A PSA For Those Considering Prime Inc.

Also, here is some further reading, which I posted around this time last year on a pipe smoking forum I frequent, which will give further food for thought.

How to Become a Full Fledged Curmudgeon in 14 Steps

Also, here is some further reading, which I posted around this time last year on a pipe smoking forum I frequent, which will give further food for thought.

How to Become a Full Fledged Curmudgeon in 14 Steps

LIKE

Well, I'll be damned I been a Curmudgeon , half my 56 years alive! hahahaha........Soon, maybe I can get away with what a couple of 70-80 year old guys do with the casino ****tail girls ! ...........I'd probably get slapped , trying this too early haha

This is interesting to say the least. I have been dancing with the idea of becoming a truck driver for years and finally decided to go for it. However, being that I suffer from Bipolar Disorder II this brings into play some serious thought. I am on Seroquel to keep my "mood" balanced and am doing great with it. But now I have to wonder if I too will face the same obstacles. Disheartening to know its a crap shoot!

I had the same problem! I can't take Trazadone. I'm at the airport now waiting to go home.

I hope everything works out. It was nice running into you!

Is there a specific reason they had for not accepting the Trazodone? I know it's an antidepressant but my Dr actually prescribes it as a non narcotic sleep aid. I asked her about it specifically and she said it shouldn't / wouldn't be a problem. In fact she used to do DOT physicals and the DOT doesn't have a problem with it either.

JJ

While it is true that the DOT 10 Panel Drug Test is mandatory for all company standards, each individual company has their own company policies concerning a wide variety of topics, including prescription medication.

Large corporations hire law firms to protect their assets, and they take the advice given in most cases, because that's what they are paying for. If their attorney tells them, that drivers on certain medications are difficult to defend in cases involving fatalities, that could be all it takes to make certain medications off limits according to company policy.

If another company non trucking related were to deny an employee employment because they had a certain medical condition, that might be grounds for a lawsuit. However, when it comes to trucking, the companies have so much liability involved, including criminal as well as civil suits, they have a legal right to deny employment for certain job descriptions for a variety of reasons.

Add to that, attorneys are always reviewing current cases, which set new precedents in the U.S. courts. When a certain case swings a certain way, it can affect the outcome of other cases that are similar in nature.

Bottom line is, they don't have to get specific and give you a lot of detailed info, when it comes to certain issues. If you present a high risk to a trucking company, they simply pass you over for another candidate who presents less issues for them during the hiring process.

Like I always tell people, trucking companies and truck drivers are a dime a dozen, but exceptional trucking companies and exceptional drivers are not.

Is there a specific reason they had for not accepting the Trazodone? I know it's an antidepressant but my Dr actually prescribes it as a non narcotic sleep aid. I asked her about it specifically and she said it shouldn't / wouldn't be a problem. In fact she used to do DOT physicals and the DOT doesn't have a problem with it either.

JJ

The only sleep aid Prime allows is melatonin. I take Trazadone for the same reason and even though it cleared a DOT physical when I got my permit in VA, Prime requires you to do their physical because their requirements are even more strict.

Dutch had it exactly correct, which is why I'm not even angry about the situation. Only mildly annoyed there is no way they've cone up with to screenot for this prior to making the trip.

I had the same problem! I can't take Trazadone. I'm at the airport now waiting to go home.

I hope everything works out. It was nice running into you!

Is there a specific reason they had for not accepting the Trazodone? I know it's an antidepressant but my Dr actually prescribes it as a non narcotic sleep aid. I asked her about it specifically and she said it shouldn't / wouldn't be a problem. In fact she used to do DOT physicals and the DOT doesn't have a problem with it either.

JJ

The issue with Trazadone (as well as other meds that have "dizziness and drowsiness" as common side effects) is that - despite taking them as prescribed, there may potentially be some lingering effect during waking hours. Statistically - the risk of having a driver affected by one of these side effects is much greater with someone on meds - than someone who is not.

Take Trazadone for example. It is an anti-depressant (which would typically be construed as a mood ELEVATOR), yet it is prescribed as a SLEEP AID.

You're going to see this with a lot of medications - where they were developed for a specific effect, and then it's found that what is considered a "side effect" (that is - an effect that is not targeted at what the drug was designed to overcome) is useful for treating other diagnosis's. A lot of psych meds are like this, and have different "marketing names" for the same formulation, in order target different diagnosis's.

Generally, when getting a "Walk-In DOT Med Exam" (as in non-company physical), the medical examiner is not looking to protect a particular companies policy. So the standard letter from prescribing physician that the particular drug "is well tolerated without side effects that could affect the persons ability to safely operate a CMV", that would get you by at a regular old DOT Med Exam - is not going to fly when a companies insurance/legal department has a list of "no fly" drugs that they just aren't going to approve.

The thing I find frustrating about this, is that the list exists, they claim they can't tell you what's on it (or risk discrimination claims), drag people across the country, and then send you home for 30 days to get off it. A lot of people give up jobs (and have limited funds), give up housing (and have nowhere to GO HOME TO), and basically get hung out in limbo. Flipside is - there's issues with asking people if they are on a particular med (HIPPA, medical privacy, etc.) during the application process, and/or identifying disqualifying conditions/meds outside of a medical setting.

With the pill-happy doctors and pharmaceutical industry developing (and re-labeling) all these wonderful feel-good meds - percentage-wise, there's a lot more folks in this country that are on them. And I have no doubt that they help folks that need them (even if docs are more than willing to write you a scrip at the mere mention of any condition).

As a site that strives to give honest advice to new folks entering the industry - it's sad that we might have to tell folks that come here, to just be OFF ALL PSYCH MEDS for 30 days when you show up for your orientation physical. Sure - you could fail to disclose - but if you get into an accident (especially one with fatalities), even if it's not your fault - the fact that you are on one of these drugs and failed to disclose, could end up with a ruined career (at best) and jail time (at worst).

Rick

Do they not read the DOT form before you come? Not trying to bash them, but it would have saved Prime some money on travel had they read the form and called you guys before you went out there.

Rick wrote:

As a site that strives to give honest advice to new folks entering the industry - it's sad that we might have to tell folks that come here, to just be OFF ALL PSYCH MEDS for 30 days when you show up for your orientation physical.

The truth isn't always happy or good or even clear. This is a very tough industry in many ways and yes, that is the truth.

Suggestion: for starters when speaking to a recruiter ask them if a particular medication you are prescribed (taking) is on their company's list of prohibited substances. This is very different approach than asking them to produce a general list. And just to check that they are not blowing smoke, give them two meds; one that is on the FMCSA list and the actual one you are taking. Second if they cannot give you a straight answer or any answer, request they transfer you to someone who can help. Third, if unsuccessful with those two attempts, either persist or move to the next company. Frankly I don't know if this will always produce the desired result, but all things considered it's worth a try.

Bottom line, there are substances that can alter a driver's ability to focus, to stay alert, to concentrate, and to react. If you are taking something that you know is prohibited or even questionable, work with your physician to find a viable substitute. If that's not possible, and you cannot reasonably function without the medication, although unfortunate maybe it's a roadblock for which there is no way around. Being off of a prohibited substance for 30 days just to pass the initial DOT physical is a Band-Aid, a temporary fix. Every company conducts periodic drug/alcohol screens without warning. If a driver begins taking a banned medication after passing the initial screen, and is caught, they will be terminated. I have seen it happen...