Making A Change

Hello, I’m new here because I’m new to the trucking industry. This website is awesome, so much good info. I’m making a career change after 20 years being in aerospace. I’ve always been drawn to OTR trucking so call it a midlife thing or whatever but I’m leaving the current career and diving in head first into trucking. So I’m looking at either Knight or swift to enroll into their CDL program, driver training and then solo for one of the other. I’ve spoken to recruiters and everything sounds good and basically what I’m looking for and I qualify in every category to start this, however I do have a question and concern I’d like to ask.. Is there anybody on here that has just recently started at one of these two companies that can tell me about the hair follicle test? I’m no druggy or anything like that but I did however partake in an illegal substance about 3 months ago. That was just a one and done thing. I do occasionally during a beer or 2 every few days but will easily stop that once I start. I’m just worried about the hair test and if 90 days is enough to come back negative? How far back does Knight and/or Swift go with this test? Also can I do the tests here and be cleared before I leave to CDL school with them? I’ll be quitting a very good paying job to do this and would hate to get there and fail the hair test. Thanks for any info I can get!

Hello Mike, and welcome to our forum!

You haven't made it clear which illegal substance you used. That could be key in answering your question.

I can tell you this. You do not want to fail that test. Here's another current conversation we are having concerning The Use Of Weed.

I recommend you read it and give us some clear response about what substance you're concerned with.

Oh sorry about that.. As far as weed goes, I haven't smoked that in 20 years. I did eat a few consumables about 2 years ago but that's it. As far as what I did a few months ago it was actually cocaine. Like I said in the original post, it was just a one time episode.

Thanks for the link I'll read up on it.

Hello Mike, and welcome to our forum!

You haven't made it clear which illegal substance you used. That could be key in answering your question.

I can tell you this. You do not want to fail that test. Here's another current conversation we are having concerning The Use Of Weed.

I recommend you read it and give us some clear response about what substance you're concerned with.

Mike, I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable will see this. We've got a few members who really understand how the hair tests work. Give this a few days to get some more exposure. Sometimes things are slow here on the weekends. I'm confident somebody here can help you with this.

I’m not going really deep on this, but the short answer is “ maybe”.

Hair tests can reach back along way. Not all bodies are created equal. My best advice is to Cut/shave all hair and let it grow back. The longer the sample the further back it will read. 90 days may be enough time, or maybe not. A one time event will not generate the same result as a long time user for sure. 180 days would certainly be better.

While I can't offer too much help on the hair tests, from what I've seen on here in questions and people's experiences, I'd go at least 6 months as a minimum.

In regards to Knight, they tested me both hair and urine prior to hiring, keep in mind that with them, you're an employee before you start school, it's a bit different than many other companies. I was tested in school and training, both hair and urine, as well as a few times after. It's random.

Given the seriousness of testing industry wide, I can not stress the importance of making sure its been long enough that you don't fail.

Will do, thank you Old School..

Mike, I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable will see this. We've got a few members who really understand how the hair tests work. Give this a few days to get some more exposure. Sometimes things are slow here on the weekends. I'm confident somebody here can help you with this.

Mike, consider getting a test done independently to see what the results are before you get into the company system. You pay for the test but as I understand it, the results are completely confidential.

If you test positive be ready to wait at least 6 months and then do the independent test again to be 100% certain.

Thanks a lot for your guys’ advice on this, I’ve decided to hold off another 3 months and do what BK suggested and pay to have an independent test done after the 6 month period. In the mean time I’ll be studying my butt off on here learning as much as I can from high road so that when it’s time I’ll go get my CDP and endorsements. I’m super excited about this career change, I just want to make sure I do everything right. Thanks again guys!