My DOT med card expires in July, normally I wait till that week and retake it.
Well this year our company's policies have changed, now they want you to take it at least 30 days before it expires or it's on your dime!
Ok fine, not a problem.
My problem, last time I went in for it I had to fight with the doctor over sleep apnea, wanted me to take tests for it even though my family doctor cleared me on that months prior to the physical. I won and walked out with my DOT cert. Trust me it was a PIA.
Well since then our company changed medical providers, this new one is pushing the sleep apnea on all our drivers coming through the door. A lot of guys were getting dinged on it. A few of them fought them and the company on it and won but lost time due to being put "out of service" until the paperwork cleared.
Me and my wife have 5 months left of house payments. I've been in trucking now for almost 38 years, been around trucks since 1971. So I kind of hate the trucking industry nowadays and am sooo tired of it! Has really gotten bad trying to keep your cdl anymore and the games the government and companies play is really getting out of hand. I keep telling myself, 2 more years then I'm out!
But that physical had me worried! Wanted to get the house payed for and a bit more $$$ in the bank before I get out! I had no intention of getting dinged with sleep apnea or fighting them on it. Told the wife, If I go in and they try the push, I'm done! Will go flip hamburgers or stock shelves if need be. Least we had some sort of plan if worse case.
Well went in last night after work to get my physical.
To my surprise all went well with no mention of extra tests or even sleep apnea! Doctor was nice as was the staff. Probably one of the nicest physicals I've ever had. Was not even there an hour! Boy did I feel relieved walking out of there!
Good, time to relax!
My DL expires in 2 years as does my DOT cert. Then I am officially old, lazy and done! Lord willing of course.