Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

[ilmostro99]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I used to be the HR Administrator at a fairly large department store. I did A LOT of interviewing and hiring. Just a bit of advice here. If you want a job, go to the interview with the right attitude. The employer is not there solely to give you a job. They exist to make money. How can you help them do that? The more you make for the company, the more they will pay to keep you. It's as simple as that. Do Not go into any job interview saying - or thinking - I cannot do this, I cannot do that. If you have limitations (and everybody does), go in with a solution for them. Learn what they do prior to interview and tell them what you CAN do for them. You may not be able to drive a dump truck, but when you talk to them, tell them that while driving the truck may pose some limitations, you are really good at (insert skills here) and what that can do for them. 98% of my hiring was based upon their attitude alone. I can teach skills, but I cannot teach/train attitude.
Do not think that you are too good for any job either. A job that is "beneath you" serves as a great launching pad to better jobs. I had a 4 year degree, with honors, prior military and management experience, etc. but took a job selling luggage in the department store. That was the only thing they had to offer. I showed up on time and worked hard at every aspect of my job, and many that were not in my job description. 1 month later, I was lead salesman in the department, 3 months later - Duty Manager, 4 months later, HR Administrator. I also have a bad knee from a pretty bad motorcycle accident, though not as bad as yours. When I was asked to do something that I couldn't do, I would tell them why I couldn't do it, but provide them with something else that I could do to help out. It is amazing what the right attitude and a little hard work and initiative means to an employer.
Good Luck,
Erik

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I'll be darned if I'm going to flip a burger when I use to make pretty decent money.

See I took electronics during high school at our local vocational school for 3 years, I learned allot about computers. I worked for a small computer business for over a year doing computer repair, getting paid under the table and actually made a decent income. I actually can't stand to work on a computer now, they are a pain, I'll work on them when it comes to one of my own or if my close relatives have a problem but that's about it.

Jaysus man, that's exactly what I am talking about. You're too proud to take a job that is "beneath" you, but you're not to proud to mooch off your mama for the last year.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Time to do something. Go to school or take any old job you can find. But hanging around the house 24/7 is very bad.

Will any of the armed services accept an enlisted man with disability for non combat work?

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Easy one to answer wildmaninal. It's your ankle, only you know what its' limitations and capabilities are. Go with what you know. Everyone else be damned.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Well 1st of all it's not the company job to supply you health care, get your own you will most likely find out you can get it cheeper yourself, 2nd if you REALLY want to work any Mom and Pop business would most likely take you on, here in Atl we can't find people even willing to get out of bed.The 19 to 25 people are so lazy it is unbelivable.As a small business owner I would hire someone less qualified but would show up everyday than a person who could do the job but show up when they want. No we do not pay for anyones insurance we all pay our own, and no 401k, employees are not and never have been an asset to a company.Sorry about the rant had to fix the mess some of those overpaid babies made today

Not only would health insurance on an individual basis for him not be less expansive than joining a group health plan, but it is highly doubtful that any carrier would even write him, given the health issues that he has. If he could get any, it would be very high deductable, with and extremely low lifetime limits. It would also be very expensive.

 

[chicknwing]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

HUH? 11 hours a day 6 days a week? NO WAY.....No one does that.no one

I drive a dump truck, we drive 13 sometimes 14 hours per day. We are not required to keep a drivers log nor are we required to operate under the HOS rules.

TC

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

It is amazing what the right attitude and a little hard work and initiative means to an employer.
Good Luck,
Erik

I don't recall ever going to any interview with the wrong or negative attitude. Some applications do ask if you have limitations which I do so I can't lie to them. Some people say that the firt impression is sometimes the last (or something to that affect). Well lets say you are the employer/boss watching me limp into your place of business and asking for a job application or if you have any job opennings would you hire me or what would your answer be?

Jaysus man, that's exactly what I am talking about. You're too proud to take a job that is "beneath" you, but you're not to proud to mooch off your mama for the last year.

