Profile For Roger H.( aka Sinapu)

So the latest on my situation isn't very good. Last week was very enlightening to say the least. I did get my CDL permit and a host of other things out of the way. I met a few special people who had already been out on the road with Prime for years. I was able to go to the Millinium Building which was an experience and even bumped into Mr Lowe, who was working out.. Unfortunately though, they gave me 30 days to get off the Ritalin and try the Strattera. Come to find out that there isn't a generic version, so my VA benefits can't cover it. My feeling about this whole experience is a mixed one. I'm sure Prime is a great company to work for as I heard a lot of good stories to that effect, but the companies respect for you doesn't start until you get out of orientation, I feel like I was treated like someone who had come back with dirty urine or something. I had hoped that if I had been able to stay in the area for the 30 days I would have been able to work on my pretrip and other areas, on campus , while I was waiting. I even asked if they might consider giving me a discounted room rate. The answers to all of the above were, I can't step foot on the property until I medically qualify again. I firmly believe that I had the worst recruiter in the company, while I had only heard from mine twice since the whole process began and ME having to fill HER in on why my status changed, most of the other students were getting multiple calls daily from their recruiters checking to make sure they were doing well and helping them jump through the daily hoops. So I'm here in Denver waiting to meet with the VA counselor about what's next for me.. I'd like to find a non- CDL job somewhere in Colorado, maybe Garfield County or the Roaring Fork Valley.. Thanks again for everyone's input and I hope you all drive safe out there!!

Brett, thanks for your usual continued support and I know enough not to lie about anything at anytime. The other thing that 55 years and 18 years of continued sobriety has taught me is that in my youth my quick reaction did feel awesome but didn't solve anything. I will definitely keep you updated as this unfolds and I suit up and show up on Monday. I did however put most of my belongings in storage and planned on going OTR and worry about a home in a couple of years..

Unless you stop taking it immediately, and "forget" to list it on your medical questionnaires, which you'll hand in on Day1 of orientation

Absolutely do not do that. Come on, man. Don't tell people to do stuff like that. That could be considered a failed drug test, and it's definitely going to be a failure to disclose something which is going to cost you a job and likely go on your DAC. Don't ever tell people to do that.

Roger, as appalling as it sounds, and it does sound appalling to me to, we have seen Prime knowingly bring people in even though they have disclosed they are taking medications the company will not allow. I haven't heard of any other companies doing this yet but others may indeed be doing it.

From what we've been told their official stance on it is that they're afraid they'll get in trouble for discrimination. In my opinion they're afraid they're going to lose the driver to another company. But try getting some sort of verification from Prime on their policies has so far been impossible for us.

Go in there, be honest, and whatever happens just roll with it. It may delay the start of your career, you may wind up going to another company, that will depend on what they say and what you decide to do.

We would really appreciate it if you would let us know how things go. We'd not only love to know this information ahead of time to prevent this sort of thing but we'll also be glad to help you move forward either with Prime or another company, whatever you may decide to do.

As hard as it is, whatever happens you really want to handle yourself professionally so you don't burn any bridges or make it more difficult to move forward from here. If they send you home, they send you home. Freaking out is only going to make it worse. Yes, you are completely entitled to want to punch someone in the face if this is indeed what is about to happen, and I would want to also. Unfortunately there will be many more incidents in this industry that will make you want to punch people in the face. But don't. That's just part of why the turnover is so high in this industry and the industry gets such a bum rap. Hang in there, focus on your future, and be professional about this no matter how hard it may be.

Let us know how things go. We'll keep our fingers crossed, but we'll also be ready to help you move forward from here no matter what the outcome. Remember, at worst it's only going to be a bump in the road. You'll get past it.

Thanks for that suggestion as I do need to read it entirely first. I cut to the last page to see how he ended up. I haven't tried any other medications so I'll look into that first. We just pulled into a truck stop.maybe that may be a good karma thing

Roger, PLEASE re-read this thread from the beginning. Both Miss Miyoshi and Nomad are driving for prime and they where both sent home. You can do the same, follow what Brett has said, and how others handled the situation and hopefully you will be back at prime in training soon. Take the time on the bus to get prepared for the worst.

