And the plot thickens. I just called to try and get a follicle test done, and was told if you don't have a sample that's at least an inch and half long, alternatively provide a cotton ball size hair sample from another part of your body, they won't be able to perform the test. I'm not bald, but hair just doesn't grow long anymore, they may get 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch max. I typically shave my face clean of hair (save my eyebrows) in the spring and summer and let it grow for warmth in the winter months. So the slow tedious growth process is in the very early stages.
So what would the trucking companies do if they can't get a sample size?
Lu, here's what I recommended earlier to you...
In your situation, I would highly recommend you go to a company that is only doing a urine test.
I think it is still good advice at this point.
So what would the trucking companies do if they can't get a sample size?
When you can't pee or you can't produce a good hair sample it is considered a fail. Don't risk it. Have you noticed I keep stressing don't take this risk? I hope you don't learn this the hard way. All I am trying to do is help you. I am not judging you or trying to discourage you. Reality bites in this career, and there are some realities you don't want to have to face.
My company does hair AND urine test.
HUB group
Hey, y’all. Got out of trucking for a couple years, about to get back into it. Smoked some pot at an end of summer barbecue in August so a hair test is a no go for me until late November at earliest. Who is for sure not doing hair test as of right now? Those of you who are going to lecture me, feel free, but I’m not interested. I’m not a regular drug user by any stretch of the imagination and if that’s not good enough for you, then this question isn’t aimed at you.
Admit the screwup and go get a job driving a forklift for a few months. Then apply. Sorry but measuring hair samples and wondering who does what is trying to game the system.
not happy that Swift is only using automatics, not a deal breaker but I think (perhaps incorrectly) that it would be better career wise to know how to drive a manual.
Partially incorrect. There are companies that have some manuals, but most companies have only the automatic manuals. I much prefer a 13-speed but haven't been in a manual since June 2017. The three companies I've been with since have no manuals at all and will never buy any more of them. Learning on a manual is the least of your worries. Get your experience and you can get your manual restriction rescinded by doing a road test later.
Laura
Thanks that looks like that might be my only option. I can always move in a year when I'm definitely clean. I'm still going to call around to see if anyone anywhere can do my hair follicle test.
Lu, here's what I recommended earlier to you...
In your situation, I would highly recommend you go to a company that is only doing a urine test.
I think it is still good advice at this point.
So what would the trucking companies do if they can't get a sample size?
When you can't pee or you can't produce a good hair sample it is considered a fail. Don't risk it. Have you noticed I keep stressing don't take this risk? I hope you don't learn this the hard way. All I am trying to do is help you. I am not judging you or trying to discourage you. Reality bites in this career, and there are some realities you don't want to have to face.
I'm close to picking Swift for training, though I'm still looking at Wilson and TMC as alternatives, not happy that Swift is only using automatics, not a deal breaker but I think (perhaps incorrectly) that it would be better career wise to know how to drive a manual.
On the subject of automatics, that is really a matter of personal preference. There are an extremely small number of companies that have all-manual fleets. It is unlikely that earning your license with an automatic-only restriction will affect you in a way as to make it difficult to move on from that 1st company after a year, if you choose. I am sure drivers who are currently working in the industry can attest to this with actual experience. I have been following message boards and forums for trucking since 2016, as I was looking at getting my CDL , and I have not seen much in the way of people being held back by an automatic-only restriction.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Operating While Intoxicated
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.
My mentor just told me CRST, has gotten stricter on their hiring process now. They are on the hair follicle testing crew now too !
yes they do.....recently moved to Indy from Seattle....quit smoking....waited till urine was clean...did not know they did hair follicle ...When I applied..found out they did....should not have continued...failed hair test ...
Schneider and USX do hair tests. I think PTI does also.
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By the way I can't remember which company it was, but on the application the question was posed, and I answered truthfully that I last smoked pot in June of 2021. Don't recall if it's one of the 3 I'm looking at now, or perhaps another company that hasn't called me back. My reason for answering truthfully was in reading a lot of posts here it was brought up frequently that those who possess criminal history's or DUI's etc (none of which apply to me) tell the truth.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence