Need Some Advice On Finding A Job With A Felony

Hey Old School. Your posts on here have been insightful, thanks. And I'll take a look at them.

-Lance

I would try to find a company sponsored school instead of private. How will you feel if you went through all the work and money of a private school then couldn't find a company to hire you?/or it takes too long to hire you and once a few.months go by they want you to do the whole schooling over again? We have seen it here.

Hi Rainy....(as to not be a possible candidate for your dungeon I will choose my following words carefully)

Dam fine point my dear. I am looking at company sponsored schools for 2 reasons. Like you said the cost of private school is just not feasible for me at this point financially. Also, the risk of waiting to be hired, with my conviction (robbery) that could and probably will take me some time. A company sponsored school will train me, put me out OTR with a trainer, and hire me on for xyz amount of time until loan is paid off. I'm okay with that scenario.

Also, I will need in writing from that particular school that the are in fact willing to give me a chance with my conviction. Without that in writing, its not ironclad. I have read and researched this extensively and talked to many other truckers about students being cleared with a conviction, get to school and then are turned away because so and so popped up at the last minute. From the student not being honest on app, to something else coming up at school through "a more in-depth background check" etc...Its a mountain to climb for me with this conviction, I am well aware of this. I will have all my ducks in a row. I know I can do this, and I will. Just takes some time, perseverance, and a good presentation on my part.

Be well.

-Lance

Nothing is ironclad before hand. They might put in writing that you are eligible, but when you get there they might send you home anyway. That is sorta the name of the game. People who bringnthings up with the recruiters think that their approval gets them in. Nope it gets you an invite.

Which sucks. And not just for convictions but for other things in the background as well. Check out Brett's link on companies that take felons. See what happens.

And no, kindness won't keep you out of my dungeon lol

Lance, you have gotten some great advice so far. You attitude and willingness will take you far. Here is another way to look at it. Many companies who do not offer company training will reimburse you for what you spend on private training. If you are out of work or meet other requirements, you may be able to get your trucking school paid by your state unemployment agency through the WIOA program.

If no one else will hire you, you can always try Carolina Cargo. They are a great second chance company. They drive teams, so you will get tons of miles. They take great care of there equipment. Check out the link of another TTer's experience with them. Get a year under your belt with them and you can go just about anywhere. There are other second chance companies. You can try CFI (formerly, XPO and Conway), Western Express and there are a few others. Just search what you want in the search bar at the top of this page. The most important thing is to be honest about your past. It is people who are not upfront about their past that get sent home from orientation.

Good luck to you. You can make this happen.

Hello to all....update...

So I've been on the phone for the last few days while continuing to study for my CDL permit. Here is the latest:

Roehl-After application, NO. Jim Palmer/Wiltrans-After application, NO. TMC-Still waiting response from recruiter, case by case because of felony. Swift-Not taking anyone for schooling from NJ at the present time. Celadon-Not taking anyone for schooling from NJ at the present time. Prime-After application, NO, FELONY time clock starts 10 years from release date. (I was released in 2009, conviction date was 1997) Knight-on hold for 35 minutes, will follow-up Monday.

Well, only a few companies so far, I have a long way to go. I also called Carolina Cargo, with a CDL-A in hand they would consider me, but would have to relocate to South Carolina. I inquired into NJ WOIA program, 4 different types of grants to pay for CDL schooling, and so my search continues.

I remain grounded and hopeful for a good result. Be safe out their folks.

-Lance

Hey Lance, just FYI, most companies are going to want you to relocate to their running area if you live outside of it. So, if you want to stay west, or stay out of the northeast, you're most likely going to have to relocate to that area. The reason for that is that they know you're going to want to go home, and if they don't run freight into NJ, they're not going to be able to get you home very easily, or even at all, under a load so both you and the company can make money. I'm not sure if you're willing to relocate, but that's the simple part of staying out of an area you don't want to go to. (Likewise, if you want to, say, run a Texas regional , you will generally need to live in Texas or maybe one of the surrounding states.)

Also something for you and maybe others who read this, I recently came across a company that has an interesting policy on their website. K&B Transportation says this: "K&B Transportation, Inc. does not discriminate against applicants based upon prior felony convictions."

Their driver qualifications page also says they want one year of OTR experience, but you never know if they're willing to make an exception to that rule until you ask.

They do not run northeast, but they also do not hire in NJ. Here are their fleets and hiring areas.

Good luck!

I know of at least one company that pays for training and hires convicts - CRST. You'll have to drive team but they hire a lot of new drivers others won't touch. . I don't know the details of your conviction but I've meet drivers with Grand Theft Auto, Manslaughter and other crimes normally dismissed by the industry on the payroll. They run the lower-48, but runs into the Pacific Northwest or north of New York are rare.

Evening to all. I appreciate the info. I'm going to apply to CRST in the morning time. Be well out there.

-Lance

Hello to all from central Jersey. I'm in need of some advise. I have been reading all of the threads on this site, well as much as I can, for almost 2 weeks now. Brett Aquila, your book was outstanding. I read it in one sitting. Thank you for all of your insight into the trucking world. I was convicted of robbery in 1997 (no one was hurt, thank god) and was sentenced to 11 years and 2 months in prison. I was released in 2009. I have been home for 8 years now, with almost 19 years clean and sober. Not so much as a traffic ticket. I have held steady employment for the most part. Dead end job to dead end job. These days I'm driving a taxi. I say to myself daily, there has to be a better way. I'm a father of a 3 year old little boy, and really I want better for him and myself.

My license is 100% clean, no points or accidents at all. I've been studying for my CDL permit for about 2 weeks now. High Road Training as well. Thanks again Brett. I do have an open application to Roehl and will speak with a recruiter over there again tomorrow morning. I have always wanted to drive a truck ever since I was a kid. I have read up on the ups and downs, and the temperament it takes to be over the road. I believe I have the qualities to do this and succeed.

Here is where I need advice, I have to go to CDL training at a school because of monetary concerns with no money up front. Thing is that I want to stay off the east coast altogether and go over the road out west. Is this possible? From many hours of reading I figure Roehl to be a good fit as far as that is concerned. Thoughts?

Also, I have considered Jim Palmer but they are really strict on the felonies case by case and time elapsed, but still strict. Think I got a shot?

My journey has just begun. But I will keep pushing along until I get my permit, then school. Any and all advice for a noob is always appreciated.

Thanks and be well.

-Lance

I started with Roehl worked there for four months and after 1300 mile weeks I had to quit. I have been with PTL for almost 8 months now and love it here. They will hire you if you have a felony in your past and you will make great money during training and after training. Most of the trucks are new freightliner automatics. No forced dispatch to the northeast and a lot of runs to the west especially during training and if you drive team. I was ready to give up until I found them. Also very laid back good dispatchers that will not micromanage the he'll out of you. Good luck hope everything works out and congrats on your sobriety that is not an easy thing to overcome .