Comments By Joe R.

Sharing this important information - I'm moving through this process as we "speak" and my DOT examiner is insisting that the DOT/FMCSA requires a sleep study due to my BMI - (VERY untrue), but I am being held captive nevertheless. Be sure and go to the end of the article and click on 'read the bulletin in full' link. Very interesting read and critical to everyone, particularly those who are new and just trying to get a career up and moving. Also very important to the veteran drivers who are going for re-certification of medical cards. Recent bulletin from FMCSA on sleep study

One thing that I've done to help ensure that I am not railroaded into some money making cycle associated with the organization that did my DOT physical, was to involve my primary physician and he ordered the sleep study to be done within MY health organization who DOES NOT do DOT physicals. My health insurance is covering, by the way. He was able to do this based on the Nurse Practitioner's (who did my DOT physical) findings, but had his own reservations as to whether he would have even approached the issue of sleep apnea at all.

I am very, very happy with my Doc and now have the utmost in respect for the entire organization. The other organization who did my physical; NOT SO MUCH!

With all that evidence left behind, I doubt they were caught (at least not in the Laredo yard). Most likely, there is someone there making $$ for opening and resealing the doors for a "travel agent" in Mexico.

Is there some protocol for picking up and transporting sealed trailers? Does a driver typically have a "right" to break and re-seal in order to inspect the cargo? How does that work? Sounds incredibly dangerous if not.

Fabulous! Do you suspect this is a sign of things to come, or does this happen often enough anyway?

Amen...

I don't know how prevalent these are around the country, but on I90 and I94 in Wisconsin, I've seen several times, giant orange triangles on the side and in the medians (usually several of them for a mile or more):

"Airplanes monitoring speed ahead"! Or "Air Assisted Speed Zone Ahead"!

Then, just as you crest the next hill, there are a half dozen 4 wheelers stopped by State Patrol. Uhm..... How much warning; how many hints does one need?

It always makes me laugh - In fact, I look forward to these traps.

Nice. Who was the pre-hire from? I got a few of those letters. I just signed on with Roehl Transport and start my training for flatbed on the 19th in, and I'm guessing freezing, Gary Indiana.

I'm near Madison WI (about 3 hours north of Gary) and I have family just east of there, near Portage. The wind chills have been between 10 and 25 below zero for about a week now. Frankly, I'm happy to not be training in this - it's stressful enough without having to be concerned with frost bite and having to learn pre-inspections and such with bulky clothes and boots. My CDL school school starts on Feb. 2nd and I'm crossing the fingers that old man winter gets this out of his system by then. Living up in this neck of the woods however, we know that isn't the case. February will be just as brutal.

My pre-hire letter is from Werner Enterprises. According to this, my orientation would be in Indianapolis if I choose them. They have been near the top of my list of companies, so it's looking more and more likely.

Roehl is right there near the top as well. Their reputation is respectable and Green Bay is less than a two hour drive from me.

Jeffrey, how long have you been with Roehl? Did you start out on flatbed?

Whoo-hoo! So, I was about to post something significant and intellectual. I am however, celebrating my first pre-hire AND....... Smokey and the Bandit just came on CMT - Whoa! Memories. Have a good night everyone!

Thanks for the much needed info Dutch.

I'm told that dedicated is the way to go, and all I get from recruiters are that, I can't apply for dedicated or regional until I do over the road first. Sounds fishy but, I kind of understand the business point of view, being that I just recently served in the military. I get the feeling that the two industries are alot alike. Put you where you are needed first, then apply for a special job according to your performance.

Most large carriers I checked into offer recent CDL grads some options for dedicated accounts, Werner is who I went with, and was offered the Wal-Mart dedicated out of Tomah WI, I tried it for a few days, but it wasn't for me, I have switched to the 3M dedicated and get home weekends, I am only 2 months into my driving career, so check out with the recruiters......Schneider, Swift, etc also have these opportunities

Hey Brian, I hate to hijack Kool's thread, but I'm seriously considering Werner as my first choice. Can you talk a little about the Wal Mart dedicated and what it was that you didn't care for? I live in the Madison area and maybe Tomah would be a good deal for me. I'm not concerned about home time at this point. Thanks! Joe

Hello everyone! So, this is mostly a venting session (thanks for 'listening'). Any experiences or advice would be appreciated, however!

My private CDL school starts on February 2nd. They arranged my drug test and DOT exam at a clinic an hour away from me (not my regular clinical system).

