Sorry to tell you but if he's on depression meds no trucking company is gonna touch him

Really? He had some sort of waiver that the psychologist had to fill out when he got out of school - something to do with the state (it was a long freakin form, I'll tell you that!) and one local place offered him a job when they got the form back, but it was only part-time, so he decided to go with his parents and the $16/hr.

Anybody know anything else about this? More detail? Because if there's no point, then I'll stop pushing this issue - but geez, what a waste of $4,000! They can send him into a warzone on meds, but not in a truck? (Not trying to be snarky, it's just a weird weird world we live in...)

I've been thinking about this over the last few days, and somehow we'll be okay. It might be a couple of years, but I'll end up with my teaching degree, and when our youngest is in kindergarten I'll start working again. It's just such a stressful struggle right now. I just hate trying to talk to him about things and having him get defensive and angry and run away from the conversation. I'm the kind of person who wants to hash something out and get it over with. He tends to blow up and never finish confrontations - which leaves me irritated because of things left unresolved.

If I could, I'd take you all out and buy you a round to show my appreciation for your information and helping to put things in a bit more perspective for me. [squishy hugs]

Not true. As long as the meds do not have a sedative effect they can be taken.

Ok I'll rephrase that.........MOST companies won't touch him. It will be a lot tougher getting hired being on depression meds but there are probably places he could get hired. They just don't want to take the chance of someone depressed at the control of an 80,000lb rocket.

How's he feel about re-enlisting?

With the enormous amounts of the population on depression meds, I would think that the trucking industry would be no different, how could "most companies" not touch him? If that were the case there would a bigger shortage of drivers than there is now. If anything truckers would be more prone to depression with the long time away from home, stress, etc.

IMO TMC, for one, would decline his application. They pass on anyone REQUIRING any form of medication to be "normal".

Tattoo... I didn't mean to burst your bubble here....but this job is hard, there's just no way around it and for the most part, the first year pay sucks. That's just the realities and you'll get enough BS from recruiters and such, you don't need to get it from here.

I apologize that I didn't' even think about the responsibilities you faced being in the military......you've been there, done that and mostly likely have the t-shirt. So the at home time factor most likely won't be any problem for you.

Still, the mental aspects are there and to be quite honest with you, if your husband can't stand up to his momma, he won't make it out on the road.

I think your plan to contact his old psychologist is a good first step. There is something going on there and it ain't right. It's that or he just needs a good kick in the ass.

I'd have to say to your husband........buddy, if you're having problems that stem from your tour of duty, get help, you've earned it and it's there.
IF that's not the problem, then you need to cowboy up and get your gear in order. It's time to put away the toys and start being the man you're suppose to be, otherwise, you will end up losing your wife and kids. Love is strong, but it does have it's limits and your wife's posting have more than a few subtle hints that you're close.

Pain and heartaches aren't options in life.......misery is a choice we make.
That goes for you and your wife........I hope you make a wise choice.

I'm not saying it's fair. I'm just saying thats how the trucking companies look at it. Depression is a big red flag for them.

Most good companies that give a rats butt about safety will not accept someone on any antidepressants. Maverick and TMC will not accept it. But there is a whole lot more to those companies like securement of loads. If your frame of mind is not on your job, there is a lot more room for error. If he knows HVAC, use that. I would think one could make more money doing that locally than driving a truck locally. And the ultimate goal for 95% of us on the road is to find a good local job once we have ample enough experience to get the good local job. [/url]