Profile For SoTexMike

To anyone watching this thread:

I failed my permit test miserably! i spent 3 hrs trying to get my paperwork in order while dealing with surly DPS bureaucrats. when I got to the testing area, i was all frazzled having been there as long as i had wearing 2 masks and dealing with no less than 6 different people trying to get tested.

I sit down and the first 7-8 questions look nothing like what I have studied so far across three different testing platforms and multiple youtube videos.

I dragged my ass out of there with feeling pretty frustrated, but I will be back!

I have a possession charge from the early 2000’s and nothin since. Schneider didn’t even blink and gave me an offer.

I don’t know how the reporting works with the Medical cards, since you already admitted to failing a test. You may want to call them anonymously and ask about your situation before applying.

I also had a Schneider recruiter tell me not to volunteer any information not asked about.

Good luck.

same thing my better half suggested.

Cheers

i gotta learn to keep my mouth shut

Reminds me, early 2019 when I was gunna start this driving thing, I was going to go thru Roadmasters, which Werner owns went into their office in Riverside. Head guy asked bout any dui's, I said yeah back 40 years ago when I was 19 lol....He said ahhh don't even worry about that, was too many years ago, not even worth mentioning (40 years passed at the time)

anne,

That's one lucky bloke in the picture with you. You are an angel!!!

Haya, Mike.

A guy named Scott (who hasn't been back to report the 'retort') posted on a similar situation, a small while ago.

Stevens and Scott's Conundrum: Stevens Send Home Thread >>

Seriously, this is NUTS. I've got NO reply, but pretty sure my trucker wasn't ever 'asked' to report what he 'did' 20 or 30 years ago; and cannabis would be the worst. No DUI's, no 'hard stuff.'

Did you read the question, ACCURATELY???? Did it say 'EVER?'

You should REALLY 'apply here:' >>Apply For Paid CDL Training

Also, 'nearby' training: Knight, PAM, Stevens (shhhhh!!,) McLane (I recommend!,) and Raider Express. All training companies, with terminals in Texas. Last two are BASED in TX, I believe.

So many mods and veterans on here will QUANTIFY that a terminal near home has LITTLE TO NO impact, on home time. I can tell you stories, but... Just won't....for now. Look at Big Scott, for instance. He lives in NC, and is in Joplin, now .. for company stuff, at the 'main' (I believe) terminal. He gets home/goes home ALL THE TIME he WANTS!

I'll be thinking of more; as I can. I like your avatar but rather >>! Just be YOU.

~ Anne ~

Yeah Anne, I have been following this thread and it has been in the back of my head this entire time. Sheesh, at least I was at home when I got my gut punch.

I'm sorry, man. Kinda reminds me of this: "Hits" ... Better in a couch than a car or T/T!

I'm SO fricking stymied by this, being a 'trend' as of late, but 'Brandon' wants to put the Guard in T/T's .. and 18 year olds.

Mike, I've got a TON of 2nd chance companies; but the ones from our 'apply here' button are GREAT, and then.. I added a few.. in the TX region. I sure hope I'm helping a bit.

I'm still just SMDH over this one. Kinda reminds me of this:

Would a failed post employment drug test from 30 years ago still be on your record? I have no clue, I am honestly asking. If it wouldn't be then don't admit it to any employer. Not even the docs doing your physical. Only admit to what they will eventually find out by searching so you don't waste your time or theirs.

Most, if not all, the drivers on here will recommend that you start with a larger carrier. If your not looking to drive regional or OTR then hopefully someone on here will have info for you about companies in the Texas area.

Good luck with the permit test tomorrow 👍🏼

I voluteered the info. I dont even know why i did. not like they could have verified it but I guess it was my naievite on display. I honestly thought it wouldnt make a difference. I am definitely looking to drive OTR/regional but i have heard companies with terminals near home make life easier to get home when necessary. thanks for the reply

Cheers

Haya, Mike.

A guy named Scott (who hasn't been back to report the 'retort') posted on a similar situation, a small while ago.

Stevens and Scott's Conundrum: Stevens Send Home Thread >>

Seriously, this is NUTS. I've got NO reply, but pretty sure my trucker wasn't ever 'asked' to report what he 'did' 20 or 30 years ago; and cannabis would be the worst. No DUI's, no 'hard stuff.'

Did you read the question, ACCURATELY???? Did it say 'EVER?'

You should REALLY 'apply here:' >>Apply For Paid CDL Training

Also, 'nearby' training: Knight, PAM, Stevens (shhhhh!!,) McLane (I recommend!,) and Raider Express. All training companies, with terminals in Texas. Last two are BASED in TX, I believe.