All went quite well, except my BP 142/98 and my BMI was right on the mark, sending me to sleep study!! I'm not taking this lightly because my health is important to me and I can appreciate the efforts to keep 'at risk' drivers off the road and/or ensuring those 'at risk' drivers are aware of health issues and are being treated. I get that part.

Anyway, I know there are two things going on here. First, my BMI is not typical; up until about 2 years ago, I was a gym rat and hobbiest bodybuilder for most of my adult life (I am 48 y/o). Even in the Army, I was allowed an extra 15 pounds following a pinch test to ascertain my true BMI. In other words, I have more muscle mass than the "average" man of my wt. and ht. These decisions today are being made by the chart and standards provided by the FMCSA. Here is their statement: "If you have a BMI greater than or equal to 33, you may be conditionally certified for 1 month pending sleep study evaluation". It goes on.... The Nurse Practitioner doing my exam said that a pinch test was not part of the process today and I would have to see my primary physician. In the interim, I am disqualified temporarily and have been instructed to arrange the sleep study. By the way, I don't snore, nor do I have any trouble sleeping; never have!! I have gained a few unwanted pounds in recent months/years, but I am far from obese!

The blood pressure: This is troublesome, but not something I'm too concerned about. Here are the factors: It was 4pm, I had just driven an hour to this clinic and I had taken a pre-work out supplement 6 hours earlier that could have aided in the increased BP (although, I thought 6 hours was plenty of time). I also shoveled snow for an hour, a few hours before the exam. They didn't ask any of these questions - it all came to mind on the drive home - I'm not so sure it would have made any difference in her decisions, however. At any rate, I'm relatively certain that I don't have a serious issue with BP that I can't get under control. It's the time factor before school starts that is really getting my dander up! So many hoops!

So today, I have to call my doctor and beg for an immediate appointment. As for the BP, she will sign off after 3 consecutive acceptable BP readings, each a week apart. That gives me only one week of wiggle room, before school starts. I am also to call the Sleep Center and arrange for that screening, hoping to get it done this month as well. It doesn't seem likely - we'll see.

Okay, this has been a long read, I know. Again thanks for listening and if anyone has a similar story (particularly a successful one), I'll be looking for your words of encouragement .

Thanks!! Joe R.

Hey Joe,

I too suffer from the inaccurate bmi testing. I'm 6'4 at 275 and am considered morbidly obese.. really?? Compared to half the drivers I see out there I feel I'm in a good spot.. but their idea of bmi for me is a weight of 160... I'm not a small person, and at 160 I'd be sucked up and bone would be popping out... It's ridiculous and a BS system. If my neck goes another inch (18" total) I'll be needing a study too...unfortunately this is the governments way of thinking.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks David - yeah, it's a riot. My acceptable weight according to the 'experts' is between 140 and 169. Uhm..... 8th grade..? Maybe...? I'm about 230 right now - my perfect wt according to ME is about 215 and has been that way for about 15 or 20 years. No neck curls for you!

Hello Let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Francisco and I have oretty much decided that with no interest in any other career other than trucking that I will be pursuing. My main concern about trucking is the health aspect. Not all drivers fit the "fat, unhealthy, etc" view that most people who do not have any insight or any idea of the trucking industry seem to have. Having been obese all my life, and been on a weight loss journey for a bit now I have gone from obese to just a little overweight. I have a tendency to gain weight quickly if not paying attention. For the past tear I have had two goals. Get healthy and get a career on the road. So, to the pros, whether fit, on a weight loss journey, having lost weight as a trucker, or who have been in the same situation I have been, what can I expect? When that day comes and I recieve my own truck, I plan on cooking my meals, or when eating out, do so healthfully. With adjustable dumbbells or resistance band, a little exercise can be done virtually anywhere even if it is only 30 min, 10 min, obviously anything helps. My main concern is driving with a trainer. This can last anywhere between a month to 3 months, in which anything could happen. I would have to abide by my trainers rules, and go by his/her habits. So when the point comes, what are tips, advice, anything helpful you guys can throw at me? I like to plan ahead and be prepared as you can see. Much appreciated and sorry for the long post, lol.

One love, Francisco "FR4NN3H"

Hey Francisco! Thanks for starting the thread. The advice on here is invaluable and coincides with much of my plan going forward, plus some good tips to add to my process!

Please see my post however, and plan accordingly for your exam(s). I guess if I had been smart, I would have seen my doctor for a regular physical a month ago. The posting is titled: "Disqualified before school starts"

I hope all goes well for you, Sir!