Comments By A.J. (Artman)

Greetings everyone, hope all is well with the Trucking Truth Family. It's been a while since I last posted or said anything, so let me give you an update. I had been out of the truck since 10/21/2015 and thought I had a new chance with Knight Transportation in Charlotte, NC. Attended the orientation and did the physical as required, however because of my BMI being above 35 I had to get a Sleep Apnea Study test as a "condition of employment". I opted to go to the Sleep Disorders Clinic here in my hometown rather than one involved with the trucking company for personal reasons. I had to wait two months for the results which basically cost me any time with Knight, however I did learn that I do indeed have Sleep Apnea, been on the CPAP since 2/25/2016. Because it was over 30 days from test to results, I was "terminated" by Knight. So I stayed on my CPAP to get in that 30-day compliance until I got to Western Express at the Bethelem terminal. Before I even set foot or came on there, I informed them 3 times I have a CPAP machine and have sleep apnea (told recruiter, put it on application, and doctor) because my concern was their trucks mostly have the plug-in adapters like chargers instead of electric outlets (for their DirectTV).

Let's just say I had a couple of issues happen during the brief time I was out there and returned home after a couple issues. I have a recruiter trying to get me with CRST Expedited in Cedar Rapids, IA. I also thought about Swift Transport since their terminal is close by in Richmond,VA. I also thought about Schneider, my biggest issue is lack of experience and when it comes to driving my backing skills really suck. Finances are a concern and taking the "Modern Day Medieval Torture Device" to Cedar Rapids is really a concern due to not getting the proper rest your body needs along with not being able to use the CPAP which would render me fatigued. Swift may have low pay as well, but I hope the training would be worth it. I have no idea if HAZMAT is required for Schneider or what not. I want to find that company that fits me and my needs (Over the Road, not just travelling back and forth to the Northeast Region everyday). Gain that valuable experience and learn the skills to survive out there when the time comes to be on my own. Any advice would be more than welcome. Thank you all if you read this and reply, stay safe out there on the roads to everyone.

Hope everyone is doing well here and around the country on the road in the Trucking Truth family. I am still debating whether to go to Western Express in Nashville or Swift Transport in Richmond. Orientation pay and OTR with trainer are two questions. Although I live 2-3 hours from Richmond which I could drive there instead of 10 hour ride on the "Modern Day Mid-Evil Torture Device". Out of pocket costs for supper since we all know you have to pay for evening meals plus how close eatery places are to the hotels, I know like most of you don't want to walk near a mile to just get something to eat. I am going to do Dry Van so any experiences you wish to share is welcome, after all: knowledge is power.

Just found this article and it's very interesting especially about the BMI. Shows how out-dated the BMI formula is because our bodies have evolved from the 1840's. Even more now then the 1990's the body has changed. The basic of the article is below and the link for the entire thing is listed also.

Last updated: 22 August 2014 What is BMI? It's a common enough question that isn't always accurately answered. At it's most basic, it's a calculation of the relationship between your height and weight. The higher your Body Mass Index the more overweight you are. Many doctors and healthcare professionals use BMI as a guide when they are assessing the general health of patients. However, the method, which has been in use since the 1840's, has some weaknesses. The first problem is that it doesn't give a real estimate for the percentage of body fat. Another problem is that men and women can have the same percentage of fat but different BMI readings. Finally, carrying a lot of muscle can give an inaccurate BMI reading.

http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/health/alternatives-to-bmi.php

Greetings to everyone here on Trucking Truth. Last time I was able to talk on here I was getting ready to start out at Stevens Transport and was super hyped by it, boy did I get smacked by a major reality check with them. Everything I was told to get me down there was a lie, which was my stupidity of course without really doing the research. I get down there and all of a sudden I seem to have all these "medical issues". They claimed I was a sleep apnea candidate because I have a 17 inch neck and weigh near 250lbs. Not to mention if you take the stupid Sleep Apnea Study test this is where I have a problem: Negative test would be $1300 (Stevens pays) but a Positive test would be $2550 (You pay) which would be a $16.25 taken out of your check a week for the next 3 years! Another thing too is they try to find any type of excuse to get you on "medical hold" for anything, because once you are on "med hold" they will STOP your pay until you get cleared which could take at least 3-4 days. The $400/wk for training is really $57.14/day. Now I realize why everyone was telling me to stay away from them, I left Friday morning and came home to get myself straightened out health wise because the stress level was so high I was having moderate chest pains because of it. Trainers didn't teach me anything and no drive time.

Enough about them, I used a site on here where you could fill out one application and it would be sent out to hundreds of companies. In just an hour I already had email notifications from 23 companies and phone calls from 8 of them. I am doing my research and trying to narrow it down. I would appreciate any sage advice from you guys or any experiences you have had with any of them. I also want to check out CSA scores. The companies that have contacted me are: Paschall Truck Lines, USA Truck, US Xpress, CRST, Super Service, Star Transportation, JB Hunt, Prime Inc, Heartland Express, Covenant Transport, Werner, Transport America, Transco Lines, Roehl, Navajo Express, WEL Logistics, and TMC.

Glad to see you enjoying yourself now since you become a trainer RedGator, perhaps if I choose to go with WEL that I could request you for my trainer lol. Hope all is well and see you someday on the road.

Congrats Travis, I am currently going to CDS also. The one in Roanoke and just finished the 4th week. Although I am not as far along as I want because still having issues with pre-trip and the double-clutching shifting. Good luck in your new career.

Thanks for the responses so far. PJ I know about Georgia Pacific all too well because I live in Lynchburg next to route 501. Which means I know all about those runs from Brookneal to Big Island everyday and can hear those retarders going down the road lol. Only thing I don't want is local or just being stuck running Virginia, plus wouldn't mind being out of this place for 1-2 months at a time either. Jolie what's the training like there? RedGator I think I will check them out tomorrow/ Already put applications for pre-hire into Stevens Transport and US Xpress. Update on the backing, I got the curve back and straightline backing down now. Now if I can get that double clutch and shifting.

Hello everyone, I just registered here and currently just finished up my 3rd week of training at CRS Tractor Trailer Training School in Roanoke, VA. The admissions want us to fill out applications for pre-hire despite not sure when we're going to graduate. Already talked with a few recruiters that came through to speak with the class. Stevens Transport is my top choice but they want you to make more choices. Already have applications for KLLM, Super Service, Werner, Crete, and Schnedier. My dilemma is that I want to concentrate on getting my driving skills down, such as my backing skills (curve back is an issue and sometimes straightline) because of the adjustment to turning the wheel opposite direction. Any advice is welcome, or as my instructors say: Schooling is free, it's the abuse that you pay for lol.