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Miss Impala has contributed to 170 posts out of 3671 total posts
(4.63%) in 615 days (0.28 posts per day).
20 Most recent posts:
I know as a trainer and even when I was attending truck driving school, there are individuals that do drive truck with the psychosis mentioned. Let me say I am not a medical professional of any caliber, but I was in the medical for 10 years and the bulk of it dealt with the psychaitric side.
First of all, I think the delusions and hallucinations will be a disqualifying factor. Second of all, the meds and what you do when your "in" your psychosis will be a huge factor. For example, if you hear voices, but are able to still function and differentiate between your voices and real people, then are less likely to have a problem. But if you have a history of being violent or acting upon the suggestions of the voices, then you might not be able to drive. Any medication you take will be suspect. For example if one of the meds you take make you drowsy, you will have to have a history of treatment on this drug that shows you can drive and perform a safety sensitive job while on the medication. What it boils down to, is you will need to have an established history with a doctor showing that your psychosis is under control whether on medication or not. So it comes down to talking to your doctor about whether he would be hesitant to pass you on a DOT physical or if he would support you the whole way.
With the new regulations coming in, you will then have to get DOT physical from one of the "approved" DOT doctors and it makes passing that physical harder because now you have to deal with someone who has no idea about your history. Now say you have your psychosis under treatment, the meds are allowed and you have a history of managing it. It can be done, at the present.
Now, you did mention that you have never been "diagnosed". So that indicates to me, that the level of psychosis is not where you can't function in normal everyday life. You have to accept responsibility and honestly ask yourself, did at anytime in the past would I want to hurt myself of someone else? If the answer is no, then you have every right to pursue this career change. But once you get the health insurance and are able to start treating it, you must disclose to the doctor each and every time that you drive a truck. So any medication you start will be under that premise. You may have to take off of work for approx 2 weeks until therapeutic levels are attained and your reaction can be guaged. There are many meds you are not supposed to have or take unless you have a doctors Rx. But you can drive and take them with a Dr. prescription. They will show up in the UA, but if you have a prescription your fine.
But there many drugs that companies are now refusing to hire drivers that take these meds. For example, Chantrex to stop smoking. I was once told by my company that even though my dr prescribed me Bonitrol to lose weight that I could not take it. It was grounds for termination as it was of the amphitimene class. Obviously if your taking the really heavy stuff like Lithium, Thorazine or any of those types of drugs, you are likely not going to be passed by the doctor let alone be hired by a company.
So what it boils down to, is what does your current doctor say now? That will determine your next step. If he thinks you don't represent a risk to yourself or others and he thinks you can do this without medication, then you should. But be responsible. Because I will tell you, the stress and pressure that comes with trying to not only learn a new job and a new lifestyle will cause some psychosis full rein. You might get worse. You and your doctor will have to talk very seriously about this and what you will need to do if you were to have a major episode. I know that this is convoluted, but mental illness is convoluted, so the responses will be as well.
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Hey Bob, heard at MATS at the S2W you were interested in couples for your next challenge. Was wondering if you might also consider teams? My co-driver and I are both females, but not a couple... LOL! What we are really needing help on is forming exercises that can be done while lying down (with the top bunk down) or standing in the sleeper while the truck is moving. We usually are not in an area conducive to exercising (safety, no showers etc.) or we are constantly moving down the road. What do you think?.... Angel
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Edited by Miss Impala on Apr 5, 2010 at 07:35 PM
With only one month of driving, you will likely need to start with a company like CRST or SWIFT or Schneider that will either send you out with a trainer or send you back thru a school's program again. Problem is, there are hiring freezes everywhere and slow hiring cycles right now due to the economy. Or if you can hang with no benefits, start looking for someone that might be interested in training you like an O/O that wants some extra help or a co-driver. Be careful of that situation though as it can be dangerous. Be very sure of them before committing. Good luck!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Alright! That is fantastic! We will surely gain more!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Awesome idea about the cash advance time limit!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Very good article! Well thought out...
