Hoping For Some Advice?

In 2019 I was three weeks out of training and I had my own truck working a hands on delivery route. I was in west Texas and it was extremely hot. I got so sick from the heat that I almost called 911, but kept cooling off in the rig and finished, other than picking up the empty carts. I called the company’s designated Safety Team and told them what was going on. They asked if I felt good enough to return to the DC? Yes,

It was about 3 hours back to the DC, and left for home for a 10-hour reset after getting back to the DC. I had severe cramping throughout the night and by morning, I was just exhausted. I arrived at the dispatch to get load information, but also express to my Freight Manager that I was just exhausted and told him about calling Safety and I really needed to rest.

Well, he asked me if I could just take this one load that morning, and it would even be not too far from my home, and I would be allowed to take the weekend off, since that was going to be my off weekend anyway. Very reluctantly, I said okay. I’d only been there lest than 30 days and of course want to make a good employee for the company.

I know, I know, I’m the Captain of my own ship!!! Believe me, I wish I could go back. But I didn’t, I went to my destination and turned on the dirt road that leads to the destination. The soft side gave out and I had a rollover. I could say partial rollover, cause trailer rolled, but of course severely torked the frame of the truck. No vehicles around, and I was only going slow enough to turn, so I was not injured in any way.

Due to me calling Safety the evening before complicated the company in wanting to fire me right away, but after about 30 days they did just that. After all, ultimately it was my fault. I should have said no, no matter what pressure my manager tried to put on me.

Sorry for long story, but this is what has brought me to request advice from those that know the industry, of which I know very little. I initially tried to get hired by other companies, but it became obvious that was not going to happen with that incident on my record. Some companies would say, “if you can get 6 months experience, etc…” By next summer, it will have been over 3 years since the incident. My wife is a Trucker and she’s been doing it since we both got our CDL’s over 3 years ago and we hoped to Team drive together.

So, is it possible to get rehired after this incident has fallen off? Thank you for any advice!

With the incident being at least 3 years old, you should be able to find a company willing to give you a shot.

Here is a list of companies to consider (ones that take drivers that other companies often won't):

Dutch Maid Logistics

May Trucking Company

Pride Transport

Western Express

Apply to the companies through online applications and then call to follow up. Don't call before filling out an application. All of those companies hire for OTR , so it's not going to be a "home nightly" situation. You will probably have to put some time in with a company before you can get back to having a local route.

After that, be willing to submit your application anywhere and everywhere.

Brian,

If you are interested, I have a list of a whole bunch of companies that may potentially be willing to give you a shot. Let me know if you would like me to list them here.

"Apply to the companies through online applications and then call to follow up. Don't call before filling out an application. All of those companies hire for OTR , so it's not going to be a "home nightly" situation. You will probably have to put some time in with a company before you can get back to having a local route." from Kerry L.

Thanks Kerry L. Yes, if I'm fortunate enough to get another shot I absolutely expect to have do all of those things. Although briefly, I got to travel pretty much all of the country, other than the east coast. Have some great memories! I really hope to get another chance, cause I'd like to do this until I retire.

I have a 4 year degree, so I was fortunate to go back to work in the same field as prior to getting my CDL. But staying glued to a computer every day sucks!

Thanks everyone for all your advice!

Thank you Kerry L. for your opinion and yes I would very much be interested in your list! Thanks again...

Thank you Kerry L. for your opinion and yes I would very much be interested in your list! Thanks again...

Ok, so this is a list that I have compiled through my own trucking company search. I have found that these companies seem to be a little bit more forgiving of past issues than other companies. Obviously, there is no guarantee that all of these or any single one of them will be willing to give you a shot. You mentioned in your initial post that you were working in West Texas. I live near Dallas, TX, so I know that every one of these companies hires out of Texas.

Alliance Transportation Systems

Big M Transportation

Bulkley Trucking

Butler Transport

CFI

Crete Carrier

CRST

Design Transportation

Estes

IWX Motor Freight

JBS Carriers

KLLM

Knight Transportation

Navajo Express

PAM Transport

Paschall Truck Lines

Premier Refrigerated Transport

Sweet Express

TMC Transportation

TransAm Trucking

Tyson Foods

US Xpress

USA Truck

Western Dairy Transport

I would be extremely surprised if after filling out applications with all of those companies one of them didn't decide to give you a shot. Anyway, that's obviously just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

~Kerry

Brian, I will add an outfit onto Kerry's list. When I worked for them, Gully Transportation, HQ in Quincy, IL was looking for drivers in Texas, they had frequent runs into and out of Houston. Not sure if they are still looking for drivers to service that i-35 corridor, but they may be worth looking at. They gave me a shot when nobody else would, so possibly they are still of the same mindset.

Good luck,

Brian, I will add an outfit onto Kerry's list. When I worked for them, Gully Transportation, HQ in Quincy, IL was looking for drivers in Texas, they had frequent runs into and out of Houston. Not sure if they are still looking for drivers to service that i-35 corridor, but they may be worth looking at. They gave me a shot when nobody else would, so possibly they are still of the same mindset.

Good luck,

Do you know if they require a TWIC? Thinking of a company going into and out of Houston...that sounds like port intermodal. Asking for myself because I am thinking of putting in an app with them. Thank you, Mr. Curmudgeon.

Brian, I will add an outfit onto Kerry's list. When I worked for them, Gully Transportation, HQ in Quincy, IL was looking for drivers in Texas, they had frequent runs into and out of Houston. Not sure if they are still looking for drivers to service that i-35 corridor, but they may be worth looking at. They gave me a shot when nobody else would, so possibly they are still of the same mindset.

Good luck,

Do you know if they require a TWIC? Thinking of a company going into and out of Houston...that sounds like port intermodal. Asking for myself because I am thinking of putting in an app with them. Thank you, Mr. Curmudgeon.

I don't know why I posted a comment asking a question that I am capable of researching myself.

Gully Transportation--

6 months tractor trailer experience.

No felonies/DUI last 5 years.

Tanker endorsement.

No mention of TWIC on website.

Thank you guys for the list and information. As matter fact, live 15 miles from I-35. I've printed those carries off and give it a try. Unfortunately, I don't have 6 months, but would be willing to be considered by a company as new in training.

And I have no felonies, or DUI's.

Thanks guys!

Brian and Kerry - when I worked for them they did not do any I/M, strictly mixed freight, T/L and LTL. Some temp control (mostly for beverage loads outta A/B), but the bulk was consumer commodities. They were (8yrs ago, anyway) moving in the direction of getting all of their people haz certified so the TWIC wasn't required, but they may be pushing for hazmat (not a bad thing - makes one more marketable, and offers more miles). IIRC, they were offering a per mile premium on haz loads to encourage their people to get it.