Profile For Wendy F.

He was about to go with Roehl but is now going with Cypress. He made that choice because he really prefers regional, it’s the Southeast (we’re from South Carolina and they can dispatch him very easily from where we are in Columbia. ) He talked to his Cypress recruiter today. She’s been very helpful about the process. He did tell her what meds he is on and he said she didn’t seem concerned about that. She has been very knowledgeable whenever he’s talked to her. Her boss was out of the office so it will probably be Monday before he gets the offer to come to training. Recruiter thought he could start in the July 23 class. Yes, he and I have both gone through lots of info here. I read everything I could find on this but threw this question out in case someone has had a similar experience.

He is using the High Road to prepare for his CLP. He really likes it. He’s found this whole site very helpful. So glad we found it! He might get on the forum here himself at some point- right now he’s been studying and also finishing a few house projects that we need done before he is gone for CDL and road training.

Ok, husband narrowed down to a company he wants to go with. He’ll get approval as soon as they process his DMV and background check, both of which are good. Next he will be sent to DOT physical and CLP test (he’s ready for that.) Our concern is the medications part of the physical. We’ve researched the medications and there aren’t any total dealbreakers (no painkillers or seizure med, etc.) The issue is he has long term depression/anxiety that is managed successfully with medications. He functions just fine. It’s a genetic problem. He’s on Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and Seroquel (low dose.) His doctor favors combining medications, but we think he could drop the Seroquel if needed. He had been on Xanax for a while due to unemployment anxiety, but when he started looking at trucking he asked the doctor to take him off. He’s been tapering off of it and dr gave him Buspar instead (a totally different class of drug, not a benzodiazepine like Xanax.)

From my research I understand the DOT medical examiner essentially makes a judgment call on his fitness. From your knowledge and experience, what if any additional documentation will he need to get approval? If he needs to get a letter from the prescribing doctor, are there any key phrases/words/statements that are key to convincing the DOT examiner?

Thanks in advance for any tips. Wendy

Rainy that is a great article on relationships! Your background is interesting too. My husband has a masters in forestry but we were out of the country for a year and when we returned in 2008 there were no jobs in his field. He’s tried a few things since. He’s done some out of town work before. It sucked sometimes! At least now we only have our 12-year-old at home so a bit easier than having little kids by myself.

Anyway, great read - thanks!

Thank you both Old School and Big Scott for the tips and advice. Hubby and I will definitely check all of this out carefully. The best advice is from people like y’all who know from experience. Hubs is taking his CDL written learners permit test tomorrow or Thursday and then I’ll get him on here. Great stuff here, and thanks again!

Thanks for the tip, Kim. I’ll do that 😁

Hi Everyone, Totally new here. My husband is looking very seriously at starting a career in trucking. It’s a long story, but the bottom line is he needs a decent paying job in a relatively short time, and he does enjoy driving. He’s not afraid of hard work. I am not overjoyed about the time he’ll be away but I know we can make it work. We are in Columbia, SC.

There’s a great school in our area (Sage) but we can’t pay out of pocket. We are so broke we can’t pay attention, LOL. So he is looking at companies that either offer the training themselves or will pay for it if he agrees to work with them for a year.

My question is this- how do y’all evaluate companies? Any way to know who is relatively honest and decent? Heard a few horror stories here and there. We understand it’s a tough business but also hoping to be treated fairly. What’s good to know early on to prevent nightmares later?

I’ve been helping him do research, but I think the best thing is talking to people who know from their own experience.

He’s considering Roehl because they pay during CDL training, actually working toward the CDL. He’s considering Schneider, Boyd Bros., possibility Cypress out of Jacksonville FL. He’s hoping for regional and of course some decent home time. We have a 12 year old son. Hubby knows he has to start where beginners start though.

Any ideas, suggestions, or info on any of the above companies or other ones he should consider? Any to avoid like the plague?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Wendy

Hi Everyone, Totally new here. My husband is looking very seriously at starting a career in trucking. It’s a long story, but the bottom line is he needs a decent paying job in a relatively short time, and he does enjoy driving. I am not overjoyed about the time he’ll be away but I know we can make it work. We are in Columbia, SC.

There’s a great school in our area (Sage) but we can’t pay out of pocket. We are so broke we can’t pay attention, LOL. So he is looking at companies that either offer the training themselves or will pay for it if he agrees to work with them for a year.

My question is this- how do y’all evaluate companies? Any way to know who is relatively honest and decent? Heard a few horror stories here and there. We understand it’s a tough business but also hoping to be treated fairly.

I’ve been helping him do research, but I think the best thing is talking to people who know from their own experience.

He’s considering Roehl because they pay during CDL training, actually working toward the CDL. He’s considering Schneider, Boyd Bros., possibility Cypress out of Jacksonville FL. He’s hoping for regional and of course some decent home time. We have a 12 year old son. Hubby knows he has to start where beginners start though.

Any ideas, suggestions, or info on any of the above companies or ones he should consider? Any to avoid like the plague?

Thanks so much for any helpful pointers. Wendy