Physical, must use company doctor.

I have my own authority. I CHOOSE where I want to have my DOT physical done.

 

That’s the goal for 2020..

 

This is a no brainer these companies use doctors they trust and know won't let any potential lawsuits into their seats. They pay for the physicals so who cares? All part of the industry. When I got my first job after school I threw away a medical card that was 4 weeks old from school doctor and got a new one from company doctor.

 

I still have my first card, road trip card and a couple others from my schooling back in the 80's call me sentimental.

 

Some companies do a more thorough physical than you would get at your family doctor.

Try your hand at passing Maverick's physical. Holy crapolla. They check every major joint. Make you do minute of climbing on a stair stepper and check your heart rate. Knees and heart rate sent several to the bus when I went through it.

 

Why is it you guys assume something that isn't true.

They use the same docs becuase of economics and record keeping.

They have to deal with a large amount of drivers and when there are issues wifh what was issues, dealing with the same outfit makes it easier for them.

The real problem is us, we are own worst enemy and should demand that the dot physical is something we can control. If we go to a new company, they have to accept the phyical from our past, if we have to renew it, then we have a choice where it is done. That's what should happen, because if we are going to be treated like airline pilots, then we need to have the same respect as one.

 

I can't help but get a laugh from these physical threads. For the average driver a physical takes an hour in the door and out. A quick check of your eye sight , blood pressure and a quick check of your urine. Followed by maybe 5 minutes with the examiner. Don't accept that sleep study crap even if it means leaving because at this point in time there are ZERO FMCSA sleep apnea guidelines. The company is paying for the physical and regardless of if you are being paid for attending orientation or not. You accepted the job with the understanding orientation was part of the job. Guess what? That physical is part of orientation. What I find strange is why all the trepidation?

 

they don't trust our own doctors. simple really

 

What about at the 2 year mark with the same company? Do I normally go get my medical card renewed in my home state on my home time, Or does the company send you to their DOT exam.

 

I was going to bring this later physicals up in my first post but decided not to. It has been my experience once orientation is finished the carriers relax a bit on these physicals and will accept one you get on your own. Several times over the years my family doc did mine. The biggest thing about these physicals is doctor shopping. However doctor shopping is another topic for another day.