Profile For Jeremy G.

Truckers used to look out for each other, help each other. That all has seemed to have been lost somewhere.

Oh, ok. Suddenly you're an old schooler now too? Please. Who are you looking out for?

How is a company going to approve you for hire without knowing the situation with your current employer or getting results of previous drug tests? They can't, obviously. You say you've always done it this way and it's never been a problem, so why are you here asking us about it then?

Asking to speak to my current employer and asking for permission to release my drug tests are two completely different things. What I said is I’ve always declined them to speak with my current employer whether in trucking or other. I don’t remember when I first started with Prime or my current employer asking for permission to release my drug tests. Actually Prime May have asked for permission for my drug test for my Sage truck driving school. I’m not trying to be a jerk here, was just looking for an answer that I wasn’t getting. I tried searching around on the internet for an answer myself and also called the new prospective employer, but they had left for the day. So I thought of you guys. Also I’m not saying I’m an old schooler, I just know the way it was back in the day, because of friends of mine. I waited until my 40’s until I could finally pursue this dream of mine. I worked hard for it, I love it and I don’t want to screw anything up.

Here's the answer to your question... YES your employer will most likely be alerted. When I applied to other companies, I later discussed it with my FM and he said those requests come across the same way a car loan or mortgage check comes through. He assumed I applied for a loan. I have no reason to not believe him. If he knew it was an app elsewhere, he would have been calling me asking me why i was leaving. If 20 different companoes contact.. then yeah a red flag may go up, or he might assume you have bad credit.

Companies use several different search options... they pay big bucks for them. Each have different databases so it is impossibke for us to answer exactly how they will do it or access it. As far as a DAC, the company has a time frame..i believe 30 days... to update your DAC after you leave. This is one more reason why some companies will run 2 checks...one before and one after orientation.

Thank you! Thank you very much!

Ok I see I’m not going to get my answer here, so moving on.

Jeremy, you could try Craigslist. I think they have a section called "rants" Then you can respond to your own rant and give yourself the answer you want.

I’m not getting an answer at all. Has anyone answered my question? All I’ve gotten is opinions on what I should do. I imagine nobody knows the answer and that’s why and that’s fine. Just knew from years of reading these forums that there was good knowledge around here and someone might be know. I was trying to finish this application up tonight, so they would have it first thing in the morning.

Ok I see I’m not going to get my answer here, so moving on.

Wrong. What you should have typed is, “I see I’m not going to get an answer I want to hear, so I’ll go somewhere safe and bash trucking companies as being unfair”.

This is what you are really thinking. The Truth.

Wrong! I have never bashed any of the companies I’ve worked for, nor will I. I have been reading these forums for years and never said a thing. In fact when I’ve seen others bashing companies, I typically thought it was probably more their work ethic rather than the companies fault. I’ve asked a question and nobody has answered it. Maybe because nobody knows and that’s fine. All I’ve gotten is opinions. I have my reasons for not wanting my current employer to know I’m seeking other employment. My wife is on the road with me and I’m our only source of income. I can’t just say oh well, they cut my miles, or oh well they let me go I’ll find something else. People come here for help and if you’re not going to help them, why say anything at all? Truckers used to look out for each other, help each other. That all has seemed to have been lost somewhere.

I agree with Turtle. Not giving permission throws up all kinds of red flags, especially when that employer has been your ONLY driving job (guessing here). By law, they have to contact every employer you've had for the previous 10 years. It's 3 years for a brand new cdl holder although some companies go back 10 years on every driver, whether brand new or experienced.

I’ve never given permission to contact my current employment. It has never affected me getting a job. They usually ask, so we can’t contact current employer I tell them I don’t want it to affect my employment if I don’t get this job and they always say ok and move on. I don’t know why I would want my current employer to know I’m looking elsewhere?

Ok I see I’m not going to get my answer here, so moving on.

I’m applying for a new job and it’s asking for me to release former employment drug testing. I have no problem with this, but am curious as to where they get that information from. It wants me to release current employer and I’m concerned they would contact the current employer. I don’t want to lose my job do to searching for another. Thanks for the help!

You’re absolutely right I will ask them. I tried to get in touch with the recruiter that I was dealing with, but he had left for the day. So I thought I would give this a shot and finish out the application tonight. I’ll just have to wait until morning. Thanks!

Jeremy, this doesn't make sense. You're concerned that the company you are applying to may contact your current employer, tipping them off that you're looking for another job. Yet the new company already knows of your current employer. So they can already contact them, regardless of the drug test query. Something doesn't sound right here.

No the application asks for permission to contact current employer and I didn’t give them that permission. In fact every job I’ve ever applied for asks for permission, which I’ve never given. I don’t know why it’s so hard to understand. I don’t want my current employer to know, because I don’t want to start losing miles or employment before I secure a new job. I’ve heard stories of getting on employers bad side and there goes your miles, you end up sitting for days. As of now I don’t sit, I run hard and I would like it to stay that way. If I had a guarantee of employment with the new company it wouldn’t be a big deal. I can’t afford to go without. I live paycheck to paycheck and cant afford to be without. I don’t have a problem with the release of my drug tests. Nothing to hide there. I just know those tests are reported to the fmcsa or whoever and want to know if that is who they contact for the information. If so great!

If you are a current driver at a company, you are required to list that company anyway as a current or former employer.

I have already listed the current employer. It’s about the release of drug testing that is in question here. They ask for permission of the release of all motor carrier related drug testing. You can give them permission or not. Check a box for yes uncheck for no. It lists my truck driving school as one, Prime Inc. as another and my current employer. Who do they contact for that information? The employer or the government?

Jeremy packrat is 100% correct. How serious are you about trucking? If it isn't the right time to start trucking then wait. Assuming no background or license issues most companies can get you into orientation and school within a week. Worse case scenario you lose your job, you just get started on this new journey. Not having that safety net to go back to would be beneficial to you. Many people have gotten their CDL then go back to previous job when the going gets tough. It's easy to be overwhelmed and want to go back to what you know and is comfortable. Your first couple months solo you will want to quit numerous times.

What makes you think I don’t have my cdl already. They want the release of my drug testing with motor carriers I’ve worked with and my cdl school. I have no problem with that, as I have nothing to hide. My concern is if I don’t get the new job and they’ve contacted the new company. I could start loosing miles or employment and I can’t afford that. I am looking to have employment secured and then give two weeks notice without any hiccups. If they contact the fmcsa for drug testing records than cool, it doesn’t alert my current employer.