New Truck Driver Career Decisions

Well guys had my DOT physical this afternoon. It was different than I expected from reading some of the posts here about other ones. They only asked questions about me not other family members. Then they did the workups, BP, height, weight and so on. Urine test and they were very quick to tell me it was for medical stuff not drugs. I told them to go for it whichever way they wanted, they had the sample so do it up. Don't know if they were looking for a reaction or not. Then the guy started filling out my card before I ever saw a doc. Made me wonder. Guess he had a good idea looking at the paperwork and workups I would most likely pass. They put me in a room and I was in there so long I actually feel asleep. Doc woke me up and asked if I was ready to continue. I said sure. What other obvious choice was there...He went over the paperwork and at times was talking very very soft, Guess this was his whisper test I've heard others talk about. Then he had me lay on my back and poked around, sat up and he poked around. Then he said squeeze my fingers. Okay. I did and he replied, Not so hard. Guess I passed that one. Then the knees with him holding and arms same drill. All in all pretty uneventfull. He asked me if I had any questions for him. Nope not really, other than did I pass or not. He looked me dead square in the eye and said "pass, your one of those disgustingly healthy people that are bad for my business". Then said of course you passed. Got my card and out the door. Now just wait for Roehl to call me with a class start date. Gives me a few weeks to get everything in order around the house, and clean out my pickup before heading to school. I don't drive it much, so it gets neglected at times....

Great update! Congratulations on passing!!!!

Okay ya"ll it's time for the questions to start popping up. I got my packet in the mail yesterday. After reading through everything a couple things are popping right off in my mind. I intend to hit up my recruiter tomorrow but thought I would throw it out her for everyone.

1. Passport or passport card. Roehl does travel into Canada and require me to get one. The paperwork describe both of these and I understand what each does. There is a big difference in cost 135 versus 35. My first thought is the card should do fine since that truck won't sprout wings while in Canada. Your thoughts please.

2. They require me to get a WI CDL and sent the link to the WI DMV. I was doing fine till I saw they have a residency requirement. I'm not a resident!!!! How does the company get around that. Do they possibly claim your now a resident and use their address for the DMV , and if so is that really legal????

Again my recruiter and I will be talking tomorrow, but I'm sure others either have or will run across these questions same as I did. Thanks

I'm not sure about the passport. Since they say you can have either one I'm sure either one would indeed work fine.

As far as the Wisconsin CDL - yes, they probably give you a temporary address to use in Wisconsin. Once you get your license you'll transfer it back to Georgia. A ton of companies used to do this but more and more states have passed laws making the transfer more difficult by often requiring some or all of the testing to be done again in the state you're transferring to. So check with Georgia about their requirements for transferring your license back into the state.

Brett you nailed it again sir!!!! Georgia will NOT transfer a hazmat endorsement. They will transfer the license and all other endorsements for a 20 fee for the license and 5 each for the endorsements. Hazmat will be the 5 fee along with you taking the written again. I just got off the phone with my recruiter. She says the residency requirement isn't a problem, they use the hotel address and WI accepts that for a temporary license. WI has a temp CDL license provision, and then you have to transfer it back to your home state within the time period. The passport issue she said the card will work fine for my employment, I only need to get a passport to fly in and out of the country. I don't mean to sound cheap, but I have never had a need nor do I plan on having a need for a full passport, so don't just want to give the gov't any more money than I have to. I do that every April anyway....

Another thing I forgot to mention is they are requesting a copy of my DD214. Even though it is older than the hills they still need it. Reason is periodically the VA makes a request of them how many vets are employed and they request proof of that number by way of the DD214. They don't make any money off it, it's just the gov't putting numbers together. Now I gotta find it. Think I remember seeing it about 20 years ago...

Another thing I forgot to mention is they are requesting a copy of my DD214. Even though it is older than the hills they still need it. Reason is periodically the VA makes a request of them how many vets are employed and they request proof of that number by way of the DD214. They don't make any money off it, it's just the gov't putting numbers together. Now I gotta find it. Think I remember seeing it about 20 years ago...

PJ - If you can't find it, request it online it usually free.... http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Thanks Scott much appreciated. Already ordered

Guys I'm so excited right now. I just got a call from my recruiter. She said she just got my physical back and everything was good, she just needed to finalize a start date. I told her I was free and open to whatever they had available. Her response was ok, well then be here Monday morning ready to go to work. I was stunned and said this Monday. She said yes, they have 1 seat open and it's mine. So I'll finish all the little stuff and hit the road Saturday for Wisconsin.

Congrats PJ!

I've been waiting for several weeks for my school of choice to get their doors open, I won't know how to act when I finally get to go.

In fact it's been so long I'm getting ready to start High Road Training Program again, I'm afraid I may forget what I learned lol.

Woody

Guys I'm so excited right now. I just got a call from my recruiter. She said she just got my physical back and everything was good, she just needed to finalize a start date. I told her I was free and open to whatever they had available. Her response was ok, well then be here Monday morning ready to go to work. I was stunned and said this Monday. She said yes, they have 1 seat open and it's mine. So I'll finish all the little stuff and hit the road Saturday for Wisconsin.

Hey thats awesome you going to the Appleton Yard? I have my ROEHL recruiter Kodie holding the last seat for me, I wonder if you got the seat she thought she had for me... I'm waiting for their MRO to approve my Cardio results and I should be there, if not there possibly Gary, Indiana. I learned from my recruiter that Gary Indiana is where they do Orientation for their Flatbed drivers normally, but they can probably get me in if they have to.

I've been with Roehl since April, and went through their RDTC. It's a great school. You guys will love the training you get there. I think Roehl is a fantastic starter company. I'm on the van national fleet and making pretty solid money. Good luck!