HELP!!!! Opinions wanted

[TruckHappy]

1st let me start by saying I am a 30 year trucking vetern with over 3.5 million safe driving miles.I worked for company "A" from '01 to '04. There was about a 6 month period when I was unemployed due to an illness. Once I was well I started working for company "B". The company had a horrible reputation but I went to work for them anyway because they had a dedicated job I wanted. That job lasted for just over a year. Company "B" lost it because they were asking for more money then that customer was willing to pay. Instead of leaving I went to an other account and then another before being given the option of going 48 states or nothing. I hate switching jobs and given my health issues and the fact that I had pled guilty to a felony theft charge back in 1981, I decided to stay. For the final year I was there This company was starving me. My paychecks were averaging $400 when I got a paycheck. There were weeks I didn't make a paycheck. This caused troubles at home, bills were not getting paid and family and friends were disowning me. Leaving home ready to go back to work after a troubled 4 days at home. I got to my truck thinking I was going on a 1200 mile run I was then told I was going 80 miles to shag a trailer 5 miles and wait for it to get unloaded. I started shaking and getting dizzy. After I getting chest pains I decided a hospital visit was best. I was sent to a behavorial hospital (nut house) for a 10 day evaluation. I did what company "B" told me to do, I had them fax a "Return to work" form to the hospital, they filled it out and faxed it back to them. The doctor made a note saying that he thought I should have my blood sugar checked but other then that I could return to work. This is the beginning of the nightmare.Company "B" made me jump through many hoops trying to get back to work. After many attemps and weeks without any paychecks I decided if they were not willing to put me back to work I had to try somewhere else. I applied to many companies but with where I live (southern Delaware) and with my prior felony there weren't many options. I took a job with my former company, company "A". I told them everything. They put me though orientation including a DOT physical. I passed and off on the road I went. During that time company "A" kept trying to get info from company "B" and company "B" kept telling them I was still employed with them which was false because once I was hired with company "A" I told company "B" I quit. After 3 weeks company "B" finally told company "A" the truth but also told them about the stay at the behavioral hospital which I had already told them. Company "A" decided I needed to go through another DOT physical. I reminded them that when I went through orientation I only had 8 days of my blood sugar medication and I thought I would fail the physical which I did. This all happened in the middle of Ill., 1000 miles from home. They sent me home paying a bus ticket to Dover, DE. 40 miles from home. I had to pay another $30 to get the rest of the way home, not to mention they're telling me I have to pay $300 to have the rest of my things shipped back home to me. Now at home company "A" is making me jump through more hoops, hoops that are impossible to get through. One of these hoops are that they want me to get a work release from the behavorial hospital and they are telling me that they are no longer my doctors and that they already released me. They are not willing to fill out another form. All the other things they want me to do cost money that I do not have being out of work for soo long. Now I am filling out applications again and both company "A" & "B" are saying bad things about me.

Now, What should I do? What options are there out there for me? How do I get my things back from Ill without paying $300? Please give me something to look forward to.

[TruckHappy]

Well I just wanted to thank you all, this site has help me stay occupied while I am stuggling with my problems. It's been a month since I've had a paycheck, I'm flat broke, my family is abandoning me. I am being evicted. I have even put applications in at the local stores in the area with no luck. The anxiety is hurting. My chest is hurting. The depression is getting to much to handle. I've thought about checking into a hospital but then that's more bills that I won't be able to pay, so that's not an option. By Sunday I am out of here. Thanks again, see you.

[Apostolic]

The trucking industry news reports are always reporting that theres a big drivers shortage in North America.
Some states were even thinking of lowering the age to get a CDL.

I've seen some of the bigger truck load trucking companies offering sign on bouses.

Also I know a lot of those long haul TL companies are hiring green horns from truck driving school.

With all this big shortage,you would think someone with a few years behind the wheel would be able to hire on some place.

When my last Union LTL trucking company went bankrupt.
I had almost 18 years as a city driver with them.

I was really shook up when I was told the Sunday afternoon,not to come to work the next day it was over.

I went to talk to the pastor of my church I was so depressed.

He had my church pray for me to get hired on with Overnite.

Right after I was out of work I put applications in every trucking company around my area,including Overnite.

Overnite told me they didn't want me because of all the years I had in the Teamsters union.

Well my church prayed,that I'd get hired on with Overnite.

That was at our Sunday evening service.

Monday the TM from Overnite called my wife,telling her to have me call him when I came home.

Well I called,and will never forget what that TM said on the phone.

He said come in tomorrow I'll give you a chance to work here,but don't ask me why I'm doing this.

That was 1986,I retired from them the first of April this year.

So you can do the same as me,put applications everywhere,then pray in Jesus name,believing God will get you hired on some place.
Hope this helps you,Perry

[tumh2o]

Are you employed by either co's now? If not file for unemployment and assitance so you can at least have some income.

Regarding your possessions which I asume were left in your rig. If the company sent you home via bus lines it is their responsibility to get your gear back to you. How hard you want to fight for $300 worth of gear is up to you. Sounds to me like you have bigger "fish to fry".

It sound like your ability to be employed in this industry is being questioned. Talk to your state Labor and Industries Dept. and see if you qualify for retraining.

In the meantime follow the advice of the previous poster and apply to the big TL co's. Make sure you are prepared for your physical (blood sugar and all).

Lastly, keep it together. Good Luck driver.

[TruckHappy]

I wish I could tell you everything that is going on here now. Everytime I ask anyone for help I get the dorr slammed in my face. Since 2004 I have been going through a lot and I thought I had it under control.
Right now I am starting to have really bad thoughts running through my mind. Both Suisidal and Illegal thoughts. I am trying my best to fight them but it is getting harder and harder. It is getting to the point where in my mind I I feel like since I cannot get any help from my family or friends or the state or local goverment, I only have 2 choices left, either see what's on the other side or start robbing people and hope no one gets hurt. Since I am not the violent type the anxiety is making me ill. It hard to breathe, I have pains all over and my chest is squeezing tight. I am on diet of noodles and water once a day, And for me, all 300 lbs that is rough. Anyway, I want to stop this. I hate bothering people with my problems. Take care.

[pro1driver]

have you ever tried getting a copy of your DAC...?? http://http://www.usis.com/default.aspx

if not go to the website, then go to 'consumers" and follow through the links for a free copy. be sure to include a photo copy of your drivers license and your social security card. it will take (about) 2 weeks before you get your free copy.....

now, if you have already done this, you do have other options, like perhaps a yardman's job. usually a little less than a drivers job, but still with-in the trucking industry. then there is a fuelers job at some LTL company, even a mechanics helper job. maybe even a building maintenance job.

if not, other options include but NOT limited are working at a warehouse on the dock. i would however be very carefull how you apply for the job and how much info YOU supply on any application.

i don't think you need to mention hospital stays for instance, or depression, or anti-depressive medications, or even diabetic medications. if your diabeties is UNDER control, you "should" be employable at least in the off driving jobs.

sadly, the unemployment situation in america stinks right now, thanks to the oil companies and prez Bush, and his motley crue.................