1st Attempt Failed. Thoughts On Gypsum Express, CT Transportation(comcar) Or Shaffer/Crete
Topic 15749 | Page 2
I've talked to a couple of Gypsum Express drivers in Georgia and Tennessee who loved the company. (They're all pretty fast with their tarps, too.)
Don't believe everything you read on the internet about companies. Talk to people who work there.
Thomas, I believe that thirty day requirement is a D.O.T. requirement.
I've talked to a couple of Gypsum Express drivers in Georgia and Tennessee who loved the company. (They're all pretty fast with their tarps, too.)
Don't believe everything you read on the internet about companies. Talk to people who work there.
My cousin also loves Gypsum. She says they treat her very well.
Thomas, I believe that thirty day requirement is a D.O.T. requirement.
That would make sense. CT called me today amd said the same thing. The problem is, I need a job to be able to afford the machine. And I can't start with a company because they need me to be on the machine. Ugh.
Well I started my orientation with McElroy two weeks ago but was sent home after a day and a half because I do not have a CPAP machine that I am apparently suppose to have. I didn't have a job to afford it at the time and was never officially told by the sleep study company or my Dr's office that I had sleep apnea. McElroy requires a minimum of 30 days worth of data and 70% of compliance to be placed in their trucks. Well I do not have a machine so I was sent home after the physical.
Thomas, this is all kind of confusing me. Help me out here, and I think we can help you get started in your newly chosen career. You say you were never "officially" told that you had sleep apnea. I don't even know what that means. Does that mean you were "unofficially" told that you had sleep apnea , and/or you needed to get a CPAP? Because just prior to that statement you make it sound like you knew you needed the machine when you stated, "I didn't have a job to afford it at the time." That statement makes it sound like you knew that you needed the machine. Furthermore, you didn't have a sleep study done at McElroy, so how did they know you needed a machine? Fill in the gaps for me and I'll explain how most folks who can't afford to purchase a machine go ahead and get their new career started.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Well I started my orientation with McElroy two weeks ago but was sent home after a day and a half because I do not have a CPAP machine that I am apparently suppose to have. I didn't have a job to afford it at the time and was never officially told by the sleep study company or my Dr's office that I had sleep apnea. McElroy requires a minimum of 30 days worth of data and 70% of compliance to be placed in their trucks. Well I do not have a machine so I was sent home after the physical.
Thomas, this is all kind of confusing me. Help me out here, and I think we can help you get started in your newly chosen career. You say you were never "officially" told that you had sleep apnea. I don't even know what that means. Does that mean you were "unofficially" told that you had sleep apnea , and/or you needed to get a CPAP? Because just prior to that statement you make it sound like you knew you needed the machine when you stated, "I didn't have a job to afford it at the time." That statement makes it sound like you knew that you needed the machine. Furthermore, you didn't have a sleep study done at McElroy, so how did they know you needed a machine? Fill in the gaps for me and I'll explain how most folks who can't afford to purchase a machine go ahead and get their new career started.
What i was meaning by that is the dr and the place i did the sleep study at never called me with results. About a week amd a half after the sleep study i had a medical supply company wanting to set up a time for them to come out and do the demo and set me up on a machine. But i could not afford my part after ins. I never was officially told the results until about a week ago and i did the sleep study in late june, early july.
They knew about the problem because when they sent me to the dr for the physical there was a question on there that asked " do you have sleep apnea or cpap machine or have you ever had a sleep study?" I answered yes because i had the sleep study.
The dr said she didn't have a problem with giving me a new medical card if i could get my dr to send a letter saying we are working on it but back at the terminal they said they needed 30 days worth of data from the machine, so they sent me home. I was just contacted yesterday by CT and theh said the same thing.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Having a sleep study - but never getting the results "in hand" - is about the same as not having one AT ALL (IMHO).
Wouldn't you WANT TO KNOW THE RESULTS? Or did you just assume that, since a CPAP company was trying to make an appointment, that you had it?
What "risk categories" did you fall into - that made you go for a sleep study in the first place (obesity/neck diameter)?
I'd find a company that will "sponsor" your sleep study - to see where you are in REALITY with your (potential) OSA. These companies will also "sponsor" your CPAP machine should you need one.
Downside is - even if you test and DON'T HAVE OSA - since you had noted it on a DOT Med Long Form - it is now a MATTER OF RECORD. So this will ALWAYS COME UP - every time you do a physical or change companies.
Rick
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Here is my recruiter's email for CT. She's been very upfront and she has kept up with me on a regular basis while I've attended my CDL school. Send her an email and ask away. addavis@comcar.com
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Hey Thomas, I am sorry about not getting back to you. I have just been preoccupied with some things here lately and haven't had much time in here. What Rick is saying is correct - there are many company sponsored training companies that will put up the funds for your CPAP and the they will payroll deduct the payments from you at a very reasonable rate. I know that Prime and Werner will both do this, and there are others also. I personally had a friend who went to Werner and they set him up with little or no problems.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
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CDL Qualifications Company Sponsored CDL Training DOT Physical Sleep Apnea
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I don't know much about Gypsum. Crete is going to be your best option when it comes to pay and benefits. Way above what CT has to offer by far.