Work History During The Pandemic

I realized I was hijacking another thread, so I started a new one.

I am slightly concerned about work history. I know that’s a big red flag with trucking companies, and can get you bounced. I’ve been employed by two companies since summer of 2019. Both will attest to that. One after the other, not both at the same time time. But I’ve barely worked since the pandemic started. One company is in tourism, the other in live entertainment. So, yeah, I haven’t clocked many hours in the past 18 months. Summer of 2021 as a tour guide in Napa Valley was very good. Enough that, if not for dental issues, I could have lived off my earnings until next May. I filed for unemployment a few months last year, and have been scrambling with odd jobs to make some money during the lean times. I guess it’s all a question of how the trucking companies are going to view it. My income sources are all over the place since the pandemic started, but technically I’ve been employed by the two companies the whole time. If the background check is simply calling the companies, then, yes, I’ve been fully employed the whole time. Both bosses will state that. But if they want to see a paycheck, then I haven’t received one since September, and likely won’t get another one until May. Except for a few odd jobs here and there. That’s kinda been the story since March 2020. I’ve only logged hours a few months of that time. And if they cross check unemployment or the IRS, I’m going to show up.

I mentioned elsewhere I have a stale CDL. I did six months OTR five years ago. Since then I’ve been driving tour buses, both Class A and B. I’m thinking my best bet is Western Express for my second chance to get back on the road. I’m based out of San Francisco. Maybe just do Western 11 for six months, then move to somewhere that pays better and goes into Canada. I miss Canadian truck stops. So clean and nice. Plus, I used to sometimes drive Laredo to Quebec and back. Making money doesn’t get any easier than that. So many miles in so few days.

But for now, I’m in Antalya, Turkey, since there’s not enough work for all of us in Napa. It’s substantially cheaper to fly here, live for 3 months while my bone grafts and dental implants are being done, pay for the bone grafts and dental implants, and fly back to San Francisco, than it is to pay just to have the dental work done in the U.S. I'm thinking it might be great to go back to OTR when I get back to California in early January. If that’s a viable option.

I know I need to talk to a recruiter, but I also know recruiters aren’t always the best at providing 100% factual answers. I already have experience with a recruiter saying one thing, just to be turned away during orientation because it wasn’t true.

Does anyone know how the trucking companies are dealing with pandemic employment (and unemployment) issues?

I realized I was hijacking another thread, so I started a new one.

I am slightly concerned about work history. I know that’s a big red flag with trucking companies, and can get you bounced. I’ve been employed by two companies since summer of 2019. Both will attest to that. One after the other, not both at the same time time. But I’ve barely worked since the pandemic started. One company is in tourism, the other in live entertainment. So, yeah, I haven’t clocked many hours in the past 18 months. Summer of 2021 as a tour guide in Napa Valley was very good. Enough that, if not for dental issues, I could have lived off my earnings until next May. I filed for unemployment a few months last year, and have been scrambling with odd jobs to make some money during the lean times. I guess it’s all a question of how the trucking companies are going to view it. My income sources are all over the place since the pandemic started, but technically I’ve been employed by the two companies the whole time. If the background check is simply calling the companies, then, yes, I’ve been fully employed the whole time. Both bosses will state that. But if they want to see a paycheck, then I haven’t received one since September, and likely won’t get another one until May. Except for a few odd jobs here and there. That’s kinda been the story since March 2020. I’ve only logged hours a few months of that time. And if they cross check unemployment or the IRS, I’m going to show up.

I mentioned elsewhere I have a stale CDL. I did six months OTR five years ago. Since then I’ve been driving tour buses, both Class A and B. I’m thinking my best bet is Western Express for my second chance to get back on the road. I’m based out of San Francisco. Maybe just do Western 11 for six months, then move to somewhere that pays better and goes into Canada. I miss Canadian truck stops. So clean and nice. Plus, I used to sometimes drive Laredo to Quebec and back. Making money doesn’t get any easier than that. So many miles in so few days.

But for now, I’m in Antalya, Turkey, since there’s not enough work for all of us in Napa. It’s substantially cheaper to fly here, live for 3 months while my bone grafts and dental implants are being done, pay for the bone grafts and dental implants, and fly back to San Francisco, than it is to pay just to have the dental work done in the U.S. I'm thinking it might be great to go back to OTR when I get back to California in early January. If that’s a viable option.

I know I need to talk to a recruiter, but I also know recruiters aren’t always the best at providing 100% factual answers. I already have experience with a recruiter saying one thing, just to be turned away during orientation because it wasn’t true.

Does anyone know how the trucking companies are dealing with pandemic employment (and unemployment) issues?

Buster's Buddy (dad?) I remember you from way back!

Man, I'd LOVE to go to Turkey (or anywhere abroad) for SonoBello, haha!!

It's SO random . . . with companies. Prime is one of the strictest with employment history, so call them, just as a benchmark; LoL!

Have you just 'applied' here, to see what gives??? Stale CDL is 'still' a CDL. Many companies DO have refreshers, and IMHO, are kind of making those up as we go, with the pandemic and unprecedented situations these last (almost) two years.

