Diary of a New Swift Driver

I just got my sleep report yesterday, AHI = 6.0 daily use 7.27. % days used 99%..what's the AHI? And if my doc says I'm compliant and under his treatment is that good enough?

 

I have never failed a dot physical, due to the apnea, last year all I needed was the doctors. let

 

I should say though, I only get cleard for a year at a time instead of 2 years..the federal motor carrier rules say that the ahi has to be under 20 and be adequatly treated..not the exact words but close enough.

 

The AHI, or apnea hypopnea index, is used to classify the severity of your sleep apnea, according to the following criteria, the number of breathing interruptions per hour:

Mild: 5-15 events per hour of sleep
Moderate: 15-30 events per hour of sleep
Severe: greater than 30 events per hour of sleep

 

But keep in mind the regs only provide the minumum requirements. The company can and does have more stringent restrictions.

 

I will, my doctor always says I do great, seems like if your ahi is under 5 then you wouldn't be considerd apnaic if 5-15 is mild?..interesting..we shall see how it goes.

 

someone else posted in a different post that compliance was >=4.5 hours a night with >=70% daily use. I wonder if each doctor has different guidlines...I will try and ask the recruiter is she knows for sure.

 

BBman and 18-wheeler,
You both need to understand that you can be your own worst enemy in this situation. By freaking out over the unknown, you are hammering your blood pressure like someone who just had a 15 minute dance with a sow grizzly protecting her cubs. RIGHT NOW, start teaching yourself how to calm down. The only thing tough about the physical was how cold they kept that place and being herded station to station to be prodded by the next one. The hernia check was even a breeze. There was no drop your pants, turn your head and cough. The lady doc did a reach around and had me cough. I was amused that on first reach she was checking beside my keys rather than there and there.

Everyone in my class reported the anxiety and trepidation before the DOT physical, the DPS (DMV) written test, the backing/parking range, the shifting range, the road training and especially the DPS road test were magnitudes worse than the actual event. We all passed our final DPS road test with scores of 90% plus. It really is simple for someone with average intelligence who posssesses the ability to pay attention and learn by instruction. It was also a lot of fun. Calm down!

If you don't know what sleep apnea is by now you probably don't have it. If you do and you have a CPAP or have had a sleep study, bring the info with you. The vision test is basic simple; the person Gold Miner mentioned was of an ethnicity that genetically is prone to vision problems. 20/40 correctable passes as does the ability to recognize red, green and amber. Blood pressure for a 2 year card must be equal to or less than 140/90. Mine was 150/80 and I have a 1 year card. Big deal. At my tender age I should be closely monitoring my blood pressure anyway.

If you have a prescribed medication that is an opiate or an amphetamine, even with a doctor's letter, don't bother coming; you will not qualify for a DOT medical card. If you indulge in recreational drugs and think you can clear your system in 24 hours by drinking quarts of cranberry juice or that you can explain the THC in your system with the myth of a contact high you are just plain stupid. Stay home or bring money for your bus ticket home because Swift will not pay if you fail your drug test.

Employment. List your primary jobs and if you had fill in, supplemental income with part time jobs list them exactly as you stated above, BBman. They want your employment history but they are also looking for concealment. List it as "multiple short term positions to supplement primary income" and maybe state what kind of positions they were such as pizza delivery guy. There will be a person the first day at school who will help you through this. 18-wheeler knows who that is at San Antonio.

Swift has accepted you for training at their academy based on the initial information you supplied and they really do want you to succeeed in your training and succeeed as one of their drivers despite the whining you will read on forums like this. They will do everything they can to help you in this endeavor but, like any employer, they will kick you to the curb right now if you obtain employment with them under false pretenses. There are no hidden or trick obstacles. The requirements for your DOT physical are clearly spelled out in the FMCSA. The requirements for employment and criminal history are clearly spelled out on your application your recruiter sent you.

Gold Miner mentioned 7 left in his class and mine finished with 10. From the first day people are getting back on the bus home. Swift pays for the ticket unless you fail the drug test which is the price of stupidity. Do not have any pending court action, warrants, unpaid moving or non-moving violations, supervised probation/parole or pending work comp action. The reason is simple; any of the above may require your presence other than where you should be while you are training and there are no absences allowed. If you have a warrant, even for parking tickets in that state way over there, DPS will find it after you have done your paperwork while you are waiting to take your test and arrest you. I don't know about other states but every DPS office in Texas has a real jail cell just for the stupid people who show up thinking they got away with something.

Relax guys. You are in for an interesting, fast paced three weeks and while parts of it will bore you cross-eyed, it really is a lot of fun. You will meet people in the same financial circumstances you are and people who have harbored an often secret, burning desire to be a trucker just like you. You will have instructors who will at times try to be the drill sargeant but are actually cool people who have a dedication and passion for what they do that is becoming all too rare in the rest of our world.

I know there is a ton of confusion, millions of questions and the all too real dread of the unknown, guys, but believe me when I tell you that you are in for a great time with people who want you to succeed. Enjoy!
Frank