Long Covid And Trucking

Howdy folks!

Long time, no see. On my last adventure I was back at Schneider after tending to family matters.

Somewhere along the way I ended up with COPD-like issues after having Covid. Coughed so hard one night that I had to park on the side of the road after almost passing out. I went too far over and got stuck, needing assistance. I called the sitrep in and started the process of getting help. Started coughing heavily again while the IL State Trooper was there. The trooper began the usual inspection of myself, my rig, and my logs. (I was on-duty for about 1.5 hours before the incident.) I was cleared, and did not receive any tickets. I had no diagnosis of any COPD before that.

Unfortunately Schneider didn't see it that way. The Walmart Dedicated safety officer looked at the photos and how straight I parked (although too far over in the mud) and he said "the position of your rig is what I see when people fall asleep at the wheel." ??? I figured someone sleeping would have been crooked and/or turned over/hit another vehicle. Although cleared of any wrong doing by law enforcement investigation, needless to say I was terminated for safety.

Since then I've had an official diagnosis of "very mild COPD." I take Fluticasone powder twice a day to control the symptoms. I really hope to drive again someday, but I don't have my hopes up. My pulmonologist will approve me driving so long as I keep inhaling the Fluticasone as prescribed.

The point of the story - long Covid sucks. If you've had Covid and experience more coughing than usual, go see your primary care. I likely don't have a chance to go back to Schneider, but perhaps another carrier will allow me to drive.

Take Care,

Dean

Dean, can you appeal the termination decision? I also got sick when at Schneider. Fortunately, I made it in to an OC and parked. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where I was diagnosed with diabetes that required treatment. So I wasn’t terminated but I also wasn’t going back by choice. I seem to recall that Schneider has an appeal process if you think it would be worth pursuing. Good luck, being sick sucks.

I had the “rona” back in January and I’m still experiencing the long term effects. I’ve got a cough I can’t shake and just this past weekend started on a cpap. I can’t breathe nearly as deep as I used to and get outa breath much more easily with a burning sensation in my lungs. I’m a big guy but before covid (and my leg surgery) I was able to do some pretty strenuous hiking and whatnot with no problem but now, even after losing almost 40 pounds, it’s much more difficult. I got the ****s and still ended up catching it at work.

I apologize, but I'm confused about something;

The Walmart Dedicated safety officer looked at the photos and how straight I parked (although too far over in the mud) and he said "the position of your rig is what I see when people fall asleep at the wheel."

What kind of parking do attentive, alert drivers do, if not straight?

So, if this guy looked at a picture of a sleeping person, would he also assume that person is dead? They sometimes look pretty similar. I mean, I'm sorry, but Schneider fired you because a guy says the straight parking position of the truck looks like a driver asleep at the wheel? After only 1.5hours on duty? AND after a Police Officer cleared you of any wrongdoing?

Now, if they fired you because of the tow fee or some other reason, okay, maybe I get it. And I'm not questioning your truthfulness, but it just sounds like an odd reason to fire an experienced driver.

I had the “rona” back in January and I’m still experiencing the long term effects. I’ve got a cough I can’t shake and just this past weekend started on a cpap. I can’t breathe nearly as deep as I used to and get outa breath much more easily with a burning sensation in my lungs. I’m a big guy but before covid (and my leg surgery) I was able to do some pretty strenuous hiking and whatnot with no problem but now, even after losing almost 40 pounds, it’s much more difficult. I got the ****s and still ended up catching it at work.

I had the first two injections AND the first booster before I caught it last July. Go figure. I was still being cautious.

I apologize, but I'm confused about something;

The Walmart Dedicated safety officer looked at the photos and how straight I parked (although too far over in the mud) and he said "the position of your rig is what I see when people fall asleep at the wheel."

What kind of parking do attentive, alert drivers do, if not straight?

So, if this guy looked at a picture of a sleeping person, would he also assume that person is dead? They sometimes look pretty similar. I mean, I'm sorry, but Schneider fired you because a guy says the straight parking position of the truck looks like a driver asleep at the wheel? After only 1.5hours on duty? AND after a Police Officer cleared you of any wrongdoing?

Now, if they fired you because of the tow fee or some other reason, okay, maybe I get it. And I'm not questioning your truthfulness, but it just sounds like an odd reason to fire an experienced driver.

I understand. Safety's full explanation was that he assumes that people who fall asleep "wake up, hit the brake, and straighten the wheel." I felt myself stating to go under and pulled over and braked. Yes, I was coughing more than usual when I came on duty that day. I admit that I had the opportunity to "captain my own ship" and refuse to run, but it was only coughing and I did not know I has a mild COPD issue.

I checked my PSP and it showed my one and only inspection (a level 3 that same day) and I was cleared. I asked for a DAC report but HireRight couldn't generate a report (looks to them like I don't have a CDL)?

My experience is 1.5 years. Safety said if I had a million miles it wouldn't be an issue. I can appeal to go back but it would be a tough road. thanks for the comment.

Dean, can you appeal the termination decision? I also got sick when at Schneider. Fortunately, I made it in to an OC and parked. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where I was diagnosed with diabetes that required treatment. So I wasn’t terminated but I also wasn’t going back by choice. I seem to recall that Schneider has an appeal process if you think it would be worth pursuing. Good luck, being sick sucks.

I can appeal, but Safety said without a million miles under my belt I'm unlikely to win.

Dean in the 1.5 years driving on the Walmart account, we’re there any other issues, events or preventables? How is your performance record; on time and no missed deliveries?

Your vehicle remained upright… we’ve all seen trucks that were in far worse condition than yours. Wheels up Is a likely result of falling asleep at the wheel.

Highly unusual and downright odd that Schneider would jettison a driver for 1 incident in 1.5 years of driving.

Dean in the 1.5 years driving on the Walmart account, we’re there any other issues, events or preventables? How is your performance record; on time and no missed deliveries?

Your vehicle remained upright… we’ve all seen trucks that were in far worse condition than yours. Wheels up Is a likely result of falling asleep at the wheel.

Highly unusual and downright odd that Schneider would jettison a driver for 1 incident in 1.5 years of driving.

Hi G-Town.

No incidents or problems I'm aware of. I was doing fine... getting .70/mile plus accessorial pay, up from .53/mile. I left for a while to do Schneider Regional and then take care of a family member but I didn't have any incidents. I had enough time in to get better routes (not as many trips into Cook or Lake County). Schneider has tightened up on safety since the $70 Million verdict a few years ago. I sent an email to manager I used to work with today and his idea was that I violated the "Captain of your own ship rule" by driving when I wasn't 100%.

Sorry to hear this Dean. Tough lesson. Hopeful for a full recovery and that you land on your feet.