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Thanks! I had heard they had gotten rid of the exemption, so I was wondering.. Thanks!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Here is a list of some suggestions, or maybe I should say a manifest... hehehe
1. NO SMOKING IN ALL AREAS OF THE TRUCKSTOP UNLESS WALLED OFF! I can't go into a truck stop where smoking is allowed. I am allergic, but my boyfriend will end up on a ventilator due to it. We don't mind there being smoking allowed in restaurants, but it needs to be like the Sinclair in SLC,UT. The smoking section is completely enclosed room. But don't assume that just because we are truck drivers that we smoke. That would be like assuming just because someone drives a van that they are pedophile!
2. increased lighting in parking lots
3. increased patrol by local police
4. either hand-held shower heads, or shower heads that spray a stream in a single focused stream instead of raining down a mist in a circle around your body. You end up washing your hair in just half of the spray because of placement. Fans like what Pilot has, and the red heat lamps to turn on when cold.
5. rooms sort of like the way showers are set up, but instead contain simple gym equipment. treadmill with a tv, weights, exercise bike with a tv. Then you can either use your shower coupon to use the facilities or maybe pay by the hour. But you want private, women don't want to be working out in front of guys, make it personal. They can have 2-3 rooms that provide these and make money to take care of the equipment.
6. Better food choices, not only restaurant, but fast food. I drive team and the only time we have time to actually sit down for a meal is between loads. Stop serving salads and salad bar with iceberg lettuce. Offer a much better lettuce like romaine, spinach, leafy greens with actual nutritional content. TA actually offered the Grilled Cajun Catfish, it use to come with a California Medley (actual vegetables) then they changed it, now unless you want to pay more for actual vegetables, you get the soup and salad bar. Sorry, but the soup and salad bar don't do you any good if they contain things like potatoe salad, coleslaw, iceburg lettuce, all creamed soups, pudding, etc. I know they want to put things on the salad bar that people will actually eat, but we need healthier choices. But even if they offer grilled chicken or fish with an actual vegetable instead of corn or mash potatoes. And give us the option to be able to get the vegetables steamed without oil or butter. Fast food places like Subway right now are only offering about half the time spinach instead of iceburg lettuce.
Myself, I don't like the lounge areas, it increases loitering by homeless, peddlers, and lizards. But a lot of drivers do like them.
8. Fans in every shower, better exhaust fans to clear the humidity. No closet showers, teams can use just one shower, but we can’t if the shower room is too small.
9. Truck stops already sell products at a very high cost, so I purchase supplies at Wal-Mart and keep extra supplies as well. But they do need to have supplies for when you accidentally run out, especially things like AZO for those emergencies when you get a bladder infection, Pamprin or Midol, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, basic emergency care products like band-aides, and Neosporin.
10. Massage or Chiropractic services. Though they do need to make it a bit more private, behind a screen it is very hard to relax to be able to get the most benefit of your treatment. I don’t think there are enough women drivers for someone to make it to provide a Nail Salon, but maybe the Massage, Chiropractic or Salon/Barbershop vendors might do a dual duty by becoming nail technicians.
11. Either make the dining room do double duty, which I love as long as it is non-smoking or set up an area either in the lounge or separate to accomadate those that want to get out of the truck and surf the internet on their laptops. I just spent 6 hours inside the Petro in the very back of the restaurant going online etc. It was very relaxing, the waitress's got a really good tip. But there are never enough electrical outlets. I team and even when I solo, I want to get out of the truck without having to pay for a motel. This gives me time to decompress.
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Edited by Miss Impala on Jan 23, 2010 at 07:04 PM
Hey Darleen, what are the rules and regs for driving bobtail? When am I required to log it and when do I not have to? I had heard they actually got rid of the personal use exemption on the lost HOS change, is that true?
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Great idea! One of my trucking buddies has one and she swears by it. I am to lazy, I just use the microwave...LOL.
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Hi, was wondering if Jean had had a chance to answer this one. I too just read an article I believe in Truckers News about it. Unfortunately, it sounds great. But so did DAC when it started. I think I must be a pessimistic person. I see too many people get burned by the same system trying to protect them.
