Marten transport Walmart dc dedicated

With all the talk lately of the DOT cracking down on BMI's being too high and sleep apena you would think that drivers would show some personal responsibility and at least ask the question "Does your company test for sleep apena?" But hey, lets blame the "evil" trucking companies. It just amazes me how many people don't ask the simple questions when it comes to something as important as their career and then complain because they didn't do their homework.

 

I agree now that I think about it.The op has 2 yrs so he should have asked unless the other companies didn't require a sleep test.But I also think important things like this should be on their web site.Alot of times it doesn't matter how much homework one does,they're going to find unwanted flaws once they get there and start driving.

 

I got hit with that on my last physical. I don't think it's the companies, per se, but it's getting to be DOT mandated. So said the physician.

Going for my test 1/5/15. I'm a local driver, sleeps in his own bed nightly, it's BS to me.

 

The best way to avoid sleep apnea testing and having to pay for those machines is to control what you eat and not be fat. The OP Im assuming is a big guy since they required that test, so it shouldn't surprise him when they make you buy that machine. Also always ask questions before blindly signing on with a company.

Also truck drivers who are fat need to stop whining when a company requires you to buy that machine. Why should a company be responsible to buy that expensive machine for your irresponsibility. Don't blame the company, blame yourself. There are a few exceptions but for the most part this issue can be non existent if you eat right.

 

The days of the overweight truckers will eventually come to an end. the cost of medical for these overweight truckers are forcing alot of regulations. Don't be surprised down the road that the physicals get stricter and harder to pass. This will force us to stay in shape. I see too many truckers that get out of the trucks and you wonder how the hell did they pass the physical let alone the fast food line. You see the truck groan with satisfaction once they get off the truck. some of them have the half gallon thermos and usually 2 or three of them filling them up with soda. Yeah good image walking into the shipper and reciever and getting stuck in the doorway. or they bend over and holy crap the sight is horrifying.

 

i've seen plenty of driver's that could'nt do any other job but hold a steering wheel. just open the doors and bump the dock. but you see more obese people in public than anything else.......

 

All you fellows with your ideal dream driver better be careful. In the 42 years I've been out here seen a lot of fat truck drivers grab a 30' by 40' tarp and cover a load of machinery wheres a thin little man wouldn't tarp a lawnmower! I can tell when the DOT gets their ideal dream driver, he's going to be first generation eastern European or Hispanic a shippers nightmare "no speaka the lingo" Americans won't be treated the way these fleets want to handle them. My friend works for one of these alleged great fleets 70 hrs grossed about 1200 after taxes and INSURANCE that they advertise as paid, little over 700 that's 10 bucks an hr gone from home all week, don't get to see your children grow up. What kind of life is that? I've always been an O/O and yeah I hear all the time " I used to have my own truck but I make a lot more as a company driver" Well it's oblivious to me that you weren't doing something right.
Yes it's true there are some bigtime pigs out there walking around in sweatpants or shorts (in the middle of winter) because I assume they can't get clothes to fit at Wal-Mart .But I seem to have noticed more of that since the DOT started pumping out more and more regulations instead of less. As far as the sleep apnea (cash cow) had to take that little test on my last dot I remember one question in particular. If you lay down in the middle of the afternoon do you fall asleep? I answer NO. Well of course I do, that"s why I laid down

 

That's why drivers need to plan ahead when going to new jobs, have their own transportation, food, and lodging money in case they need to walk.

But too many are flat broke at these orientations, and really have no choice but to bite that bullet till that job hop circle starts again.

 

Yes companies need to give a full discloser of all they do and expect. Don't SURPRISE you, once you walk in the door.

 

Doesn't matter if your thin or large, Sleep disorders can affect any one.