping. Through all of that the only thing that could ever possibly irritate you during those times of close quarters with another human is if they emitted so kind of bodily smell. Lets not kid ourselves, even the most uninformed person could observe a Pilot parking lot and probably see 2-3 individuals who have poor or just a serious lack of hygiene skills. My only hope is to not be stuck with one of said individuals. I understand that I can call my company and tell them that I would like another trainer yes but I DEFINITELY DO NOT want to start my career with a reputation of complaining. If my future trainer is a complete slob and posses a risk to my health then I will make the call, you bet. More importantly if they are ineffective at training someone who is going to be piloting a 80,000 lbs missile down the highway then absolutely I will call and request someone else. Outside of those two parameters I can take the punches. I have had to deal with a lot of undesirable people in my life, some of them signed my paychecks and some of them were way above my pay grade, I refuse to be labeled as a complainer.

So with all that being said is really to difficult to imagine someone not wanting to be in the close confines of truck for 6 weeks with someone who smells due to poor hygiene? Or is it seen in poor taste to have that kind of standard in the trucking industry?

Hey Stickers...I completely agree with OS. Based upon what I have read in your posts, I believe OTR is your initial preference, specifically flatbed. Fairly easy to land a local job once you have a year of OTR experience. That said, I don't know if anyone has forwarded the 3 Trinity links of TT. These are applicable to folks seriously considering this as a career:

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

I strongly believe the first two links help establish a base of knowledge necessary for setting reasonable expectations going forward. The High Road training program is a computer based program that is highly recommended for enabling a passing grade on the CDL Permit exams. Keep asking the questions,...that's what we are here for.

OH I AM ABSOLUTELY GOING OTR!!!

I was already aware (not trying to be a know it all) that local outfits much rather take folks coming off of OTR rather than anything else. I was just wondering why an OTR company would look at you as having little to no experience if you had been driving for a a local place 9-5 everyday?

I am single, I have no kids, I like to travel, and I like to drive....Pretty sure there is OTR job with my name on it. I am going to get some OTR experience in for at least a year or two and try to save up for a down payment on a house since I have no rent to speak of. Just a Harley Payment :)

The insurance carriers, who are ultimately the ones who determine which drivers the trucking companies are allowed to hire, have determined that OTR driving should be the gold standard for going through the paces and learning how to handle this job in a safe manner.

II kind of figured as much, perhaps the insurance companies see it that you get more miles in a year being OTR than local?

Just a couple weeks ago I interviewed for a part time mechanic position at a small trucking company (10 trucks tops) while I am attending CDL school and the OWNER told me the school would be a waste of time because HE learned how to drive by just jumping in a truck and having someone tell him how to drive it...... That must have been back in the golden years.

I think he would have a pretty rude awakening if his business went belly up and had to go drive a truck for someone else tomorrow. Then again, I think is goal was to talk me out of driving so he could gain a mechanic full time....sorry dude, been there, done that :)