Accidents And Getting A New Job

My first month solo didn't go well and I was terminated by US Xpress. On my first day I was in a rush, didn't watch my trailer, and swiped the rear corner of two cars parked outside the gate at my first pickup. The same day I didn't ask for help backing into a dark dock (the type inside a garage) and ended up ripping the right trailer door off the hinges. I also got a ticket (this is only day ONE) for turning down a street with a 4 ton weight limit (I was using Google to find a Petro and made a wrong turn leading to the illegal turn). Finally, last week I hooked high and my truck hit the trailer (didn't GOAL to check 5th wheel and trailer height when backing to my trailer). I was terminated just last Wednesday.

I still want to drive but have been rejected by SWIFT and most companies want a very clean record in the past 3 years. Covenant's minimum requirements suit my case so I completed an app today. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

All you can do is apply everywhere. If you can get a hire you'd better put your game face on and make it happen this time. Otherwise you are done.

You may already be done, but hopefully someone will give you a chance.

Phillip, that's too bad. But that's too many accidents early on. With that record, it may be difficult for you to find another job. You need to find a situation that will give you a LOT more training to develop your skills. Maybe CRST would give you a chance and hopefully team you up with an experienced driver who could teach you to be more careful.

Only thing you can do is put in applications to everybody and be prepared to hear a lot of “No’s”. Your record is abysmal in an extremely short period of time. We’re you trained at all?

Send applications to Jim Palmer/Wilson Logistics. Maybe, they give you a chance.

Their requirements: NO more than 2 moving violations within the last 12 months. NO more than 4 moving violations within the last 3 years. NO license suspensions for points in the last 3 years.

Those are the basic requirements of Knight Transportation: No more than 2 moving violations in last 2 years No more than 2 accidents/incidents in the last 3 years

Or you work in the warehouse for three years and then come back to trucking.

Though I'm not a Class A myself or in the industry so take it with a grain of salt but these accidents seem to show a lack of attention to details or just no focus . The 5th wheel hit is pretty bad and acknowledging you didnt GOAL on 2 of these is telling . I trained on 48' flatbed in the Bees and was drilled on that routinely so I think it speaks more to your training than you . I feel for ya though but these were very preventable accidents and to have that many is a rough sell . Try CR England as well , they seem a bit more forgiving . Hope you find something.

Thank you. I will do that.

Send applications to Jim Palmer/Wilson Logistics. Maybe, they give you a chance.

Their requirements: NO more than 2 moving violations within the last 12 months. NO more than 4 moving violations within the last 3 years. NO license suspensions for points in the last 3 years.

Those are the basic requirements of Knight Transportation: No more than 2 moving violations in last 2 years No more than 2 accidents/incidents in the last 3 years

Or you work in the warehouse for three years and then come back to trucking.

My trainer never did GOAL when hooking to a trailer and there was never a problem. Generally, I tend to be in too much of a hurry, trying to get there and impress everyone. It's a life long challenge to slow down and I know trucking is all about taking your time until you're due for an appt and you've got to make it.

Though I'm not a Class A myself or in the industry so take it with a grain of salt but these accidents seem to show a lack of attention to details or just no focus . The 5th wheel hit is pretty bad and acknowledging you didnt GOAL on 2 of these is telling . I trained on 48' flatbed in the Bees and was drilled on that routinely so I think it speaks more to your training than you . I feel for ya though but these were very preventable accidents and to have that many is a rough sell . Try CR England as well , they seem a bit more forgiving . Hope you find something.

I tend to rush and it causes problems. I was with my trainer for a month and all went well enough. He never once did get out and look. That example didn't serve me well.

Only thing you can do is put in applications to everybody and be prepared to hear a lot of “No’s”. Your record is abysmal in an extremely short period of time. We’re you trained at all?

No, you do not take shortcuts in order to make it to an appointment. When one does, they end up in the completely, totally avoidable predicament that you got yourself into. You got two preventable accidents, plus a failure to obey a highway traffic control device in the span of less than a month. Was that better than being late?

Your story is the textbook example of what not to do. Good luck.