Do we have any OTR drivers here?

[BigMeatballDave]

I'm looking into getting my CDL.

There is a CDL training school just a few miles from me.

I've been a CNC Machinist for years and I'm sick of the lack of job security.

I'm 42 and I need something with solid job security.

I think R8ers drives for FedEx, right?

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Damn. Dream trucker job.

This coming week in drive from the KC hub down to Wagoner Oklahoma just to switch out a set of doubles with a guy coming up from Dallas/Mesquite. I'll be on the clock for around 9 hours a day and get paid more than if I were in town switching out trailers for customers. Not too shabby.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Another Channel 19 joke -

What do the orange construction barrels and Schneider trucks have in common?

They likely both have two dirtbags in them.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Damn. Dream trucker job.

It supposedly only lasted 3 years, but damn man... think of how much jack you could sock away in 3 years.

[R8RFAN]

You aren't going to make 100k a year in an OTR truck unless it's some kind of elite company.

You can make 100k per year in LTL Linehaul... I could probably knock down 85 to 90 if I would work half the time, but I don't like to work that much...

The money is in LTL not OTR

[rockymtnchief]

Everyone just be happy you still have your CDL. I got mine pulled April 1st. I took a complete physical and everything was perfect, except being low on vitamin D. Blood pressure, eye sight, colesterol, etc... were all perfect.

They changed the rule this year concerning seizures. I haven't had one in fifteen years and take a small dose of meds to make sure I never do again. The old rule was: no seizures in the last year. Now it's: no seizures in the last year and off of seizure meds for five years (in my case). Why the hell would I stop taking my meds if I haven't had a seizure in 15 years??? Dumbasses!

Yet, I know people who are on every blood pressure med know to man, obese and can barely make it up a flight of stairs and still have their CDL.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Everyone just be happy you still have your CDL. I got mine pulled April 1st. I took a complete physical and everything was perfect, except being low on vitamin D. Blood pressure, eye sight, colesterol, etc... were all perfect.

They changed the rule this year concerning seizures. I haven't had one in fifteen years and take a small dose of meds to make sure I never do again. The old rule was: no seizures in the last year. Now it's: no seizures in the last year and off of seizure meds for five years (in my case). Why the hell would I stop taking my meds if I haven't had a seizure in 15 years??? Dumbasses!

Yet, I know people who are on every blood pressure med know to man, obese and can barely make it up a flight of stairs and still have their CDL.

I don't have high blood pressure and I'm not diabetic, but
brain tumors are probably a deal-breaker. I knew this right after I received my diagnosis.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Everyone just be happy you still have your CDL. I got mine pulled April 1st. I took a complete physical and everything was perfect, except being low on vitamin D. Blood pressure, eye sight, colesterol, etc... were all perfect.

They changed the rule this year concerning seizures. I haven't had one in fifteen years and take a small dose of meds to make sure I never do again. The old rule was: no seizures in the last year. Now it's: no seizures in the last year and off of seizure meds for five years (in my case). Why the hell would I stop taking my meds if I haven't had a seizure in 15 years??? Dumbasses!

Yet, I know people who are on every blood pressure med know to man, obese and can barely make it up a flight of stairs and still have their CDL.

That makes no sense. Stop preventative medicine and hope you'll be ok? That's much more risky for a company to take on. I think you could fight that legally, it makes no sense especially with healthcare pushing more for preventative measures.

[rockymtnchief]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I don't have high blood pressure and I'm not diabetic, but
brain tumors are probably a deal-breaker. I knew this right after I received my diagnosis.

Damn! My best to you.

Mine was from a bullriding injury 17 years ago. They don't even know if I still need meds, but I take them to be safe and to not worry anyone around me.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Everyone just be happy you still have your CDL. I got mine pulled April 1st. I took a complete physical and everything was perfect, except being low on vitamin D. Blood pressure, eye sight, colesterol, etc... were all perfect.

