WEL...you better not have a physical limitation

WEL. Wisconsin Express Lines

 

Lol
That may be necessary for flat bedding
But I will give a tip on getting in and out of a box style trailer.
What makes it a breeze for me is I only open one door on my wagon 1st step on icc bumper grab door left shut pull and step into the wagon

 

The truth..................................

companies can't come right out and say you are a lardass.......................

 

Would someone link or copy this BMI "rule" from the book that matters as in the FMCSA. That little green, red, white ot whatever color it is handbook. Seems like another vicious rumor is taking off that you HAVE to either pass a BMI or if not in a "certain" spot in the world of BMI you can't drive! NOT TRUE! First get off the CSA2010 kick! Yes it can turn out to be a good thing for O/O's but until our Gooberment figures out what the God awful lobbyists from CRASH, MADD and some of those other alphabet groups that want the rules written their way, there is nothing that disqualifies you in the FMCSA! YET! Wait until they get CSA2010 written and passed and forget the rumors!

These "fitness tests" are getting more popular as a money saver for the company. It'll disqualify those drivers that can't peform certain duties as the company see them. I've never had to step up and down on a box until my heart rate gets to above 125 or whatever! And I do NOT lift 50 pound boxes up to my chest like I'm lifting weights! it's a way to not have to hire you and "look fair " as they send you on your way.

The Insurance companies have the final word on if you get hired. Do you think they want to be paying for sleep apnea studies, CARP (or whatever they are called) Machines? or overweight related problems. Yes, I know I'm sounding a little harsh of the vertically challenged but it's not me it's real world we're talking about! Money is what motivates these people. I know I grew up, raised by an insurance broker! I've heard all the stories and I've listened to all the ploys and things they can do! I've heard my father gripe because he can't sell a policy to some well to do client because he or his wife had a weight problem!

If this rumor does come into being or if the rumor doesn't scare you enough to change your living habits, then life as you know it could change. I wish I had a weight problem! Those of you who have read my story know my problem but in this world that's about to change I can tell you that if you're over weight or have a high BMI your application just might never make it to the top of the pile! It's not the trucking company making this rule,YET. But they too will not hire because of the cost to them with higher premimums out of their pockets for covering the overweight drivers.

Now I did see a guy way back in '93 not get hired for 1 reason. His weight. He weighed 360 pounds, he had to actually stop on the first step of the 359, catch his breath and stop again on the second step catch to his breath and because the steering wheel was not a tilt wheel he HAD to push his stomach in and with the seat on the floor just to get in the seat! The wheel would not turn when he got the seat up to where he could look out the windshield! He was still wheezing from the effort of just getting into the truck! The owner told him to get out of the truck before he had a heart attack in the truck and took him back to the bus station and sent him home.

BUT! Yep, there's that darn BUT again! INSURANCE COMPANIES are and have had some of the last words in hiring drivers. Yes, FMCSA is "leaning" on a "safe driver and quality sleep" thing, but these BFI insurance companies are getting tight on hiring practices such as your weight. The reason being is an overweight person is a bigger liability than a skinny one! They can cost more in premiums and doctors costs in heart related costs, diabetes and other the list can go on, and now that sleep apnea is coming out into the public eye these things take off on their own!

I hate to sound like a don't sweat it and a nay sayer but what can you do? It's not been written but it doesn't have to as the insurance companies will head that off at the pass! All I can say is if you're over weight then you need to do something about it before someone else does with a take it or leave it attitude and guess who wins or loses on their decision? Not the company! Well, yes they do if you take the road you KNOW to be the one to employment. I have a lady friend that's on the heavy side. She had a heart attack at 45. she lost weight down to a W/P chart BUT she's gaining it back and doesn't care. That she's unemployed now because she won't do as the doctor ordered and has a good love affair with food she more than likely will not get employed again as these insurance companies will look at her medical record and show her the door! And please don't bring the ADA in on this post as overweight unless caused by a glandular problem, not an elbows (as in bending it with a fork full of too much food in the hand to mouth) does not count! Overeating isn't covered in the ADA rules.

I'm sorry if I came off as an arse but I'm known for being brutally honest in TTR. Understanding insurance and "pre-existing conditions" the way I do we don't have or stand a chance! There are 3 people making a decision in this. An insurance company, a trucking company and a driver. Of the three who has the most responsibly of maintaining their weight so that a BMI or over weight doesn't disqualify them from a job that cost them a lot of money in training? Besides having to sleep in one of those masks would make me look at my waist line in a different light!

 

this isn't the only industry where you can EAT yourself out of a job. It happens in a lot of industries.

 

IF YOU CANT DO THAT MAYBE U SHOULDNT BE DRIVING A TRUCK ANYWAY. wHAT ELSE WILL U GUYS FIND TO ##### ABOUT

 

OTR, you DO have a way with words. And you are not coming off sounding like an arse, you are just telling it like it is.

Sorry, but I can't find any sympathy here. After working LTL for a number of years, I can tell you, you had better be able to get into that trailer, no matter where it has to be parked. You had also better be able to get down on the ground and under it if need be. And you had better be able to get up on top of freight that is already IN your trailer on occasion.

And one more thing here SugarMama. I am an OLD guy, and a FAT guy. I'm retired now, but I was an OLD guy and a FAT guy when I was working. I could still do the job, and frankly work some of the younger folks right into the ground.

If you are not in good enough physical shape to do the job, then go find something else to do until you do get into shape.

 

okay folks ..... for those of you that need it, one more time



There is NO RULE in the DOT, FMCSA o,r CSA2010 or, ABC123XYZ or, anywhere else. That says anything about weight, BMI, cellulite, or male pattern baldness.

The scoop;

Insurance companies. Here's why. Fatigue. Driver fatigue is considered to be a major cause of accidents.

Are y'all with me so far?

Insurance studies have determined that fatigue can be related to lack of quality sleep.

Does that make sense?

Hey you folks in the back there, quite horsin' around and pay attention.

Insurance companies have determined (along with the medical establishment) that Sleep Apnea is a common cause of interuppted sleep. So, those with Sleep Apnea are more likely to suffer from fatigue than those who do not have Sleep Apnea. Therefore more likely to be involved in an accident/incident than those without Sleep Apnea

Any questions?

okay ...... the medical community has established a link between Sleep Apnea and body weight/type.

The currently standard indicator of a tendency toward Sleep Apnea is BMI or neck size.

THERE IS NO REGULATION THAT REQUIRES TESTING FOR SLEEP APNEA OR USES BODY WEIGHT OR BMI AS A DISQUALIFIER.

Stop spreading truckstop rumors people.


........... Jim

 

Anyone remember the big guy who sued Interstate and won? He fit in a Freightliner but not a Volvo. (Or vice versa can't remember.) They said too bad if you can't drive your assigned truck you're fired. He got a good attorney who videotaped him DOING HIS JOB. He went to trial and won $300k and his job back.

Yay big boys who can still move. I'm from Hawaii they know no BMI there!