What I really want to know is... I thought HIPPA protected my right for medical privacy? How do they really expect to do any thing that is not allowed by law? Does Jean think the recommendations they are talking about BMI and sleep apnea are actually going to come to fruition? I mean it is based on faulty science? My brother who has a BMI of 42, just took the sleep apnea testing. All that money out the window and he does not have it? Yet there are skinny people out there that have it. How is that "protecting the children"?
Also, DAC says you have the right to file a statement along with whatever negative points are put on your record. Try doing that, it is a nightmare! And now the government wants to take over and do it? My mother applied 3 times for disablity in a 3 year period. I recieved the 3rd denial letter 2 days after she died. Does that sound like the kind of beauracacy that we want running something like DAC?
Hey did someone switch my Thorazine (Paranoid Schizophrenia) meds and give me a placebo? LMAO!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Good job Dawdles! Interesting observations! I think that is one of the things Sandy and I were trying to pin down as to why some women have a lot of problems and others don't. I think you made a very important statement.
I tried and tried to find the article, but you have to subscribe to the mag, but the gist of the article in Scientific American Mind was that many people that are promoted, are not promoted because they actually know the job more than others. They are perceived as knowing more, because they were confident. Confidence leaks out, it not only affects you, but those around you. Interesting in how your experience mirrors that....
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Wow, that is really cool! I passed the info along to an Australian woman driver as well, just in case she was not aware of it.
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Gives me food for thought.. Thanks!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
Very good points guys! Dawdles you said: "With the economy being tough right now, companies aer working on a tight margin and can not afford the unnecessary expense of a driver not able to do the job they were hired to do. "
The article didn't have anything to do with economy reasons, but with the inane idea that more stringent testing was required to "try and reduce workman's compensation claims." Sorry, but you can do all the testing in the world and it won't change one iota the fact that sh** happens. I am a very limber flexible person. I climb, carry, lift, things that a lot of skinnier people can't. But even I ended up getting hurt in the 10 years I have driven.
1. Took my fogged up eyeglasses off as I could not see. Was closing the trailer doors and looked up to make sure they latched up top and something fell in my eye. I could not get it out! Finally went to the Dr. next am and just as I was catching the taxi to go to the Dr. it finally came out. I still had to get antibiotics and a tetanus shot as I had scratched my cornea. How does increased strength testing affect their stats with this injury? It doesn't.
2. I was dollying down, the bar suddenly caught and stopped and I hit my hand on it. I thought I had broken it. Still nothing that strength testing would have found....
3. My company has the runs so tight, that Chris woke me up and needed me to take over driving, he was suddenly ill. We usually never have time to actually stop and get ready for work while sitting still. You have to get ready rolling down the road. I had to climb up and was suspended in the air trying to get clean clothes out of the duffle bag, when he hit a huge dip in CO. I had myself braced, but not for that! I hyper flexed and pulled a muscle that joined my leg to my pelvis. I always stretch and warm up the first thing when I wake up, but that morning, I had to get ready ASAP. So I am injured.
How would increasing strength testing going to try and eliminate drivers with those types of injuries? It doesn't. If companies are thinking of reducing the number of no-touch freight due to the economy, they need to let us know so we can be prepared or go elsewhere. I would never apply to a job expecting accommodations when I know that job to be one that I may not be able to do. Actually I take that back, I did just fine hauling Chemical Tanker, no problem. Until the summer, then the heat combined with an allergy I didn't even think about reared it's ugly head. PPE and an latex allergy don't go together in the summertime. They were willing to make accommodations for me, and allow me to haul the chemical and tar loads that didn't require PPE. But I felt guilty doing that. The tar loads especially were the "breaks" for all of us. I didn't want to take that from my fellow drivers. They even offered me an office position, but I could not afford the low pay. So I went elsewhere. But they will always have workman's comp issues related to lifting and strains until we do it
Here is where I feel it is discriminatory when you start requiring drivers to lift more weight or duck walk down the hallway when it is NOT required as a part of their job. So let me reiterate, if it is a part of your job to unload trailers, duck walk down hallways and constantly lift weight above your head to load trailers, then I understand the strength and physical testing requirements. I know our company hauls tire loads. Your required to tailgate the load. But excuse me, but I think that is pulling weight down, not lifting it? Since when do drivers load trailers? I loaded trailers for UPS, but that was my job, not the drivers? I just braced a copper roll load, then upon delivering had to rip up my work. Where in this scenario does it require me to pick up anything over 50 lbs? Sorry Dawdles, but I am pretty sure the gun only weighed at the most 15#. Unless you were using a jackhammer? LMAO!  Just teasin ya girl! The wood is heavy, but not 50 lbs? Unless your carrying all of the wood at one time maybe? But they will always have workman's comp issues related to lifting and strains until we do it everyday. If the entire year you sit at your desk at work, never have to do anything more strenuous than walking to the bathroom quickly, then suddenly your company expects you to unload a trailer. Your going to have issues. Your going to pull something or end up having to recover for the next 3 days.
