Employer History Issue Guidance?

Hi, I have been driving 4 years now and was wondering about an issue I am having. I unfortunately have been terminated by 2 of my 3 employers. If you must know i was late on a 3rd load when I was a new driver and on the second dealt with a HOS violation which I disputed. Other then that I have no tickets, accidents or anything else. As a result of these 2 terms I am having great difficulty with prospective new employers ( I am driving now but not too happy with current position). I was wondering if I went the lease route, instead of company driver, would I have an easier time finding employment? THX

You "might" have an easier time trying to go lease - might even find potential employers tell you that it's the ONLY WAY they'll give you a hire.

Consider that this is like BUYING YOURSELF A JOB - and all the (potential) downsides of leasing would apply.

Now - since you're not a 1st year newbie, and at 4 years should have an understanding of how to operate safely and efficiently, you might just be able to scratch out a living comparable to (or perhaps a bit more) than operating as a company driver. But again - all the downsides of "owning a truck" (that you don't actually even OWN) are going to apply. You are going to find yourself "chasing your weekly nut" in addition to just getting from point A-to-B safely and legally.

How long have you been with the current employer? What ACTUALLY SHOWS UP on your DAC as reason(s) for termination from previous employers?

What is SO BAD about your current gig, that you can't stick it out for awhile and get some POSITIVE TRACK RECORD under your belt?

The HOS one is going to figure largely, as SAFETY (ie: insurance) dictates what goes on in the industry.

Was your HOS a CITATION for log violations - or getting called in by safety for going over? Usually - you aren't going to get sacked for ONE INCIDENT - but a PATTERN OF DISREGARDING HOS requirements.

Service Failures are self explanatory.

You are likely going to have to stay where you're at for awhile - and demonstrate a track record of safe, compliant and reliable operation - to get companies to consider your not-so-perfect past.

But keep applying anyways. And consider that the grass might not be so much greener, when you add the responsibility of covering a lease/expenses. You may be setting yourself up for a situation where job-hopping and negative history make you nearly un-hirable.

Rick