I Was Sent Home From Celadon Academy...

I've been working for a trash company since March, have had plenty of opportunity to work in cold weather, on days of varying degrees of intensity. Wind is murder when you're talking about being out in the cold for extended periods of time-- pretrips aren't the most strenuous thing, but you're still moving and maintaining a bloodflow. 28 degrees w/ wind is two pairs of socks (wool + under layer), one layer of thermals, your regular exterior clothing, very well insulated gloves, and at least a cap/beanie but preferably full neck+head coverage. That's the "my day isn't too intense" gear.

It sounds like OP had a combination of an overwhelming situation and... dicey dietary decisions/poor reaction to the cold. That temp range, unless the wind's howling at 30 or 40 miles an hour, can be dealt with, and the op describes at least as much clothing as my layout, if not more. And if the wind's howling that much then the instructor/school need to be taking some precautions in that weather, namely, rotating people in and out of the building at regular intervals. Doesn't sound like they were doing that, so I'm interpreting that it wasn't that bad. Maybe a light breeze, up to fifteen an hour occasionally.

I have a sister and neice who live in Hawaii. My neice never saw a harsh winter and truly...I kid you not...describes 70 degrees as "freezing". When she applied to NYU I tried to explain what " cold" really meant, but she didn't get it.

People from different areas have different physical reactions to temps. Heck...I'm in ND in -7 right now and I hate it. I'm not in jersey anymore. And even my truck shook and said "brrrrr" this morning lol

I've seen a couple people scoffing at 28 degree temperatures being dangerous. While I was not there and I do not know the whole story, I do know that 28 degree temperatures can be dangerous, especially if you do not dress properly for it.

All in all, I find it unfair for people to be criticizing the OP for experiencing a severe cold reaction which may in fact have been completely legitimate.

Have you ever while trucking been expected to perform in temperaturesome equal or less than 28°? I have and I'll just bet that maybe one or two others here have as well. As for it being unfair, next time your asked to be in those temps just let your DM know it's unfair.

Truth is sometimes your in less than desirable temperatures and situations how well you hold yourself together in those times speaks volumes.

Here's the upshot.

Showed up at orientation and had a meltdown/strip-down - whatever the physical/mental reason. Then a BFF passes unexpectedly, and it hits her hard (as it probably would any of us) - and she goes fetal-ball for a weekend.

Add to that her license issues.

Only ONE of these situations would create an issue. The misfortune of all three of them in rapid succession, caused Celadon to re-think the wisdom of bringing her on right now.

DO YOU BLAME THEM?

It doesn't really matter WHY she had issues in the cold - diet, physical conditioning, the way she was dressed - or even a sensitivity to cold weather.

Why isn't the issue - THAT IT HAPPENED IS.

As I said before - they did her a favor and marked her app DECLINED - instead of having her show up as hired/termed.

We all too frequently, sympathize/empathize with the driver - because that's who WE ARE. As a business owner - I try to look at the COMPANY point of view also. 1/2 the whacked out stories I've read here on this board - I'd have had security showing the applicant the door. There's only so much risk you can be willing to take with a trainee - and much of that centers around the DRIVING ITSELF.

Personal baggage just gets in the way. Not to sound callous - we all have stuff going on in our lives. It's how much we let it interfere with out PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES - that makes the difference between an applicant becoming an ASSET or a LIABILITY.