I have tried to keep things up to par bill wise etc etc, I have sold some of my belongings (motorcycle etc etc) to keep my head above water, this isn't the only time I have been in this situation but I was living out of my truck or where ever I could lay my head for I don't recall how long worked 2 jobs at one point durring that time. Some jobs if I do recall right go on your credit score and that doesn't help to say the least. Even my mother agrees that a $7 per hour job wouldn't mean spit which it doesn't amount to anything. They have closed a few plants down along with downsizing the plant that I was at by about 450 people (me being 1 of those) in our area so this is another reason it is hard to find a job. I have applied for the same company 3to 4 times not only 1 company several companies several times, cashier jobs etc etc. I thought I had me a decent job lined up at Pemco products, went to the interview had 5 other guys there and thought things looked promising but I was wrong, they only need 2 out of the five. KTH (that deals with honda parts) continues to advertise needing help I have applied and actually went to classes for them years ago, I recently applied for them and I haven't hear a peep out of them. I've applied for gas stations, I have previous experience in that field also. Mooch or be homeless (again like I was before) which would you choose? Sometimes people need help getting back on their feet so to speak, I guess I just one of those people . I also didn't see eye to eye with my father back then when I was "homeless" in the past. I don't see how you can say mooch when I don't ask my mother for a blessed thing, seriously I don't. I also help my 64 year old father when needed. I could just build be a cabin out back or some place high in the mountains and play survival man.

Time to do something. Go to school or take any old job you can find. But hanging around the house 24/7 is very bad.

Will any of the armed services accept an enlisted man with disability for non combat work?

I agree hanging around the house can be bad. I do go out and apply for jobs, but I also use the internet to search, there is hardly anything out there job wise seriously. Yea if I hadn't of been injured in that car accident in 96, I was in ROTC, I might of gone into the army. Like my mother said "god must of had some other plans for me" and "you wasn't supposed to go into the army". I'll leave the army to someone else, I still (believe it or not) cherish what little life I have.

Easy one to answer wildmaninal. It's your ankle, only you know what its' limitations and capabilities are. Go with what you know. Everyone else be damned.

Doesn't hurt to ask if anybody has tried this field with a similar injury. Although different people have a different tolerance to pain. So your right. If I do get called for this construction job I will give it a try, if I can't handle it I will half to go. What concerns me the most is applying the brakes especially if that pedal is shaped like the gas pedal, that will be a tricky situation especially if I half to react quick.

Not only would health insurance on an individual basis for him not be less expansive than joining a group health plan, but it is highly doubtful that any carrier would even write him, given the health issues that he has. If he could get any, it would be very high deductable, with and extremely low lifetime limits. It would also be very expensive.

Sad but true.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I originally said it was not pointed at you. I have now changed my mind. You need to listen to Frog. It ain't your skin color, it ain't your laungauge. Its you. You have a situation where you can't do a whole lot and you're too damn proud to do what you can. Man up or lay down.........

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Someone mentioned that they too drove a dump truck but, were not required to keep a log. That brings up an interesting issue with the employer that you were considering.

If a person is driving a truck for which a CDL is required under Federal regs, sometimes a log is not required. That is generally true when the vehicle is operated locally, and the driver never goes beyond a certain distance from the "terminal" or central workplace. But .... the employer is still required to keep records of the hours worked via timecards, etc. and, if my memory serves me correctly, the driver still can not exceed allowable driving/on duty hours.

I am also trying to remember whether or not operating the vehicle on private property negates the requirement to get a CDL (and pass the medical) for a commercial vehicle. If anyone is current on the regs (its been a long time for me), it might be an interesting question to be answered.

I guess that where I am going with this is that the employer might not be all that great to work for anyway, especially if they are skirting rules. I still think you would have a very tough time bouncing around in a truck all day, 6 days a week but even if you could, I'm not sure this would be the job to go after.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

HUH? 11 hours a day 6 days a week? NO WAY.....No one does that.no one

Guess again fairlane.

I averaged 62 hours a week last year. 70 hours a week for over 6 months.
Getting to sit only 15-17 minutes out of a 12 hour shift.

Everyone that drives truck around here had better be willing to work 11-14 hours a day.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I originally said it was not pointed at you. I have now changed my mind. You need to listen to Frog. It ain't your skin color, it ain't your laungauge. Its you. You have a situation where you can't do a whole lot and you're too damn proud to do what you can. Man up or lay down.........

I guess I might lay down then because I have no earthly idea where else to find a job, or how to convince them jobs don't grow on trees at least around here, I don't live in a big city like NYC or chicago. Not once has anybody considered where I live! I've done pegged allot of jobs in allot of different fields, nothing out of my league, if I was searching for jobs out of my "league" for example trying to apply for a job that specifies "must have college degree or some college" I haven't applied for any kind of job that list that in there ad, all the jobs I have applied for either part time or full time has been for high school graduate entry level and trainey position. So what do you say now?

