Profile For Pete B.

Shane, I don’t really know what you want at this point… just because this forum features a bunch of experienced drivers, some of whom are considered among the top-performing in their respective companies, doesn’t mean someone’s going to step forward with the secret code to the back door that opens to the hidden passageway that leads you back to The Promised Land of trucking. In today’s climate, most companies are going to pass on you because of your infraction. Keeping contacting companies, apply everywhere, and take what you can get. Or take a break from this, and try again in three or so years. I believe with your level of experience, leasing on with a company is just going to complicate your life further. If you find a way back in, please share it as there have been many, many others who have experienced similar struggles as you have; perhaps you will be able to help them as we have tried to help you. Best of luck to you.

Thanks broooo . I came on here to get advice on how to get back on the road becuase I can’t find it on the internet. My backround cmv mvr clearinghouse is all clean. I don’t know why my last company didn’t report it to the clearinghouse . I don’t know if if I’m sap. I thought I could get help from veteran truck drivers but all I’m getting is shade for being a pos . Yes I’m A flip flop driver . But I still have 500k miles serving our country . And consider myself a a good person . God just took me off the road for a little while. I’m gaining experience in the real world at my cashier job. I just miss the loves out in Texas and Oklahoma :(

Shane, wrong card to play here. You’re asking a diverse group of humans for their opinions, and so they’re giving it to you. Stop focusing on the judgment and realize the advice you have been given. My advice was find any CDL job you can find, no matter how unenjoyable it may seem to you. Undoubtedly there are companies hiring CDL drivers that could care less about the clearinghouseand you certainly won’t enjoy the perks you benefited from while driving for your previous company, but those are the lumps you’ll have to take to climb your way back. That’s all any reputable company will be interested in, that you have at least three years (3 years seems to be the magic number) of driving experience with zero infractions. Zero infractions=zero warnings=zero incidents=zero tickets… you get the picture. The next piece of advice you received was find good representation to fight your DUI. Well you checked that box. Then Old School asked you to change your mindset, move on, admit your faults, be a man, and do whatever it takes to get the CDL job you want back. Sorry that you have to hear this, and here comes more judgment, but maybe it’s too soon because I don’t think you’ve changed your mindset, or really admitting your fault… You wrote that God took you off the road… … I had to read that twice. C’mon man, God did not take you off the road. You took you off the road. That would be Step 1 in all of this, owning up to your mistake. Blaming it on God? That sounds so preposterous I almost think you’re trolling us now. We’re responsible for our actions and behavior out here on the road… not God, not family, not friends or our employers, but us. The Love’s out in TX and OK aren’t going anywhere, in fact, they seem to be expanding a bit, so pay your dues now and you’ll get to see them soon enough. Bear in mind that if you do not use your CDL for several years, you may need to take a refresher course or go through CDL school all over again to be eligible for the sort of job you were let go from, which is why I advised to take anything you can find… check your local online ads. Hope this has been helpful, best of luck to you.

This post leaves me with so many questions, before I can even entertain the idea of giving advice… where to begin… you got caught with a drug you use for depression. Do you have a prescription for this drug, or are you self-medicating? Is this drug considered an illegal substance? Yes I know, outside of trucking, marijuana is legal in most states, but in the trucking industry it is illegal. Not saying the drug you got caught with is pot, but you didn’t say what it was, so I’m left wondering…. … You wrote, “it wears off by then.” What does that even mean? You took this drug when you pulled into the truck stop, and expected it to have worn off by the end of your shower and your rest break? Why did another truck driver even report you, were you exhibiting signs of being under the influence of something? Was it erratic behavior? … … Where were you parked if not in a parking spot? Were there parking spots available and you just decided to create your own parking spot? And I’m trying to figure out the timeline here… you pulled into a truckstop, seemed suspicious enough to another driver that they reported you to the police, the police responded, all the while you are still on duty? That’s some hella quick response by the police. … … With so little real information to go on, I’d say you’ve most definitely sidetracked your driving career. Doesn’t matter that your background or clearinghouse is clear if your former company is going to report your termination due to drug use. Moving forward, you need to reestablish your credibility. And use better judgment. If you are clinically depressed, get a prescription for medication that is approved by the FMCSA. DO NOT self-medicate. Apply everywhere, but go ahead and pass on the mega-carriers. They’re going to learn about this history and won’t touch you. It likely won’t be your dream job, but it appears you’ve made a series of bad decisions here, and now have to live with them. If this is a lifestyle/endeavor you really want to pursue, suck it up and do the dirty work for three or so years, then hopefully better opportunities will come your way. Best of luck to you!

Good Morning James,

A good CB set up is subject to the old consumer virtue "You get what you pay for". Please bear in mind a good CB setup will let you hear what's happening miles ahead and will allow you to divert from major delays and also be safer by knowing what's coming around the next mountain curve.

There are many good CB brands. Cobra is a good brand many drivers use. I personally have a President McKinley. It has auto squelch and weather band.

I'd recommend finding a truck stop where you are commonly routed that has a reputable CB shop to provide and install the antenna and coax right there. Then they can hook it up to your CB and tune it right there. I can personally recommend the CB shop at the TA on Burr St, in Gary, Indiana.

