Just A Little Bumed Out

Well my bad...it turns out that the sky is not falling. I was persistent and sent an email giving some explanation of that REALLY OLD charge. It was taken to some secret review board and I got the pre-approval after all. Thanks to everyone who chimed in and told me to be persistent, I persisted and was rewarded.

Well my bad...it turns out that the sky is not falling. I was persistent and sent an email giving some explanation of that REALLY OLD charge. It was taken to some secret review board and I got the pre-approval after all. Thanks to everyone who chimed in and told me to be persistent, I persisted and was rewarded.

OK OK OK...it is set up to be put in...I just got off the phone...the review board didn't get to it today. Should know by tomorrow or Thursday...regardless it is a weight off my neck and I can proceed as normal

And yet - we have a massive shortage of truck drivers in North America. These companies are out of touch with what’s going on… keep your chin up! Don’t get discouraged you will get lots of good advice here and you will land at the right place!

So I am about 1 month away from graduating from CDL school. I have been putting applications out and patiently waiting for replies. I just finished a call with recruiting from my #1 choice. I was denied because of a 30 plus year old Misdemeanor. Hell, they let me join the Navy with that on my record...what gives....Oh, well moving on down the list...Thanx for being positive....Mostly this is just a rambling vent session....

Just got the call, I got, Officially, the pre-hire authorization. I still have 3 1/2 weeks before I test out and then I will get scheduled for orientation. Thanx everyone for your kind words. My past was discussed at length and moving beyond my spotty past shows me that being human and making mistakes won't destroy you as long as you own up to it, learn from those mistakes, and most importantly don't make the same mistake more than once.

Man ohhhhhh....Man! This has to rate inside the top ten posts I have ever read, but more probably five, and most probably three! Damn this is good advice! You make several good and valid points and drive each of them home with eight penny nails. Your advice bears reading by any job seeker within any field of employment. Even if and when demand is super strong. It takes some talent to be able to realize and reckon with historical mistakes and relate them to a reader in a self deprecating and engaging manner. But doing so, in my opinion is engaging and powerful! This was a pleasure to read good Sir.

Hey Mackerel, I know exactly how you feel. I got rejected multiple times when I was trying to get started. I'm not sure if you are familiar with my start, but I'll share it with you...

I labored hard over that decision of where I wanted to start my trucking career. I look back now and laugh at how I came up with the reasons I chose my first trucking company. They were shallow and ill-informed. I was a victim of the negative influences of those stupid trucking company reviews.

I had made up my mind to pull flatbed freight. My top choice for the company I wanted to work for was TMC. They are a fine company, and I mean no slight against them by telling you my experience with them. I chose them because of the beautiful Peterbilt trucks they have. Who wouldn’t want to drive one of those wonderful black trucks with all that shiny chrome? I also chose them because they insisted that you keep your truck nice and clean. They even had a charge account at the Blue Beacon truck wash company so that you could go get your truck washed each week. I liked that idea of always being seen in a nice clean truck! As you can see I was more concerned with image than I was with productivity. I thought I would look really cool in one of those nice shiny black trucks!

It’s almost as embarrassing to admit how shallow my preferences were, as it is to admit they rejected me. I got sent home from TMC orientation twice! That’s right - twice! Two different times they invited me up there to Des Moines, Iowa and I got sent home both times. Then on my third attempt at landing my first trucking job I got sent home from the orientation I attended at PGT. They were my third try at landing a flatbed trucking job, and I failed again! So, here’s another thing to think about when considering this question of what is the best place to start a trucking career. We said it earlier. The best place to start is the place who will hire you and give you a shot at this rewarding career. If there is someone out there who is willing to let you prove you can handle this job, then get in there and show them what you are made of. That’s how it works in this industry. Somebody gives you a chance, and you strap yourself onto the bull and ride it out. You don’t act arrogantly as though you are above this “starter company.” You show some gratitude and some fortitude and you get in there and make something happen.

Guess where I landed after those first three times of getting thrown off the bull? I made a call to Western Express and they agreed to bring me in for orientation for a flatbed driving job. Of all the companies out there who had terrible reviews on the internet, they had to be the worst case scenario. I was scared. I was literally getting sick to my stomach at times. I didn’t know what else to do. I had been thoroughly rejected at those other places, and I needed a job badly. I also needed a boost of confidence. I needed the comfort of knowing I was being productive and providing for my family. But I could not get past all the trash talk I had read online about how terrible it was to work for those guys.

I had tried to choose my first company so carefully. I did that because of all the fear inducing trash talk I had exposed myself to about trucking companies. Here I was thinking I was making some great choices, yet I had never considered the fact that they have to reciprocate. They have to choose me. Getting a job is not a one way decision. Just because I think Brand X is a great place to work does not mean they are going to hire me.

Western Express did something that none of the other companies I looked into were willing to do. They chose me. They actually hired me! Here I was a total greenhorn with no knowledge or ability, and they took a big chance on me. They gave me a shot at proving I could handle the rigors of a job that a lot of people fail at. That is the best company to start your trucking career at. If someone reaches out to you to give you a chance, you take it and be thankful for it. Show your gratitude by busting your tail while being safe, productive, and easy to work with.

It turned out that all my fears were misguided foolishness. The internet had fooled me. The key to making my first trucking job successful had nothing to do with the name on the truck. I ended up with my first successful trucking endeavor while working at a company that was despised on the internet. I have never looked back and I have had a lot of success since those early first days. You will too if you focus on being safe, productive, and easy to work with. Carry on brother - you've got a bright future ahead of you. Make it happen!

Thank you Gabe, and yes I ran across your story when I was looking for other tales of woe. It helped, my roommate, also a driver, suggested that I call back. I did not call, but wrote an email, respectfully asking that my file be given a second look. And Voila I got a look and here I go. I will let everyone know the company and my start date after I graduate. Not wanting to "Jinx" myself LOL. I will say that it is a Mega, but the first year can be tough on the wallet, so I chose a company that offers the Military Apprenticeship program in order to prop up my finances while I am learning the ropes. Stay tuned.

Why all the secrecy? Is it the CIA CDL School? "Jinx yourself?" Give me a break.

Hold back from members here and members may hold back answering your questions, too.

It's not about being secretive... I have set high expectations before and when they didn't turn out "OkeyDokie" I get the blues. So I have become accustomed to holding back a bit. And no it's not for the CIA, although that would be cool.

It's not about being secretive... I have set high expectations before and when they didn't turn out "OkeyDokie" I get the blues. So I have become accustomed to holding back a bit. And no it's not for the CIA, although that would be cool.

Many of usn's here just GAF, and wish you the best!

It's not like your screen name is revealing, either ... LoL! (Nor the bridge, tbh!)

I've been following your plight also, good sir. I'll be 'waiting in the wings,' as well!! Best wishes~!

~ Anne ~

Many of usn's here just GAF, and wish you the best!

It's not like your screen name is revealing, either ... LoL! (Nor the bridge, tbh!)

I've been following your plight also, good sir. I'll be 'waiting in the wings,' as well!! Best wishes~!

~ Anne ~

Thank you Anne (Shipmate)