Profile For Josh H.

I went back and forth when I first started driving. So much so, that for the first few months I didn't even use one. The first time company directions had me backing out of a residential area, I decided it might be a good time to find one lol. I couldn't stomach the $350+ prices at the truck stops, so I started looking at other options. I ended up coming across Copilot Truck on the app store and figured I'd give it a try. For an app it is a little pricey. I think I paid right around $100 for it a few years ago, but in my opinion it's well worth it if you're in the market for a truck specific GPS. I just use it on my phone, and it's worked great. I always cross reference everything with google maps before I take off, but I've never had any issues. At the time, I couldn't find another one that allowed me to adjust my route anywhere I wanted, which is what really sold me on it. You can layer the screen with truck stops, washes, restaurants, and whatever else you want too.

Sometime toward the end of last year Maverick started using Copilot on the QC's, but it seems like a really dumbed down version of the one I use on my phone, so I don't really use it at all.

Freightdog,

Thank you for the support. This transition is the most terrifying thing I've ever had to experience. Having a wife and kids to support with no guarantee for the future is nerve wracking.

I literally cannot imagine having to fly a plane that much. At least when you're driving the scenery changes, but in a plane, well... I imagine clouds get old after awhile!

Thank you for the tip with the sleep aid. Any suggestion to kick the ambien is most welcome. I really think I'll be naturally tired enough most of the time to sleep on my own. That being said, I'm not the type to go without a backup plan if I have the option. Sometimes, however, as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm wide awake and it's almost as if my brain refuses to "turn off". Thanks again!

Josh

I have several friends who drive OTR that have PTSD. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, and like you, I cant take Celexa. It might as well be chemo as much as it made me puke. They and I take Unisom to help sleep. Has absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS. Well, at least that I noticed. My friends said that this is acceptable by D.O.T. and most companies. Id check into it and see if its acceptable by TMC or Maverick.

I'll inquire about that and see what my doc and potential employers have to say about it. If I don't get the side effects of ambien, and it helps with sleep that is a definite win/win. Thanks for letting me know about that.

Here's the deal though, let's just assume the worst case scenario here and say you go to TMC and their doc says no. Just simply ask the doc "could you recommend to me a substitute medication that I could try and get my physician to prescribe to me that would be acceptable for employment here?" Then go with what they suggest.

That is great information. As simple as it sounds I really hadn't considered that option in the event I was faced with that situation. As it stands right now, my idea is to just quit taking both scripts (already quit the celexa) and avoid that possible let down from the start. Thank you for that though, as one can never quite know what the future has in store.

Josh, the ambien will be a nono, since I'm sure it has the "this may cause drowsiness" type warning stickers on it. ANY meds that have that can't be taken by a driver. I also have PTSD ( we called it cubicle fever, to much of a dept. of Justice career).And I also take meds to sleep. But when I"m driving truck, I have NO problems sleeping. I LOVE to sleep when the truck is rolling..the vibration is better than a massage, and the engine rumblin' just lulls me to sleep. There are some really good OTC sleep aids that oyu can take. But driving truck isn't a 9-5 job, and you will have to catch your 10 hours sleep at different times sometimes. Thus, oyu can't take any meds that will leave you fuzzy headed, drowsy, or in any way slows your reactive abilities. So you might as well talk with your doctor now, cuz I know for a fact that you won't slide thru with Ambien. Better to know now, than get the boot later. Don't let it throw you.....theres alternatives...and when you get to driving, you WILL get tired...so you may find out that you don't need them at all !!!

I figured with ambien being a controlled sleep aid that I wouldn't get by with taking it. On top of that, without a defined schedule (like you mentioned), I wouldn't feel safe at all being on the road. I would definitely end up as a liability, and that just isn't an option. Funny thing is, if I have the option to stay up until I'm beat to death and THEN lay down, 99% of the time I'll be out cold in minutes. That's another thing that's so appealing to me about this career. Thank you for confirming my suspicions Starcar, Your input is greatly appreciated! Stay safe.

Josh

Josh, Welcome to the forum! Hey, I just happen to know a driver with PTSD, and not only that but I helped him to get hired on at Schneider. Here's the kicker, and I'm telling you this because I met this guy at a TMC orientation where he and I both got sent home for medical reasons, whatever medications your taking might be what will cause some companies to balk at it. It's not the diagnosis itself, but rather the medication that will give you a problem. Can you get back on here and tell us what meds, if any, you have been precribed for this PTSD? This is a fairly easy hurdle to get over, but you want to go ahead and start dealing with it ahead of time. You may need to get a doctor to change your prescription to something more acceptable for your D.O.T. physical.

I completely forgot to mention the meds. On paper I take 40mg/day Celexa, and 10mg Ambien as needed for sleep. I stopped taking the Celexa months ago because it was only successful at making me sick. I've filled my last script for it, so I'm hoping that doesn't even play a part in any of it. The Ambien is another monster in and of itself. I have god awful sleeping issues that Ambien helps keep under control so I can actually get quality sleep. I'm not sure exactly what it's called, but my prescribing doctor said he would sign some type "letter of consent" saying that I am fully capable of performing the required duties while taking these medications. Outside of that I'm clueless and like I mentioned in the OP, the recruiters don't seem to know how to answer these questions beyond the, "Lets just see what our doc says" kind of reply.

I very much appreciate the info Old School! If I missed something let me know. Stay safe.

Josh

Hey everyone!

I've been lurking around here for the better part of a year gathering general information on the industry. Up until very recently, I was unsure of any timelines so I refrained from registering until I had a better idea of the future. I was hoping I could give you guys a brief rundown of my background and my future plans and see if there is something I'm overlooking.

Long story short, I've been in the Army for the last 10 years, and am now officially being medically retired. I have about a month or so of active service left and then I'm on my way home to Arkansas!

My biggest worry in all of this is that I'm, "getting the boot" because I was diagnosed with PTSD, and I'm concerned that's going to be my biggest setback. I've talked with a few different recruiters about this and none of them can really give me a definite answer. One suggested that I talk to the DOT directly and get their opinion on the matter. After being transferred 20 times I finally ended up speaking with someone (no idea who, this was 6 months ago) who told me that the DOT has no regulations against driving with this diagnosis, and that it was going to be up to the employer. I'm not sure if anyone has any direct or indirect info on this subject, but if you do, I would love to hear it!

My plan is to go to a private school to get my CDL. I debated this for a while, and decided I didn't want to be tied down to any one company for any reason. I've been "tied down" for the last 10 years, and the freedom to do as I please is quite a trophy in my eyes. Not that I plan on job surfing by any means. The fact that my GI Bill or Voc Rehab will cover all the expenses associated with it is just icing on the cake.

After mending bleeding eyes trying to research different companies, there are two that really stand out to me. My first choice would be TMC, and second is Maverick out of Arkansas. Either way, I truly believe that flat bedding is for me. I've been guaranteed a prehire from TMC as of a few months ago, and Maverick told me I shouldn't have any issues getting one either. From an outsiders perspective, I really like what both companies have to offer. I do feel I should cut my teeth on a standard though. That might be the only thing about Maverick I'm hesitant about.

I apologize for the giant wall above, but I'm excited and terrified about this transition. Thank you for the unbiased views and encouragement here. It's a huge help in trying to weed out the crap on the internet. Time to get rolling on the training material. Stay safe.

Josh