Profile For Drew D.

I had to return to my former OTR company due to an injury that took me out of work for four months. Doctor cleared me to drive but can't do much more. Needed money due to dwindling savings so I didn't have any options. Had to resign from throwing beer which sucks because I was making really good overtime and money doing that gig.

All that said, this is my first week back out and I'm not impressed. I thought I could easily rack 12k+ miles per month with this company as I have before. That is no longer the case. But I was given 4 days to make a delivery from Twin falls, ID to Carthage, MO. I drove for two days before already taking a 34 at Bosselman and then running the remaining the day of delivery. Fortunately, I know this facility and they allow overnights so there is that. I have a reload in Arkansas tonight that runs out to Phoenix. And most of my company freight is out that way. So I'm hopeful that I won't be doing too much more in the way of sitting. But its clearly an industry wide issue. I met up with a company driver here last night that wouldn't stop talking about how bad things have gotten within the company in the last year since I left.

My personal opinion is that it seems trucking is starting to become less and less worth it unless you are okay with being out for indefinite periods of time to make up for your personal shortfall due to being fluffed out on loads. I did what I had to do in the sense that I need SOMETHING to supplement my income while I am slowly cleared for activity, but I'll say this: everytime I hear rotting oatmeal brains in the White house, his token pick of a VP, or that Frankenstein creation press secretary bob and weave their jaws about the economy being great, I feel myself develop an ulcer followed by the unshakable urge to vomit. And the sad part is, I have doubts that any incoming administration will be able to undo the damage caused by all branches of government. We have been sold out to the point where we are well on our way to the 3rd world and its extremely depressing. I hope I'm wrong of course, but I digress.

I'll just keep it simple. I'm at least grateful to be working again even if the money isn't quite what it should be at the moment. Once I recover, I will probably return to local work. I'm thinking one year.

Never mind, tried uploading a photo but didn't work. Mods go ahead and delete...

Facts... 🤣🤣🤣

Hey all,

Thanks for the input. As ridiculous as it is, I have no issue [aside from the overwhelming annoyance] of doing the test. I have nothing to hide.

I am just scared of some box not being checked and ending up in the clearing house or losing my CDL. I just don't trust people, especially these days, to get anything right. But I'll definitely be looking into the attorney thing just to cover my bases. And yes, I am non-weight bearing and it is heavily documented.

If it's documented for no weight bearing and limited movements by your medical professionals, I'd have been in touch with your company's safety. If the office still insists, I would do the sample.

Next, I'd be contacting workers compensation attorneys, then filling out job applications.

I've heard some asinine things over the years, but this is in the Top 5.

Kind of ridiculous that you can't postpone over a legitimate handicap. The amount of headache this is going to cause just to collect a urine sample can't be overstated.

That said, I will be bringing everything pertaining to my case as far as documentation. Hope someone remembers to include the information.

Take all your documentation with you. Should be all you need.

Your employer has no control over the situation really. They belong to a consortium and its all random.

So I'll get right to the point..

I just got out of surgery for an ORIF on my fibula. 11 screws and 2 plates.

I've been on workers comp at home for two weeks on various drugs including Hydrocodone. [Obviously prescribed]

My manger calls me today and informs me that I was selected for random. He apparently tried to get me out of it, but was unable despite the fact that I'm under orders for no weight bearing and no driving.

Now as ****ed as I am about this gross incompetence, I'm going to waddle my broken ass in there tomorrow, but my concern is that I'm clearly going to **** hot for opioids and whatever else. They even gave me fentenyl prior to surgery.

So what do I have to do to prevent ending up in the clearing house? I'm all above deck on everything, this is all medical and workers comp related, but after witnessing such a ridiculous display of idiocy, I'm concerned that I will get flagged despite my credible alibi.

So what steps can I take to protect my CDL and CMA incase someone screws up somewhere?

Thanks

These were the questions I asked myself as well. I am not unhappy with my current work. The only alluring thing is the ability to see my daughter twice a week as opposed to summers and breaks. The **** we do for kids right?

That said, I am honestly leaning toward staying put. If for no other reason than I am in the best shape I've been in since my late teens and, for some reason, I really enjoy delivering to bars. Takes me back to my local musician days.

I'm still willing to consider if they offer to pay my hourly while im stuck or something to that effect. I just still have PTSD over being stuck for days on the 80 in Wyoming not getting paid a dime.

I'd say if you're happy with what you're currently doing just stick with it. Most local jobs go off seniority. If that's the case where you're at there's a reason those above you don't want it. Do you have wife/kids at home? If so, how do they feel about it? Will you have similar hours if you make the switch? If you're looking for the most money it wouldn't make sense to make the switch for an extra dollar an hour if you're getting 5 hours less a week. Are you able to go back to local if you dislike it? Will you get back on the same route with the customers you've likely developed professional relationships with?

Yikes! Yeah there are hotels here and there. Basically you have Ladd Canyon, Cabbage, and Snoqualmie pass being the main culprits during this time. If the company gave me a sleeper, even a slip seater, I wouldn't care as much.

I don't like chaining and I normally adopted the doctrine of "if its too borked that it needs chains, its borked enough to pull the mustard and shut down." But with a lane that is hourly and has strict deadlines, that will not be viable. That said, at an hourly rate, I'll spend 45 minutes throwing chains if necessary.

So unpopular opinion here...

But I learned to like having cameras. I don't have anything to hide from my employers, so they can watch me pick my nose and scratch my balls all day if that is what they get off on.

Partial joking aside, cameras saved my ass from liability TWICE when I worked for AAA. No one spends time watching trucker TV. Safefy usually has bigger fish to fry. That said, as others have mentioned, during downtime, close the curtains. Some trucks have a middle visor that pulls down over the camera as well.

I would not tamper with the equipment, however. Some companies roll their eyes at it while others will outright fire you for it.

Two Amazon trucks took out two of my Conpany's truck on 84wb just West of Boise last week. None of our drivers were hurt, but BOTH Amazon trucks were going way too fast for conditions fishtailing all over the place.