So many mods and veterans on here will QUANTIFY that a terminal near home has LITTLE TO NO impact, on home time. I can tell you stories, but... Just won't....for now. Look at Big Scott, for instance. He lives in NC, and is in Joplin, now .. for company stuff, at the 'main' (I believe) terminal. He gets home/goes home ALL THE TIME he WANTS!

I'll be thinking of more; as I can. I like your avatar but rather >>! Just be YOU.

~ Anne ~

Yeah Anne, I have been following this thread and it has been in the back of my head this entire time. Sheesh, at least I was at home when I got my gut punch.

Thanks for the reply Anne. I actually got started on my search through TT's "apply here" tab. I initially latched onto the company that reached out to me the fastest and met my initial criteria (which was pretty thin when I started this journey a month ago). I have learned a lot since then hence my refined needs and wants.

The application for my physical asked if I had EVER failed a drug test and I was "rewarded" for answering truthfully. If I had the money I would take a new physical just to change my answer LOL.

I have started a fresh list as of this evening with many of the companies you have listed so maybe I am headed in the right direction

My avatar picture is the best looking one of me I could find. Glad you like it! Cheers!

Would a failed post employment drug test from 30 years ago still be on your record? I have no clue, I am honestly asking. If it wouldn't be then don't admit it to any employer. Not even the docs doing your physical. Only admit to what they will eventually find out by searching so you don't waste your time or theirs.

Most, if not all, the drivers on here will recommend that you start with a larger carrier. If your not looking to drive regional or OTR then hopefully someone on here will have info for you about companies in the Texas area.

Good luck with the permit test tomorrow 👍🏼

I voluteered the info. I dont even know why i did. not like they could have verified it but I guess it was my naievite on display. I honestly thought it wouldnt make a difference. I am definitely looking to drive OTR/regional but i have heard companies with terminals near home make life easier to get home when necessary. thanks for the reply

Cheers

Why not indeed?

How big of a deal is a three decade old failed test to transportation companies? The background check and everything else came back fine, but for whatever reason, this was the red flag?. I was taken aback that my early twenties was somehow lurking in the background all this time (and a from company that vanished from the face of the earth renting movies no less). I hope another training program will give me a shot. i plan to contact a few after i take (and pass) my permit test tomorrow.

I have learned so much from this site and others concerning how best to choose a situation. I commend the mods who dissuade drivers from talking trash about the big carriers but there isn't that kind of effort on other forums. I'd be lying if I said i wasnt a little wary of the big dogs.

What I would like to do is train somewhere near home if possible in SE TX (not a deal breaker for me) and receive the kind of training that my 1st choice offered re: class size and trainer student ratio.

cheers

BTW. so far i am thinking of Swift, Schneider and PAM for big carriers

Why not start with a large carrier?

So i have been studying feverishly for my CDL permit test (tomorrow morning) and recently forwarded my medical clearance to my potential training programs recruiter who has been stellar. After sending the long form portion of the physical (in which i admitted to failing a post employment drug screen almost 30 years ago) she called me back and informed me that the company wouldn't take a chance on hiring me. I admit to being a little bummed out. I also don't want to give up unless there is no way that i can get hired in this industry. This is something i thought long and hard about doing and am still pretty excited about it.

The recruiter suggested trying out a Mega. i wanted to start somewhere in the middle as far as size and hoped someone would have suggestions for a rookie training for a CDL out of Texas.

Thanks in advance and keep on trucking!

As someone really ready to start a training program, this issue along with getting adequate sleep is the thing that concerns me the most. As a dude getting up there in years I am very mindful about my diet. I have done intermittent fasting for the better part of the last year (only eat meals within a 6 hour window) as well as being a committed (wait for it).......VEGAN.

I fully intend to try and eat as healthily as possible no matter how long I am away from home. It sucks because my spouse became an amazing cook over the last ten years of our marriage and I for the last few years I have pretty much only eaten homecooked meals. Are there other drivers in the same boat? Any other Vegans or vegetarians out there? what do yall do to stay healthy? DO drivers use things like grocery delivery apps or the like when out on the road? How often is it reasonable to expect to stop at a grocery store? Is Walmart the only choice for groceries? If I can be out on the road and find a way to not sacrifice my body to do so, I see no problems. A couple of jouirnals I have read pretty much say they only stop for supplies sparingly. when you are on the road, you are on the road.