got info packet today in mail after 3 weeks of waiting for it from my recruiter , called and requested it 3 times he told me i dont need physical before school and info packet says ya do im confused i just dont want to get there and deal with hicups i am determined that once im there im staying for the long haul i have been doing research for 5 months now and have decide based on all research is swift is the best way for me to start and id like to thank all the people that have helped me with my research and question 's
Go get your physical and learners permit before you go. My recruiter told me since I will be going to Millington to get them and the info for Millington says to.
I just went through Millington and if you don't need a physical for a permit in your state don't worry about it. This is what my recruiter told me and when I got there they didn't ask anyone for a physical card or form, they told everyone that tried to show them one too bad we are giving you another one. The recruiter told me they recently changed this policy so thats why some things still say its required. Of course if you have any health concerns you might want to get one anyways so you don't waste your time. Also they are picky about doctors releases and made several people have things faxed over on their forms. Some states you do need one to get a permit and you do have to have a permit before you go, so check with your dmv and if not save your money for food.
You'll get another physical when you get there. I don't remember if they told me to have one before I showed up though. Didn't matter, I had been working with a Class B as a school bus driver so I had a current card anyway. Still got another one in Millington. The main thing here is to make sure that if you have any, ANY problems that could be cause for them to send you home....they WILL send you home. I think it's safe to say that physical ailments are the Number 1 reason prospective students get sent packing. DO NO LEAVE ANY STONE UNTURNED about your health, your record, your whatever!!!!
If you can afford a physical before you go, get it done! Why go up to Millington and then be sent home for a problem you were not aware of previously? Besides that my DOT physical I took in Ohio is good for two years. At Millington, my BP shot up above 90 diastolic (the lower number) so I received a one year DOT card from Swift. I was PO'ed because the techs there were using some old equipment. I mentioned to the tech that my B/P had never been that high, the fact I am a nurse to the tech, and also about the old equipment. The tech just smirked and stated "the machine doesn't lie." I sternly replied, "No, but old equipment can be inaccurate." She just gave me a "F-U" look. I had my Ohio DOT physical results and card from two weeks prior with me, but they did not care what was on it. Screw that. I WILL use my Ohio DOT card OTR.
You can use your Ohio card OTR, but when your medical card from Swift expires, if it is not renewed, you will be placed on safety hold. Which means no loads, wont be able to leave the terminal in a truck until you get the physical done. Personally, I think if your own physician gives you a DOT pass, then that should be good enough, but big companies have their own rules. Swift isnt the only one that does it like this. Nearly every company I drove for would send you for a DOT physical.
Dang, I was afraid of that! I would rather go to the DOT doc near me, who I know..urr..hope would not screw my physical (B/P) up.
