Yeah, you kind of do have to spell it out, if that's what you mean.

No, I don't. The OP is an adult and I'll treat him as such. I don't hold hands or write out life plans. It's like giving someone directions to a destination and including that they have to stop at red lights and stop signs. It's not necessary and if they lack the common sense to know better, that's on them.

I understand why he's telling you to wait, but that's not going to help you. Like I said, any CDL job will require 10 years of work history. You also don't have a year experience to fall back on for the next 3 years which means you'll have a stale CDL.

I also don't get the issue you have with Western Express. Any company would've done the same thing they did in response to your actions.

I never said I had an issue with Western Express. They did what they wanted to and that's whatever. I have an issue with myself.

Yeah, you kind of do have to spell it out, if that's what you mean.

No, I don't. The OP is an adult and I'll treat him as such. I don't hold hands or write out life plans. It's like giving someone directions to a destination and including that they have to stop at red lights and stop signs. It's not necessary and if they lack the common sense to know better, that's on them.

I'm not stupid. Thank you for your honesty.

Yeah, you kind of do have to spell it out, if that's what you mean.

No, I don't. The OP is an adult and I'll treat him as such. I don't hold hands or write out life plans. It's like giving someone directions to a destination and including that they have to stop at red lights and stop signs. It's not necessary and if they lack the common sense to know better, that's on them.

Ok, you don't. Don't be mad when someone comes along and interprets what you have written differently than what you intended. You are an adult, too, so I am sure your skin is not too thin for the criticism.

OMG... what a mess.

Hydra this was in your initial post:

I hit a fire hydrant and made the stupid mistake of panicking and driving off instead of reporting the incident.

Okay, got it. And then you replied with this... in response to some honest replies, tough love and constructive criticism referring to "common sense", you said this:

I am not stupid

Okay, don't get it. So... not to be Captain Obvious, but at what point did you suddenly become smart? You may not be stupid in terms of IQ or worldliness, but your judgement was just that.

You need to become very humble, and accept that there is very little positive that can be gleaned from this mistake. You cannot take it back, stop wasting your energy on wishes that will not come true. Quite frankly if I am a hiring manager, I'd pass on your application sight-unseen. You are uninsurable, not sure you understand this. This is very serious...don't get defensive or smug. If I were you, I'd maintain the CDL , and try to get back to driving a semi or even a class B truck as soon as possible, to the extent driving a CMV that does not require a CDL (straight truck less than 26,000lbs). You have been out of the business for 6 months! Get busy...

Don't wait, and expect there to be hard questions asked of both your character and judgement. Please work on those answers...unemotional, calmly and humbly give them believable and honest answers.

I understand why he's telling you to wait, but that's not going to help you. Like I said, any CDL job will require 10 years of work history. You also don't have a year experience to fall back on for the next 3 years which means you'll have a stale CDL.

I also don't get the issue you have with Western Express. Any company would've done the same thing they did in response to your actions.

I never said I had an issue with Western Express. They did what they wanted to and that's whatever. I have an issue with myself.

Howdy, Hydra ~

I'm late to this fast moving 'party,' but .. better than NEVER !!

First off, to back up what G'Town said, Ryan & others, a stale CDL is NOT a myth, especially with an extremely excellent offer of employment, being extended. I 'Faux Pax'd' on one of Tom's apps rtecently .. transposed something with the date of leaving one company and the beginning of the next, and it SURE DID make a difference. Almost lost THAT OFFER from the table. Sadly, it's a bit far to commute, anyway ... but proof, it happens.

Hydra ~ Did you TOTALLY suck up to Western, to the nines? Grovel, beg, offer to go back out w/a trainer for a pittance, just to stay hired? Even volunteer to watch "x" hours of those awful, redundant, ancient safety videos?

I've been around the block for a while; and oftentimes, reading here .. and seeing there ... it works.

Florida . . . being in Florida. You might look into C.R. England, honestly. If you're not opposed to flatbed, you could try Cypress. They're right by you, and they train; which in your case could be a blessing. Are you opposed to teaming? I'm not sure if CRST is hiring in Florida, or not. CFI might bite, with retraining; also.

