Being On Disability And Getting Into Trucking

Currently I am on disability, I understand that companies want a solid work history. I do not have that because of being on disability. My doctor says I can now go back to work after 8 years on disability. How am I going to get a job with no work history. I am 47 years old and I want a driving job. What can I do?

You have a work history, it just doesn't involve working. The purpose of the background check is more about proving you weren't hanging out at an ISIS training camp training to kill infidels, not proving that your butt polished a chair somewhere. Fortunately, your work history is full of documentation from medical records and government payments so it shouldn't be that hard to prove your story.

Did you have a driver's license during that time? Employers are going to want to see that you have at least one year of recent driving history and a valid driver's license. That may be a bigger hurdle.

Thank you. I did not know that it would not matter because of being on disability. I thought you had to be on a "job" and not on disability. Very much appreciated for everything. Yes I do have my driver's license.

You have a work history, it just doesn't involve working. The purpose of the background check is more about proving you weren't hanging out at an ISIS training camp training to kill infidels, not proving that your butt polished a chair somewhere. Fortunately, your work history is full of documentation from medical records and government payments so it shouldn't be that hard to prove your story.

Did you have a driver's license during that time? Employers are going to want to see that you have at least one year of recent driving history and a valid driver's license. That may be a bigger hurdle.

I already passed the TSA background check, and prime still wasn't interested in me due to having gaps in my work history. I don't think it's just about not having proof you haven't been off fighting for ISIS. If that's really what it's about, employer are ridiculously stupid.

I know it's rude for me to ask, but may we know what your disability is, Donald? Trucking isn't an easy ride, so to speak. It's a fairly stressful job with a lot of responsibility.

Apples and oranges. Gaps in your work history are an indication of a worker who had problems finding a job because of attitude or other problems or just didn't take the responsibility seriously. I suspect your attitude may have influenced their decision. Donald was certified by a doctor as being medically unable to work but now wants to be a productive member of society. Different employers have different requirements. When I started out Roehl wouldn't hire because I live outside of their hiring area but that doesn't mean I didn't earn a good living driving for one of the many companies that would hire me.

I've met drivers who were in prison, keeping house/raising children, going to school, running their own business or doing other activities besides what most would call, "work". They got a job driving a truck because they were able to document what they were doing with their time.

None of the gaps were due to being fired, and I even gave a 2 week notice to a company I quit because they lied to me. That's more than fair. If they hire some guy that has been on disability for 8 years before me, I'm gonna have a bone to pick with them. Or maybe I should just get on disability myself if that's a way to cut through the nonsense. :P

You know it really disturbs me when some one thinks that being on disability means your lazy or whatever. I have worked since I was 15 years old. Being in and out of hospitals for the past eight years is not fun. Heck back then the doctors gave me 6 months to live due to colon cancer and lung cancer. After all the surgeries they were amazed that I am still alive. I'm a fighter I will not give up. Maybe you should keep trying for the job you want and not give up. It really sounds like you are. But hey I wish you luck.

I already passed the TSA background check, and prime still wasn't interested in me due to having gaps in my work history. I don't think it's just about not having proof you haven't been off fighting for ISIS. If that's really what it's about, employer are ridiculously stupid.

I know it's rude for me to ask, but may we know what your disability is, Donald? Trucking isn't an easy ride, so to speak. It's a fairly stressful job with a lot of responsibility.

Thank you for the encouragement. And I will succeed.

Apples and oranges. Gaps in your work history are an indication of a worker who had problems finding a job because of attitude or other problems or just didn't take the responsibility seriously. I suspect your attitude may have influenced their decision. Donald was certified by a doctor as being medically unable to work but now wants to be a productive member of society. Different employers have different requirements. When I started out Roehl wouldn't hire because I live outside of their hiring area but that doesn't mean I didn't earn a good living driving for one of the many companies that would hire me.

I've met drivers who were in prison, keeping house/raising children, going to school, running their own business or doing other activities besides what most would call, "work". They got a job driving a truck because they were able to document what they were doing with their time.

Good luck to you Donald, thanks for sharing your triumph over Cancer. If you can pass the medical pre-qualification, there is no reason to think you cannot succeed at this. You might need to provide some letters from you Docs, but that's only a minor detour. Just be honest about everything.

Here is what the physical entails:

• Getting Started With The DOT Physical
• DOT Blood Pressure Requirements
• DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
• DOT Eye & Vision Exam Requirements
• DOT Hearing Requirements
• DOT Physical - Driver Exemptions
• Hair Follicle vs. Urinalysis Drug Testing: Breakdown By Company
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice
• Sleep Apnea , Truck Drivers, & BMI Calculator

None of the gaps were due to being fired, and I even gave a 2 week notice to a company I quit because they lied to me. That's more than fair. If they hire some guy that has been on disability for 8 years before me, I'm gonna have a bone to pick with them. Or maybe I should just get on disability myself if that's a way to cut through the nonsense. :P

I was laid off, was a Senior Manager and worked in a Fortune 50 Company. I have not met you, and you may not be indicative of others, but unfortunately because of a choice in the past, you get lumped with them, that is reality. My experience is those who have gaps, and quit because they did not like something or someone, were likely to quit within a few months. There is a cost to recruiting, on boarding, and getting them up to speed. Knowing they have quit in the past, and it is an indicator they will do it in the future, if I had 2 candidates that had equal qualifications, why burn my time and money on one I am not sure will be around? You may very well be the best employee I have working for me over time, but I have work to get done, and when there are candidates with a better track record, guess who I will hire?

The other side of the coin is, Prime felt you were not a good fit, it happens, look at me, I am an accomplished IT Sr Manager, even have a few patents, yet I can't find a job in IT, the reason, I don't have a degree. While I have literally hundreds of rejections, I keep looking, my Plan B, is OTR.

When I worked I was away for weeks at a time living out of a suitcase, it is driving me crazy being home. I need to be out and about. I was able to get a grant to pay for school, here in a week or two I will start filling out applications, who knows, maybe Prime won't hire me, but at the end of the day, there are other companies that will, I just have to find them.