Someone mentioned that they too drove a dump truck but, were not required to keep a log. That brings up an interesting issue with the employer that you were considering.

If a person is driving a truck for which a CDL is required under Federal regs, sometimes a log is not required. That is generally true when the vehicle is operated locally, and the driver never goes beyond a certain distance from the "terminal" or central workplace. But .... the employer is still required to keep records of the hours worked via timecards, etc. and, if my memory serves me correctly, the driver still can not exceed allowable driving/on duty hours.

I am also trying to remember whether or not operating the vehicle on private property negates the requirement to get a CDL (and pass the medical) for a commercial vehicle. If anyone is current on the regs (its been a long time for me), it might be an interesting question to be answered.

I guess that where I am going with this is that the employer might not be all that great to work for anyway, especially if they are skirting rules. I still think you would have a very tough time bouncing around in a truck all day, 6 days a week but even if you could, I'm not sure this would be the job to go after.

Jay I know that on the other job that my sis n law worked at, my brother and my sis n law's cousin (female 22 at the time) drove a dump truck on the job (I believe it would be considered private property). I don't know if it changes depending on the state or not but I think as long as you are not operating the dump truck on public roads or highways you don't half to have a CDL. I could be wrong but look at it this way, the state has to be involved in road construction because of safety and quality issues. So I would say the construction company must obay the rules or lose the bid on the job.

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I don't recall ever going to any interview with the wrong or negative attitude. Some applications do ask if you have limitations which I do so I can't lie to them. Some people say that the firt impression is sometimes the last (or something to that affect). Well lets say you are the employer/boss watching me limp into your place of business and asking for a job application or if you have any job opennings would you hire me or what would your answer be?

I don't know you at all, so I have no idea what your attitude is when you interview. All it was, was some good advice and something to think of on your next job search. A lot of people don't know what is going through the interviewer's mind, and as someone who sat on that side of the desk, I was trying to give you a little insight.
No, you can't lie to them, and I wouldn't ever suggest lying on even the smallest little thing. If you're caught, it can ruin you. A first impression lasts longer than a millisecond, and if they see somebody that was obviously dealt a bad hand - but has a "Can-Do" attitude, they are going to have a great first impression. The problem is that at least in this thread, all we have heard is what you can't do, or won't do. Never what you can do. I know that it SUCKS being injured, I was laid up for over a year with my knee, and it is really easy to get down because you can't do what you used to. It happened to me, but you have to find a way to work with what you have. If not, you are guaranteeing misery forever. I don't want to see that happen to anybody.
Now, as an employer/boss, would I hire you when I see you limping in? I can honestly tell you that it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference if you limped in, rolled in in a wheelchair, or slithered in because you had no arms or legs, (ok, I'm taking this a bit far ). I was looking for three things:
1) A good attitude
2) Somebody who wanted to work
3) Somebody that I didn't have to hold their hand every step of the way and I wouldn't have to ask to do something that obviously needed to be done.
As I said before, I can train somebody to do a job, but I can't train somebody's attitude. (I'm not talking about you specifically, again, I don't know you)
Here is a true story:
I had an applicant applying for a job in the shipping/receiving department. The guy was great; Really wanted to work, showed initiative, etc., etc. The only problem was that he did have some physical limitations that unfortunately would have prevented him from doing his job, and accommodations couldn't be made. He did not get the job, but, remembered him and I kept his application. When a different job became available (about a week later), I called him and gave him a better job than the one he applied for. Long story short, he sold me on HIM, and I wanted him working for us.
Just trying to help, I know how much it sucks to be injured.
Erik

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Jay I know that on the other job that my sis n law worked at, my brother and my sis n law's cousin (female 22 at the time) drove a dump truck on the job (I believe it would be considered private property). I don't know if it changes depending on the state or not but I think as long as you are not operating the dump truck on public roads or highways you don't half to have a CDL. I could be wrong but look at it this way, the state has to be involved in road construction because of safety and quality issues. So I would say the construction company must obay the rules or lose the bid on the job.