Another idea, look on Thumbtack; 1.800.Got.Junk, etc... really any scrap haulers or delivery for construction companies with their own fleets may also be an avenue...at least for the time being. The hurricane conundrum may actually offer some normally non existent opportunities for keeping your CDL in use.

I wish you well; something will work itself out for you. Please try, please let us know.

~ Anne ~

ps: The O/P feels bad enough; no need to hit a fella/gal when he/she is down; IMHO. IE: " I have an issue with myself."

"...to empathize, encourage, and inspire"

Ok, you don't. Don't be mad when someone comes along and interprets what you have written differently than what you intended. You are an adult, too, so I am sure your skin is not too thin for the criticism.

Mad? About a misinterpretation on a forum?

If someone needs clarification, they can ask for it and I'll clarify. If they misinterpret it, I'll correct it and try to make myself clearer. If a person assumes I said meant something and runs with that with no information of their own, that's on them.

I hope I've clarified the misinterpretation she misunderstanding to your liking, Ryan but I have work to do now.

I'm not stupid. Thank you for your honesty.

I never said you were stupid. The issue you're having right now is an integrity problem. It's not about the fire hydrant, it's the not reporting it. This isn't a team sport. You make every decision out there and you have to live with them. Companies are trusting drivers with hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment and freight. They have to trust that you'll always do the right thing and have zero doubts about it. You've been given a lot of ideas and leads here. Start moving.

Howdy, Hydra ~

I'm late to this fast moving 'party,' but .. better than NEVER !!

First off, to back up what G'Town said, Ryan & others, a stale CDL is NOT a myth, especially with an extremely excellent offer of employment, being extended. I 'Faux Pax'd' on one of Tom's apps rtecently .. transposed something with the date of leaving one company and the beginning of the next, and it SURE DID make a difference. Almost lost THAT OFFER from the table. Sadly, it's a bit far to commute, anyway ... but proof, it happens.

Hydra ~ Did you TOTALLY suck up to Western, to the nines? Grovel, beg, offer to go back out w/a trainer for a pittance, just to stay hired? Even volunteer to watch "x" hours of those awful, redundant, ancient safety videos?

I've been around the block for a while; and oftentimes, reading here .. and seeing there ... it works.

Florida . . . being in Florida. You might look into C.R. England, honestly. If you're not opposed to flatbed, you could try Cypress. They're right by you, and they train; which in your case could be a blessing. Are you opposed to teaming? I'm not sure if CRST is hiring in Florida, or not. CFI might bite, with retraining; also.

Another idea, look on Thumbtack; 1.800.Got.Junk, etc... really any scrap haulers or delivery for construction companies with their own fleets may also be an avenue...at least for the time being. The hurricane conundrum may actually offer some normally non existent opportunities for keeping your CDL in use.

I wish you well; something will work itself out for you. Please try, please let us know.

~ Anne ~

ps: The O/P feels bad enough; no need to hit a fella/gal when he/she is down; IMHO. IE: " I have an issue with myself."

"...to empathize, encourage, and inspire"

I did not grovel to Western. I got a call from Safety the day after it happened and after explaining it I thought all was well until two weeks later when I got fired. I have submitted applications to them and even emailed recruiters but I think they have me blacklisted.

Check out Refrigerated Express out of Melbourne Fl. I do not know their hiring requirements. (321) 779-3888 Or brandon@refrigeratedexpress.com

I did not grovel to Western. I got a call from Safety the day after it happened and after explaining it I thought all was well until two weeks later when I got fired. I have submitted applications to them and even emailed recruiters but I think they have me blacklisted.

Well, dang. Why did they wait 2 weeks? Have you looked up an abstract of your DMV record? It's different by state; just Google it. Might show 'something.' Harder to get copies of DAC and/or PSP, takes longer, too...but I would anyway. You get one free per year, via HireRight. All you can do is be honest with applicant companies, going forward.

Another one you could check, is Continental Express !!! Ask for Anita ..

Keep on it; all you can do, I guess. I'd still give Safety another shout, personally.

Best to ya!

~ Anne ~

Check out Refrigerated Express out of Melbourne Fl. I do not know their hiring requirements. (321) 779-3888;

Or, email: Brandon@RefrigeratedExpress.com

That's a good one, too....

~ Anne ~