Anyone with Chouest experince new hire has some questions

[franklnooner]

Looks like I will go through the pre-hire at ECO soon and had some questions.

1) Sounds like the Physical can delay or stop some guys from getting in at times. Im in good shape but may have a little high blood pressure at times normally about 125/30 128/32 nothing too high, and no drugs at all.

2) I know to bring in any medical records that indicate prior problems but I really dont have any.
3) Was hoping for some advise the physical process and any suggestions you might have.
4) Also wanted to ask about the temp.Chouest housing for a couple nights while you attend physical and safety. Is it decent, shared? can some one please send whatever you feel will help a new hire.
Thank you

[water]

If you are looking for an alternative, here's one:

http://www.achateauonthebayou.com/

[franklnooner]

Im not looking for alternative, Only Chouest info please.
Frank

[aargh]

The post above was an alternative to ECO housing. The temp housing sucks, that's the only way to put it. There are several hotels within 15 minutes of the ECO office, I recommend the Best Western or the Day's Inn. Good luck with the physical and safety course.


gump....out

[Jeffrox]

The physical consists of (1) a piss test for drugs, then (2) BP. If you fail the BP, game over - come back when your BP is normal. BTW, the BPs you wrote in your initial comment are so low you must be dead - or you typed it wrong
Once you show a normal BP they will give you a (3) Stress Test, you'll tug and pull on an immovable bar that's connected to a PC to check your stress and strength, eat a good breakfast so you don't pass out

There is also a bunch of paperwork to fill out about your medical history, what you put on said paperwork could be a show stopper as discussed on previous posts, ie: back surgery, etc.

I stayed at the Apple Inn I think it's called, it's not the Ritz but was adequate and affordable, the Chouest housing was nasty.

[franklnooner]

Thanks so much for the heads up on the housing mess, Ill stay at a hotel to get a better rest prior to physical. Sorry for the wrong BP. It is somewhere around 125/85 130/90 ofcourse everyones BP goes up and down. Do they give you time to come back and check again? What is the range they want to see?
Any other show stoppers, other then the normal drugs ect. I was thinking of taking some BP lowering medication prior to physical just to make sure???
After the pulling on the rope do they check BP again?
Any other suggestions would be great thank you!!

Also any hotel transpotation to the office from either of the recommended hotels, or anything withing walking distance.
Frank

[Flyer69]

The physical consists of (1) a piss test for drugs, then (2) BP. If you fail the BP, game over - come back when your BP is normal. BTW, the BPs you wrote in your initial comment are so low you must be dead - or you typed it wrong
Once you show a normal BP they will give you a (3) Stress Test, you'll tug and pull on an immovable bar that's connected to a PC to check your stress and strength, eat a good breakfast so you don't pass out

There is also a bunch of paperwork to fill out about your medical history, what you put on said paperwork could be a show stopper as discussed on previous posts, ie: back surgery, etc.

I stayed at the Apple Inn I think it's called, it's not the Ritz but was adequate and affordable, the Chouest housing was nasty.

I have had discs replaced and fused in my neck, but have a clean bill of health... even have a letter from my doc clearing me for structural firefighting, as I am a volunteer firefighter at home. Do you think this could be a show stopper?

[Mr 100-ton]

what gets me is people complains about Chouest housing,,, it is free, if they don't like it why do people still stay there?????????
free food, free housing, free school, and free transportation to and from the office
if you don't like don't stay there IT'S FREE

[franklnooner]

Seems like back problems would be a show stopper. Nicky has mentioned people being turned down for alot less. Anyway i should be fine but preparing all medical records, and doing some testing that they may want to see such as Tread Mill stress test just in case. I have been waiting for this chance for a long time and want to be as prepared as possible. My BP is never more than about 130/92 and Iam told 150/90 or less is what they want to see.

[Capt. Nemo]

Hey Frank,

Don't let the back problems raise your blood pressure! Just go in, be yourself and pass the thing. They'll let you lay there and get it down if your pressure is up. Think happy thoughts.

The back thing is something that can be "pre-existing" or not. It depends on the the injury, remedy and prognosis. That's all the company's bailywick. Employers are understandibly reluctant to hire people with potential problems.

ECO might take the "firefighting" endorsement. I hope so. But your VFD doesn't provide or pay for insurance. ECO does, partly.

Good luck,

Nemo

[curtgetz]

The worst part about staying at ECO housing is that there is no TV, the plastic on the beds, and the feeling of isolation.

