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Thank you for the number of great questions every month. I can’t tell you how many drivers are asking similar questions, so be sure to check the archives on occasion for previous articles. The most popular questions seem to be related to DAC, felonies, and drug tests. Although these are important, it just isn’t possible to address those every month, but I have written on them in the past. So, please continue sending questions in and I will do my best to answer as many as I can. If I don't answer your question in the column, there is a good probability that a similar one has already been answered in a previous column, so I encourage reviewing the archives when possible. Thank you for making this column the great success that it continues to be.

I am currently looking for a trucking job with a regional company, but can only find jobs working for owner-operators. These jobs don’t take out taxes, have benefits or anything. I haven’t taken any of them yet, but I am thinking about it seriously. What’s your take on these jobs?

These jobs, like most, have their purpose and it really depends on what is most important to you. Work for an owner operator can be very rewarding and offer you opportunities you may not otherwise have. It is possible to get a closer look at what it means to be an owner operator, the challenges associated with it, and how to be or not be successful as an owner operator.

One of the challenges of working for an owner operator, however, is that many may not be able to compensate like a large carrier can. That is health, dental, retirement, and other benefits may not be available. They should, however take out taxes unless you are leasing one of their trucks.

Overall, the decision comes down to what is most important to you. Is it most important to run a regional route, or is the compensation package the key part of what will make you happy in your job? Personally, I do not have any negative feelings about working for an owner operator if the overall situation is right for you, right for the owner operator, and all expectations are clearly communicated by both sides. In fact, it may turn out to be the greatest thing that ever happens in your career.

I lost my job and then attended a truck driving school. When I enrolled I had no idea that local carriers will not take the chance with new drivers, so I decided to go over the road. How long do you think I need to stay over the road before local carriers will have the trust in me?

I continue to be disappointed in the truck driving schools that fail to give the “whole picture” of what a graduate will or will not be able to do once they complete their training. There is, however, a responsibility on the student to ask probing questions about the items that are most important.

A couple of things generally stand out that drivers are surprised by when they graduate. First, most carriers that hire graduates will also require them to go through a training program lasting 3-6 months before they get their own truck. Next, those background items that raise red flags for all drivers count for recent graduates, too (felonies, drug convictions, speeding tickets, etc…). The other area that is often overlooked is that local driving is generally not an option until a driver has experience.

Most local carriers are looking for 6-12 months of proven safe driving experience, likely over the road. Remember, also, that requirements naturally vary by carrier. The best way to find out is to personally contact a couple of local trucking companies and ask them what their requirements are.

I work in the emergency room and I want to change careers; truck driving is my goal. I have a DWI that is 11 years old. Do you think my goal is possible?

Yes, your goal is possible. Any drug or alcohol related marks will not look good, but your one DWI is old enough that you should be ok.

This, of course, assumes that you have a clean criminal record, a good motor vehicle record, no other alcohol or drug incidents, a safe driving history, and quality references from previous employers.

I do recommend, however, that you make a couple of phone calls to major over the road companies and ask them. You should also ask the truck driving school about this prior to enrolling and, if they feel you will be ok, then ask them for the contact information of a couple of carriers they work with that might be willing to hire you.

Just proceed with caution and clarity.

Drivers' Corner - Ask the Recruiter

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