Regulators Want Truckers On Road To Shape Up

There's just too many variables, like rich t pointed out in his post.

If this is going to become an issue then IMO, they need to have some sort of physical test that guys would have to be able to perform. Couple that with the health exam part and let the attending physician make the determination.

To use a blanket formula, such as the BMI chart, is not the answer. Not for DOT or for health and life insurance companies.

 

I have seen some drivers...who really shouldn't be driving...I know that sounds harsh...but like at rest areas...they can barely get out of the truck...and legs are swollen to tree trunk size...(maybe their afflicted with something)

Either way...it's just not safe...they can barely move or walk up the path to the rest area...

I feel for them...cause trucking is probablly the last option they have to earn an income...

The thing about trucking is that most companies will never see you...they only go by data on you...

It's not like interviewing for a job where you gotta show up in a 3 piece suit or dress...

Many companies just go by data...but most other jobs don't...
Trucking companies have become like a refugee camp for many who can no longer get hired in the mainstream world...

But I still love and appreciate what you, we, do regardless...

 

My son is 6 feet tall and currently weighs 208 pounds. He is a personal trainer. He has a near washboard stomach. He is not a body builder, but is a weight lifter and has a fair amount of muscle mass.

Yet according to the idiotic BMI tables he is over weight.

 

Well, look at some of the DBs in the NFL, college etc.... A lot are 205-215 and are 6 foot tall. And they are in phenomenal shape. Maybe if you were trying to be a fighter pilot or running cross country this chart would be accurate.

 

You are correct. You see it a lot and I agree, they could very well have some type of medical problem. But I'd be more inclined that they just don't attempt to eat half way right or stay healthy. For the most part.

I know it's probably not cool to say but the guys who can barely get out of their truck, are huffing and puffing walking around with layer upon layer of fat.....man, that's just not acceptable, IMO.

With the larger companies, like Swift, JB Hunt etc... I can see your point as far as they go by the data. Those that make the major decisions never really interact with the drivers. But the data they get should be accurate. It should be fair across the board.

 

Being an OTR driver, one can't eat healthy unless he/she carries fruits, vegetables, grains, meat (for those that eat meat), etc and cooks their meals in the truck. Most food on the road is very, very unhealthy and it can be very expensive too.

 

I've learned it really doesn't pay to have a big appetite over the road...for if one does, trying to satisfy it will end you up with car payment type spending on food...or more...

Alot of appetite aquired on the road is 'mental'...you think your hungry, but your really bored, type of thing....

I've learned to convince myself otherwise, and or to eat a lot of light healthy stuff that doesn't require cooking...(fruit)(drinks) Not unhealthy soda drinks, but maybe protien drinks or milk v-8 ect ect...

Even the whole wal-mart thing will wear you out after a while...so I've just learned to streamline the appetite when I get jobs that require me to be on the road for days or weeks at a time...

(You see baak...I've matured a bit...I think...:smt083)

 

I'm gettin' tired of hearing these 500 pounders trying to blame it on some obscure medical problem as you see them waddling to their truck with 4 hot dogs, a family size potato chip bag and a gallon of soda...

The only medical problem these guys have is the impending stroke or heart attack!

And why? Oh why do these guys all have to wear shorts!

Oh yeah...Purple cankles and rolls of lard hangin' off your thighs is so pretty!

You might want to check the fat and sodium content of some of that stuff....The V-8 juice in particular is very high in sodium (Even the "Low Sodium" V-8 ) and unless you're drinking "0" fat milk the fat content is pretty high...Energy drinks are the WORST for your health with the added benefit of tasting like ####!




A side note to all who think it's an age thing:

I'm in my mid 50's and weigh around 290 # 6'2" tall...I am not blessed with a great metabolism and have fought with weight issues since I was in my 20's.

My B.P. at my last physical in May was 120/80.
Uncorrected vision 20/20.
Heart rate at rest 64 BPM.
Heart rate after running in place for 5 minutes 70 BPM.
Hearing is perfect.


The point here is this...The reason most of you get so fat and out of shape is because YOU allow yourself to.
I've been eating truckstop food for ###### near 40 years now and I'm still within 45 pounds of what I weighed when I graduated high school!

GET SOME EXERCISE!!

Get your butt out of the truck, the truckstop lounge and the coffee shop and go for a stinkin' walk every now and then.
Stop livin' on hot dogs and chips and sodas and think about what you're eating!


If you're 35 years old and weighed 200 pounds when you got into this business and 2 years later you weigh 350 pounds...

IT'S YOUR FAULT!!!

Sorry folks bit it's time to take a little personal resposibility for the choices that YOU make!

It isn't the industys fault, It isn't the truckstops fault...It's 100% 0n YOU!

If you don't like what I'm saying here...So what?

 

Blackw900

I agree, energy drinks are bad for you...expecially your kidneys...
But when I'm on the road...I'm a sucker for the coffee energy drinks...you know...the mocha cooled stuff...


And I'm anit-hot dogs also...pilots and loves love to shove dogs down your throat....

grease soaked hot dogs or corn dogs...taste good when your hungry...but you always regret it when your full...like cheap sex...

 

I would like to see our exulted Senators & Representatives subject themselves to same scrutiny....

Google Jerrod Nadler's photo Rep NY, My post count disallowed me to post.