Rick

I have been in Montana with 33 Degrees below Zero and felt OK. Was well Dressed for that temp. But have also been in Seatle WA at 33 Degrees above and rain and felt far far colder than in Montana at 33 Below zero. That is a 66 degree difference and I felt colder in Seatle. Humidity and Wind play a big big part of how cold a person gets. Folks in Rain Die from Hypo Thermia at much higher temps than many at lower temps with it dry. Thus a 66 degree warmer Seatle was colder to me than Montana. Someone famous but forgot who it was said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. I fixed trucks in -30 or more and in a very few cases it got to less than -40. That is cold. But wind is a big deal. Motorcycle Riders have had and are advised NOT to ride below 45 degrees as it can cause hypothermia. I do not know for sure all the conditions but the fact is you have to be ready for anything and prepaired for anything. Sometimes you go in for a few Min then back out is what we used to do. Take care. Rethink. Keep trying. Dont give up. Be carefull. Be Safe. Jim

As with most posts, where the story gets a "little weird" (spontaneous stripping certainly qualifies) - there is usually MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE - or should we say, more to the story than is being disclosed.

I have a multitude anxiety issues too, but 'cannot' take my preferred and most effective method of alleviating it: clonazepam. Anyway, when I went for my exam, the physician suggested that I would have to switch to an SSRI-type of drug (yeah, yeah, ineffective; of which Zoloft is one) and I got cleared for one year. But, sometimes full disclosure is not in your best interest; sertraline is not a controlled substance, and you need not reveal the existence of a 'disability ' (anxiety disorder, mental illness, whatever) unless reasonable accommodation must be made for you.

Zoloft isn't inherently sedating, as you know, and just pick up or look up side effects on most drugs and you'll see: Warning: Do not operate heavy machinery etc. Zoloft DOES still carry some stigma, so I'd keep my ****ing mouth shut.

And we come across this little gem/disclosure - from another discussion, where the OP on this thread discloses that she came into orientation with "multitude anxiety issues" (I think she meant multiple), had to come off a med that is on the FMSCA "No Fly List" (clonazepam - a Benzodiazepine - 100% NO NO), and go onto a med that was "yeah yeah, ineffective".

Not trying to make light of DW's emotional issues - just illuminating that she has them, had to switch to meds that didn't really work - and had a meltdown during training.

Again - sorry for your problems - but we typically find there's more to some of these stories than is being told, and in this case - what you disclosed in the other discussion - can EXPLAIN MUCH ABOUT YOUR ISSUES IN THIS ONE.

Again - sorry for you anxiety issues. Be glad Celadon didn't try and stick it to you. Find some meds that DO WORK - THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE IN THE INDUSTRY - GET STABLE ON THEM, and start applying again. You really aren't going to be "fit for employment" - until you do. And if you cannot find meds that get you stable, that are not disqualifying - you may not be able to work as a driver.

This is not DISCRIMINATION - it's a matter of PUBLIC SAFETY.

Rick

But yet you advised another member to lie to a future empliyer/DOT Medical Examiner.

Quite bluntly, THAT MAKES ME ANGRY.

Thank you, Vending Dude, for some validation; but thanks too to Brett and Old School for their sage if hard-nosed advice. It was the second week of December, temp about 28F, and we were standing around doing pre-trip and the wind was funneling through a structure I cannot describe. Anyway, very prescient of you, Old School, to pick up on thyroid - no problems there - but I was (juice) fasting, foolish I know, for about two weeks. What can I say 'cept I like a certain fit in my jeans and running in Indianapolis wasn't achieving my goal quickly enough.

I acknowledge and accept Celadon's purely business decision regarding me; hell, I've read stories on this forum of people sent packing during orientation for other offenses. What I find worrisome is what Rick said, being labeled a 'problem child,' and having this moniker follow me elsewhere - if such a blacklist exists. I have carefully considered this career/lifestyle change for over a year now, and whilst I was in school for that week I approached my training with utter seriousness and calm determination. Yep, I did lose my **** and was ill-prepared in my Salvation Army pickings; not to sound callous, but now that I have my dead friend's Carhartt gear, my hope is that the next time I should do just fine.

I was there the 2nd week of December, but left that Friday. Didn't hear about what happened with you. However, it does get cold out there. I got sick right before I left and had to be seen by medical.

Consider it a blessing Celadon let you go and go to CRE next week. Believe in yourself, stay focused, listen and follow instructions. Good luck.