Profile For Spaceman Spiff

I hope the colors of the trailers were color coordinated, as to meet Todd Holmes approval.

Hilarious, almost forgot about that post

Valid point, that's a perfect profile pic

Thanks much all. Just let my current boss know. Went surprisingly well and I've offered to stay until the Friday before I go to Prime. Ready to keep learning and basically just acquiring gear now.

This is great, trifecta and on to success. Safe travels on your first trip!

Yet another successful product of this website in knowledge gained and attitude sharpened, I'm as prepared as I am going to possibly ever be for the beginning of my trucking career.

I'll bang the trucking truth drum to anyone considering or questioning an entrance into this field so they might feel as welcomed and prepared as you all have done for me. I'll be doing my best to provide updates and journal my experience as the start date gets closer.

I'm fresh off the phone with Dustin and scheduled for March 11th at SLC. I will be aiming for flatbed division.

Cheers!

This topic comes up enough but lately it hasn't been too often. In a quick summary...

Hair follicle tests are using a process of detection that look for a metabolite of THC (the giggle giving fun stuff) called THC A. This stuff works through the blood stream all over the body post ingestion, including hair root (specifically the papilla where hair begins it's adventure in life ).

It will be recorded in the hair like a fossil record sort of. As the hair develops and grows out, the record stays inside the shaft. Takes about 7 days to emerge from the body. The more consumed makes a bigger record.

Once they need a sample, they cut anywhere from 100 to 200 hairs. Think about an index finger width or less. Instructions go on about making sure an inch and half is used because after this length , UV and other factors really can mess with results. Right now 90 days is the confirmed rate for accurate results. As tech changes everything, this may eventually change as well.

So now hair is at the lab where they first wash it, sort of mince it and bathe it in a solution that takes it apart in a way. There are different components of the hair that will separate, like keratin and possibly THC A if present. Then THAT will be transferred to another solution that uses antibodies to target enzymes of choice, going after THC A and or other drugs depending on the panel scheduled.

If a positive hit for the THC A is discovered then the sample moves on to a confirmation testing, this time a bit more advanced. A gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The user manual on this hog probably could be used as a bullet proof vest. This is also the machine originally used to determine finally the age of the earth by counting elements in samples from meteorites and earth, all very fascinating.

Alright so in goes the sample and it's vaporized (ripped apart at the molecular level) , funneled about, then organized and counted. So all the different materials can be separated and catalogued. The test detects the molecular signature of the THC A and tallies the concentration. Now they can count the picograms. Anything over 0.1 picograms or 1 / 10 trillionth of a gram) is confirmed as usage.

THE way to beat a hair test is to not ingest. THE way to not fail a hair test if you have ingested is to remove all hair (get it all, like an Olympian swimmer, a brand new baby, you should look like a hairless cat) after a month or so of ingestion and wait for the proper length of hair (1.5 inches) to grow back.

Don't ruin your shot by taking a chance. Cut the hair today and wait 3 months. Don't leave here to Google more results that will agree with what you are hoping. Don't listen to people who try to bleach damage or buy kits to clean the hair. At best they will know you've contaminated the hair on purpose and at worst they don't work and are a waste of money.

There are also home kits you can purchase and use discreetly. Do this once you've regrown the adequate hair for absolute peace of mind. Then stick to environments that are clear of any drugs or narcotics of any kind.

Cheers !

Thanks for posting

Thanks for the post. I see so many people asking about the magic moment when they are able to switch companies, whether it be 3 or 6 months or the full year and all. Seems like I should be looking at finishing a SECOND year so insurance costs go down and I can see how productive I really can be with a little experience under my belt.

Both reporting hair follicle testing.

As of a few weeks ago, students from this forum are still reporting urinalysis at Prime. Reckon it won't be terribly long before everyone is doing hair though.

Blue falcon move!

Hi Will,

I JUST went through this in CA. The medical first, permit and endorsement test next and schedule with training company for class start last. Basically, in the fine print, there is a category of certified trainers and examiners (company sponsored training companies) allowed to perform tests in other states that will transfer back to your state (minus Illinois I think, they're requiring you to still take skills when you return).

So after doing the skills, backing and pre trip final exams, the results would be wired back. However I still have to "finalize" my license in person at a commercial dmv center at some point to receive my physical license.

But as usual, contact your friendly local DMV personnel for your specific circumstances:)

It was agonizing when I initially passed and asked the DMV person about this. They looked at me like a foot was growing out of my forehead. Thought I had to re test here but a phone call later to the correct office confirmed the above.

Awful news Dan. Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

Off to a great start! Hope May gets here quick for you.

Good luck Doug, I got dinged only on a couple of questions but the way they worded them was very confusing. You'll pass easy with the high road fresh in mind

Thanks for the answers. Suppose I'll cross that bridge after a few years of road experience and see where the industry is. Interesting possibility of the company helping possibly.

These are the kinds of jobs I would think it would be worth it to work on having an auto restriction removed, yes?

This is all fantastic to read. Keep it up!

I think the repetition of this information constantly coming across on multiple subjects is what will sink in deepest for me and hopefully all the folks visiting this site. Humans are pattern focused and there continues to be this pattern from continual top performers.

Seriously though that is a lot o miles...thanks for sharing your actual results against their negative opinions once again.

Why did she get kicked out? Bad training or alcohol violation?