However, I don't think that is really what the companies are doing. Companies want drivers that are all paid the same, we want paid more based on our safe record and experience, just like any other field. Especially larger companies will begin to reduce your miles as you get more experience when they have a larger pool of drivers to choose from. You don't think they are also thinking that another way to reduce the number of "more experienced" drivers is to begin making limitations that usually only apply to "experienced" aka older drivers? This then reduces the driver pool, perpetuating the myth that there is driver shortage. Then they begin to lobby to allow Canadian and Mexican drivers into the US, further bringing down wages. Due to the gluttony of drivers, it is just an excuse for the companies to try and exclude someone that can physically do the job, but not play their little game. Follow the money.
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/home.php?ref=logo
Very good article! I am not referring to trucking jobs that actually require a person to do the mentioned types of work. I am referring to driving positions that only require you to drive? My company did not hire the slender woman because she could not pick up the weight even though she was a member of a team? I have been here over 2.5 years and have yet to have to load/unload a truck, especially anything over 50 lbs! In fact I have not unloaded/loaded in 8 years for crying out loud.
I am becoming more and more disillusioned with the trucking industry. It is fast becoming a "nanny" state! I am sick of it! They are not allowed to not hire people because of skin color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability etc. So now they are using arbitrary criteria to rule out perfectly fine drivers to keep wages down and constantly perpetuate the myth of a driver shortage so they can bring drivers in from other countries thus bringing down the wages again! The next people to be ruled out of a job will be those that smoke, drink, exercise outside, ride motorcyles/atv's/horses, drive a sports car, have kids/pets all in the name that each and everything can have a case made that it either distracts the driver, is a risk for employing that person etc. For crying out loud, it has to stop somewhere! I dunno, maybe I'm just complaining. Seems to me that if you can be a Dr or nurse and be overweight with high blood pressure, diabetes and many of the other medical conditions that is listed in CVS2010, and they are allowed to still work, then why are they discriminating against drivers? All of those medical conditions treated do not cause any more risk than the doctor, nurse, or 4-wheeler working! Ok, getting off the soap box now! Sorry for the rant!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/home.php?ref=logo
I don't think I could have said it better... 
So in addition to the points made above, these are mine... Might I add though, I am not knocking OOIDA, I am a member of OOIDA, but to go into their message forums is like getting on Channel 19.
I want to talk to serious truck drivers and not be ridiculed, propositioned etc when I come to the forums. Sort of like the same reasons women go to "Women Only Gyms". I just don't want to deal with the hassle. Not all the members are like that, but the ones that get by with it, annoy me enough to where I would rather come here... We are a sub-culture of the main culture of trucking. Just like the women that form groups for Weight Watchers... Or Latin Students, or GLBT. GLBT is then further divided up into sub groups of Homosexuals, Lesbians, Bi-Sexuals, and Transgendered. So I think the it is only natural to form a sub group for Women in a male dominated profession. Crud there is even an American Assembly for Men in Nursing - AAMN organization!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/home.php?ref=logo
I find it a rather odd conundrum... a truck driver, who by the very nature of their job are sedentary, are unable to exercise or lift weights, to lift 75 lbs above your head. I don't have a problem with it, but I am overweight.... but then you have the new thing where they are going to be measuring necks, so if your necks is too large then your out as well? If you are able to lift 75 lbs, at least a female any way is usually going to be overweight and have a larger neck. So no female drivers allowed now?