All in you will pay $300-$400 if you take this route. Again, what results are you willing to pay for? My CB set up paid for itself in about a year with potential lost time and being able to avoid major delays.

Good luck in your search!

ZJ, I’ve spoken to the guy who runs that shop, real nice fella… great reviews on him, but I don’t think he has an installer. Did you put your CB/antenna in yourself, or did he recommend someone? I’m looking to upgrade… I don’t know if it’s the installation, or my equipment… But my range seems pretty weak. I’m also not very confident in my own skills as an installer…

Do you want to connect with California military truck drivers, or do you want to try and fill alleged critical shortages of truck drivers? Or are you asking how does one transition from the military to a truck driver with a CDL? I don’t think anyone’s responded before now because your post is all over the place… I can’t tell if you are a troll or just really don’t know what it is you’re looking for. The FMCSA already has established pathways for persons transitioning from the military to truck driver. Here’s a link for you: military to CDL holders … … I spent about three seconds finding that link.

Thanks to all... I have conditional offer of Employment from KLLM of Jackson MS actually located in Richland...for their student driver academy..

Congratulations! KLLM is a fine company… I have a friend who started there, then transitioned over to their sister company, Frozen Foods Express, before opting for a daily/local job as a fuel hauler. Good luck, hope to hear that you’re on the roads soon!

Your incidents will definitely make it difficult, but perhaps not impossible. You won’t really know until you start filling out applications. In your case, I would only apply to companies who send you to their own CDL program, or company-sponsored CDL, companies like Swift, Prime, Western Express… check out this link for a more comprehensive list… If you go to a private school or somewhere where you’re paying out-of-pocket for your CDL, once you have that CDL in hand, and then realize you’re not finding a company who will hire you… you’ve just wasted your money on a CDL you can’t use. Going through a company-sponsored CDL program is your best bet. Also, don’t waste your time reading reviews of companies, just fill out the applications and take what you can get. No one becomes a millionaire their first year in trucking, that first year is all about gaining experience. Best of luck to you.

Do not follow Jessica’s advice, because it’s terrible [armchair] advice. Hire a lawyer and fight this? Waste of your time and money. Schneider‘s expected revenue in 2025 is $2 billion. You or anyone who thinks they have lawyers who don’t know the law, and/or don’t know how to manipulate the law are kidding yourselves. Who are you? Someone who is going to have to admit to being a drug user, and who did stop using, and congratulations on that, but not so recently that the drugs aren’t still showing up in your system. This industry isn’t going anywhere. Stay clean, get gainful employment outside the trucking industry for the next three years, and then try again. Stay clean, stay gainfully employed, and you won’t have any issues becoming a truck driver, if that’s what you really want to do.

Congratulations Kearsey, on both accomplishments! I wish you continued success in driving and in health!

Hi Francis, I too work for Schneider, so I’ll share a little advice, which likely applies to the other megas as well…to your point of calling in and waiting on hold for 34+ mins, the fastest way to reach anyone, whether it’s during normal business hours or after hours, is to send in a freeform message from your tablet. Calling in is just going to put you in a queue behind a bunch of other callers, who all have very serious reasons for their calling in (that’s sarcasm), and your leader’s time will vary from a few minutes to who-knows-when before he/she can get to you. Sending in a message will accomplish the same task, but with no wait, which is to let Schneider know you are running late and why, and adds the benefit of putting a timestamp on it, so your butt is covered, which is the main reason you’re contacting Schneider anyway… to cya.

You are discouraged from contacting the customer directly because historically speaking, most of the time when drivers do contact the consignee, it’s to ask if they can deliver early. Enough customers have complained about that that Schneider’s blanket policy is simply, Do Not Call The Customer. Can you call the customer? Of course. But when you do, be your most humble and appreciative self that you can be. The primary reason I’ll contact the consignee is to inquire about overnight parking. Sometimes I get lucky and the conversation does take a turn to delivering early, but that’s never the obvious intent of my call. Phone numbers provided with the shipments are sometimes nonexistent or outdated. This is where Google Maps is your friend. You can pull the customer up on Google Maps, and sometimes you will find a phone number listed there.

Finding yourself in a situation where you’re going to be late making a delivery, is not a good reason to contact the customer. Unless you have a good relationship with a receiver… someone you’ve delivered to previously and have built a rapport with… or you’re on a dedicated account and you go there frequently… send the message in to Schneider and let Schneider handle it. You’ve done your job in letting your employer know you’ll be late and why… now let them handle dealing with the customer.

Lastly, you mentioned grabbing a shower before heading out to the customer… I am sure you realize it now, but that wasn’t a wise move. You’ve got to manage your time better. Work that shower in during your 10 hour break, or after the delivery. When you’re on a load, you have one job: make the delivery safely, legally, and on time. If the appointment time is a set time, try and get there 30 minutes early. That’s acceptable. If it’s a delivery window, try to get there as soon as that window opens. I hope this has been informative.

Best of luck moving forward, stay safe my friend!