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

I've got a few companies you could look into, having still maintained your CDL, besides the above.

1.) Cal/Ark ~ ChickieMonster (you may recall from here!) Left TransAm .. and happily drives for them. Good reviews, too!

2.) Witte Bros. ~ In Missouri. Small(ER) company, but an in house training facility, that may (imho) tailor your needs.

3.) K & B Transport ~ They pay REALLY WELL for experienced drivers, but have been known to do a 'hand up' to stale guys, as well.

I hope this helps a bit, man.

I feel your plight, I do. When I get going to drive MYSELF in 2022 when I get the last young'un on his way, I'm going to have a fun time; with home schooling and working from home. I never 'DID' claim the Gov't bennies for unemployment; household made too much. Sure, I know I 'could have..' as many did. . . but I like to 'sleep' at night. Notwithstanding others' situations; at all.

Hope this helps a bit!!

Best to ya, B/B !

~ Anne ~

I realized I was hijacking another thread, so I started a new one.

I am slightly concerned about work history. I know that’s a big red flag with trucking companies, and can get you bounced. I’ve been employed by two companies since summer of 2019. Both will attest to that. One after the other, not both at the same time time. But I’ve barely worked since the pandemic started. One company is in tourism, the other in live entertainment. So, yeah, I haven’t clocked many hours in the past 18 months. Summer of 2021 as a tour guide in Napa Valley was very good. Enough that, if not for dental issues, I could have lived off my earnings until next May. I filed for unemployment a few months last year, and have been scrambling with odd jobs to make some money during the lean times. I guess it’s all a question of how the trucking companies are going to view it. My income sources are all over the place since the pandemic started, but technically I’ve been employed by the two companies the whole time. If the background check is simply calling the companies, then, yes, I’ve been fully employed the whole time. Both bosses will state that. But if they want to see a paycheck, then I haven’t received one since September, and likely won’t get another one until May. Except for a few odd jobs here and there. That’s kinda been the story since March 2020. I’ve only logged hours a few months of that time. And if they cross check unemployment or the IRS, I’m going to show up.

I mentioned elsewhere I have a stale CDL. I did six months OTR five years ago. Since then I’ve been driving tour buses, both Class A and B. I’m thinking my best bet is Western Express for my second chance to get back on the road. I’m based out of San Francisco. Maybe just do Western 11 for six months, then move to somewhere that pays better and goes into Canada. I miss Canadian truck stops. So clean and nice. Plus, I used to sometimes drive Laredo to Quebec and back. Making money doesn’t get any easier than that. So many miles in so few days.

But for now, I’m in Antalya, Turkey, since there’s not enough work for all of us in Napa. It’s substantially cheaper to fly here, live for 3 months while my bone grafts and dental implants are being done, pay for the bone grafts and dental implants, and fly back to San Francisco, than it is to pay just to have the dental work done in the U.S. I'm thinking it might be great to go back to OTR when I get back to California in early January. If that’s a viable option.

I know I need to talk to a recruiter, but I also know recruiters aren’t always the best at providing 100% factual answers. I already have experience with a recruiter saying one thing, just to be turned away during orientation because it wasn’t true.

Does anyone know how the trucking companies are dealing with pandemic employment (and unemployment) issues?

All the companies care about is if the companies that you list on the application can be verified. If you provide a phone number and the people answering that number say that you worked there for whatever duration of time, then this is sufficient. From everything that I have read and experienced, pay stubs or other information to prove work history is only needed if the company worked for is difficult to verify.

You will be fine.

Buster's Buddy (dad?) I remember you from way back!

Man, I'd LOVE to go to Turkey (or anywhere abroad) for SonoBello, haha!!

It's SO random . . . with companies. Prime is one of the strictest with employment history, so call them, just as a benchmark; LoL!

Have you just 'applied' here, to see what gives??? Stale CDL is 'still' a CDL. Many companies DO have refreshers, and IMHO, are kind of making those up as we go, with the pandemic and unprecedented situations these last (almost) two years.

Oh, Anne, it’s sweet that you remember me. I never thought of myself as Buster’s dad, more like his faithful sidekick. He was the one with the superpower (Supercute), I was the chauffeur, and valet, cook, and personal assistant, etc. Unfortunately, he passed in May, which is why I’m ready to get back into OTR.

I meant to try Prime first, like you suggested, but I forgot and applied to Western Express. I hope everything is in order, because I’ve always thought of them as my “safety school” - if no one I like better will hire me, there’s always Western Express. Hope I didn’t blow that. I guess we’ll see.

Yeah, I did “apply here to see what gives”. To see if anyone had specific information about the pandemic programs, and if anyone had any good advice (like the kind I just ignored, d’oh), and any other companies to recommend. So, thanks for those. I do appreciate the info.

The other company I’m really interested in is Schneider. Their 19-day training program sounds like nightmare for someone fresh out of school, but just the thing to clear out the cobwebs.