Will I automatically fail a mega-carrier's DOT physical for a mildly swollen ankle?
Posted by ChoomBurner@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I got a call this past Friday saying I got accepted to Prime's CDL training program to earn my license. I already passed the permit test and a DOT physical, but I know they conduct a more thorough physical at Prime orientation.
I rolled my ankle pretty bad like 6 months ago, but after about a week the pain went away so I never went to a doctor for it. It's been 6 months and the ankle is still noticeably swollen. Would any of you be able to tell me if Prime will send me home for this, even though I have no pain and full range of motion in the ankle?
I watched a thorough YT video that described their physical test step by step and I am fully confident I would be able to check all the boxes. Am I still fucked anyways though?
Thanks for reading and replying.
Elgiard@reddit
I've never had anyone examine my ankles during a DOT physical.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the reply!
SH_SWH@reddit
More to the point, I never did another physical after getting to orientation for Prime. They just took the one I had. That was back in September. The only thing I remember people getting pulled out to do was either another drug test or getting set up for sleep studies.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Oh wow that's nice to hear. Mind if I ask which of the 3 cities you attended your orientation in?
SH_SWH@reddit
I went in PA.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Hopefully it's the same in all 3 🤞
Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit
Swollen balls will be inspected thoroughly.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Nice, hopefully they conduct an oral inspection of them just to be on the safe side!
Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit
That's standard. Isn't it? Please tell me that's standard. Oh fuck.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Haha afterwards you'll hear: "The CME will be in shortly to conduct your DOT physical".
Inside-Finish-2128@reddit
If it’s still swollen, I’d certainly be taking steps to get it looked at.
One option to suggest is called Airrosti. It’s a field of medicine that focuses on reforming blood flow to prior injured tissue. They pride themselves on being able to treat things in 2-5 visits. They’re short (30m with the doc, 30m with a physical therapist who shows you what to do at home as homework towards your next visit) visits, though expect the time with the doc to have short moments of pain; it’s just how it works and as they say, no pain no gain. In the case of your swelling, it could be a situation where it can’t drain properly so this has great potential to resolve that.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
I'll look into that thanks. Haven't had health insurance.
Environmental-Pear40@reddit
It would be really weird if it did. Especially since it's not a permanent injury. But prime is a really weird company so.
I'd say at the very worst you would just have to go into a walk-in clinic/hospital. Somewhere that does x-rays to verify that it is not broken.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Fingers crossed they won't even notice or say anything about it. 🤞
Mindes13@reddit
Depends on what Prime has you do for onboarding.
Schneider used to do an agility test to see if you could do the job, like crawl under trailer, step up multi times, carry weight 53', etc, but they stopped doing that years ago.
Unless prime has people doing those things and the ankle isn't bothering you, you should be good.
Also, don't mention shit about it to anyone, even other drivers. You never know who might be a rat
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Appreciate it. A video YT shows that Prime has you do a few squats, bend down to reach towards your toes, and duck walk for a few steps of all things 🤦🏻♂️. I will be able to do those no problem though.
And yeah I heard there are surprisingly a lot of snitches in trucking. You would think it would be more of a brotherhood since drivers risk their lives with every load they deliver.
Bonnie_Karen@reddit
I wouldn't mention it honestly. You're good.
ChoomBurner@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I heard them have you remove your shoes and socks so that's what I am worried about.