Need Experience After Safety Violation
Topic 34303 | Page 1
David, sorry for the difficulties you are experiencing. The trucking industry can be very unforgiving, especially to new drivers. It can be devastating but it’s the harsh reality of the business.
Number one, the experience they are looking for is with an articulated vehicle. In other words, they require you to drive a tractor trailer rig. Class B driving is better than no driving, but is non-qualifying and is not an acceptable substitute, with few exceptions.
Number 2, Never submit false or misleading information on any application. It will come back to haunt you.
Start applying to other companies that you have missed. It takes time and effort to overcome an obstacle like you are facing. BTW, is there a process to appeal the termination with your company? If there is, appeal it.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
I drove for two weeks for a company and they claimed I braked too hard at some lights despite me needing to to be able stop behind the white lines.
Your hard brake was due to your going to fast. Assume all lights will change to give yourself enough distance to stop. They didn't "claim" you had a hard brake... the technology proved you went from one speed to a stop within a certain distance. Doing so can push you through an intersection causing death to others or other seious damage. If you did that in a tanker, the surge would surely push you.
I was told by my trainer that I wasn't allowed in the intersection while it's red despite being legal.
Truckers are held to a higher standard. Car DUI is .08, CMV is .04. Colorado residents can smoke pot... CMV drivers lose their jobs over such things. Just because something is legal, does not mean you can do it in a CMV.
And this is because they have DriverI (AI cameras). If I wasn't told that by him the hard braking would have never happened.
So if he allowed you to run into the intersection, the hard brake wouldn't have happened? No. But you could have killed someone. Camera or no camera, i told my 78 students the same thing. Now I have the Driveri cameras also. White line is a stop line. Must stop before it.
It is extremely hard to find a job now because of this.
Because of what? Because you were terminated for not driving safely? Yes, i guess it would be. And what is worse? You are blaming the company, trainer and camera. Start by admitting that you messed up and you are still learning. That you understand the need to slow down much sooner and anticipate a light change. That an 8 foot long car can get through a light much faster than a 73 ft long truck.
Even Swift said I need 6 months experience before they'd take me on. If I took a CDL-B job would that count toward the experience Swift is looking for?
Nope. A local class A job does not count as OTR either. So a B won't.
Also would it be illegal (per DOT regs) to lie and say I wasn't terminated?
So you want to make matters worse and lie. What will you do when you find a job, and after you get there are sent home when they found the truth? Trucking companies find expunged DUIs... so do you think they wont find your termination? Of course they will. Then you will have another company terminate you for lying.
Because I'm pretty sure it isn't on any reports. It certainly isn't on my DAC. I feel like this is the only way I'll be able to get a job.
Do you know for sure it isn't on your DAC or are you guessing? Companies have a time period after termination to post it. I don't know if it is 30 days or 60 days, but it does not happen right away.
Dont lie. It makes it worse.
Just apply everywhere. Western Express is the go to for second chances.
Try to be a little more humble. Blame yourself rather than others. Maybe even ask the safety team at your company for another chance admitting your wrongs.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
And more and more companies are getting the Driveri cameras. So you need to learn to drive accordingly.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I drove for two weeks for a company and they claimed I braked too hard at some lights despite me needing to to be able stop behind the white lines. I was told by my trainer that I wasn't allowed in the intersection while it's red despite being legal. And this is because they have DriverI (AI cameras). If I wasn't told that by him the hard braking would have never happened. It is extremely hard to find a job now because of this. Even Swift said I need 6 months experience before they'd take me on. If I took a CDL-B job would that count toward the experience Swift is looking for? Also would it be illegal (per DOT regs) to lie and say I wasn't terminated? Because I'm pretty sure it isn't on any reports. It certainly isn't on my DAC. I feel like this is the only way I'll be able to get a job.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.