Comments By Ynkedad

Taken from another site..

FYI,

"In areas where there are anti-idling laws, CPAP use in all weather conditions would not be possible if an APU or IdleAire was not available. However: the exact language of anti-idling laws varies from location to location. Some have language that would allow idling for powering a CPAP and some do not. Sleep Apnea is a "disability" as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA requires "reasonable accommodations" for persons with disabilities."

Yeah, My issue isn't with the Sleep Study or having to use the machine. It's that the information isn't readily available.

(RANT) Honestly, the average person doesn't know it's an issue (in the CDL world) until it's mentioned, or they happen to stumble into a thread that say's it could be. There are literally hundreds of obvious questions to be asked by a person who's wanting to enter this field, but how many think to ask about their BMI being an issue? Why would they? There's so much to take in and so much excitement of a new career to be had, The last thing on one's mind is...Yup, one's BMI. It's all about $$$, miles, which company to go with, Apu's, bonuses, benefits etc... Seriously, you'd think it would be listed somewhere, like maybe under the minimal qualifications section of their website. That way people wouldn't get caught off guard during the process of qualifying for a truck driving job. I dunno... (END RANT) Please don't think I'm dogging the industry. I'm just pointing out something that I feel could be handled better.

I've done lots of reading on the subject before going to the TDS this past Monday, because I did stumbled onto a thread about it. I have yet to read anything stating it was a deal breaker at any of the companies I'm looking at. In fact, what I read was, a number of stories of people who were at School, and that's where they were hit with the BMI factor. Yup, most had no idea it was coming. So, at that potentially humiliating point in their lives, due to their BMI, the School would send them to have the sleep study done, after which they're told they need to buy a machine for the low low price of...$$$ As mentioned above, I have read where the Company would pay for the test and front you the $ for the machine, then deduct a fee weekly from your check till it was paid for. So, there is that option, with some companies.

So why is it potentially humiliating? Well, for one, You're in a room with a bunch of strangers and you're informed that you need a sleep study because of your BMI. Not quite the best of situations... Why is that a problem? Well, Sleep Apnea is often looked upon as being a preventable Disability that affects Fat people. When in fact, it affects thin people too. And yes, it's considered a disability.

My Long azz point is... Maybe some of this could be avoided (in a perfect world) if, potential CDL applicants knew of the BMI guidelines before hand. That way they'd at least have options.

By the way, I was 42yrs old, 6' 4" w/a neck size of 17" and weighed 235, which = 28.6 BMI. Which is over weight but not obese. I was a weight lifter (no drugs) and into martial arts and in shape, when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea

I'm a little confused. Recently there have been people on this site that are overweight and have passed their physical without a sleep test, also I have read posts that said that some companies will do a sleep test and pay for it if you go through their school.

That's where I was coming from. I thought if the company wanted me to take the test, due to my BMI, they'd cover the test and I'd be responsible for paying for the machine.

Welcome, and Best of Luck to ya!!!

Thank You.

I'm 6'4" and weigh about 325lbs... Yeah, I'm goona fail the bmI. A few years ago I had a sleep study and now, I have a CPAP machine, although I haven't used it for a few years.

Here's the thing... There was a question on the application at the School asking if I ever had sleep apnea. I marked YES. The recruiter at the truck driving School informed me that I'd need to have a sleep study done, at my expense, before they'd allow me into their School. Anyone else have this happen?

I've read and read lots of stuff prior to my visit to their School and hadn't come across this.

Those are heating/cooling/electricity.

Wow, wouldn't have guessed.

Yeah I hear you Brett. I guess my concern was/is I live in Florida, the land of Wake-n-Bake, and didn't want to melt.

Btw, does anyone know what those things are at rest stops on I-4, that the semi-trucks park next to? They look like a 4' box with what looked like a 4' long hose with a 4" diameter . I figured the hose was too big in diameter for it to be a vacuum of sort.

When we left my wife asked me what I thought they were and honestly, I noticed them but didn't give them much thought.

Congrats Travis and best of luck to ya!!!

Do you have to have a team before starting or can the company assign you a team or both

Both. Some prefer you to have a partner, but from what I've read, they'll almost all pair you up if ya don't. Most, if not all have a system (a form w/a few basic questions ,) in place to 'match' you up with some people. Then you can contact them via phone, email etc and chit chat.

Or maybe you'll meet someone at School who's looking to go Teams just like you, and viola, you have a partner.