Need Some Advice On Finding A Job With A Felony

Hello to all from central Jersey. I'm in need of some advise. I have been reading all of the threads on this site, well as much as I can, for almost 2 weeks now. Brett Aquila, your book was outstanding. I read it in one sitting. Thank you for all of your insight into the trucking world. I was convicted of robbery in 1997 (no one was hurt, thank god) and was sentenced to 11 years and 2 months in prison. I was released in 2009. I have been home for 8 years now, with almost 19 years clean and sober. Not so much as a traffic ticket. I have held steady employment for the most part. Dead end job to dead end job. These days I'm driving a taxi. I say to myself daily, there has to be a better way. I'm a father of a 3 year old little boy, and really I want better for him and myself.

My license is 100% clean, no points or accidents at all. I've been studying for my CDL permit for about 2 weeks now. High Road Training as well. Thanks again Brett. I do have an open application to Roehl and will speak with a recruiter over there again tomorrow morning. I have always wanted to drive a truck ever since I was a kid. I have read up on the ups and downs, and the temperament it takes to be over the road. I believe I have the qualities to do this and succeed.

Here is where I need advice, I have to go to CDL training at a school because of monetary concerns with no money up front. Thing is that I want to stay off the east coast altogether and go over the road out west. Is this possible? From many hours of reading I figure Roehl to be a good fit as far as that is concerned. Thoughts?

Also, I have considered Jim Palmer but they are really strict on the felonies case by case and time elapsed, but still strict. Think I got a shot?

My journey has just begun. But I will keep pushing along until I get my permit, then school. Any and all advice for a noob is always appreciated.

Thanks and be well.

-Lance

Welcome Lance.

Unless you end up on either a regional assignment, dedicated regional account, or hire on with a Midwest-Western carrier, close to impossible to be excluded from East Coast running in your first year. During road training, you will be all over the country.

If you don't mind being asked by a Philly Boy, why the east coast aversion?

I am sure our resident Jersey Girl, Rainey, will show up; honk her horn at you, flip you the bird, call you a stupid F (rhymes with duck) and tell you to go with Prime, Inc. You will be so moved by her kind gesture and go out an app in with them. Btw, Jim Palmer and Wil Trans both pull Prime trailers.

(For those who don't get the whole rude gesture being kind thing, I was injecting levity into the forums by using stereotypes).

Drive Safe and God Speed

I am sure our resident Jersey Girl, Rainey, will show up; honk her horn at you, flip you the bird, call you a stupid F (rhymes with duck) and tell you to go with Prime, Inc. You will be so moved by her kind gesture and go out an app in with them. Btw, Jim Palmer and Wil Trans both pull Prime trailers.

(For those who don't get the whole rude gesture being kind thing, I was injecting levity into the forums by using stereotypes).

Drive Safe and God Speed

Congratulations! Sounds like you've done a great job turning your life around. Yeah, I think you got a shot.

If you end up with a national company, I would think there are plenty of opportunities to run west. You might still do some east coast, but a good relationship with your dispatch (driver manager or whatever they call themselves) can sometimes get you the areas you want. I'm in Florida and last summer mine got me to Denver a few times, L.A. And Arizona.

Good luck!

Just reading this. Have been studying for my CLP all day. (Coffee is my best friend) Anyhow, thanks for all the useful info for those that commented. I appreciate it. G-Town, I go to the fright factory on south swanson every Halloween. Cool spot. Dam good cheese steaks to! Why the east coast aversion? This forum page isn't long enough for my reply. So I will condense it some. Born and raised on the Jersey shore my whole life, I live in central Jersey these days. NJ has way to many maniac drivers out here. (4 wheelers as per my only experience) Also, no where for a truck to park as per my readings on this site and from about a dozen or so Northeast truckers that I have spoken to in the last few weeks. NYC is a S**tshow at best. Granted I have 0 experience in the trucking world, I live 35 minutes from NYC and worked for a limo company working in the city for quite awhile. No thanks. I am looking to go west of the Mississippi. I've also applied to Jim Palmer, and I await their response.

Patrick C. you gave me a good laugh there bud. Watch out for those Jersey women. They do not play games. Mighty feisty they are. Looking forward to any advice she may swing my way. Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it.

Steve L thanks partner. Its been a long road, but I remain persistent and ready as always. Roehl turned me down because of my felony. Easy come, easy go. Their loss as I see it. I have an active application out to Jim Palmer, so lets see how that goes.

Heard a lot of good things about Jim Palmer and do let us know how it goes. Best of luck!

Ooohhhh wow...I'm not sure how to even respond!! "Central jersey" is NORTH jersey hahaha. I live outside of Philly. And Hey Yo welcome to the forum.

I've been OTR with Prime for 18mos now, 14 mos solo. I have driven 45 states and counting. They tend to keep me out of the north east to be honest. I might get upstate NY. PA and into Maine for a few weeks at a time, but south and west I then go. I pretty much only go NE to get in and out of home.

Last summer I did mostly south east which is sweeeeet! Mostly flat, not so congested and nicer people. Better weather. In winter I go west cause the lease and owner ops don't want to winter in the mountains. And let me tell you, -39 in Montana is NOT fun so be careful what you wish for lol.

I'm not sure how Prime would look at you as far as the conviction. When it comes to crime, robbery proves the driver is wiling to steal the product or equipment, violent crimes and drugs put the public in danger. Many felons don't look at it from the company's point of view with this respect. However, eight years is a good showing of keeping your life on track. Good for you!!

My advice would be to apply everywhere with Brett's Link, and find a fit from that list who accepts you. Then do your year OTR and prove to the companies you can do this.

If you can handle prison, you can handle a year even it means an occasssional NE load.

BTW....Patrick will be the next one placed in my dungeon. I'm gonna hunt him down with my vampire powers. Lol

(Sorry Lance. Running joke is that because I like driving at night I'm a vampire. And after I have met a couple forum members their posting numbers went way down...usually due to being in training..but yet I get blamed. Tractor Man accused me of placing people in my dungeon. But jersey girls just dump bodies in the pine barrens lol)

Good evening to all. So today went well as far as studying for my CDL permit goes. High Road Training has been extremely helpful. I received a call from Jim Palmer and was turned down because of my felony conviction. Its early on yet, so I did expect this. My search continues.

Rainy...how are ya my dear. I was forewarned of your impending presence. lol Good to hear from you. I appreciate the feedback as well. -39, come on, that is doable. I've been in colder grey prison cells years ago. I'm not scared. I have an application out to Prime as I write this, we shall see the result. I would like to get with a western regional outfit eventually. Now, I'm just keeping my eye on the prize. Obtaining my CDL permit, then CDL-A, then a company that will take a shot on me. I'm committed to running hard, being safe, and taking direction. Staying away from lot lizards and terminal rats.

And yeah, Jersey women are a very rare breed indeed. Those pine barrens are long and dark. Be well.

-Lance

Hey Lance, have you looked into May Trucking? They are a great outfit with a lot of work in the Western regions of the country.