Will any company hire with past disability?

rolling on the floor laughing my arse off good one kitty

 

That's usually a disqualifier right there. It doesn't matter whether or not a physician has issued an Rx, or whether or not you intend to use it only during sleep. As a general policy, most companies will prohibit the use of any medication which cannot be safely taken while driving.

 

You need to have a letter from your surgeon stating you have been released back to work with NO restrictions, prior to applying for the job. You also need to take the letter with you when you go for your DOT physical.
I had back surgery in Feb. last year. I've been working for six months without to much trouble. You just have to be careful and do things right.
Good Luck

http://www.fleetdirectory.com/a-zcos/hco.htm

 

I believe that's really a gray area there. You can get a doctor,and a good DOT one at that, to say you're ok to take the medication while driving if you're careful. It all depends on the medication and how you respond on it. Some people can take strong medication and then some get wiped on it. Just remember that if something does happen and the government steps in to investigate the other side lawyers are going to rake you over the coals. All the people looking to place blame are going after the easy stuff first. So if it were me I'd make sure everyone was ok with what I was taking including the company doctor and safety department. If I didn't get a OK from them all then I would find another medication or method.

The OP faces many problems with a back injury and not knowing the business. Even if you buy a truck you may have to have insurance that cost more than normal. I hope that your doctors have told you that your life needs to change after a back injury. You'll never be the same and you'll have to ALWAYS protect your back.

I'm not too sure truck driving is the way. I do believe that before you commit yourself to any heavy financing you should try it for awhile. I know that's hard to do by find a way but it is the best way. The worse thing that could happen is you get all up in debt, lined up for steady work and you go out again with another back injury. Sounds like Wildbill speaks from experience and it would be a great idea to have plenty copies of that letter. Just remember that a new driver is evaluated by what's on the application so you should take any steps you can to make yourself look as good or even better than most and your odds will be better for work.

 

Absolutely not!

You need to learn the business side as well as the driving side, and getting your own rig will be a business, with you as the worst boss you ever had.

If you are interested in starting your own company, start out by working for one. I get that you ant to do it as a driver, but having an idea about safety regulations, fuel purchasing, customer service, load planning, etc is also part of what you have to know.

Since you are having so much trouble (I can relate, I'm new to being disabled after 16 plus years on the road) with getting on as a driver, try the office side of things. Get into operations (you may need to take some classes first), and see how the sausage is made. Then dip into safety, and see how others get themselves into trouble (sometimes including the carrier), and learn from their mistakes. Getting a feel for these two areas alone will be of great help. You'll pick up on things like fuel and maintenance as your progress.

I know, it means sitting in a cubicle. If I can do it, you can do it. Once you are done, if the urge to start your own trucking business is still there, you'll be one-up on most who try (and more often than not, fail).

Stay away from "fleece to owe," er, lease to own plans. Most are pure scams, and I know of no "newbie" who has ever lasted more than a couple of months in one of these scams. Do it right, without shortcuts, by learning all you can as quick as you can, before stepping out on your own.

 

That's the key, right there. I take Norco (a particular strength of Vicodin), and use a cream that contains ketamine, along with a muscle relaxer and Lyrica on a very set schedule. I wouldn't dream of operating a bicycle when I first started on all this, now, I'm fine with operating a big rig (no fatigue or reflex issues). I have to present them to every employer, along with a letter from the doc that says I'm fine with them (she assumes the liability, as do I, at that point).

My only problem is my left ankle doesn't work (I have a brace), so I can't perform the duties of a Certified Driver Lumper anymore, despite being able to do every other aspect of the job.

As a result, 16 years of experience means nothing, simply because I can't unload a trailer.

Given the current over-supply of truckers right now, the companies can have their pick from tens of thousands who need a CPAP to breath for them at night (obesity is an ADA protected disability). Having any sort of disability to a limb? Not enough of us (compared to the ones who can't pass up the buffet) to force the issue.