Actually, it wouldn't vary from state to state because a CDL is a Federal license which is administered by each state - the rules are the same for all because the Feds set the rules. Sometimes things get confused because if you are driving a vehicle that is placarded at 26,000 lbs or less, a CDL may not be required but you may then fall into your particular state's rules on driving commercially. The whole thing tends to get pretty complicated

I just don't remember if the private property thing makes a difference. I can see logic in the Feds saying it doesn't because, even though where you might work is on privately owned land, access to it isn' limited to the owners. If they are hiring people, which they are, or letting other non-owners in, there are then outsiders who the Feds might view as needing to be protected under the safety aspects of the CDL program. Again, I'm not sure of this at all. I might even do some research just because you have my curiosity piqued.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

My goodness I didn't think I would open a can of worms here.

I have got to ask this... Is it a crime for a man to know his limitations? I have already done a job that invovled heavy lifting and I had to use energy boosters and even pain pills just to get me through the job. I would come home and all I would do is sleep I didn't have a life I done that for 4 years 1 month (not much has changed there ) I didn't feal like doing anything durring my off time because of the pain I experienced. After signing for a different position the lead man position I continued to hurt so bad on the job that I would be in tears at times, I had a couple of incidents where I missed a week or 2 of work because my bad foot got infected from my foot rubbing in my boot.

I ask again is it a crime to know my limitations?

I am not fixing to go and apply for a job that requires constant lifting because I have already been there and know how it feels I experience allot of pain.

I'm not fixing to apply for a job that requires climbing because I have been there and I know how it feels I experience loss of balance.

I'm not trying to find a job that requires constant walking because I have already been there and I know how it feels I experience allot of pain.

I'm not trying to find a job that requires constant bending because I have already been there and I know how it feels I experience allot of pain.

I don't half to prove myself here thankfully, I just want to be able to get on with my life and enjoy it the best I can in the best way. If it is a crime to know my limitations then lock me up. I have been to the doctor so many times on a regular basis when I had a job with insurance, as a reminder I am handi capped he can't cure me all he can do is give me some kind of temporary relief. Is it a crime to want to find a full time job with benifits a job that I can handle so I can come home and enjoy my life and go back to this doctor on a regular basis get my inserts when needed? I haven't mentioned this but a do have a cane that I haven't had to use sense I have been let go from my last job.

Something else I want to add is....The main problem I am having is I applied for nearly 100 jobs give or take even including multiple times at a few different companies and I can't even get my foot in the door for an interview. 4 interviews out of that many companies!!! There is something wrong!!!! I have changed my resume adding more information about my job history and it still doesn't seem to help, I even tried tips from a person at the career center and still not help.

I haven't driven a dump truck so I guess I was wrong for starting this thread, because I decided to apply for this construction job after all. If nothing else it gets every family member off of my back even if the job doesn't call me to come to work. As I mentioned a couple of threads ago, if I end up getting this job I will try it but it doesn't mean that I will be able to tolerate it because my foot.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Actually, it wouldn't vary from state to state because a CDL is a Federal license which is administered by each state - the rules are the same for all because the Feds set the rules. Sometimes things get confused because if you are driving a vehicle that is placarded at 26,000 lbs or less, a CDL may not be required but you may then fall into your particular state's rules on driving commercially. The whole thing tends to get pretty complicated

I just don't remember if the private property thing makes a difference. I can see logic in the Feds saying it doesn't because, even though where you might work is on privately owned land, access to it isn' limited to the owners. If they are hiring people, which they are, or letting other non-owners in, there are then outsiders who the Feds might view as needing to be protected under the safety aspects of the CDL program. Again, I'm not sure of this at all. I might even do some research just because you have my curiosity piqued.

See what you can find out. I do know this much, my uncle had a pulp wood truck, which it had tandom axles under it, he had to cut one axle out to make it to where he didn't half to have a cdl to operate it on the road. The way I see it is that he basically made it in to a 1 ton truck that he basically overloaded to do the job "legally". Anything with air brakes that involves hauling you half to have a CDL if I recall right. Then of coarse you have the load capacity etc etc. I

 

[dave11]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

If I ended up going to college I would get into outboard engine repair or small engine repair, I would love to start my own business in this field. See my brother had it made, my uncle paid his way through college, now he makes $19 an hour as a maintanence man don't know what class he is.

I just looked and I see the population of Gadsden is only 40,000+. You say one company laid off 450 people (about 10% of the popluation). I can see why it would be hard to find a job.

There is a lot of water around Gadsden. Why not actually go around to all of the marinas and other places that work on boats. As has been said above, a good attitude will get you in where experience won't. Once you get your foot in the door, maybe at a low wage, and show a willingness to work, you may get on the job training or the boss may actually send you to a school and pay for all or part of it.

