DodgersFan2014
Member
Hey there. Names Chris. Im 33 and live in Pomona California. Heres my story:
I got my Cdl in January of 2010. With the help of a family friend I got a job right away running plants otr up and down the East Coast. I did that for 6 months until I found a local job running containers to and from the rail and ports in Los Angeles. I worked my way up from $8.00 to $15.00 by running hard and picking the game up quick.
After about a year and a half an owner op position became available with my company and because of my hard work I was rewarded with the opportunity to work for my self. It was a dream come True. I had my own truck under my company name and mc#. I set out to brake every earnings record the company had and hustled 14 hour max days taking every load I could get.
4 weeks into my contract I went out to celebrate a friends birthday at a night club in downtown L.A. I had a couple of drinks and had a good time. On the way home I was pulled over and was taken in for not cooperating with the field sobriety test. I knew that I was literally fighting for my career and thought if I stalled long enough my BAC would go down by the time I got to the station. I guessed wrong and was cited for DUI. I informed my company if the situation and they immediately ripped up my contract. I obtained a lawyer and still was convicted.
As a result of losing my job, I lost my truck, company, new car and apartment because I had no money coming in. I found myself with no money food or shelter. I could not get unemployment and welfare denied my claim. I had no friends or family to ask for help and ended up in a men's shelter for 5 days. I went from realizing my dream to living a nightmare. I finally found a job at a sweat shop fixing TVs in which I had to commute 3 hours each way by bus for minimum wage.
It took a while but I was able to find a room to rent and faced the hard fact that my dream will have to wait years until I can drive again. Over 2 years had passed and my situation had gotten significantly better. I found love and slowly was nursed back to a good place mentally. I parlayed my sweat shop electronic repair job into a good job with Best Buy Geek Squad and was doing great. I still had the fire in my heart to get back in my truck and reestablish my company. After completing all the DMV and court required classes and pay all fees I got my class C back.
After about a year with geek squad business went bad and I was laid off. I saw an ad on craigslist for an independent contractor position using my own car to deliver auto parts and took the job. I worked hard and bought a new fuel efficient prius so I could save money on gas and make more money. I did that for a year and put off getting my class A back because I had steady work. I finally got off my ass and got my permit then took a couple of hours of driving classes then b passed my DMV test. So l thought to myself I did it I'm back on the path.
I didn't realize that it had only been 2 1/2 years since my DUI conviction and was getting constantly rejected by every insurance company that trucking companies sent my information to. Then one day I call a guy who was new to trucking and had a car hauler and gave me a shot to drive OTR with his guy. I did 2 trips to the Midwest and it was a nightmare. I took the high road and refused to jeopardize my safety and license (not to mention all the loading and unloading cars and down time for free). We parted ways and now I'm trolling craigslist every day looking for another opportunity. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't have left the last position and kept my mouth shut. I want to drive badly and get this dream back on the rails. If anyone has there own truck and own insurance and looking for a smart hard working safe driver with experience. Please!!! Think of me. You won't regret it. 626-399-5198
I got my Cdl in January of 2010. With the help of a family friend I got a job right away running plants otr up and down the East Coast. I did that for 6 months until I found a local job running containers to and from the rail and ports in Los Angeles. I worked my way up from $8.00 to $15.00 by running hard and picking the game up quick.
After about a year and a half an owner op position became available with my company and because of my hard work I was rewarded with the opportunity to work for my self. It was a dream come True. I had my own truck under my company name and mc#. I set out to brake every earnings record the company had and hustled 14 hour max days taking every load I could get.
4 weeks into my contract I went out to celebrate a friends birthday at a night club in downtown L.A. I had a couple of drinks and had a good time. On the way home I was pulled over and was taken in for not cooperating with the field sobriety test. I knew that I was literally fighting for my career and thought if I stalled long enough my BAC would go down by the time I got to the station. I guessed wrong and was cited for DUI. I informed my company if the situation and they immediately ripped up my contract. I obtained a lawyer and still was convicted.
As a result of losing my job, I lost my truck, company, new car and apartment because I had no money coming in. I found myself with no money food or shelter. I could not get unemployment and welfare denied my claim. I had no friends or family to ask for help and ended up in a men's shelter for 5 days. I went from realizing my dream to living a nightmare. I finally found a job at a sweat shop fixing TVs in which I had to commute 3 hours each way by bus for minimum wage.
It took a while but I was able to find a room to rent and faced the hard fact that my dream will have to wait years until I can drive again. Over 2 years had passed and my situation had gotten significantly better. I found love and slowly was nursed back to a good place mentally. I parlayed my sweat shop electronic repair job into a good job with Best Buy Geek Squad and was doing great. I still had the fire in my heart to get back in my truck and reestablish my company. After completing all the DMV and court required classes and pay all fees I got my class C back.
After about a year with geek squad business went bad and I was laid off. I saw an ad on craigslist for an independent contractor position using my own car to deliver auto parts and took the job. I worked hard and bought a new fuel efficient prius so I could save money on gas and make more money. I did that for a year and put off getting my class A back because I had steady work. I finally got off my ass and got my permit then took a couple of hours of driving classes then b passed my DMV test. So l thought to myself I did it I'm back on the path.
I didn't realize that it had only been 2 1/2 years since my DUI conviction and was getting constantly rejected by every insurance company that trucking companies sent my information to. Then one day I call a guy who was new to trucking and had a car hauler and gave me a shot to drive OTR with his guy. I did 2 trips to the Midwest and it was a nightmare. I took the high road and refused to jeopardize my safety and license (not to mention all the loading and unloading cars and down time for free). We parted ways and now I'm trolling craigslist every day looking for another opportunity. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't have left the last position and kept my mouth shut. I want to drive badly and get this dream back on the rails. If anyone has there own truck and own insurance and looking for a smart hard working safe driver with experience. Please!!! Think of me. You won't regret it. 626-399-5198