Walmart here I come!

Thanks, don't know how to quit, never will.

 

Thank you, yeah I have always had a 2yr, just didn't know that Wal-Mart was stricter than the FMCSA guidelines, that was my surprise. But I agree, it's just a minor setback, and a great opportunity to pass on some info that may get overlooked. Thanks again got the encouragement.

 

To be specific, the FMCSA specifies a body mass index, (BMI) of under 35, which I was at 33, in which the Dr congratulated me on my 2yr MED card, and left the room to enter the numbers in Wal-Mart's computerized system. She came back in and said she had bad news, she said Wal-Mart's BMI maximum is 30. Therefore changing my card to 3 months, hence disqualifying me. I did not know Wal-Mart had stricter BMI guidelines.

 

For those interested, Wal-Mart requires under 30

 

It is more of a pre hire issue rather than once you are a current employee. The BMI would only come into play if you may/do have untreated sleep apnea, which is unknown right now. Myself, and many other drivers here are well above a BMI of 30. I have never been at 30 or below my entire life just due to the makeup of my body.

I personally do not buy into the higher BMI automatically equals having sleep apnea. A friend of mine 3 months ago was concerned about possibly having sleep apnea (His BMI is 38 ). I loaned him a blood oxygen monitor to wear at night and record his blood oxygen levels while he slept. His readings were normal and remained above 90% all night. Those results saved him the cost of a sleep study as anyone with sleep apnea serious enough to require treatment could never maintain blood oxygen levels above 90% while sleeping. My blood oxygen levels remain above 90% because I use a CPAP machine. Without it, my blood oxygen levels will fluctuate during the night and often drop below 75% during periods when apneas are occurring and my breathing is stopping. The danger of this is hypoxia and damage to major organs.

I hope everything works out for you. In the event you do have sleep apnea, feel free to come back to discuss. Many of us here have to deal with it already. When I first had to be treated for this back in 2012, I was more in denial and somewhat defiant having to receive treatment for this. Today, I have view it as a necessary treatment and have adapted to this situation and sleep comfortably.

 

The safety manager at the DC asked me about sleep apnea and told me before I went over to get my physical that if I had a neck size of 18" or more and/or the Dr. thought that I had undiagnosed sleep apnea they would only give me a 90 day card and Walmart would not be able to hire me.

They require a minimum of a 1 year card, fortunately for me I was issued a 2 year card; which was a huge relief?

I was surprised that my BP was okay because immediately before taking my BP, I had spent about 10 - 15 minutes in a sound proof box with no AC doing a hearing test. I joked with the nurse that she was trying to make me fail by putting me in a "hot box" before taking my BP.

But she told me that my BP was fine.

After seeing the Dr. When I was on my way out with my 2 year card, I teased her that "hot boxing" me didn't work, I still passed. She laughed and said "I'll have to try something different next time, huh?"

I have to say that everyone has been great all through the process so far. Even the external vendors (drug testing and DOT physical) have been very friendly with good senses of humor.

I'll even go so far as to say that it's actually been fun!

I can't wait to get to work!!

 

Great job man, I was wondering how your day went. I'm so glad you made it! Congratulations! The people are definitely awesome.

 

Here we go... Got my final call today a 1:30 Pm! I start orientation at the Raymond DC on 7/25. I've been waiting patiently to say this for what seems a very long time "Walmart here I come!!!!". That was fun! Thanks to everyone on this thread! I really believe I could not have done it without you (made it through the first try). Special thanks to drozzer69, NYvet, TomofTx, extreme4x4 ( I too am a propane transport driver) grabber blue,( a special thanks to Wallywife ) and soooooo many more. You have all been an inspiration and a calming port in a stormy sea. I will pay this forward. Amazing,
exciting, scary days ahead!

 

Congrats bro! Awesome news

 

The Walmart here I come train just keeps growing!

Hearty congratulations and welcome aboard!