USA Truck Orientation Physical Question

The recruiter won't be as truthful with you as the guys who work for them on this forum. The only thing USA truck has done that is not mandated by FMCSA or DOT is the drug test. The BP and urine sugar is standard. Wait there are other things. Don't be on any kind of narcotic. Even if they are legally prescribed. No prescription sleep aides. BP and Sugar control pills are permitted but will result in a 1 year med card as opposed to 2 years. You won't have to do any physical strain tests.

 

Sleep apnea comes down to your bmi ( body mass index) and I don't know what the tress hold is for that. And your bp, when I went threw school my bp was like 180/90 something like that got a one year card and USA didn't redo the med card until it ran out and its went Down some over the yearand I got a two year card this go around. I am 5'7 190lbs and my problem is I'm just straight up out of shape n lazy lol. My doctor said I need to cut around 40. Lbs off. As far as hearing goes I will be honest the d.o.t test isn't that hard and I have seen several drivers with earring aids. Depending on state Idk if they are all universal on it test is only 20 feet away faint whisper. The women said some numbers and I had to repeat them. And about your bp meds I beleave as long as non of them inpar your driving and they are aloud by the d.o.t I think u will be fine its best to be upfront with your health meds etc because if u hide it they will find it. I would talk to your doctor about the meds,and hearing to make sure you are in d.o.t complaint. And I don't know how c1 does there stuff but fta the school I went to the first day we went for drug and dot pshical test and to make sure u are eligble to hold a cdl and a medical card. And if u don't u aren't stuck with a bill

 

The physical is just normal DOT physical and no functional capacity evaluation where you gotta lift weights and stuff. If you look overweight the PA will measure your neck and check your Body Mass Index and make you take a small sleep apnea questionnaire. I ended up with a 6 mos card being she wanted me to get checked for sleep apnea, no biggie being the VA will do it for me. I just went through orientation this week and got my truck today. Had a couple guys get sent home because one lied about felonies and the other one drank everynight and was falling asleep in class. Def want to be honest about everything.

 

So usa is doing the sleep apnea crap now too? Ugggg guess ill get my own physical instead of ghe free one when my card is up in a few months. Until DOT requires the sleep test I'm not doing it. Until skinny 150 lbs peopke have to do it I won't. Big neck is not the only factor. Snoring doed not mean you have it. I know a few skinny guys who have it but according to the BMI bs they slip thru.

 

That's exactly what that sleep apnea critetia is... crap. There is no scientific data to support it, yet because some bozo with a medical degree suggest it. It has somehow became a non dot mandated criteria for selecting who does and who doesn't have to open up their wallet and make a contribution to the quacks retirement plan.
I have had large students that were told they should be tested yet when with me slept like babies. And, I have had lean, thin students that madde me want to get up and jump on their chest to get them to take the next breath. One even admitted he tested positive for SA, yet didn't want to wear the equipment at night. Yet, he wasn't told he had to take the sleep test. He passed upgrade and has been running with USA for 1.5 years now, no problems.

 

If you already have sleep apnea and been using the CPAP for many years and sleeping like a baby, most companies are ok with it. At USA Truck, does anyone know what they want you to bring that you are on succesful treatment plan and you are in DOT compliance?

 

Far as I know there is no DOT rule on it. But if you are diagnosed then I'd bring the machine, note from doc saying you need it, and the last read on it. Since it seems they are checking now.

 

I would def bring the machine and any docs notes/orders you have being they check for sleep apnea. I hate how they go off of a chart for that crap, I am 6 ft 2 and 280 lbs, look normal I think. I am 280 lbs because I go to the gym a lot and workout on the truck too. Discriminating against big ppl I think. Not even DOT mandated yet. They need to tell skinny folk to get tested too to make it fair.