Out Of The Truck
Topic 28240 | Page 3
Man, Mr. Mudge... praying for you and yours. It's been ups and downs at my house lately, too. The place where my M.I.L. stays calls at least once a month, and says somebody there (staff usually) tested positive...but by court order, we can't get her out. (Husband's brother got hit w/neglect; sadly.)
I'm just stopping by to wish you well, good sir.
Tom's extra 5th wheel puller makes for a great fire poker, if that helps. . . sorry.
Heal as you can, good man.
~ Anne ~
Well, for the second time in my working life, and "59dot1" years of life, I'm gonna get fired from a job. The word they use is "Terminate". The last job I got fired from was Tellabs, Inc. on June 4, 1982. In that case, I went from drinking and partying with the guys, to being in charge of the guys. Didn't make the transition to supervision well, and ultimately transitioned to the unemployment line. My fault, and as the tattoo says "No Regerts". Met the love of my life at my next job, six years later came to realize that fact and we're still happily married, career as LEO for almost 30, and then on to this life of wonderment and delight.
My neurosurgeon is holding fast on the six month (minimum) timeline before I can be 'restriction free' for a return to work. That means mid-December. My FMLA and authorized leave time-frame is up in 10 days. That will be my last day with the outfit. That really sucks.
The bright side is that they have told me that 1) if I'm declared restriction free within 90 days of my termination date, and 2) I reapply for employment through the normal process, and 3) I "check all of the boxes" (drug screen, MVR , CQH, background, medical) they will consider me for reinstatement. No loss of benefits. No reduction in pay. It'll be like I never left. So, I've got that going for me.... which is nice. My terminal manager is emphatic that he wants me to come back - demonstrating those things I learned from my dad about working for someone and what you do as part of that contract, riding for the brand if you will, pays off. Yet, I'm unhappy.
I'm not unhappy that they'll take me back if the MD says "Good to Go". I'm just unhappy that I've gotten to this point. How did I get this old? 
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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.
Fm:
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.MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I'm sorry to hear that things aren't progressing as quickly as you'd like. Its unfortunate your employer is going to part ways but atleast the door is open to return. I hope you feel better soon!
You're going to land back on your feet, as I did! I was off the road for 5 months and it seemed like forever, too.
Everything is temporary and This too shall pass come to mind.
Hoping you all had a great Christmas, and that this update finds you well and 'Rona free. Also, wishing all y'all safe travels in the snow mess going on tonite up here in the Midwest. Hopefully you'll all find a place to safely park and rest.
Monday the 21st was NOT what I had hoped it would be. Imaging reveals that between September and December, the screws in my C3 vertebrae broke, mid screw. The heads are in the process of backing out. I go back in January for additional imaging, to see if there is continued regression of the screw heads.
The MD said that if I told him I absolutely had to go back to work, he would put me in a hard collar and give me a return to work note. Ya. Not happening - doubt I could get that past a DOT Medical Examiner. Not too sure I would WANT too...
I'm not much of a church guy, but if y'all are spiritual in any way (Allah, Dagda, God, Moradin, Odin, The Great Tree, etc) I sure could use some positive energy sent this way.
Wishing you all a productive and prosperous New Year. Peace!
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.
Wow Brother...
Sorry for that bad stroke of luck there.
Just sent some vibes your way - found HE listens MORE, if you ask for good stuff for OTHER PEOPLE (rather than yourself).
Please keep us posted on your progress. Looks like you might have to ease up on the PT, until a direction is decided upon. I had this happen to a friend, they went back in and replaced the screws (rather than have them floating around, and the hardware deciding to move). He said it was way less intrusive than the initial surgery, and the recovery time was a lot quicker.
Yah - don't think a DOT Med Examiner would take you in a hard collar. You'd have to demonstrate a fairly decent "range of motion", and that ain't happening in a collar.
Rick
As a side note: for folks who are going through stuff like this, when you are temporarily "medically disqualified" - you can go to your DMV (in Florida, you can do it online) and elect: Intrastate Exempt - for your medical certification (versus Interstate Non-Exempt). This allows you to keep your CDL without having to DOWNGRADE, and then go through the hoops to upgrade back when you become medically qualified again. You just CANNOT DRIVE a CMV (unless you are doing something that ACTUALLY IS "Intrastate Exempt"). Just don't ever get caught driving Non-Exempt in this status - same as operating a CMV without a CDL - disqualifying offense.
I've got a cataract in one eye, that nearly failed me 2 years ago, probably fail me this year - insurance wants me to be nearly blind before they'll cover it. Since I'm not driving ANYWAYS - probably just go exempt and bypass the ME until I get everything back up to snuff.
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Mr C so sorry to hear this update. Our prayers are with you sir!!! Wishing you a much better New Year Sir!!! Keep the faith...
Sorry to hear of this latest bump in the road for you. Everything happens for a reason, and according to His plan, not ours.
May 2021 be a resumption of normalcy for you. Continued prayers going up for you.
Sorry to hear of this latest bump in the road for you. Everything happens for a reason, and according to His plan, not ours.
May 2021 be a resumption of normalcy for you. Continued prayers going up for you.
And a return to "normalcy" for EVERYONE.
I don't even remember WTH that looks like anymore...
Rick
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DOT Physical Exemptions Health Concerns Return-to-Duty Trucker's Family Matters
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Was out in the garage yesterday, and saw a forlornly sad sight. My well used and paint worn fifth wheel handle puller hanging on the front of a shelf.
It was kind of a self portrait, in a very obscure way. For all y'all that have been through injury and rehab process, wanting to get back to the normal / regular / working life, you'll know what I mean.
That said, I'm staying upbeat. The physical therapy is doing (in my opinion anyway) EXACTLY what it is supposed to do. I'm sore, badly achy, and muscularly tired. Aaaaand, the range of motion measurements have all increased by about 10 degrees in the two weeks I've been doing it.
Got the word this morning that a coworker of my son tested positive for the 'rona on a quick test. Boyo and I were out for lunch on Friday. He was tested via nasal swab two days ago by the NIU Grad School as part of their normal process. Waiting to see what his results are...