Comments By ChosenOne

This is the link to the FMCSA Package

The link did not show up on the first post argh. I need to be more careful. Good luck!

It is possible, I know a Vet who drives for Western Express and he is a right leg amputee. I just sent him a text, he said you will need to get a SPE Waiver. He said it was an easy process, and sent me this link, said to tell you to download the "New Driver Application Package". He said it will explain what you need to do. He also said he sees more amputees OTR than he thought he would and you won't be alone.

I had an Apnea test 4 years ago, not for a DOT issue, and did not have enough incidents in a night, so it was negative. Scenario here for anyone in the know, let's says Prime gives you the test, comes back you need a CPAP, can you buy one elsewhere or do you have to buy theirs? I am just curious as to how they handle it, I am a shopper, and if I could save a few hundred buying it elsewhere, why wouldn't I?

How long ago did it happen? Time seems to heal most issues, there are folks who have been convicted for murder, done their time, and are out motoring today.

Has anyone seen my dead horse?

Yes, let me give it a few more whacks lol. Now that I think about it, there are probably s few hundred thousand drivers out there now, probably close to a 1/2 million trucks on the road at any given time. If violence against truckers were prevalent and rampant, I would think the news would be full of stories. I read one every now and then, but not enough for anyone to M60 on the roof, let alone use it.

At my last IT employer we sold software to a few trucking carriers. I was offered a position at one of them, but they withdrew their offer when they discovered I did not have a Bachelor's Degree. Like many places, I can work there as long as I am working for a vendor, or as a contractor, but not as a full time employee as I lack the required minimum educational requirement for the position. I did learn a considerable amount about the inner-workings, and how the megas are not affected all that much from the freight fluctuations many blame them for, as well as how a load starts from being signed by sales, through planning, dispatch, to the driver, to billing the shipper. You can also add to it some loads are port-truck-rail-truck-DC-truck, and just about every other combination you can think of. This is where I found out about ELD's, and the information that is available from them, as well as remote engine and performance diagnostics.

I would go look at their CSA Score for starters, see how they stack up. I had a guy come up to me after school last week, he wanted to know if I was interested in a position. They are a 14 tractor operation and lease their trailers. I looked at their CSA Score, they have a 47% OOS rate for inspections. They also have a high percentage of HOS Violations. No thanks, this tells me either the drivers don't care about the equipment, or the owner does not care, either way I am not risking my CDL, and god forbid, my life or someone elses life while I am behind the wheel. While I can refuse to drive unsafe, if I am refusing to move the truck I am not earning money, and who knows what he will say if I leave and he is called by a perspective employer. I should have known the reason why he was outside in the corner of the parking lot was because he probably would not be let in the door.

For those who have dogs are more like guard dogs, what is your plan if you are having a medical emergency and incapacitated? Will the dog prevent rescuers from getting close?

Now that I think about this, and being an RV'er for years, all trucks with sleepers should have them, APU or not. It is odd that RV's are required to have them, yet trucks are not. I guess the extra $50 per unit could break the bank.

I just want to thank the chosen one on his small history lesson, thank you I enjoyed reading your post.

Your welcome. My second job in IT was working at a Law Firm that only handled Constitutional Law. That was one of the best jobs I have had. The Litigators working there were some of the best in their field, and I often found I was allowed to watch mock debates when they were preparing their appeals. These folks lived and breathed the Constitution, and they had the Wall of Amendments, which had a large picture frame for each one, explaining why it was included, and below it the various SCOTUS rulings on why they not absolute.

I learned more there in 2 years than anywhere else I have worked, and it was a pleasure, and privilege to work there.