Considering A Career In Truck Driving.
Topic 2312 | Page 1
Hey doofy doo, Welcome to the forum!
The sleep apnea is fine as long as you use your C-Pap machine. The company you get on with may want you to use a different machine. I'm not sure about how all that works, but I know they have to have some way of monitoring it. As long as it doesn't bother you to sit for extended periods of time the back surgery shouldn't be a game changer either. Depending on where you go to work you may be required to lift a 35 pound box over your head or something similar to that for the company physical. Other than that I don't think you will have much of a problem.
Different types of driving jobs have varying requirements for physical abilities, you may want to pursue something that doesn't require a lot of lifting.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
Yap, I totally agree with Old School. You'll be fine using a CPAP machine - there's a lot of drivers out there using em. And most companies will advertise no-touch or 98% no-touch freight so you shouldn't have to do any unloading to speak of at most companies. As long as sitting doesn't bother you, you should be fine.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Thanks guys,
in a years time i should be able to eventually start training. there are a few things i need to wrap up but as far as with my current employer i have nothing tieing me down there other then nine thankless years of working for them. ill be looking into what kinda companies to look for work and start studying the cdl before class. my main ambition is to have steady work and not have to work right next to each other all the time. if ya get my drift. thanks again guys.
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.
Good evening, I will start by saying congratulations on choosing to get your cdl. I can tell you that about 18 months ago I was in a similar place to you, and between doing some research online, talking to a couple of companies and a school in my area, I decided to jump in get first, and not look back, and when I told my boss what I wanted to do, and what the school schedule would be, he even gave me his full support and worked my schedule around school...
now a little history of my situation. in 2009, I had a 25 foot fallwhere I ended up with a broken leg, a compression fracture of my L1 vertebrae, along with other injuries. Which caused me to not be able to return to the job I enjoyed and have been passionate about since 1994, and I found myself unemployed for 2 years before getting a job at a gas station. when I told the admissions person at school about my injuries, he called the doc that did the school's physicals to see if there would be any issues passing the physical, and he said no, as long as I documented it, and I didn't have any restrictions (which I didn't once I got cleared to return to work in 2009).
so my suggestion would be to call a doctor that does DOT physicals, explain your situation, and see what they have to say. the worst thing that will happen is you go get one on your own, they cost $50-$100, and they tell you that you don't pass, and you will be out about $100 and not go through school before you find out and are out the cost of class...
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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Becoming A Truck Driver Health Concerns Sleep Apnea
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hi
i am currenty considering a truck driving career. i have talked to several folks about their careers and i pretty much know how i want to get my cdl which is through a tech school so i dont owe too much money. my question is on the physical requirement part. i recently had back surgery three years ago and i have confirmed sleep apnea but i also use a breathing machine. i dont have any major medications so i think ill be fine there. should a single guy like me consider truck driving with the health conditions that i have. any old and new truckers with advice will be greatly appreciated.
be safe peeps,
aaron
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.