No company wants to send drivers home and many times it can be avoided by doing some planning up front. You have to be PROACTIVE and TAKE CHARGE of your own situation. Here are some tips.
1. Don't hide anything from the recruiter. If you have some issue which could be a problem - bring it up and deal with it while still at home. A good recruiter doesn't want to go through the hassle of sending you hundreds of miles if there's little chance of your being hired. Many companies will make their initial decision to bring you to orientation off your application and not complete a background check UNTIL after you arrive at orientation. But, sooner or later the background check will come back and if it doesn't match what you said on the application you could be sent home.
2. Know that you will be doing a drug test and physical first thing on the first day of orientation. You know your medical history and likely problems better than anyone else. Some issues will require clearance or testing from your local doctor. Better to wait a week and get a medical condition under control than rush off and get sent home then be on some kind of medical hold. If you take medication make sure you take it as prescribed and watch what you eat and drink. If you have a condition that is likely to create an issue with the physical take documentation or test results with you. If in doubt go to your doctor BEFORE you go to orientation.
3. If you have any past employment issues (especially within the prior 36 months) get them cleared up prior to going to orientation. If you worked for small companies, a past employer is out of business or you had significant periods of unemployment or self employment - all these will create issues that an employer MUST resolve prior to hiring you.
4. Bring the proper documents - valid CDL license, Social Security Card, Green Card, whatever documents you are told are necessary for hire. If you are taking medication bring the container with the prescription labels, if you have had trouble verifying past employment bring documentation of past jobs, if you graduated from a school within the last 36 months bring a copy of the graduation certificate. If you had a recent injury bring a doctors release saying you can work. Whatever the issue, the employer can't just take your word for it you will have to provide some kind of documentation.
5. Be prepared to complete your ten year application at orientation. Even though you may have completed an application online or over the phone, you will be asked to do it over again at orientation. Have former employers, addresses, phone numbers and dates of employment with you.
6. Don't go to orientation to find out about the company. Do your research before you go, talk to the recruiter, talk to other drivers, look at the company's website - orientations are your first day of employment - NOT A DAY FOR YOUR RESEARCH OR THE SAFETY PEOPLE TRYING TO TALK YOU INTO WORKING THERE.
If you take a drug and alcohol test (usually first thing on the first day) then regardless of actually being assigned a truck or paid anything - the company is required by law to report you as an employee for purposes of drug and alcohol testing and future employers will have to verify that information before they can hire you. You may see it as trying them out, but future employers will count orientations as past employment.
Everyone loses when a driver is sent or goes home without being hired and if it could've been avoided it's even more frustrating for everyone. Be proactive and take charge of your career.