Otherwise, pay for the school yourself and get on with your life.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I don't mean this to sound personal, as i understand once you cornered, then it is a major problem escaping back to the real world.
I have skimmed over this topic and it seems to me:

1. you have no recognised trade or qualifiied skill that anybody wants (as in having completed an apprenticeship).
2. you don't have the business skills to be self employed.
3. you, like most of us here, don't have the brains to be a professional.

So long as you remain in this position, you are stuffed mate....completely....and unless you pull your finger out, you are going to spend the rest of your life living below the poverty line.

If you were my kid, I can promise you, you wouldn't be going around in these circles.

My advice is: think of a trade you can do with the skills you have, and get yourself educated to be able to enter an apprenticeship type scheme, then do it and become a tradesman.

Forget about all the daydreaming B/S and what you don't like, because you don't have to love your job......you need a job to give you good money to live on and pay for doing the things you want to do in life.

Now I tell you what happens with a qualified tradesman looking for a job.
You will be asked to show your Certificate, then how long you have been in the trade, then "can you start tomorrow", and "would you be happy with $$ per hr".

Believe me, when you employ a plumber or whatever, interviews are quite different.

You are at a crossroads:you either make a major change in your life to better yourself, or you spend the rest of your days in poverty.

I employ people like you....and the guys all have one thing in common, they are full of B/S .
Tell you about Niel.
Always broke........always got health problems........full of endless excuses. Yesterday I tell him I got 10 hours today and 10hr tomorrow at $25/hr cash, and 40hr next week at $18/hr thru the books.
He promises me he will be here. Spends half the day thanking me.
I start at 5.30am (still dark) to get everything ready for him before I start my work at 6.30am.
Guess what......he dosn't show.
Wayne is the same.

So tell you what.....pull your finger out and do something to change your life, or stop complaining and making excuses and live in squalor for ever.

There is nothing you can't do when you set your mind to it, so for christs sake just do something about it.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

I just looked and I see the population of Gadsden is only 40,000+. You say one company laid off 450 people (about 10% of the popluation). I can see why it would be hard to find a job.

There is a lot of water around Gadsden. Why not actually go around to all of the marinas and other places that work on boats. As has been said above, a good attitude will get you in where experience won't. Once you get your foot in the door, maybe at a low wage, and show a willingness to work, you may get on the job training or the boss may actually send you to a school and pay for all or part of it.

Otherwise, pay for the school yourself and get on with your life.

If only it were that easy. That is only 450 from the plant I got layed off from, there have been other plants around that closed or have done a mass layoff, so that doesn't help either. It would be interesting to see how many out of the population are retired.

I can see why it would be hard to find a job.

There you go. That is about what I'm trying to say.

I don't mean this to sound personal, as i understand once you cornered, then it is a major problem escaping back to the real world.
I have skimmed over this topic and it seems to me:

1. you have no recognised trade or qualifiied skill that anybody wants (as in having completed an apprenticeship).
2. you don't have the business skills to be self employed.
3. you, like most of us here, don't have the brains to be a professional.

So long as you remain in this position, you are stuffed mate....completely....and unless you pull your finger out, you are going to spend the rest of your life living below the poverty line.

My advice is: think of a trade you can do with the skills you have, and get yourself educated to be able to enter an apprenticeship type scheme, then do it and become a tradesman.

Forget about all the daydreaming B/S and what you don't like, because you don't have to love your job......you need a job to give you good money to live on and pay for doing the things you want to do in life.

I employ people like you....and the guys all have one thing in common, they are full of B/S .
Tell you about Niel.
Always broke........always got health problems........full of endless excuses. Yesterday I tell him I got 10 hours today and 10hr tomorrow at $25/hr cash, and 40hr next week at $18/hr thru the books.
He promises me he will be here. Spends half the day thanking me.
I start at 5.30am (still dark) to get everything ready for him before I start my work at 6.30am.
Guess what......he dosn't show.
Wayne is the same.

So tell you what.....pull your finger out and do something to change your life, or stop complaining and making excuses and live in squalor for ever.

There is nothing you can't do when you set your mind to it, so for christs sake just do something about it.

