Starting Training Next Week, Don't Take This The Wrong Way?

Topic 7593 | Page 1

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Sammy Clue's Comment
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Okay so it seems that after applying to many different company sponsored training schools, PAM (Driver Solutions) is the only one that called me. Now I have read in many threads/topics about PAM and Driver Solutions and there are MANY mixed reviews about the companies. BUT that is not my concern..

I've always had somewhat of a bladder problem that causes a very irregular urination schedule. And in my past experience of taking drug test (Only taken 3) I was unable to produce a specimen within the time they appointed. When I went to my last drug screen (Auto-mechanic) I prepared for the test and was ready to go when I got there, but not surprisingly was forced to wait for 30+ minutes and had to use the restroom early (they would not let me go before they were ready). 5 minutes after I went to the restroom they called me back and SURPRISE!! I couldn't go and spent the next 2 hours drinking water and waiting until I was ready again. (Which I found very strange due to this dilution thing that testers are always looking for, I mean wouldn't that dilute the specimen? idk...)

So my question is, Going to PAM for training, does anyone know what their procedure is when it comes to the Physical and Drug Screening? According to the Drivers Solutions site it states that "In addition to the DOT physical exam, you will take a DOT drug screen upon arrival at the training facility." then it says "During the first few days of the CDL training program, you will undergo a DOT physical examination". Now it may seem like a strange question and perhaps it is. But Being that I get there on Sunday afternoon and show up Monday Morning @ 7am, I need to try and be prepared for if I will be waiting in class for some time, waiting on a Physical exam then taking a drug screen, or if they Drug screen on Site as soon as you get there. Just the process that is taken.

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.

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.

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.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

I'm not familiar with their exact procedures I'm afraid so I can't tell you much about that. But most places give the physical immediately because they know there will be people that fail it so they get that out of the way right away.

I can say that a diluted specimen would only be diluted after quite a large amount of water. If you pounded 1/2 gallon an hour or two before the physical it would likely be diluted. But drinking enough so you can go isn't a problem.

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