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DOT physical confusion for new driver

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by AteamDRIVER80, Jan 27, 2024.

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bryan21384 Road Train Member

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tscottme said: ↑

Why do people of the younger generations think their personal philosophy or how they think about things is the most important data point in the economy?
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Social media. Once people get an imaginary platform where they can post philosophies, the lines get a little too blurred and the online persona spills into reality.

bryan21384, Jan 28, 2024

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Lonesome Thanks this.
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bryan21384 said: ↑

As far as what everyone else said about talking too much, follow that advice. Nobody needs to know about your personal endeavors. The trucking industry is pretty sensitive to drug use. You don't want to go down that rabbit hole at any point. Trust me.

Also when you look for a company, don't go by reviews. At their core, all trucking companies are pretty much the same. A driver's experience will be contingent on his or her attitude while working at that company. If you can follow the company's policies, keep your head down, run the miles, and do whatever is asked of you, you'll have a better chance of having a good experience at any company. If you're the type who is confrontational instead of conversational, then you'll be leaving one of those bad reviews too.

The flatbed division seemed to get better treatment while I was there. It's been some time since I was there(2010) but from what others recently told me, a lot of the their business practices are the same. They ran all 48 states. In the dry van division, you got pigeon holed on either coast depending on where you live. The west coast drivers typically ran 11 western and those living east of Denver usually ended up on the I-95 corridor. They've got a presence in the northeast. They stayed running up to Maine picking up water loads and taking them to wherever assigned. The last time I talked to a van driver there, he stayed somewhere on the eastern half of the country. I forgot where. The farthest west he had gone at that point was Denver, I want to say he had been there 6 to 8 months at that point. If you go dry van, you may have to wait on a truck/trainer. If you go flatbed, you'll probably be able to get started sooner. The pay will not be the highest, but they'll make up for it by dishing out a lot of miles. That's one thing I can say about Western. If you show you can run, they are gonna put some miles on you.

They will probably have you do a physical with their doctor. That's pretty much the norm in the trucking industry. Some companies won't have you do a physical if it's less than a year old or some criteria. Every trucking company almost always have their drivers get checked out prior just so they have their own records, their own doctors check you out. No DOT examiners check out drivers the same way. Just remember not to eat anything prior or give out too much information and you'll be fine. Just relax. You came on here, and you've got a good number of high character drivers who'll help you. Feel free to ask questions at any time.
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That is awesome news thank you.

AteamDRIVER80, Jan 28, 2024

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bryan21384 Thanks this.
bryan21384 Road Train Member

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Bgindy said: ↑

That is awesome news thank you.
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No problem!!

bryan21384, Jan 28, 2024

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snowmantrucking101 Heavy Load Member

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Bgindy said: ↑

I have a medical card from 2 months ago, got it when enrolling into school. Completed school and Werner was my first orientation in the industry. Now I’m going onto western express and that is set for February 21. Hopefully there’s no physical there I ALREADY HAVE A MED CARD lol
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I gotta stop you right here. WHY are you headed to Welfare Express when there is a butt load of other's FAR better?

Welfare will put you under a 1 year $2,500 contract just to ride with a "trainer" for 3 weeks. You want that huh?

snowmantrucking101, Jan 28, 2024

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AteamDRIVER80 Thanks this.
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snowmantrucking101 said: ↑

I gotta stop you right here. WHY are you headed to Welfare Express when there is a butt load of other's FAR better?

Welfare will put you under a 1 year $2,500 contract just to ride with a "trainer" for 3 weeks. You want that huh?
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I don’t understand. If I’m not there for a year I owe them 2,500?

AteamDRIVER80, Jan 28, 2024

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snowmantrucking101 Heavy Load Member

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Bgindy said: ↑

I don’t understand. If I’m not there for a year I owe them 2,500?
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You leave at ANY time before, yep. What state do you live in?

snowmantrucking101, Jan 28, 2024

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AteamDRIVER80 Bobtail Member

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Bgindy said: ↑

I don’t understand. If I’m not there for a year I owe them 2,500?
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snowmantrucking101 said: ↑

I gotta stop you right here. WHY are you headed to Welfare Express when there is a butt load of other's FAR better?

Welfare will put you under a 1 year $2,500 contract just to ride with a "trainer" for 3 weeks. You want that huh?
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I am still applying to tons of companies. Give me a couple you recommend. I have no experience recent grad on January 10 and would do no more than 2 weeks out OTR. I have a 4 month old and my wife at home. Help me out

AteamDRIVER80, Jan 28, 2024

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snowmantrucking101 said: ↑

You leave at ANY time before, yep. What state do you live in?
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NJ

AteamDRIVER80, Jan 28, 2024

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snowmantrucking101 Heavy Load Member

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Bgindy said: ↑

I am still applying to tons of companies. Give me a couple you recommend. I have no experience recent grad on January 10 and would do no more than 2 weeks out OTR. I have a 4 month old and my wife at home. Help me out
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What state?

snowmantrucking101, Jan 28, 2024

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snowmantrucking101 said: ↑

What state?
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New Jersey

AteamDRIVER80, Jan 28, 2024

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