Profile For Thomas S.

If you’re still looking for a place for your DOT physical; Northwest Community Health Care Immediate Care Ctr 519 S. Roselle Rd Schaumburg No appt needed

Good luck!

Congrats man! Word of caution: Don’t rely solely on the practice tests you find on line. Study The Book!

Yes, list it with an explanation of why you left.

Thomas, let me just mention a few things.

Close to home really should not be part of your decision - I've never had my trucking company's headquarters or terminal anywhere close to me. It's usually three or four states away and about 1,000 miles away. The only geographical criteria you should concern yourself with is the company's stated hiring area. That is what determines their ability to get you home for home time.

What makes you think you can determine that one company's training is going to be better than another's?

I would sure like to know what it is that influenced you to not return to that original company after rectifying the situation with your documents. If it has anything to do with things you heard from other new hires like yourself while at the orientation, then I think you're making a huge mistake. If what you told us was the only issue you had, then that company should be more than willing to bring you back on board. If there's more to the story, we need to know what it is if we are really going to be able to help.

Old School, several things influenced my decision. The “closer to home” criteria is indeed about home time. The two companies I’m applying to have terminals (and offer orientation) less than a 2 hour drive of where I live. I see their trucks on the highways I travel, regularly. One hauls regionally and promises home every weekend. Being 90 minutes away, that sounds like a promise they could keep. Company A’s home terminal is 8 hours away. I’ve never seen one of their truck on the road.

I want to do flatbed. Company A offered 3 days orientation, 2 days securement training, then 2-4 weeks with a trainer. Company B offers 1 week orientation, 1 week securement training, then 6 weeks with a trainer. Company C offers a similar 8 weeks of training. Is the training “better”? I can’t say, but I’d prefer more training rather than less training. Plus, B & C offer better training pay, which, unfortunately, I do have to consider.

I did a lot of research prior to going in. Company A was the lowest rated on Glassdoor and Indeed.com, with significantly more negative reviews than positive, but I did find a few glowing reviews on YouTube. This was also the case when I went to truck stops and talked to drivers. I heard everything from “Who?” to “Don’t waste your time.” I heard from drivers who claimed to have been there but left for whatever reason, but I never encountered an actual driver from Company A. Lastly, while in their orientation, I encountered quite a few recruits who were, (IMO) likely to contribute to the negative image of truck drivers. Will another company be different? I don’t know. But I know I didn’t want to be lumped in with that group.

So why did I go with A instead of B or C? Because of the few positive reviews I saw, and they were the first to respond when I had additional questions. Somehow Company B wasn’t even on my radar, and Company C was about G or H on my list at that time.

As Paul Harvey used to say: “And now you know the rest of the story.”

And Yes, the recruiter from Company A has called, and said to contact her if I change my mind about returning.

G-Town & Wiggle, Thanks for the quick response. You both sorta answered my question, but not quite: I’ll be more clear.

Once my licensing issue is resolved, I don’t plan to return to that particular company, but another company (with what seems to be better/more training, training pay, & closer to home).

So do I list company A on the application to company B?

Like I stated above its the law that you document each and every employer whether its a week or a day, your SS# is linked to them unless you are on 1099, then at the end of the year the IRS will find out, and then your SS# is linked. There are companies that will find out and there are ones that won’t. Honesty is the best policy and when it comes to being 100% truthful on basically a document that is going to be submitted to the FMCSA most likely. I would err on the side of caution and list em, but with an explanation.

Ok, I need a little clarification on this:

I’m a rookie, and went to a particular company’s orientation. They gave me a physical, and I pee’ed in their cup. I signed their forms (stuff like I wouldn’t abandon their truck, steal a load, etc). Before orientation was over they said they couldn’t offer employment because my state CDL (no corrective lenses req’d) didn’t match my DOT medical (corrective lenses required). I was there 4 days and did 2 backing drills/assessments. Did I work for them or not? Do I have to list them of any future application? I don’t want to appear dishonest going forward.

Rocket, Congrats, and thanks for taking us along on your journey. I’m researching companies and Roehl is on my short-list. Are you doing flatbed or dryvan?

Weed, drugs and alcohol do not go with a Cdl. Real medical Marijuana does not get one high. I don't know how it would show on a drug test. With that said, if weed and being high is more important to you than a stable career in anything, then go smoke a bowl.

I agree with your statement, but want to clarify: Drug testing does not detect if you've been getting high or not. It tests for THC metabolites, which exist in "real medical MJ". Even pure CBD (the medical side of MJ) contain trace elements of THC (the party side of MJ). So, it WOULD show up in a drug test.