JUST WANT A CHANCE..Grad Student
Topic 18521 | Page 1
The school was telling me (DONT WORRY YOUR PAST IS NOT A PROBLEM)!!
That is very unfortunate. Some private schools are just glad to take your money. Have you tried contacting Carolina Cargo? I would also PUSH the Director of your School to help you find employment, since according to Him/Her, your past "Is not a Problem". Also search Craigslist in your area. Dump Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Roll- Offs, etc. Do your BEST to get behind the wheel of SOMETHING at this point. You don't want to let too much time pass between your training and employment. I'm really sorry that you got sold a bill of goods by the Driving School. If all else fails, you could pursue attempting to get your tuition refunded. Hiring a Lawyer would probably be out of the question. Many of them operate just like your driving school. Good Luck to you!
The school was telling me (DONT WORRY YOUR PAST IS NOT A PROBLEM)!!
That is very unfortunate. Some private schools are just glad to take your money. Have you tried contacting Carolina Cargo? I would also PUSH the Director of your School to help you find employment, since according to Him/Her, your past "Is not a Problem". Also search Craigslist in your area. Dump Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Roll- Offs, etc. Do your BEST to get behind the wheel of SOMETHING at this point. You don't want to let too much time pass between your training and employment. I'm really sorry that you got sold a bill of goods by the Driving School. If all else fails, you could pursue attempting to get your tuition refunded. Hiring a Lawyer would probably be out of the question. Many of them operate just like your driving school. Good Luck to you!
I have not tried Carolina Cargo, thank you for the advice! Guess I'll start trying Craigslist too. Thanx again!!
Just to expound on Carolina Cargo. It IS a team driving outfit. They pay a little different than most. Their base pay is pretty horrible, but do they do give bonuses for "doing the right thing." Right place, right time, no bangs, dents, and dings. All Cargo intact. I would go so far to say they are a "Last Chance" company more so than a "Second Chance" company. There is a forum member on here who started their career at Carolina Cargo. They had nothing but good things to say about them.
There was a guy in my school who was also dealing with a felony (felonies?) I don't know when they were or what they were for, but I do know he was hired by Western Express. Best of luck to you!
Truly sad when a private trucking school says "no problem" to a checkered past - then TAKES YOUR MONEY.
Sadly - there isn't going to be any recourse here, as NONE of their contracts will say that they "guarantee you a job". Their contract won't say that - BECAUSE THEY CAN'T (guarantee even a job, even to saintly Mother Theresa). Their contract will spell that out.
The COUNTY SCHOOL I went to - would review a persons driving record and ask about criminal background - and I've seen then TURN DOWN STUDENTS and tell them the likelihood of getting a hire is very small, and not to waste their $$.
This is why we advise members here that are going to do the non-company-training route to GET PRE HIRES BEFORE THEY SIGN UP (and write a check or sign a student loan agreement).
At this point - try one of these companies: Trucking Companies That Hire Drivers With Felonies.
Most companies are going to be looking for 5-7 years since conviction or release. A lot depends on whether the company requires TWIC/HazMat and whether or not you can get a WAIVER for your crimes (which you typically have to wait 7 years to do).
Look at the companies in the link - and APPLY LIKE HELL.
Another part of the issue of private schools is that most companies want to see you in orientation within 30-60 days of graduation - otherwise they'll considering your schooling "stale" and you'll need to take a refresher or start out the same as a non-CDL-licensed student.
Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre Hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
I know its easy to get dicouraged, however you need to keep plugging in applications. each individual situation is different and there will be a trucking company that will look past that and give you a chance. start looking into mid size carriers to small carriers.
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Please can anyone help? I live in Connecticut. I graduated from CDL school a couple months ago. Being a truck driver was something I've wanted to do most of my life. Unfortunately I've hit a major obstacle. My past is not so clean. For a long time I ran the streets and did the wrong thing. Sadly the only thing I have to show for it is Felony convictions on my record. That being said I was incarcerated in 2012. I came home in 2015 and turned my life around. I left my past behind and stayed focused on what was important! The school was telling me (DONT WORRY YOUR PAST IS NOT A PROBLEM)!! Well I've found out that it is a problem!! I've applied to just about every "starter" company out there. And it always falls on my record or how long I've been out of prison. There isn't any major crimes such as murder or anything, but still their crimes I guess. I guess I'll just put it out there in the case someone decides to help. I have past burglary and possession charges.
Hopefully someone can help me. Just looking for a chance to prove myself. DRIVE SAFE
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: