Question:
Well I have been trying to get another job since losing my first one due to a couple of preventable accidents, minor but too close together, and only having a couple of months of experience. I have filled out the on line job application, contacted the companies listed, and received the same response. Lack of experience, coupled with the accidents, safety departments are saying no. I understand, not complaining, but could sure use some help in finding companies who will give me second chance. I really like driving, really could use some advice on how to get back behind the wheel and show I can drive safely.
I live in Wichita, Ks., realize, especially now, what I am up against, but don't want to give up on something that I found I really enjoyed. Am going back to the school I graduated from for ideas, again. Perhaps there are some good web sites for smaller trucking companies which might be more willing to give a person an opportunity that someone can steer me to.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday season. Work hard play hard and do your best

Answer:
Why were the accidents preventable? Can you explain the nature of the accidents in better detail? I know one thing you can do is try to drive for an O/O.
There are O/O's at National Carriers that can hire newbies at their own
discretion. Can you explain the accidents in better detail,though?Disclaimer:Pick too ugly to post at this time,LOL.

Answer:
Yes, we need much more detail on the accidents. And, also, do these accidents appear on DAC?

Answer:
Actually we don't need any information on the accidents other than your new and they were preventable. We don't do much hiring here so your best information has already come from those who do. As you have found out that is a substantial brick wall in your way. Your going to have to look to small companies, O/O's and other less discerning places. Your going to have to beat the pavement big time if driving is what you want to do.
You might try www.classadrivers.com for another online place to apply. They have some different companies than listed on TN.

Answer:
Hey, i as well live in wichita (kinda wierd). anyway, have you tried trans am? www.transamtruck.com. i knew a person who had a rollover and they hired him but he was experienced though. you might have to start at a shady company to get hired.
best of luck
nick

Answer:
If you go to Transam, just don't mention the word bridge in the interview. They are kind of sensitive to that one right now, since one of their drivers took a loaded truck and trailer down a 2 wheel goat path and collapsed a clearly marked 3 ton capacity bridge the other day. Looks like their insurance may have to pick up 500,000 or so for that little incident. But they must have at least one opening right now.....

Answer:

Just so long as the 2 "minor" accidents aren't any worse than the "bridge" one...
Answer:
Hey Vin!
You might give Pro-Drivers, at West & Kellogg, a call!
It may get you some more experiance and buy some time for you!
I drove for them while on strike.
Told them I didn't want to be gone any great lengths at a time.
A night out then back was ok, but not any longer!
Give Cory a call, he's a BIG K-State fan, don't hold that against him though!

Answer:
Your accidents do matter. Many here could not give you advice till they know the "level" of the accident. Also do you know the level?
Example. I knocked off a trailer door. Did no damage other then break the break away hinges. Repair cost 180 bucks. Accident put on me for "up to 5k" on my dac.
2nd example, Car T boned me. They had a stop sign I was on a US Hyway at 55 MPH. Given a incident not a accident, a incident for 15k-30k and a fatality.
The first example was preventable. Trailer was loaded at 40k on a chuncked out parking lot made of gravel. I was backing to the drivers side and did not see or hear the pass side chain BREAK from the tweeking in the trailer on the unlevel ground. I should have planned on that. I really should have. I knew better then that. Once I was straight, I saw the problem right away, it was just to late as I moved about 4 more inches, the door fell off. It was my fault.
They second was, FIRST ruled as a preventable. Go figure. I had to go to the ATA and present my facts to them. They came back and over turned my employers ruling. My employer used the "ATA standard" for ruling.
I had 3 more. I other I had to go to the ATA for again. I posted about that on here. It was a insurance scam deal in Florida. Truck driver even went and rented the car he HIT ME in. Then turned in his wifes ar that was a diff make and color as total with pics to the insurance company. After taking a check on the side of the road from the insurance investagtor. Trucking company waned to list it as preventable because they cashed out on it.
GET A COPY OF YOUR DAC.
FIND OUT HOW YOU PAST EMPLOYER IS SHOWING THE ACCIDENTS.
Are they showing them as say you tore up a gravel parking lot making a sharp U turn as "ACCIDENT UNDER 5K" or what.
Find out if you are on the rehire list, if not find out when they would consider you for rehire.
On applications, do not HIDE anything. They are getting better and better at getting stuff.
If you ave a HAZ MAT. They 10 years gose back past you 18th birth day.
I never knew of this till I listened to many younger driver complain about having to come back in and fill out history of convictions for the past.
Like getting caught with beer at 17 at a park.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Ok I read everyones posts, and some of it I don't understand, such as how the accident(s) were rated.
I will explain everything I am up against, from what I know, and some other things.
First of all the accidents. First one I was with my trainer, practicing backing, and hit one of those bumper extensions. CFI says it cost $450. The second was when I had been turned out on my own. It was in a small truck stop I was turning from a parking lane onto a lane that would take me out to the street when my trailer hit a parked trailer. Cost CFI says was $1752.
Because of these accidents I was dishcharged (fired) for unsatisfacory safety record, which is what is on the DAC report, reviewable for rehire. I was told the same information the day CFI let me go.
The accidents happened 1 month apart. Without getting into the details of the accidents, yes they were preventable, I made 2 stupid mistakes, due to inexperience, and not taking care of business like I needed too. No excuse, just reasons which I learned from.
Next I only have 2 verifiable months of experience of OTR driving.
Finally I am on medication, one of which normally keeps me from driving, except if I have a doctor, familiar with my history, which states that the medication won't adversely affect my ability to drive. I have such clearance from my doctor, but it still raises a red flag with companies, or doctor during the physical, and yes I let the companies know right up front about the medications.
So to sum it all up I am up against inexperience, preventable accidents resulting in a unsatisfactory safety record, and a medication that raises a red flag.
CFI did what they had to do, I am not mad at them, I am mad at myself, in connection with the accidents. As far as I know there are no axes to grind with anyone at CFI, and myself. If there is I am completely unaware of it, and would be surprised to hear of one.
Given the chance I can prove myself to be a safe driver. My condition requiring medication I can't do anything about. I just know it helps me just like anyone else with some other condition, requiring medication to control a problem.
I have tried Classadrivers.com, filled out the on line application, and got a list of companies I had already tried, from another on line application. If there is a way to expand that search engine let me know, since I was steared to that site by a recruiter.
Yes I want to drive again, yes I am frustrated because of the mistakes I made, which put me in this fix, but also from the medication issue as well. Bottom line here is that I have to find a way to deal with these things, so I can do something I really enjoy.
Will look into the places suggested, as well as continueing to try what I can think of myself.
Thanks for everything, have a Merry Christmas and a safe drive. Work hard play hard and do your best

Answer:
Try checking into national carriers. I think they have some O/O's that hire newbies at their own discretion. Maybe you can talk with one of thier O/Os into letting you drive for them. One word of advice. ALWAYS when making a turn look in your mirror and make sure your trailer will clear any object in its path. If you have any doubts get out and look. If it's not going to clear another truck the only way to correct the situation is to back up. Remember,when you find a way in,you can find a way out. Lisa motor Lines out of Fort Worth,Tx might still hire you if you expain to them the situation. They are not a very good
outfit but it's a start. One thing I learned when I first started driving was if I had
ANY doubt I might hit something I would get out and look. Good Luck.Disclaimer:Pick too ugly to post at this time,LOL.

Answer:
Call.. Prime, Stevens or Swift they seem to hire folks that may have had some problems.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Jack and daytrader thanks for the information. I have tried Swift, negative, I think Stevens called me, again negative, am in the process of trying Lisa, Prime, and the other suggestions given so far.
First I am going to the doctor to discuss the one medication issue. Not really wanting to go off of it since it seems to be a key med in helping me out, and there doesn't, or hasn't, been another one that's been able to replace it. I am hoping that somehow I can get away from that medication, to eliminate at least one obstacle.
It's always good to rehear sound driving advice, I know what I should have done in both accidents, and now like I said I have to deal with those mistakes.
Hey thanks again guys, hopefully some other ideas will come along as well.Work hard play hard and do your best

Answer:
Like said above the info isn't very important especially because they were both very minor incidents. The problem is that you have 2 of them in a very short time. Now your faced with finding some one to take you.
The biggest problem with your circumstances is you may be tempted to go with anyone who will take you. That is a very bad idea. I can't even believe Daytrader suggested Prime. They have to be the absolute worst there is as far as a bad reputation for driver treatment especially newbies. Steven's isn't far behind them. If you settle for who ever will take you then you might as well be ready to start your job hopping early on because you won't last. Not if your halway intelligent anyway.
I would suggest forgeting about any online applications and get the phone book out and start calling. It's better to try and explain on the phone than it is on some generic application.
Your other choice may be to face reality and start looking for another kind of work. If your meds are what most people come here asking about and with 2 accidents you may be completely out of luck. Unles you can find some ma and pa place to take you.

Answer:
Have you tried CRST or KLLM?
I have to go with Stuffs, on this one...get the Phone Book & Let Your Fingers do some Walking.
Make a list of carriers & give them a Call to Explain your situation.
Also check with your local Employment Office.
Sometimes the Employment Office gets leads on jobs that are Not posted in the paper.(some of those leads are O/O's & small fleets.)