They changed the rule this year concerning seizures. I haven't had one in fifteen years and take a small dose of meds to make sure I never do again. The old rule was: no seizures in the last year. Now it's: no seizures in the last year and off of seizure meds for five years (in my case). Why the hell would I stop taking my meds if I haven't had a seizure in 15 years??? Dumbasses!

Yet, I know people who are on every blood pressure med know to man, obese and can barely make it up a flight of stairs and still have their CDL.

That is completely insane. There should be some type of test or history you could show them to prove you aren't at risk. Unbelievable.

These new CDL standards are absolute horseshit. They're hitting us up right now hard and heavy on sleep apnea. It's ridiculous because most of us don't go long haul over the road - we're all local and sleep in our own beds every night/day. But if your BMI is over this, and your neck size is over that - BAM, instant at-risk employee for falling asleep while driving, and you need to have a sleep study done on you that insurance won't cover. It's straight up profiling and extortion, but it's the law.

Congress didn't even read this damned bill when they passed it through.

[rockymtnchief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

That makes no sense. Stop preventative medicine and hope you'll be ok? That's much more risky for a company to take on. I think you could fight that legally, it makes no sense especially with healthcare pushing more for preventative measures.

My company supports me 100%. This is a government change. My company already told me not to stop taking my meds and "Don't worry, you still have a job."

[rockymtnchief]

Originally Posted by Bowser

That is completely insane. There should be some type of test or history you could show them to prove you aren't at risk. Unbelievable.

These new CDL standards are absolute horseshit. They're hitting us up right now hard and heavy on sleep apnea. It's ridiculous because most of us don't go long haul over the road - we're all local and sleep in our own beds every night/day. But if your BMI is over this, and your neck size is over that - BAM, instant at-risk employee for falling asleep while driving, and you need to have a sleep study done on you that insurance won't cover. It's straight up profiling and extortion, but it's the law.

Congress didn't even read this damned bill when they passed it through.

Dead on, buddy! My longest drive is 90 minutes during spring/summer/fall. No winter drives.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

My company supports me 100%. This is a government change. My company already told me not to stop taking my meds and "Don't worry, you still have a job."

Wow, that's ****ing terrible. Usually Obamacare, for the bit of good it can do, has taken prior existing conditions and made companies shove that up their ass and not deny you service. It's been great in that regard. Seems different in this case though and I have no idea why?

[Dayze]

Right out of the gate flatbedding I'm told I should expect between about 50-60k. Not bad for a rookie driver. Though, you earn that extra money in flatbedding. I figure I need at least a year experience before other options that pay decent open up to me, so I might as well learn securement and make decent money while going through the growing pains. But I don't think it's something I could do for years and years. I have a fed ex terminal and YRC freight terminal about 11 and 25 miles from me respectively that I'll look into after 10-12 months.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Wow, that's ****ing terrible. Usually Obamacare, for the bit of good it can do, has taken prior existing conditions and made companies shove that up their ass and not deny you service. It's been great in that regard. Seems different in this case though and I have no idea why?

My own personal opinion here - they care less about what your current condition is but want to project where you will be health wise 5, 10, 20 years down the road. They don't want to be on the hook with insurance to a person who either has an existing condition now or is at risk for health problems down the road. This is all about future savings now by either weeding out those employees or getting them into a shape that is acceptable. Not to make it sound all conspiracy theory-ish, but that is my take on it.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Bowser

My own personal opinion here - they care less about what your current condition is but want to project where you will be health wise 5, 10, 20 years down the road. They don't want to be on the hook with insurance to a person who either has an existing condition now or is at risk for health problems down the road. This is all about future savings now by either weeding out those employees or getting them into a shape that is acceptable. Not to make it sound all conspiracy theory-ish, but that is my take on it.

Well insurance companies used to do similar things with pre-existing conditions. You've got high risk? We'll deny you or jack up your rates. Obama care has limited that quite a bit actually. My friend who had a double lung transplant from cystic fibrosis can actually get insurance now. Strikes me as odd they are doing it in this line of work and can get away with it.