Is being fat going to affect me getting a job?

If some overweight people aren't getting their medical card, it might be more up to the DR doing the exam then the gov. I've seen quite a few drivers that looked like beach balls with arms and legs that barely fit through the cab door.

When I got my physical a few days ago, my blood sugar was a bit high at 183. DR cleared me anyway, but afterwards the nurse told me I got lucky, there was a different DR on duty as well and he wouldn't have cleared me, even though the limit is 200.

 

I concur with the doctor theories. My last DOT the place I had been going to had a new doc, he said that the government told him he was clearing to many drivers without sleep apnea convictions. If the driver was close the doctor would issue a 3 month card, after three months the driver had to show weight loss or get convicted of sleep apnea. I now have a new doctor. I heard the clinic no longer gets to many CDL exams anymore, words out not to go to this clinic.

 

Only when we drivers stand up for ourselves will we stop DOT doctors from diagnosing us with a disease we don't have.

 

Magnum Ltd allows you to bring your own certificate. There's also a local Dr that will pass you... I guess he feels any testing decisions should be between the patient and him - NOT a pencil pusher out of Washington!

 

There are a lot of large drivers out here... one thing that should be pointed out.. is is isn't so much about size as it is abojt being healthy... it is wrong to assume that a skinny person is in better health over a larger person.. cause that is not always they case...
And while we can joke that some drive drivers are just one donut away from a coronary. . There are sk e skinny o es who are one red bull away... malnutrition is unhealthy. . Whether it leads to being over weight or under...

The important thing is your health... not just concerning your heart and blood pressure... but your joints... especially your knees... for climbing in and out of the truck.. getting under the trailer...

I am in good health.. I will admit.. staying healthy on the road is a big challenge... from being able to eat healthy to trying to get enough excersize... sitting behind a wheel for hours and hours is not good for the body.. especialy for the lower body and circulation... To stay healthy I have to make a conscious choice and effort...

 

Apply.. What's the worst that can happen ? It's either yes or no..

 

Sadly there are more and more companies who will not hire someone that doesn't fall within their selected BMI range. Prime is one of them. You should ask the recruiters what, if any, their BMI ranges are for their hiring standards. It will save you time and the companies money.

 

Very true.
Just because one is overweight does not mean they are out of shape.

 

Best thing a fat guy/girl can do is get your BP checked, go on a blood pill if needed. Then get DOT physical. If drivers admit to blood pills 1 year certification. When asked if having trouble sleeping, NO! Lots of certified nurse's no longer have the government certification for DOT anymore. Also P in a cup is mandatory now for diabetes check for fat and skinny I believe. Drivers should ask there companies if they have a local clinic that they recommend. The biggest outfits like Schneider, Prime, Werner, Swift have there own doctors on staff. I have been reading that the megas are taking the fatest of the fat and convicting them with sleep apnea and letting others pass. This way the government takes notes and does not rescind the doctors certification.

 

That is not entirely true about the megas hiring fatties... i dont know about all companies.. i drive for Werner and for new hires who need a sleep study and may need a CPAP.. they send them home to see thier regular Dr. And reapply when they have it resolved.... for existing drivers who are getting recertification and need a CPAP they will work with them....

But they wojld actually prefer that drivers not need a CPAP