First off I am not daydreaming!!! And I'm not full of B/S, and you all don't know me . I was hardly a no show like this "Wayne", I had a great attendance record, and when I did miss a day I had a doctors excuse and that was rare (I don't know what you need over there, maybe smoke signals) the main reason I missed work if I missed work is because of my foot and ankle. the post sounds pretty personal to me!. Man some of you guys are so blind to my situation it is unreal, and I never will be able to explain it without being talked down to. You act as though I haven't even tried to find a job and better myself, I have tried and I haven't given up yet.

I have skimmed over this topic and it seems to me

Obvisoly you didn't read but a few sentences then.

My advice is: think of a trade you can do with the skills you have, and get yourself educated to be able to enter an apprenticeship type scheme, then do it and become a tradesman.

I'll say it once again, I wished it were that easy.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

It sounds like you are going to have to leave your area for the time being. That does mean something like flipping burgers while getting into a better job. It may take a year of going to work, coming home, working a few hours at finding another job or attending classes, eating going to sleep and repeating the same schedule. You might even have to take two dead end jobs for a short while to pay the rent and gas. Food stamps will work to stretch your budget while you get on your feet.

It does stink, but it will only be temporary. I have done it twice now. Once due to divorce and once due to failing health. My grandad got his world turned upside down in WWII when because of his national origin he was sent to the concentration camps here in the States and he lost his job, his home and his tools, After the war he recovered by working two jobs initially. Then in mid life his shop was burned out due top a careless workman. Finally, in his 70s he had to start all over because cancer wiped out all of his savings and property. When he died twenty some years later, his house was paid off and his modest collection of upholstery tools was free and clear. Not bad for a man that supported a family of twelve in his early years.

No one likes to start over in a strange town in a strange state, but you will have to go where the jobs are. Competing against able bodies in a local economy that does not need workers is a losing proposition.

I worked at a homeless shelter for a while as a live in house parent. I took the job because it provided a room, three squares a day and a chance to look for work when I had just moved into town. It was minimum wage. The statistics I learned there opened my eyes to why a dead end job can be so valuable. If you are out of work for 6 weeks, the chance of getting a job, any job, in the next 6 months is only 50%. If you are out of a job for 1 year then the chance is 30%. If you have a job of any description, then the chance of upgrading to another job in the next 6 months is over 90%. That is the reason they are called entry level jobs. No employer expects to keep employees long at this level of job.

If you cannot find work right now, then immeadiately go volunteer some time at a local charity. The Salvation Army, the After School Program, your church, whatever. This shows prospective employers that you are reliable and self motivated. Is it fair? No. Is it reality? Yes.

If you go to church, you might have your pastor contact a fellow church in a major town in your state. They might find someone that will put you up for 6 months or so while you are working at a new job or going to school. If you belong to a fraternal organization, check out the fellows there as they might be able to work the same deal for you.

Keep trying and work every angle that is presented to you, whether you like it or not. When you interview for a dead end job, don't tell them that you may not be able to take it for long. They will expect that, but will pass you by if you mention the longevity as they will worry that you might be setting them up for a baseless workman's compensation suit or discrimination suit. It is a common thing anymore and it makes it harder for honest workers to get employed.

Good luck.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Would you drive a dump truck if you had a fused ankle?

Your uncle was wasting his time by pulling an axle from his truck. Aside form certain situations involving passenger buses and hazmat, the basic standard for what reuires a CDL or not, is the combined gross vehicle weight rating for which the truck is placarded. That means that whatever rating the manufacturer assigned when it was built, and put on the "Sticker" in the door, is the operative number. If that number is 26,001 pounds or more and the vehicle is in commercial service, the driver must have a CDL. For a dump truck, the driver would often have a Class B CDL but, if a trailer rated at 10,001 pounds or more is attached, he or she must have a Class A license.

While all of this is sort of an aside from the original question that you posed, in a way its really not. I will have to do the homework to see if your prospective employer is fudging on the rules by saying that CDLs are not required, but I suspect that he/she is. If so, you would have to pass a physical to qualify for and maintain a CDL. Given the extent of your disability, a medical examiner might not pass you.


PS: I just looked this up, which I should have done in the first place. I was wrong - you don't have to have the CDL if the driving is not on a public road. One side note, however, is that in at least one state (California) there doesn't seem to be an exemption for private property. Whether that is true of others, I don't know. It is also sort of interesting because of the fact that the rules are set by the Feds. I guess the deal is that states may enact rules in excess of the Federal rules.