Do mega carriers such as swift, schneider, JB hunt use the 5 panel drug test?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rolldice25, Dec 2, 2022.

  1. rolldice25

    rolldice25 Bobtail Member

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    I took a valium while target shooting with a friend to try and steady my aim of the rifle. I only had 3 doses spread out different days while on a camping trip. I dont normally take it or anything else. Dumb decision on my part, because i'm sober and normally never do that crap. I know the 5 panel doesn't test for benzodiazepines, so I thought it couldn't hurt, now i'm learning they do. I've gotten valium prescribed before for flight anxiety before a 12 hour trip, so maybe i should go get a script again.

    I'm now applying for a new CDL job. I'm wondering, do big companies test for benzodiazepines in an extended urine or hair follicle screen? Thinking I may just wait a few months and wait before signing on for orientation with a mega, as i've heard some of them run a 7, 9 or 10 panel test.

    I've heard once or twice time use doesnt usually show up on a hair follicle test, but dont want to risk my CDL.
     
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Hair folicle tests are not recognized by the FMCSA and results are not sent in to the Clearinghouse. That being said I would still avoid any companies that use the hair tests.
     
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Right, the results aren't sent to the Clearinghouse, but companies still have the option to fire drivers that test positive on hair follicle tests. Firing will be shown as "Failure to comply with company policies."
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2022
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  5. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Valium has a half-life of about 2 days. Its metabolites will stay in the human body for much longer. This is because it was designed to be long-lasting. For this reason, I suspect you will have traces in your hair. As this relates to hair testing what is tested?
    [​IMG]
    Because hair testing is not regulated by the DOT.

    I would suggest finding another way to steady your hand than taking a benzo. If you were legally taking the benzo get it documented. Come up with some BS story about a dead relative and stop worrying about it.
     
  6. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    Pre-employment urine testing is DOT mandated to be the 5 panel test.

    They would need a second urine sample to run a different panel.

    As posted above, it would only show in urine fro 24 - 48 hours and companies doing hair testing do limit the time span used. How long ago was this 'slip'?
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    I agree. Here is the thing a lot of people fail to understand. EVEN if hair testing finally gets approval the official testing is ONLY going to be testing for those prohibited substances found in 40.85 and in 40.87. I was speaking to a safety person friend of mine the other day about the language found in 40.85.

    § 40.85 What drugs do laboratories test for?

    As a laboratory, you must test for the following five drugs or classes of drugs in a DOT drug test. You must not test “DOT specimens” for any other drugs.


    @wis bang this part backs up what you just said about a separate test. This is DOT guidance to the Labs. They are not allowed to test anything that's part of an official DOT test for ANYBODY subject to 49 CFR. This is why I wonder what will happen to hair testing if it finally gets approval.
     
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  8. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    Most people do not understand all the additional regulations covering the testing location, transport and lab analysis.

    I really paid attention when I re-took the supervisor D & A training and the instructor [NJMTA about 10 years ago] knew the regulations and spent a lot of time explaining a bunch of the potential 'gotchas' in the mix, especially to not, due to circumstances, send someone to post-accident 'just in case' the officer does write a citation as the driver is going to be unavailable to test before the time window closes...accident on Friday afternoon and the guy's family is flying out on vacation in a couple hours.

    If no citation appears AND the donor comes back positive; all the donor has to tell the MRO is 'I wasn't issued a citation' and the results will be cancelled leaving you with knowledge about a driver being positive with no proof...WOW!
     
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  9. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    The way I have always understood post-accident testing as it depended on the situation. A carrier can send a driver to be tested under 382.307 anytime a driver is on company property or driving a company vehicle and the person suspects they are high. Even if they smash a fender at the terminal. Then you get into 382.303 and that rule is another chapter of a different book. However, I always have been under the impression there was a difference between a COP sending a driver to be tested and a carrier under 382.303 when it came to testing under part 40. THIS is why I generally stay out of these things and refer the person to see a good Attorney.
     
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  10. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    Reasonable suspicion is different from mandated post accident which is only tied to 1- fatality and 2- injury requiring immediate treatment away from the scene -or- disabling damage requiring a vehicle to be towed AND a citation is issued with a BAC time limit of 8 hours and urinalysis sample within 32 hours to complete testing.

    A TRAINED supervisor with suspicion they can document can order a reasonable suspicion test. During my initial training [1991 when it started] Matlack Corporate demanded to CYA requiring two supervisors to document their suspicion but trained everyone dispatcher and up so there should always be two individuals on hand.

    In thirty years I have never seen one conducted. I did stop my boss who wanted, well after the fact, send a guy for a BAC after a customer reported that their security reported that he looked 'off' at 5 am....you cannot test on 'hearsay'...

    Corporate policy can toss in 'drug free workplace for every employee [100%] where anyone involved in an accident with company equipment -or- hurt on-site at the job WILL be drug tested. That is in the mix for company locations, etc. but DOT comes first, if applicable, and the drug free can be a non-DOT seven panel test for everything from paper cuts to 'Mayhem'.
     
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