Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Gone before I got started

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by djc35, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. Jan 8, 2009 #1
    djc35

    djc35 Bobtail Member

    5
    2
    Dec 12, 2008
    Joshua Texas
    0
    On Jan 5th I started truck driving school. I had passed all of my endorsements and was eager to learn. The first day was alot of paperwork but we were told by wednesday we would be on the trucks.

    On Jan 6th we took our physicals I had a dilema should I disclose all of my medical conditions since I know they really can't check the way they claim to? Being a basically honest person I did. The problem is sleep apnea which I was dianogesed with several years and over 50 pounds ago. DOT requires that a driver with sleep apnea have a new sleep study every 12 months - annoying but reasonable. My last one was Feb 2008 so I was within the requirements. However I was informed that I would have to have another one done. That in itself was not an issue but the cost was since I have no insurance at this time and am unemployed.

    What I don't understand is that a company will front the money to put people up in a hotel, bus people in from out of state, pay for meals but would not front the money to have the sleep study done even though I was more than willing to pay it back along with the tuition for the school.

    Lesson for other newbies: Sleep apnea will NOT prevent you from driving but if you know you have it get a sleep study done BEFORE you go to the school and have the CPAP compliance report with you or have the funds to be able to take a new sleep study. Other wise you are wasting your time.
     
    djc35, Jan 8, 2009
    djc35, Jan 8, 2009
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jan 8, 2009 #2
    Cybergal

    Cybergal Road Train Member

    6,272
    2,399
    Oct 20, 2008
    0
    Hi, djc35, Welcome to our Truckers Forum! We hope you enjoy your stay and please read our RULES. Please remember, you are NEVER allowed to post e-mails, ad links, trucking company links, personal site links, and such ANYWHERE in this forum. Thanks for understanding! We hope to help you and get to know you soon! Thanks, djc35!

    djc35, do you have a question about how to do something? Try our FAQ section or you can PM me or a Moderator (50 posts not required to PM a Mod) to ask a question! Also, you can read through our Truckers Forum Information Center!

    Also remember to get your 2009 Truckers Report Calendar AND show your love for truckers with your new Truckers Report Legal Stamps! This helps us to keep this place alive, thanks!
     
    Cybergal, Jan 8, 2009
    Cybergal, Jan 8, 2009
    #2
  4. Jan 8, 2009 #3
    Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

    16,583
    12,232
    Aug 4, 2008
    Let me check my logbook
    0
    Welcome to the forum! Glad you wandered in!

    There are a couple of threads regarding this issue. I think if you do a search for CPAP in the search feature at the top, you may come up with some answers.
     
    Lilbit, Jan 8, 2009
    Lilbit, Jan 8, 2009
    #3
  5. Jan 8, 2009 #4
    rikdev50s

    rikdev50s Medium Load Member

    685
    170
    Aug 12, 2008
    Greer, SC
    0
    Hey and Howdy djc! Welcome to the forum, and this crazy world we call truckin'. Looking forward to hearing from you in the future and keep us posted on what is going on with you. Good Luck.
     
    rikdev50s, Jan 8, 2009
    rikdev50s, Jan 8, 2009
    #4
  7. Jan 9, 2009 #5
    Lil Blue Pony

    Lil Blue Pony Brown Eyed Girl

    1,677
    255
    Feb 22, 2008
    0
    hey there djc...welcome to the forum and thanks for the info on the sleep apnea stuff....best of luck out here
     
    Lil Blue Pony, Jan 9, 2009
    Lil Blue Pony, Jan 9, 2009
    #5
  8. Jan 9, 2009 #6
    Knife Edge

    Knife Edge Heavy Load Member

    732
    101
    Oct 28, 2008
    Carolina..... Nothing could be finer!!
    0
    Hello and welcome to the forum....glad you drifted in ..
     
    Knife Edge, Jan 9, 2009
    Knife Edge, Jan 9, 2009
    #6
  9. Feb 19, 2009 #7
    truckerdad57

    truckerdad57 Light Load Member

    215
    92
    Nov 29, 2008
    Batavia, IL
    0
    FIRST.. Dot requirements do not state you need a sleep study every 12 months. You do need to document you are "under current and effective treatment". The issue is when you switch companies the new company can and does have the right to require documentation as to your treatment.

    Do you have a CPAP machine that has data compilation capabilities? The new requirements do require you use a CPAP with Data capabilities. Part of what your sleep medicine doctor is supposed to review is the data from your CPAP that you are using to confirm you're compliant on treatment.

    NEXT - you said 50 pounds ago.. Do you think you lost enough weight to not have sleep apnea now? If yes think about contacting PD-MD (Professional Drivers Medical Depots) or another sleep medicine clinic that specializes in sleep apnea treatment for truck drivers. There are several. PD-MD may be able to run a 4-channell (at home version) of a sleep study. Last time I checked they were only charging $ 50.00 for the in-truck/at home sleep apnea test. If it shows no apnea.. take that to the DOT doctor with a letter from your sleep medicine doctor.

    ANOTHER OPTION - Look at a carrier that has an active sleep apnea testing and treatment program. Schneider, Swift and Gordon have been reported in other threads as having active sleep apnea testing and treatment programs. I don't know how it works for new hires but in the Schneider program all sleep apnea testing / treatment is covered as preventative medicine in the health insurance...

    Good Luck.. PM me if you have other questions.. but getting hired with sleep apnea by some companies is a nightmare...
     
    truckerdad57, Feb 19, 2009
    truckerdad57, Feb 19, 2009
    #7
    rocknroll nik Thanks this.
  10. Feb 19, 2009 #8
    rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

    4,490
    5,770
    Oct 18, 2008
    can't read the sign
    0
    Good info there truckerdad57!!! And to the new guy djc35 welcome to the looney bin and good luck with your dilemma!!!!:yes2557:
     
    rocknroll nik, Feb 19, 2009
    rocknroll nik, Feb 19, 2009
    #8
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.