I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about a year before I had an interest in truck driving and already had a cpap and had a year of recorded history. As I recall, the question regarding sleep apnea came up during the recruiting process and application. Once I informed SWIFT that I had sleep apnea, they informed me that I would have to present the cpap record (at least 90 days if memory serves me) indicating that I was at least 70% use compliant (about 5 or 6 hours use a night) in order to pass the DOT physical at Concentra. As to my experience during the physical. I felt the staff were not looking for reasons to disqualify, but rather every reason to get you passed. Not saying they are just gonna pass anyone...but they weren't anal. That being said. It was not offered by SWIFT that they would cover the costs associated with having a cpap and/or supplies. I am comfortable in saying that you are on your own with this regard. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and require the use of a cpap and you don't have one yet. I would recommend getting your cpap and use it for about 90 days so you have a medical record proving that you're compliant so that you can pass that portion of the DOT physical. Your medical card will only be valid for 1 year rather than the 2 year medical card. I obtained my learners permit in my home state of New Mexico prior to attending the SWIFT academy in Phoenix. I would highly recommend you get your permit prior to your attendance. Several trainees from my class didn't do this and found themselves under a lot of stress during that first week trying to pass the MVD tests for the permit...several failed and were dismissed from the academy. I had a very good experience at the SWIFT academy and while I worked out of the Los Lunas Walmart DC. I left after a very short 5 months, but not because of anything negative. I am a retired LEO and hired on shortly after retirement. I enjoyed driving, but an opportunity presented itself for me to return to law enforcement making more money and the ability to sleep in my own bed every night/day. I hope this information helps. Your experience with SWIFT mostly depends on your attitude and expectations going in. You would probably be about 90% in control of how good or how bad it could be. Good luck!
Sleep apnea is a serious condition. If you have it you should seek treatment. After having a heart problem I was given a sleep test immediately after leaving the hospital. Surprisingly I wasn't sleeping well so they recommended trying a cpap out. And ofcourse I was honest with DMV and put it down on my renewal form. For the next few years I had to wear a cpap that I couldn't sleep in in order to be complaint. I finally got insurance that would cover another sleep test that was again border line but the doctor cleared me to be off that fing machine. She explained that while I'm a side or stomach sleeper at home, during the test I had to sleep on my back due to all the wires. That added with knowing you are being watched on camera, in a strange place/bed cause restless sleep. Having a medical condition on your license is a absolute nightmare. Some companies push cpap if you truly need it or not. Be careful. If you are border line but do get a restful sleep and show no symptoms of apnea then I'd recommend finding other companies.
What if you got a 15, which is still mild, and FMCSA says 20 is what they "require" for a CPAP, but the company made you start using one anyways. Do you have to report that to a new company?
I know I'm a little late to the game, but I too would like to know this. I've read a bunch of comments, threads, and post about drivers that went through Schneider's training, and had to go through the sleep study even though they didn't have sleep apnea but they still told them that they needed a CPAP machine. Even though they didn't have sleep apnea. So they're stuck with one, and have to remain compliant. I have also read that many drivers that don't have sleep apnea actually get a less restful night's sleep because of the CPAP machine. I even read one comment that a guy started having seizures after not ever having a history or having a family history of seizures due to being on a CPAP machine when he didn't have sleep apnea. So my question is, if you don't have sleep apnea, but they still say that you need one in order to keep your CDL and have to maintain compliance according to FMCSA, can you have this reversed? Can you have the positive sleep study test reversed, and CPAP requirement removed from your medical history and DOT Medical Card if indeed you know that you don't have sleep apnea, and don't have any of the symptoms?
Where are you located? I run out of the Menasha, WI terminal. Inver Grove Heights, MN before that and Otay Mesa, CA before that. All smaller terminals, which in my opinion are the best ones. Friendly and personal, all of them.
