CRETE - A Year in Review

I had talked to my terminal about the testing and such before my physical. They said pretty much the same thing, their getting ahead of the rush because once the DOT mandates it (and it's not an "if" but a "when"), there will be huge backlogs of drivers waiting to be tested and getting results, then many more waiting for CPAPs if needed. I take my hat off to Crete for testing early and at least paying the cost of testing. The terminal couldn't tell me if the cost of any CPAP equipment was covered, if it was needed that is. It doesn't matter to me, I won't under any circumstances use a CPAP...PERIOD!!! And before anyone bothers to tell me about the health risks involved...Save your breath. I am among the growing number of people out here that believe whole heartedly that you are going to die when it's your turn, not a minute before, not a minute after. You could live a healthy life, diet, exercise... have a <1% body fat... Heart of a marathon runner. Walk out the door of the gym, and be run over by someone who was talking on his/her cell phone, heard some news that shocked them, dropped their cigarette in their lap which cause them to spill their beer into their super sized bucket of biscuits and gravy and looked down for a minute to make sure their pants weren't on fire and ......squish...your healthy butt is dead. My father could snore the siding off the house, smoked unfiltered cig's, chewed tobacco, drank, ate what he liked - and like Larry the Cable Guy says, 'would eat gravy on everything but b##bs'(profanity filter won't let me say ##### ---see----), and he was in his mid 70's when he died...and could out work most of us until his last dying breath. Never once fell asleep at the wheel, and he traveled quite a bit. He didn't die because of a heart attack or cancer or high cholesterol...he died 9 months after burying his 2nd wife...basically of a broken heart. They couldn't find any medical reason for his death...so they can take this sleep apnea crap and shove it where the sun don't shine, and I don't mean Seattle, WA!!!

I eat what I like, don't drink (very often) don't smoke, don't take medications unless it's the rare occasion I need antibiotics. I don't take prescription pain medicine period. My BP(believe it or not) is in the middle of the 'normal' range, and don't snore (I stayed up all night once to check, never snored once) Basically I'm healthy. But according to these legal drug pushers (A.K.A. Physicians) I fall into several categories that would put me at risk for apnea... I have a BMI in the mid 30's (it's either 26 or 29 that is the highest acceptable range) my neck is 17 inches, and I have family history (grand parents) with diabetes, and have had dental problems since I was a baby. But my blood sugar test's under 115 every time, my A1C is 5.8, my blood work always comes out normal, (no heart or cholesterol problems) and have no history of ever....ever falling asleep at the wheel, so what does that tell you about their guidelines for testing or their so called expertise in the area of apnea causing health problems, thus causing me to be classified as an unsafe driver? It's just another way for the money grubbing SOB's in the medical field to get into your pocket...they really don't have a clue.

I also talked to my terminal about the black boxes,and the paperless log systems, they said it's in the testing phase. I have talked to several drivers in the new Prostars that are using different 'paperless' systems...basically testing the system in real world use to see which works best. None of them have the 'personal conveyance' feature where you can log off and drive the truck to Wally, or like ET does, head to the movies or another R&R activity to pass the time. Another words, if the truck moves, it's logged on duty driving. But like the apnea testing, I truly believe that black boxes and paperless logging is a matter of 'when' not 'if'. Soon this industry will have more trouble than ever trying to fill trucks after they mandate and regulate us into oblivion.

 

Super,

I agree with you on the sleep apnea thing. However, I disagree on the latter part of destiny to die. One month ago, I weighed 240. I drank sodas non stop and did not eat fruit nor veggies. I started to eat fruit, and went to a 75% caffine free diet and 25% regular soda mix. I will drop soda all together. I went down to 229. Like you I am in good health and diabetes run in my family but being more healthy can do you better. I walk everchance I get and take the stairs rather than the elevator.

KH

 

ET, over the last two weeks I've noticed freight volume seems to be falling. With the holidays just around the corner, the industry should be seeing an increase in volume, but it's just not happening.

Freight rates continue to fall. This is causing many small companies to haul at or near a "no profit" margine. This will eventually lead to less capacity, as these companies go out of business, and hopefully an increase, once again, in "our" miles.

Capitalism/Free Market is alive and well in the trucking industry. The law of "Supply and Demand" cannot be denied!

SS, I completely agree that it should be an individual choice on the health care issues you addressed. None of us are owed anything by anybody, or government.

We should give to others, as individuals, out of compasion and mercy. No government should have the authority to force us to pay for someone elses health care.

 

jdrentzjr can you give me your honest opinion about CCC. I'm going back to truck driving school to get my cdl after 26 yrs off the road. I''m thanking about going to Shaffer since i know all about pulling reefers.

 

Sure they should! They are implementing a program that, at present is strictly optional. They want it, they should pay for it. Additionally, they pay for your DOT physical, so why not this testing? Thirdly, this is not a medical condition that REQUIRES treatment. Drivers have been driving for years without this treatment. It's another ######## disease created by the pharmaceutical companies to sell more drugs. Just like ADD, acid reflux, and restless leg syndrome.

If Crete spent half the energy they waste on stupid #### like monitoring logs and idle time and fuel solutions on actually hauling freight, they wouldn't be losing drivers by the busload. It's a good place for rookies, but way too much ######## for good experienced drivers.

 

ET, I really enjoy your ongoing posts.
When you refer to a customer in Maquoketa, IA are you by chance at "Family Dollar"? Were you there on Weds, 08/05?
I also tried to get unloaded early however, was turned down and told to return one-hour prior to my scheduled appointment time. I must admit that once you get backed into a door, they are very efficient. I was in and out in less than 90 mins!!!
I have been at this location four times in the last three months and have not had a bad experience.

 

You know ET, your credibility would be higher if just for once in your life you would post something that you were truly not happy with Crete. You have been sounding like a PR person for sometime now. I swear they must be paying you somehow or you are hoping that this will get you better miles. You may have all the newbies snookered but the veterans out here know better.