The Past Can Haunt You.

Hey so I been determined to leave the counter/grocery clerk for years now, so finally was fed up so here I am, researching day in and out for companies sponsored because I didnt have the funds, so swift prime, and, schneider are top, so I joined this trucking truth, because it is just that, so been studying, and finally realized a felonny from 7yrs, ago but a 5dollar fine which was paid in january 2013, makes it months from being old, luckily the judge said february it will be expunged, but im so determined especially for goals I been trying to accomplish, but man do I wish I can be in school right, now I plan on grinding hard, im single , no kids, no debt , no girlfriend, oh yea a felony at the age of 18, but hey, if anyone has any advice or same experience, as me, or just to keep me focused on the prize or about the companies I want to attend please respond

Ps. Negative, and positive, criticism will not offend me im to focused.

DaQuan,

Our past can haunt us, but it can also be the catalyst that sends us into the future with knowledge and experience to make wiser decisions, understanding ourselves better and the LIFE ahead of us.

One of your biggest challenges will be the background checks that companies will do. They say you must pass a background check. Remember this: To the passing means you have No criminal record, but for you it means "telling the truth." No matter what hold on to that. That you told the truth. If someone does not hire you because you have a criminal record, then you really didn't want or need to work for them. That is your first indication that they do not have to forgiving spirit you will need to each your goal of a brighter future.

I applaud the fact that you have told the truth here but, even more so because you are not going to give up. One of our greatest down falls in our lives is the adversities that we face. Many have a bad outlook and then others have a great outlook. Who do you think succeeds? Yep, the one with the better outlook. Do we always win right away? No. Sometimes it takes years. But if we give up. The fight ends. Some people are fine with that. Me. No way! I will never quit. I pray that you don't either.

Just to make this short and to not go into to detail, because details really don't matter sometimes. I understand felonies. I've had one myself. I'm not a bad person and I am sure you are not either. But life happens. Oh, there will be many along the way that will want to throw their two cents in and that's fine. Everyone has an opinion. They are like *&%&%^$#. We all have them. Unfortunately, many people let those opinions begin to settle into their hearts which then become JUDGMENTS. It's those judgement's that hurt mankind. Mainly because they mostly negative in nature. I have had to deal with my past now for 46 years. My story begins at the age of 5. Either way I have never given up. I will be 51 years old here in the next few months and started out driving a truck back in 1983. I've worked in the corporate world, loaded and unloaded trucks, been a fleet manager , have a master cosmetology degree, a master cook diploma and have owned my own steak and seafood restaurant and catering business. And now at 50 years of age after letting my CDL expire because I thought I would never drive a truck again, I am in a Tech school about to finish on Oct.7th with my CDL again. I've lost everything that I have ever owned, THREE TIMES.

And one thing I think of all the times is this: I wish I had never come out of that truck. If I had just stayed on the road. But, I refuse to live my life based on "What if's".

I love a truck! And being in one is where I belong. If you want to drive one. THEN GO FOR IT! Don't let anyone or anything hold you back. If you can't get on with a company then check out your local community colleges or Technical schools. Their is a WIA grant that is available and other state grants that are out there too. Don't know what state you live in, but I know something is available. Let me know and I will research it and let you know. Have a certificate from a State school can be helpful and many of the schools have recruiters that come in to talk with you, just like a private school.

Let me know where you are and like I said I will see what I can do to help you get the information you need.

Good Luck. The past only haunts you if you believe in ghost.

Thanks Tracey, and goodluck back out there on the road. I hear a lot of drivers say they left, either a company or drivibg period, and now back at it, so I know it's something you learn to love, and I won't give up because if I do to me its a failure, and thanks for the advice, I always tell the truth with that subject,plus we on trucking truth hahaha, but yea im from GA myself Lovejoy and any helping hand is better then nothing.

So we aren't far apart. My restraint was in Jackson Georgia. I lived there for about 10 years. My parents were my next door neighbors. I loved it. They moved to South Carolina to be close to one of my sisters.

Anyway, you can go the Technical school route. Believe me you will love it. I know that Southern Crescent which used to be Griffin Technical college has a great program and I believe their satellite school over in Jackson is doing the CDL program. The Technical school system here in Georgia is great and they will help you with both the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) grant and the Hope Scholarship. That will pay almost all of your tuition. Out of pocket expense is $141.00 plus your DOT physical which is anywhere from $50.00 to $75.00 depending on where you get it. The school may have a healthcare provider who does it for them for a set price so be sure to ask. The other expense is getting your CDL permit. That cost $45.00. So total for you is $236.00 or $261.00. If you have gotten your GED in recent years here in Georgia you will also receive a $500.00 one time Book expense voucher which you can use for whatever you wish. That is in pocket money. You would have had to get a GED though to get it.

A Technical School Certificate is good in this state. The school system has many recruiters to choose from. Go online and check them out. The program is 8 to 10 weeks. If you start studying now you could get your permit before you go to school. You will take the General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combinations test at the DDS. If you have your permit before the first day of class you have a head start on everyone. You could be out pre-tripping and driving before everyone else. If you have to, break the tests up. Take the General Knowledge first and the other two maybe the next day. You can do that.

Let me know if this has helped. I will do whatever else that I can to help you out.

Good luck and keep me informed.

And you can be studying here until on the High Road, so when you DO get into school, you will be way ahead of everyone....here's a link High Road Training Program Now take all the information you get here, and put it to use !! Oh...and Welcome to the site !!!!!! We will help you all we can !!!

Thanks on the info again Tracey.

Starcar thanks to I did on and off now im back it, I keep hearing a lot of people passed from this guide, and didnt touch the manual, I'm actually reading now.

I keep hearing a lot of people passed from this guide, and didnt touch the manual, I'm actually reading now

Correct, because our High Road Training Program has the actual CDL manual built right into it. There are two sections we've put together ourselves - Logbook and Weight & Balance. Those aren't in the CDL Manual but they're critical knowledge you'll need for your Trucking Career.

The entire rest of the program is the actual CDL manual so you don't need to study a CDL manual separate from taking The High Road Training Program in order to pass the CDL permit exam and all of your endorsement exams.

Wow yea thanks Brett it helps a lot seeing people experiences, and moutains to climb just how I will be soon enough, I mean never new about truckers day I think cookouts, or annual meet , it really is informative

Sorry guys. Forgot to tell him to use the site. Brain Fart.

The flash Cards are real good too. They will help with your pre-trip test. Get to know the parts of the truck, engine compartment, air brakes.....all of it. If you know what the part is and what it does you can't go wrong. The oral test seems like a lot of wording which scares people, but it is only a script like in a play. If you practice with it like you have a part in a play it will just roll right on out with ease.

The oral test seems like a lot of wording which scares people, but it is only a script like in a play. If you practice with it like you have a part in a play it will just roll right on out with ease.

Man that's so true. Me and the other guy who graduated with me teamed up throughout the entire training. We practiced everything together and spent hours everyday studying the pretrip together. We made sure we both knew the part and how to inspect it and we both said it in the same way. We made it into a song. We memorized our song so well that we both scored 100% on the interior and exterior pretrip exam. Best way to learn it in my opinion.