Profile For Chad W.

Can you just not mention your history of depression if you are not currently being medicated for the condition? I am in a similar spot but am still taking medication.

Thanks for the reply, Brett! The information was under my nose the whole time! Still don't know what to do, but my fears of what could knock me out are quelled. Thanks!

I guess I should also add that I am going to take a DOT physical in a few days, so will that be accepted at a company, or will they also do another one?

As far as the drug test goes, I'm golden. The physical I'm not sure of. Sleep apnea may be a possibility, I will find out in the next week and get a CPAP machine to correct it if needed. I did a sleep study a week ago. I'm 5'8" and almost 300lbs.

I'm a grease monkey now and have no problem keeping up with the pace here, and worked in a factory before this 6 days a week, 12 hour days. What can I expect out of the physical?

One more consideration here...I have a wife and two kids. She doesn't work as of now. If I wait until local school starts up, I can work while I attend (8 weeks). If I choose to go with a company, I will have to leave my job ( I only make $9.85/HR) but will need to plan accordingly so that I'm not in the rears on bills. So, what can I reasonably expect to make during training and orientation? What should I have in the bank if I go this route (my bills are roughly $800-900/mo.)?

Also, what is the graduation rate with a company school? I'm not worried about the work commitment the first year, but if I quit my job and then don't pass the orientation and training, I may be screwing myself.

Thanks for the input in advance.

I was going to attend a community college for driving school, but now they have decided not to offer the program until after Labor Day. I am really wanting to get my career off to a start now. Any thoughts on whether or not to just go to a company paid taking program? I could probably start much sooner that way and would have a guarantee of a job upon completion.

Thanks for the replies! You are a really helpful group. Lots of great information on this site and I'm happy to have it available to me.

I will be getting my CDL through a community college. By the time I finish (8 weeks) I will have a CDL. I know that's just the tip of the iceberg, and I will need to do some company training. I have a family, and am wondering what I can expect as far as pay while training, classes after I get my CDL, etc.

I am overweight and have just finished a sleep study. I do not know the results yet, however, I may have sleep apnea. Will this be a major problem?

One other question I have is about medications. I currently take a 40mg dose of Paxil and the occasional Valium (both prescribed). I have stopped the Valium, as I don't think benzos are allowed in trucking. Should I also be switched off the Paxil? It is for mild but chronic depression. I know there are other approved meds, but I'm not sure which ones are allowed.

I still have some time before I start my classes, but I am trying to make sure that I have the best chance with the least amount of problems when I finish my training. Just to note, I will have to pass a DOT physical by the second week of class.

Thanks in advance for the help!