CRETE - A Year in Review

I would go to a local doc and see if you can pass the DOT physical. Your doc is right to wait on lifting work restrictions until after T-giving. Sorry. Open heart surgery is really invasive, and complications are varied and many and can take a while to show up.

 

Yeah I understand the 12 week work restriction. They told me that's how long it takes for the sternum to completely heal. I'm sure I could pass the DOT physical right now. All the ones I have had in the past wasn't anything more then a blood pressure check and some flexibility tests. I am seeing my family doctor before then and he does DOT physicals. I will talk with him and see what he thinks. Thanks

 

12 weeks is also the time needed to guard against a slow boil infection. After 12 they figure you're good to go.

 

Keep in mind it's not just a DOT physical. Crete requires a pre work screen as well, that involves heavy lifting, pushing, and pulling. You need a sound body to make it through that.

 

I had a friend that had a heart attack after he was involved in a serious accident where he thought he'd killed someone after they ran under his trailer duels.(but they ended up walking...I mean limped away, but my friend had to be life flighted to the hospital) after my friend was cleared to return to duty, 6 months + later because of actually having a full blown heart attack, he was never the same. His sternum was always much more sensitive to heavy exertion and the bouncing of these apple cart Freightliners (and we were in short wheelbase cabovers to boot). Since he was only a year or so from full retirement age, they put him on a special dedicated run so he could earn an acceptable living and make it to full retirement age.(It wasn't at Crete...Crete wouldn't have acknowledged your existance after an accident like he had, regardless of fault....let alone put you on a run that helped you)

The physicals here, at least for new or rehire drivers, are a bit tougher than they use to be. At least that's what I've heard. When I road tested a couple drivers a few months ago, the rehire driver said their fitness evaluations about knocked his *bleep* in the dirt...and when I did my recert physical in August, I had to do bending and flexability test's...something I'd never done in almost 20 yrs of this job. They use to have you either run in place for 30 seconds or jumping jacks to get your heart pumping, but haven't done that at a physical in a couple visits.

 

I'm in very good physical health, and I couldn't pass the PWS. Specifically, I couldn't lift 50lbs over my head 3 times. I only managed it twice.

 

My experience with the PWS (at least at Schneider) is that technique is as important, if not more so, than strength and conditioning. I'm way the hell overweight, and got through ours with no problem.

 

i'm way the hell overweight and passed Crete's.

 

I actually practiced before the test, at home in my basement. Loaded up a crate with heavy books (heavier than the test), and walked back and forth, concentrating on my breathing technique. Same with the squats and lifts.

Helped me keep my pulse rate down at test time.

 

I hope you're bringing your b/p meds when you come to work here because ops is back at the practice of ignoring drivers again...and it isn't because they're over booked on freight and are too busy. Many times this week alone I waited for hours(plural) after many messages and got ignored. It took me getting very arrogant and abusive before anyone got around to saying anything. Crete had better pray to whatever entity they pray to that I don't ever have a major health issue and can't get to my cell phone and depend on the qualcomm for help...my wife and her lawyer will own a significant portion of their profits for years!!!