Ignorant Question
Topic 16634 | Page 2
Hello MiracleofMagicK.
Thank you for offering to answer some questions. I can't find a way to e-mail you directly so I will post something here. I want to make it clear I'm not trying to bash any company. Just briefly relating an experience I had and asking two questions.
Several months ago, I started trucking school with Roadmaster. The school was at the Werner terminal in Fontana and I was told I'd be an excellent candidate.
I have Type II diabetes. I spoke to the recruiter about it and he assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. What he didn't say, and I didn't know enough to ask, was that my blood sugar levels needed to be under 200. I never would have started training if I'd known that because, at the time, my blood sugar levels were way above 200. I failed the medical and was sent home. I was frustrated but I wasn't angry and chalked it up to a lesson learned.
I soon received a bill from Roadmaster and was even sent to collections. Since I failed the medical, I wasn't liable for the pro-rated training money. It took several weeks to straighten out.
My concern with Werner is how they handle paperwork. Are mistakes common? Also, if I choose Werner, I'd have to go back to that same Roadmaster school. Given my previous experience, I'm hesitant.
Second, how are they about getting you home? I don't have any family but I do have a God daughter. I'd want to be home for big events like her upcoming 8th grade graduation. I'd give them several months warning, of course. I know nothing is 100%, but how is their track record in that regard?
Sorry to be so long winded. Thank you for your time.
Colin K.
OK - this gets a little more interesting than the ORIGINAL POST.
Did you go and get your permit BEFORE you started Roadmaster? Permits usually require a current DOT Medical Card - which you would have FAILED with a high blood sugar.
I don't see how Roadmaster could have even started your training - without a DOT Medical Card.
HOW LONG were you at Roadmaster, before you get sent out on a Medical? Glad they straightened it out, and took you out of collections.
First things first - you need to get your Diabetes under control, before you even consider a career in trucking. If it progresses to Insulin Dependant - you're going to opening a whole new can of worms to stay medically certified.
Best of luck to you - keep us posted on your progress...
Rick
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.
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Hello Rick S.
Great advice, Rick. I have been working on my Type II diabetes like crazy and my blood sugar level is now down to 150. Still a bit farther to go, but much better.
I may have used the wrong wording about training. What I meant was that we came to class and started studying for our CDL permits. The second or third day they had people go for their physical. Some didn't pass, mostly because of the requirement that people not be using marijuana. I do NOT have that problem. Nor do I have a criminal record, speeding tickets, etc.
Just an aside, but if I were running a training program, I'd have people go for their medical BEFORE they came to class to study for their CDL. Why waste the time of the company and the people in the class if they can't pass the physical?
It was at that physical that I also found out about the rules re: sleep apnea. My sleep apnea machine had stopped working and I could not afford a new one due to losing my insurance due to layoff. I did not have a 30 day report from my machine so I got bounced because of that as well.
I guess I should have known to ask my recruiter about the sleep apnea rules, but I did not know these rules existed and he did not volunteer the information. Again, I chalk it up to a lesson learned on my part. I have recently purchased a used sleep apnea machine and am working on getting my 30 days of use so they can look at the printout.
Since my initial rejection, I have researched the heck out of trucking. This includes seeing if it is possible to have a diabetes friendly diet while on the road. It doesn't look easy, but it does look doable. Doable is all I need.
I am asking questions because I want to know exactly what I'm walking into. This site has been one of my biggest resources and I thank all of you for sharing your expertise here.
I'm up for one job I really want now. If I don't get it, I will likely take the plunge into trucking.
Stay safe out there, Colin K.
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.
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.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook