Stevens Transport aviary

I dont see where 3-5 weeks out would be a big issue. May not happen every time but I bet that you could more times than not. Its just a question of taking time off and not being paid for that often.

 

Gotta question about sleep apnea and the test for it.

I got my DOT phyical today. Doc said because my neck is right at 17" and I'm taking blood pressure meds I have to get tested for sleep apnea. (dont know how I avoided that when going to Stevens!)

Anyway, the doc mentioned that I could do an at home sleep study. He said at home is around $300 vs a lab at around $1,000. Apparently a company mails the stuff to you and you do it at your convenience then mail the stuff back. Have y'all ever heard of this? Any recommendations on a company that does this?

Also, if I was to test negative for sleep apnea, how often would they make me test for it? Would they do this every year or what?

 

That is how I did mine. They mail it to you and you sleep with it for 2 nights and mail it back. Get the results back in a few days.
I will PM you the info of the rep I used. She can answer your questions and set you up for the test if you want to use her Doc.

Also, they supplied me with a sleep apnea machine called an APAP for 50.00 a month. or you can buy it outright.

 

Probably never know.
Phones were out part of tonight. Just goofy the rest of the time.
Couldn't call the next desk on the intercom
Road Rescue was so bad, they physically moved their computers down to operations so they could get something done.
Great phone system.

 

FYI, Clay the PNW load planner is no longer with us. Friday was his last day. (his choice)
Jon is taking care of PNW (was Cali)
Eddie is taking Cali back.
Jonathan is still stressing over being in meat.
But the good news is we, the worthless night and weekend crew are still fumbling along!

 

Yes, I tried for 10 minutes to get night safety on the phone for the midnight safety talk before I gave up. I had been up since 5 am anyway so I went on to the next rest area and shut it down. There is plenty of time on this load I was already a day and a half ahead of schedule. I'm headed up to Amarillo after I get to an 8, then I'll shut down until morning. That way maybe I can snag a repower going through there since I have an abundance of hours. If not I can make it to Aurora tomorrow and camp for the night 2 exits from my delivery the following morning.

 

If you need the midnight run desk, you don't have to wait for safety. It's extension 1380.
Safety has a lot on it's plate at night and on weekends. They must take all calls from law enforcement, interview accident involved drivers, arrange for drug/alcohol tests subsequent to those events, handle calls from drivers that are out of hours and not at a safe haven. (there are a significant number of these due to shippers/receivers), go over trip plans with Grad fleet drivers, do weather safety talks, release drivers from weather shutdown...and all this before general safety questions!
There is only one person operating during this time.
A major accident investigation and report (an accident resulting in injury or tow truck for the truck) can take an hour.
Saturday was a typical weekend day: Three major accidents, several minor and four drug/alcohol tests to be ordered/overseen.
Now add in all the rest and you can see why it's so hard to get safety on the line.

 

Maybe they should hire more people. 2 hours to wait on hold is pretty ridiculous. Every time I hear someone say "we have 2000 drivers", I always think, "Yea and I'm sure every one of them was calling in the exact same time as me. Give me a break. The phone situation is a joke that's why when I call in I have no other choice.

 

Experienced drivers know to put a message on the qualcom and just do what needs to be done.
It's easier to get forgiveness than permission
An example: you need to get off weather shutdown. Send a message something like: "Take me off weather shutdown. Roads clear and good. Heading to final."
I agree with our needing more people, but that's not likely to happen.

 

The midnight safety talk pretty much doesn't change, I just leave them a message tell them where I am.going, how.long I plan to run, tell I'll watch my speed and following distance, will take planned breaks and if I feel the least bit drowsy I'll pull over.

Never heard back.about it.