The best part is that you get your own room and bath, rooms are always clean, and...it is and FREE.

Use it to your advantage. Eat the free food, enjoy the clean bed/bath, take the free ride to the free school or airport. It is not all that bad.

Curt (OS-Mate ECO)

[Jeffrox]

When I used Chouest housing in about 2000-2001 time frame, what Curtgetz writes was true and I stayed there. When I was there 14 months ago, what I previously wrote in this thread is true, I was offered 2 different rooms and both were nasty. Not complaining, just stating a fact. I didn't like it and I didn't stay there; no complaint, just facts. (Maybe folks that are employed get offered better rooms than those folks that are just applying)

Franklooner:
Don't get worked up about this physical, worrying will raise your BP! As I recall, they gave lots of time/chances for the BP to get lower. No check of BP after the stress/strength test. I rented a car at the NOLA airport for transportation. I hear Viagra will lower your BP

[anchorman]

I've been at Chouest nearly thirteen years. The truth about the housing is it's not that bad. It's not anything that I would ever pay for, but being free, it's not worth turning down for the price. Simply put. I've you're looking for a place to sleep, Stay at housing. If you're looking for continental breakfast, a bar, and a place to relax and catch-up on email, go to the Days Inn. Chouest offers that housing free. The purpose for which the housing was built morphed into a bunk house for shipyard workers and it got ran down pretty ragged and it's cheap constructed, but it's maintained and clean for the most part. Even real hotels get bad ratings around the country and those people had to pay before complaining.

The bright side is Chouest is currently in the process of constructing a crew change facility and bunk house. I looked at the plans over a year ago and it was very, very nice, but construction was put on hold because the contractor wanted $400/ square foot (hurricane price). Dino decided to wait at the time. Now, they have started expanding the training center, build housing, and add a crewchange facility. There will be lounge areas with wireless internet and flat screen televisions throughout displaying crewchange departure and arrival information.

[franklnooner]

Thanks all for the great info. I cant find any hotel that has a shuttle to the clinic/office and I dont want to rent a car so looks like it will have to be the housing for me. I have stayed on some pretty bad vessels in the past so should get by and its only a couple of days. At least your in your own room, and pain alone.

[Jemplayer]

They try and put you in the room by yourself, but I have had guys walk in at 2 am before for a morning crew change. But he came in got his stuff done as fast and quietly as possible and that was that.

They do keep the boat guys to gather and everyone is respectful of each other when you do end up having to buck with somebody.

[Capt_Anonymous]

I have had discs replaced and fused in my neck, but have a clean bill of health... even have a letter from my doc clearing me for structural firefighting, as I am a volunteer firefighter at home. Do you think this could be a show stopper?

Old back problems were a show stopper for Shellback with ECO.

[Shellback]

Old back problems were a show stopper for Shellback with ECO.

Yep, it stopped me with Chouest and Otto Candies..They both use the same medical facility by the way,as the majority of the companies there do..Once they have you in their system and have you red flagged, you're screwed........

.My surgery was 10 years old..never had a re-occurance of any kind and had letters from my Dr's giving me zero limitations or disabilities....This did not matter..These Dr's are there to protect their clients,make no mistake about it..They don't want to inherit any pre-existing condions of any kind...

Otto Candies told me that if my Dr. could convince their Dr to pass me through ,they would be happy with that...My Dr,a ( neuro sugeon) tried..Their Dr., didn't care and wasn't about to put his ass on the line when he didn't have to..


But it's not the end !! I came close to throwing in the towel,persistence pays off...

As was mentioned earlier, I read that when it comes to Blood Pressure..You can elevate your BP by as much as 10-20 points just by thinking about it...

I new a guy who was border line and everytime he had a physical he would walk or jog for 20 minutes about a hour before the physical..get his endorfins up and it helped him relax enough to pass...Just a thought..

[seadawg]

had a similar bp problem w/ taking physicals..the nurse called it "whitecoat syndrome"..every morning now I cardio-walk 2.5miles/45mins..no more problems w/ bp or physicals..strongly reccommend it!
good luck w/ ECO..I understand working for them is "not for everyone"?

[Capt. Nemo]

Nevermind.

[Capt_Anonymous]

Take Vitamin B6. It is great for helping regulate blood pressure. Using that, walking every day and eating better got me completely off blood pressure meds.