I Start With Averitt in January 2012

Discussion in 'Averitt' started by bigmikectn, Dec 19, 2011.

  1. bigmikectn

    bigmikectn Medium Load Member

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    Cleveland, TN
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    I got the nod today from my recruiter. I go to orientation on January 9th and then a three week refresher with a trainer. I am looking forward to being back in a cab after over two years away from driving, and to be able to go with a company like Averitt Express is a very nice reentry to the biz.

    After training I will be regional and home each weekend being based out of the Chattanooga terminal.

    Any words of wisdom from current or past Averitt drivers would be greatly appreciated.
     
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  3. 1laidbacktrucker

    1laidbacktrucker Medium Load Member

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    Do they make you do a sleep test
     
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  4. bigmikectn

    bigmikectn Medium Load Member

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    I am told they do if you meet certain weight/neck thickness standards. I had one done last year and have been on a c-pap machine for years so I will be taking a copy of my last sleep study with me to orientation.

    I will ask my recruiter about this and try to get back to you.
     
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  5. MUSTANGGT

    MUSTANGGT Road Train Member

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    I fought the sleep thing tooth and nail and finally got on a BiPAP a year ago and wish I had done it sooner.
    A big hassle at first, but became second nature. I'm really sleeping good for the first time in years.
     
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  6. bigmikectn

    bigmikectn Medium Load Member

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    It truly is a life saver, Mustanggt. Sleep apnea kills so many folks who never even knew they had it. I am overweight, but it's not always the case. Some people skinny as a rail have sleep apnea. Chances are Reggie White would still be alive if he had listened to his doctors advice and used a cpap machine. He felt it was too inconvenient to travel with. Sad.

    After I got on my cpap I actually started getting 8 hours of REST a night and what a difference it has made.
     
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  7. MUSTANGGT

    MUSTANGGT Road Train Member

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    I bought a blood pressure machine a couple of years ago and my BP would be sky high when I first woke up, which seemed irrational since all I was doing was sleeping. I would also wake up out of breath, like I had been out running laps.
    I was stopping breathing for such long periods my heart was constantly playing catch up because I had such oxygen deprivation.
    Now, with the machine, my BP is way down there as soon as I wake up.

    I wasn't flagged for sleep test at AE orientation nearly five years ago, because of my neck size. I knew I had a problem, but thought that machine would be too much of a hassle.

    I finally went on my own last December. Averitt has a deal with Tennessee Sleep Labs and my total out of pocket was $500. That included the testing and the machine itself. They even paid me travel allowance to drive my car to Franklin TN.

    They also pay for supplies(filters, masks etc) through my health insurance with no deductible. You may be able to get that once your insurance kicks in.
     
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  8. OTRDude

    OTRDude Bobtail Member

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    Jun 21, 2011
    Chattanooga TN
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    Driving out of CHA....you will have a great Fleet Manager. I too live in Cleveland and plan on going back to Averitt soon....got some loose ends to tie up and looking forward to getting back into that red truck.:biggrin_25519:
     
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  9. MUSTANGGT

    MUSTANGGT Road Train Member

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    You're not Big K are you?
     
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  10. bigmikectn

    bigmikectn Medium Load Member

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    Cleveland, TN
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    Thanks OTRDude. This is very encouraging to hear. I go to orientation a week from tomorrow. I haven't driven a rig in two years and I am a bit nervous about the road test. I know they have guys like me show up every week though, so they are used to it.

    I am looking forward to meeting you one day. How long did you work for Averitt before?
     
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  11. OTRDude

    OTRDude Bobtail Member

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    Jun 21, 2011
    Chattanooga TN
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    You need to plan to show up early enough on Sunday afternoon to get the road test over with. Nothing to worry about, bone up on the pre-trip as you will have to walk your examiner through various things to check. A visit to the doctor will clear you and give you the medical form needed to drive. You are correct, they are big on sleep apena....a 17" neck will get you an evaluation. Rest of the orientation is usual stuff but all so includes getting your uniform. Drove out of CHA little over 2 years and look forward to going back.
     
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