Putting The Wheels In Motion But Are These Hiccups Roadblocks?

Well hello there Truckers Forum, allow me to introduce myself. I'm a 52 yr old Man living in the eastern panhandle of West VA, married with 4 awesome children and a beautiful 3yr old granddaughter. Over the past several yrs on and off I have been researching the trucking industry and what it has to offer my family and myself, I have read the horror stories, the love stories, and the poor me stories, etc.. Yet nothing deters me from this itch of becoming an OTR Truck Driver, My grandfather drove many years for Time DC, and Landstar and my other Grandfather ran his own coal hauling business and ran produce from Fla to the Mid Atlantic many yrs ago, and my father hauled one of the 1st Coors Beer Loads west of the Mississippi many yrs ago, so I assume I have a strand of DNA that is stained with diesel exhaust. I'm at a point in my life where I feel I can finally put the wheels in motion to begin reaching the dream I have had for many yrs, however... THE HICCUPS! I'm absolutely positive I can fulfill all the requirements needed to get my career started but when I was younger (18) I made a couple mistakes I hope wont hinder me from reaching this Goal. Mistakes…. In 1984 I enlisted in the Marine Corps out of High School, during my enlistment I tested positive for Marijuana and was UA for more than 24 hrs (late returning from leave). I also got in trouble for leaving the base while on Base restriction which the military decided to discharge me for...Other than Honorable Discharge. I have no excuse for these mistakes, I was weak and didn't give a damn about any consequences at the time....but time has a way of healing those insufficiencies. I have no Felonies or any Criminal record other than a couple Misdemeanors since. Now onto my next possible hurdle...In Oct of 2017 I had a minor Heart Attack due to my eating habits and high cholesterol, I was given 3 stents in my Heart for blockages. Since then I have been building a better and healthier me, better eating habits, plenty of exercise, Gym 5 days a week, blah, blah, blah, etc.. I have lost 30lbs and feeling better than I have in yrs and I have no issues or side effects from the meds I am taking....The Meds are... Aspirin, Brilanta, atorvastatin, carvedilol, and Lisinopril. Some of these meds will drop off in Nov. Now I'm no dummy and realize that these meds may be an issue but don't want to find out after I leave my present employer as I have read has happened. I know there isnt much info out there I guess Im just hoping for some clarification to rest my mind alittle. Now having said all this and done my research for possible companies to start my journey ive decided on a top 3.....Prime, Wil Trans, Jim Palmer or will consider other suggestions along these lines, with any luck I look to begin training in Winter 2018 so I can get some winter driving in while with a Trainer. I know these are some pretty serious things to have to tread thru to begin my journey and I truly have repented my ways with my wildness in my teens and early 20's, and am getting Healthier everyday. If you have any personal expierence, advice, or JOB OFFERS (lol) please feel free to reply, and Thank All of You who spend countless hrs out there bringing the freight that keeps this Awesome Country Rolling!! Happy Trails and Be Safe out there!! Thanks Again!

Welcome to the forum. The mistakes of your youth won't matter. The health might. However, there are plenty of people out here with health issues and taking meds. You picked two companies. Prime and Wil-Trans/Jim Palmer. Wil-Trans owns Jim Palmer and they haul Prime Trailers.

Read through our starter pack.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Then look at Paid CDL Training Programs. I went through CFI's paid training and have been with them for one year now. They are a great company and they really care about the driver and their families. It is best to pick a company that fits you best. Be honest with them about your health issues. I don't think what happened over 30 years ago is an issue. Good luck.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Welcome to the forum.

I suggest doing your homework on the FMCSA guidelines for heart attacks and stents. Having a consult with your cardiologist is also advisable. There is lots of material on the subject...

Here is one example:

CDL Medical Exam- Heart Attack Giudelines

Use Google to assist with your research. The process to get medically certified might take you longer, but I believe if you follow instructions, work with your Docs so you are well prepared for your exam you should be good to go.

Best of luck!

Welcome to the forum. The mistakes of your youth won't matter. The health might. However, there are plenty of people out here with health issues and taking meds. You picked two companies. Prime and Wil-Trans/Jim Palmer. Wil-Trans owns Jim Palmer and they haul Prime Trailers.

Read through our starter pack.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Then look at Paid CDL Training Programs. I went through CFI's paid training and have been with them for one year now. They are a great company and they really care about the driver and their families. It is best to pick a company that fits you best. Be honest with them about your health issues. I don't think what happened over 30 years ago is an issue. Good luck.

Thanks Much Big Scott I appreciate your reply!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Welcome to the forum.

I suggest doing your homework on the FMCSA guidelines for heart attacks and stents. Having a consult with your cardiologist is also advisable. There is lots of material on the subject...

Here is one example:

CDL Medical Exam- Heart Attack Giudelines

Use Google to assist with your research. The process to get medically certified might take you longer, but I believe if you follow instructions, work with your Docs so you are well prepared for your exam you should be good to go.

Best of luck!

Thanks very much G Town I appreciate your reply and advice, time is something I have not really looking to get started until winter to get ready, Thanks again.