WEL companies

Discussion in 'Report A BAD Trucking Company Here' started by UGA79, Nov 8, 2011.

  1. UGA79

    UGA79 Light Load Member

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    Jul 12, 2011
    Warner Robins, GA
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    So, my husband left Swift to go with WEL. All seemed...well...at first. .40/mile, orientation pay, good miles, reimbursements/detention pay/etc paid, pay direct deposited, all good - right? Not so!

    They gave him a 3 month physical card. They said it was due to BP. He had a 2 YEAR card when he got there so even if his BP had been between 140/90 - 159/99 he should have gotten a 1 YEAR card. The 3 month is supposed to be if your BP is over 140/90 when you already have a 1 year card and are recertifying.

    Now they want him to get a doc that will put him on BP meds (which aren't really needed) and get a sleep study done to see if he has sleep apnea cause he has a "thick neck". In order to get the sleep study approved his new doc, not the one at WEL that referred him for it, has to send a request to the hospital. Plus he has to get on the BP meds to get his BP down and get another card.

    The problem is this: 1. WEL did not give him the 1 year card like FMCSR states he should have gotten.
    2. They gave him the 3 month one which, IF his bp is over a certain #, he won't be able to renew.
    3. We are looking at paying a $700 deductible for the sleep study and possible C-PAP machine.
    4. Minimum he should have gotten a 6 month card since he has 6 months from date of hire to get the sleep study done.

    Anyone else have similar problems and did it affect your career?
     
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  3. apyles

    apyles Medium Load Member

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    Oct 21, 2011
    Newbern,Tn
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    how long has he been driving? Why not stay away from the big companies and try to find a smaller local company. Most small to medium size companies don't have as many company rules, this is the problem that he is having. most large companies have own requirements
     
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  4. Meltom

    Meltom Road Train Member

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    WEL didn't give him a medical card, the Dr they used did.
     
  5. apyles

    apyles Medium Load Member

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    Oct 21, 2011
    Newbern,Tn
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    the doc is paid by the company, if there requirements are lower than what the fmcsa require, than that is the way the med card will be issued. the same goes for the sleep study its a company rule, not an fmcsa rule.
     
  6. snuffy1

    snuffy1 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 26, 2011
    buffalo, mn
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    from what i understand no matter what reason the recertification is for if over 140/90 the examiner has to by law issue a 3 month certificate, the sleep study for a thick neck is crap. many things affect b/p as mentioned before there are alot of companies that dont require dot phisical if yours is current in 17 yrs never had to if mine was current, would move on if i was him!!!
     
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  7. Meltom

    Meltom Road Train Member

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    Jan 24, 2011
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    The doctor is paid by the company the same way that your doctor is paid by you. The requirements would be the same, if the company would chose to not accept the 3 month card that is issued that would be a company policy. If it were my company I wouldn't accept anything less than a year.

    Blood pressure (BP). If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90-159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months.
     
  8. UGA79

    UGA79 Light Load Member

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    Jul 12, 2011
    Warner Robins, GA
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    He's been driving for over 5 years.

    There is nothing in the company handbook that says they require sleep studies for certain people.

    They are now saying the 3 month card is because the doc said he needed a sleep study. Not for BP. Even if it HAD been for BP he should have gotten a 1 year, not 3 month.


    Can he get a new card before his sleep study (since nothing was in writing about him needing to wait)? That way he'd have a 1 yr card and still have time to get the sleep study done.
     
  9. catahoula

    catahoula Light Load Member

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    Dec 3, 2009
    Townsend,GA.
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    Hey your hubby will be better off to go get the bp under control, 140/90 is high bp meds are cheap. You live close to apple care cheap office visit I have seen on their web site they have one in Warner Robins and also do dot exams. I have been on bp meds for 7 year my bp runs 119/70 all the time. Don't mess with your health for something that is an easy fix.
     
  10. Krom

    Krom Light Load Member

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    Sep 16, 2010
    Bumville, USA
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    It's fairly common practice, "sleep apnea" is a code word for green in the insurance industry. Corporations being corporations don't want to take any chances and you losing $800 and time means nothing to them. Flatbed company I worked for did something like that, $800 out of pocket should warn you how LOUSY trucker's medical insurance plans are, in a case you'll hit other medical troubles in the future.

    The doctor (who did physicals) apparently (it's a hearsay) received small tokens of gratitude from the sleep study people and predictably he was trigger happy to "qualify" folks for the sleep studies at whim.
     
  11. Rollover the Original

    Rollover the Original Road Train Member

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    Springfield,MO
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    If you have your own medical report that shows the BP as ok but this moron doctor says sleep study and this BFI wants you to foot the bill.... LEAVE! Follow my how to quit that company but be sure to tell that safety person before you give them the keys that YOUR PCP (doctor) says he doesn't need a sleep test and because the doctor that isd paid by you thinks you need one then either pay for it or we walk as that money needs to go to bills not a stupid sleep test! Then tell that moron safety person that you sleep next to him every night and he does not snore, stop breathing at night or gasp. Just tell them you're better than any over priced scam called sleep studies and they need to make up their mind to pay it themselves because, well, it's NOT your doctor you go to all the time AND because he's recommending to another doctor then sorry you aren't paying for anything NOT REQUIRED under the FMCSA! Tell them if their insurance company wants that test foot the bill, or BFI wants the test, foot the bill, but you refuse to pay your money for what someone else recommends! I would even take a sheet of paper in with you that has written on it that you and so and so are refusing to take a sleep test due to the cost and this letter is for my next employer and Hire Right to cover any misrepresentations that might be placed in their reports because you are going to fire us either now or when we are in BFE! We know this will and can happen!

    They will refuse to sign it so have that cell phone in hand with the camera ready and hold the letter up with the safety officer in the frame and quickly take a picture of the letter and the idiot ! Be sure the letter has a title large enough to be read in the picture and practice taking the picture so you have it down correctly. Heck if both of you are in there after handing them the letter take one without them knowing! Then the other one so you have two! Just be sure you have the date and time stamp on and geo tracking so that Hire Right/DAC or your next application can see it was taken in their office! (Google Earth or any government issues map will verify just as good as anything else!) That will also cover the biggest lie that these BFIs do called abandoned under load, or in BFE!

    Yeah, I can hear all of you going it's illegal to take pictures or some such BS but big deal! It's called covering your arse! If nothing else get one inside the offices and then do the final of the truck in front of the building with their sign in the picture and even of the mechanic looking the truck over! If nothing else if you are in there with your husband then have him video you writing on the bottom of the letter REFUSED TO SIGN with the date on the safety persons own desk with a shot of their walls! All they can do is tell you to leave but if you are videoing just your spouce then if they say something tough crapola! You were videoing your better half when they opened mouth and verified that you did not abandon or just quit or some such crapola lie they will attempt to tell!

    BUT a sleep test? If you (BFI) pay for it I'll take it! If not send me home on your dime! Screw them and a sleep test! It's becoming a money scam for someone!
     
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