Hello there~
This is Riverman from Buffalo saying hello. I could use some advice from the Pros out there. Any words of wisdom will definitely be appreciated by this 'Greenie'!
At age 36 I have decided to become an OTR driver. I feel I am very qualified despite my lack of experience in driving heavy trucks. That is, I think I have the Raw Materials to make it. But before I really start speaking with recruiters, I have a couple of issues which concern me:
1) About 5 1/2 years ago I was involved in a traffic accident that was ruled to be 100% the other person's fault. A 16 year old from out of town out with her friends after curfew thought she had a 4-way stop and pulled out suddenly in front of me. I'm happy to say there were no major injuries.(However, my black T-bird was totalled...waah!) That has been the only incident I've ever had as a driver and in fact I don't even think it's on my record. The 'Po-lice' took my statement and I never heard from them since.
2) About 4 years ago, I came down with a serious illness. I had a birth defect in my pancreas which basically caused chronic pancreatitis. It has caused me to be out of work and on Disability for a long time with chronic pain. Incidentally, because of this I cannot touch alcohol- one less concern! I recently had a stent placed in my pancreas and it has essentially cured my condition- I feel better than I have in years. But, obviously, since I have been out of work for so long, I am worried that the gap in my work history is an obstruction to my being considered for employment at the major trucking companies. Before I got sick, I was a lab technician at a food plant, a job I had for almost 3 years. It was a demanding, high-pressure, and high-responsibility job and I did very well. I could, in fact, go back to that, but I really want a change, and have always loved to travel, and feel stifled by a rigid routine. Besides, I have always secretly wanted to drive a truck!
3) While I was distracted with my recent surgery and an episode of pain prior to that, my insurance company cancelled my auto insurance on me without my knowledge. What happened was I authorized them to automatically deduct the montly payment from my checking account, but for some reason they neglected to do this. Unfortunately, my license was suspended as a result of this. I didn't get the notice of this until after the fact, because I recently changed my address. Things were a little topsy turvey over the summer for me, but thankfully things have settled down. The license has been fully restored, by the way. I have no moving violations.
From what research I've done so far, I get the impression that some people come to potential trucking employers with far bigger issues than mine. I'm hoping that the issues I raised are not enough to automatically disqualify me from working for a good company. My question is- do they? Any thoughts on which companies are the best to approach? I would really like to work for a high-quality company, and I feel I would be a very valuable employee. I am leaning towards long-distance dry-van work. It is important that they pay for my CDL training- I can't afford it on my own. I am NOT an ex-felon, a substance abuser, or otherwise have any legal issues- I am, have been, and always will be a productive, law abiding member of society. I have no family dependants or obligations, and am highly responsible, alert, intelligent, and stable. I am clean-cut, presentable, ethical, honest, a competant and capable driver, and would make a good representative of any company. Plus, I have already made the decision to start a new life as a driver, so I don't have to be 'sold' on the idea. I have a deep respect for professional drivers and I aspire to be a knowledgeable and competant professional myself. I would relocate for the right company. Also, for what it's worth I have made many long-distance trips by car back and forth from Florida to New York, and other trips, on my own, to visit relatives. So, I am not unfamiliar with driving long hours and many miles, if only in a car. Finally, I happen have a lot of experience with various trailers attached to pickups or cars- I can honestly say I am pretty good at backing into tight spots with a small trailer. I know it doesn't compare, but it's gotta be worth something...:)
Now you have the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...Still awake? I know that was long, but if you have made it this far and have any words of wisdom, I would be grateful for any advice. I will keep the blog up, too, to document my adventures as a wannabe, then a trainee, then a "FNG", and... you get the idea.
~Best, Riverman~