I'm really not sure what to do right now but... Short version is, on my way to Springfield to start training with Prime on Monday and I'm looking around at some of the stories on here to take a break from studying., and I find out on here that I'm disqualified from working at Prime because of a medication ive been taking for 12 years for childhood ADD?!?!? I guess the first point above all, is.... This is the best site to find good information no matter how devastating it is.. But beyond that, why didn't that issue ever surface when I paid for school two years ago? Another obvious one is, why didn't my recruiter tell me ?!? And lastly, do I have a chance with any other company if this turns out to be factual ??

Wait, what???!!!! I'm on the bus to Springfield right now to start at Prime and I take prescribed methylphenidate everyday. I told my recruiter also!!! Did I just waste a two day bus trip??

First off, after two days of Orientation, I can tell you that Prime appears to be a great company. It's well run, the people are friendly and knowledgeable, and the equipment is top of the line.

But, if you plan to work for them, make sure you're not on any banned medications...

What is the list of banned medications?

I don't know. And they won't tell you. For legal reasons. They said it would be "discriminatory." Their contracted medical provider (Trinity Health), however, *can* and will disqualify for you for banned medications...

What I can tell you, is that Ritalin (methylphenidate) is banned. Probably Adderall, too, since they're very similar.

The (sort of) good news is, I can come back next month if I go off my medication and have my doctor say that I can function without it. This is what I'll probably do, since Prime is a very good company, and I liked what I saw so far at Orientation.

Still, it's frustrating. I've been ready to attend for more than a month. I obtained my permit ahead of time, with *all* endorsements. A heads-up would have saved me a lot of time and some money. And now, if I want to work there, I'll have to grapple with a reduced quality of life. I can certainly get by without Ritalin; I did for 27 years, and even obtained a Masters degree in the process. But, I will be a grumpier, less social, and more scatter-brained person without medication. Doable, but not ideal.

Anyway, I don't owe them any money, and they'll waive the next Orientation fee if I come back next month. I just hope this post helps someone avoid a wasted trip.

Though I'll likely continue with Prime, if anyone KNOWS of another company that doesn't care about prescribed Ritalin (or if you're a driver who takes it and got it cleared), I'd love to hear about it. PM me if you don't want to advertise your meds.

Just wanted to update you guys and gals on "the current situation". I'm starting school with Prime in a couple of weeks!! Thanks to all of you for mentally keeping me in the game!

Hey Mark, Good luck in Chicopee, I used to work for the UPS in West Springfield, right down the street from there. The hoops are worth while, for a great reason!

Hey there Roger, I'm also in NH ( Greenville ).. I'm 55 in a cpl mths and I can tell you that our age isn't a hindrance. As Rainy said a clean MVR and Criminal record will be what their looking for. I'm trying to come off of disability and get into a school in Chicoppee Ma. ( United Tractor Trailer ). I have a few hoops to jump through before starting school, but age isn't one of them. Good Luck buddy. Mark

I got my permit on my 53rd birthday. Signed on with Schneider, driving van truckload OTR and still going strong. Attitude will have WAY more to do with your success than age.

I've never heard of a company turning down a driver for age. Now if you're looking to a driving job where you're slinging sodas or beer for hours on end, that's a different story because of the constant physical demands.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the feedback, feeling more confident every second. I'm glad you're still posting, Old School, as I received a lot of great knowledge from you the last time I tried this! I did have my CDL permit 2 years ago, so hopefully it won't be hard to restudy everything.

This is such a great question, I sleep in a hammock every night and was wondering how I'd make the transition.

Hi all and thanks to Brett for his continuous updates of this site. 2 years I was attending a private CDL school and was keeping right up with the lucky few who remained in my class and we started driving. Things seemed to go pretty well , until we started downshifting.. Long story short and now that I'm less emotional about it , I can say that I probably should've taken their offer for a Class B. I had never been behind the wheel of tractor with a 10-speed. I had plenty of experience using a shifter or yard- jockey, as I guess some people call it, working for UPS, many years ago. Bottom line is, I was sure that if I had had more time with the truck, I would have been able to get it down, which wasn't an option at the time. I am at the point where I really need to try again and this time I want to do it right. I have started sending in applications to company's with their own school, hopefully because after I sign my life away they'll make sure I am able to downshift, sideways shift, or whatever other shifting comes my way. I'm 55 years old and live in New Hampshire and was already declined by Swift saying that they don't have schooling for people in my area. Is my age going to be a negative factor in my inquiries? I guess what I'm wondering is does my logic make sense? Thanks again for all the stories I've been reading and good luck to anyone else who is new out there..