I know my company did not hire a woman who was slender, but could not pu the weight. My friend who was in the same orientation class, is only 4'10". She was able to pick up the weight, but had to pause to bring it all the way up because she is so short, they almost did not allow that! Plus they require you to be able to climb into a trailer without any assistance. Wrong! I can climb into a trailer if need be, but that is extremely dangerous. I use a step ladder and I'm 5'6". I resent the fact that they make you do something so inherently dangerous with no need. Even when climbing up to change the windshield wipers or clearance lights, I use the step ladder. Why ask a driver to do something so dangerous?
I am all for not lowering standards, but it is a job and they are supposed to be able to allow you to do your job with SOME accomadations... It's not like your trying to drag or carry a body out of a burning building you know? This requirement of having to lift 75 lbs is ridiculous! It has been 8 yrs since I had to actually unload a trailer.
Companies are only hiring those they think are fit, problem is, they then contribute to the unhealthy lifestyle with ridiculous schedules where you have no time to stop to even use the bathroom!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/home.php?ref=logo
Same here! We finally brought the Valk up to SLC to ride on the weekends, (we don't live anywhere, so we just stay at the hotel on the weekends), we still ended up not getting to ride very much. I think I got to ride twice! Chris rode more. You wouldn't believe how trying to squeeze laundry, shopping, sleeping, paperwork, and computer work into 48 hrs is. Sheesh! Most of the time I just let most of it go and then form it into chunks. I get a lot more accomplished that way.!
It is not as fun riding by yourself, at least for me. I am still new at it and am apprehensive. When I was learning, I pulled up to a stop sign. I had boot cut jeans on, and as I went to go and put my legs down, the jean leg caught the peg, I couldn't get my leg untangled and the bike went over about the time I was pulling my leg out. Later I learned to pay attention also to when you stop, you don't have the steering bar turned, it must be straight. That didn't help. Anyway, I am pretty strong girl, but for the life of me I could not pick up that 800 lbs bike. Chris had been driving in front of me and had lost sight of me and was trying to get turned around. Some guy behind me got out and helped me pick it up and off I took. Chris was coming back by then, but oh well. He told me later the proper way to pu a bike is with your back to it. I told him thanks, but a little late... LOL. I scraped up my shin pretty bad, but it actually healed with no scar. I was surprised, as it was pretty bad. You live and you learn! My truck driving school instructor calls it making memories!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/home.php?ref=logo
Empowerment is knowledge, the more knowledge you have, the less hesitant one acts. I particularly liked red46's comment: "Empowerment? Let me tell you something. All a woman has to do is act like she knows what she's doing and you'll gain the respect."
That is exactly right! When I first came out here, I was bullish, I learned everything I could as well as different perspectives. I worked hard, because I thought I had something to prove. Well the way it comes down to it, even on my laziest day I run circles around the men and women that are lazy and unmotivated. The only person you have to prove yourself to, is your dispatcher. They have to know that you will communicate to them as honest as you can be. You will get the load there on time barring any delays that are out of your control, and if you can't you will communicate immediately so they can act on the info and do their job!
But if you commit to a load and then decide to flirt in the truckstop too long, or play videos too long and then you overslept and got up late, eventually that dispatcher learns to not trust you. Then when approached by the planner, do you think this driver could do this run, the dispatcher will have to say no, you can't be trusted.... but I do have this driver there, that will get it there! You also can't be concrete cowboy either. If you have a rep for running illegal, dispatchers will give you the load, but they are more hesitant to use you in case you wreck. The legal ramifications of a wreck comes back to them as well, and no one wants to be involved in that.
Your reputation out on the road is one that you have for your own purposes and can lead to affecting you at work as well, but your reputation in your company is what affects your miles and money. You need to decide, which is more important, money or play?
When you learn little things like this, your empowered!
Member Id#: 10736-D
Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!
Come and join my circle of friends at Facebook -----> Angel Grider
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/home.php?ref=logo
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