SOS

Well, I think I just experienced a de facto termination from my company. My dbl told me I was medically disqualified from driving until I got my CPAP program going. The trouble is I’m down here in Savanna GA. I was told the company would either fly me home or send me on the bus. Problem is I have too much stuff to bring with me and not even a suitcase. They won’t rent me a car because I’m disqualified to drive. So my only option is to rent a car on my own and pay for it myself. Then drive 1200 miles home. The odd thing is I was told this while I stopped to answer a message the DBL sent me asking me to call her. Then I was instructed to go to a Schneider drop yard and leave my trailer for relay, about 20 miles away. Now I’m supposed to go pick up another load and take it as a relay to Atlanta where I’m supposed to clean out my tractor and leave it at the OC in Atlanta and make my way home from there.

I’m a little shell shocked right now, so I’m going to park my butt right where I am and take my 10. I wonder if anybody can give me some objective advice on how to handle this situation. As I say, I’m really in shock at the moment .

It's weird she would say that, which OC are you out of again? When I got my CPAP machine, I had a lot of trouble but was never told I was medically disqualified from driving. I even had very low compliance at one point where I was almost put out of service by Schneider. I simply discussed it with my DBL and sleep specialist and we found a solution to work for me. But I had to force myself to use the machine until I got home a month and a half later to get my new mask and what not.

Have you been using your machine for at least 4 hours a night? Also seems you would be allowed back once you get everything situated. But I'm pretty shocked they would send you home like that and have your clean your truck out.

Bruce, a couple of days ago you said you were gonna ditch the mask so you could sleep. Have you not been using it and out of compliance?

Army, good question. I tried to use the machine Wednesday night and it was not a good experience. So i didn’t use it Thursday night. But I thought I had some time to get in compliance. I’m gonna use it tonight even if it kills me. I was just very surprised by the abrupt reaction by the company. And now I have to get myself home. I have no idea if continuing to drive for Schneider is even an option at this point.

Well good luck. I sure they just want you in compliance for obvious reasons. Keep us posted.

Army, good question. I tried to use the machine Wednesday night and it was not a good experience. So i didn’t use it Thursday night. But I thought I had some time to get in compliance. I’m gonna use it tonight even if it kills me. I was just very surprised by the abrupt reaction by the company. And now I have to get myself home. I have no idea if continuing to drive for Schneider is even an option at this point.

Bruce, It seems you have had a couple of medical issues recently. You had a vision problem that had you off work for awhile, now this. Maybe the best thing to do is go home and straighten it all out. If Schneider won't re hire you after this, there are dozens of Companies that will. Take a few months to sort it all out. There will be plenty of freight waiting for you when you return. Good luck and get well.

TM, that’s good advice and makes a lot of sense. This all snowballed from my knowing the time had finally come to get corrective lenses. Then the new DOT physical that led to the CPAP issue. I posted about the vision issue on here and I remember I got one or two cautionary comments about notifying the company, but I’d already done it by then. I thought I was being forthright and honest with the company. Now it seems to have backfired. All the advice here is focused on staying with your original company for at least a year, which I wholeheartedly agree with and that was my goal. I love driving for Schneider. It’s like my wife of 6 months just filed for divorce and is taking the unborn child with her. And all this goes on my record, so that’s another black mark. Anyway, it was a gorgeous day today in Georgia! I’m too blessed to be stressed.

And all this goes on my record, so that’s another black mark.

Unless there is something that you haven't told us. Those issues are not a black mark. Chalk it up to bad timing. If you don't have any preventables, or failed drug tests, you will be very hireable. get well and start contacting recruiters. 6 months of experience will make for an easy orientation at another carrier. They will probably cut you loose and let you roll.

Personally i would take the steps that Jamie mentioned and try and stay on with Schneider unless you would honestly rather take a break. Im sure they would much rather keep you on.

TM, I wasn’t hiding anything, but I have had 3 preventable accidents. All parking lot related and only minor damage, but Schneider doesn’t term any accident as minor and I totally get that. Maybe they were wanting to jettison me, but I wish it were handled in a better way. Still trying to clear my head, this was a big blow to me today