Originally Posted by ssccrab

Could anyone tell me how in the world you would fail the Work Well Test?? I was just over at a friends, who has a Smith Multi Home Gym in the basement, which is where I've been working out at. The walls are lined with shelves too (makes for great practice). I loaded up a milk crate-like basket with 50, then 75lbs and rehearsed lifting onto the shelves, and walking with the weights. Maybe it's just different for everyone, but it was pretty easy for me. Sure it's a little work, but it's not hard with determination. The 100lbs push/pull was also pretty easy to accomplish. I guess much of it is cardio as well, which also should be in good shape. Just had to get that out there... I'm done, hah.

You might already know this, but...

Don't forget blood pressure. You could be strong, energetic, young, and feel great, and have high blood pressure. If it's high, get to doctors, get on meds, and get a Dr's note. The limit is 140/90.

Also, it sounds like they check your heart rate while doing the Work Well, so some cardio work would probably be a good idea for some. With your age, you're probably fine.

Hey Chipperdawg (or anyone), do they need our birth certificates? and do they need 4 references with addresses (not relatives)?

I'm having problems finding my B Cert. I have a SS card.

Originally Posted by ssccrab

Yeah, I heard the security interview was a big deal there. I'm glad I at least don't have anything to worry about as far as that, lol. So do you have any pointers for passing the work well test? Was it all pretty strenuous..? Good luck today, I hope everything goes well!

Work well test is going to be pretty easy for people who aren't short and aren't terribly weak. (I'm short... I struggled a bit. Metal Milk crates were difficult to hold on to if you have sweaty palms!)

Originally Posted by ssccrab

Could anyone tell me how in the world you would fail the Work Well Test?? I was just over at a friends, who has a Smith Multi Home Gym in the basement, which is where I've been working out at. The walls are lined with shelves too (makes for great practice). I loaded up a milk crate-like basket with 50, then 75lbs and rehearsed lifting onto the shelves, and walking with the weights. Maybe it's just different for everyone, but it was pretty easy for me. Sure it's a little work, but it's not hard with determination. The 100lbs push/pull was also pretty easy to accomplish. I guess much of it is cardio as well, which also should be in good shape. Just had to get that out there... I'm done, hah.

You'll be fine. The people who failed were older ladies... There were probably more... but people were leaving so fast that I couldn't keep track.

Originally Posted by ChromeDome

Hey Chip, don't sweat the small stuff.
And its all small stuff....lol

Driving a truck is not exactly easy, but for the most part not extremly hard eather. Getting the skills down for proper shifting, turning, breaking and backing are what takes time and is the real safety factor.
I respect when someone goes into it with a little fear. This is a good thing. The ones that go into it thinking it will be a cake walk are the ones that scare me and are a danger.

A few drivers here and there get into accidents as students or right when they finish training. Most of these accidents are minor and the parking lot type.
The big accidents occur in the 6 month to 2 year time frame.
This is when some drivers get over confident. They think they have it all down and know it all. This causes issues.
Also long time drivers like myself get into a ton of very bad accidents. As soon as a driver looses a health respect for the road and the truck he/ she is a danger. You always have to respect the road, mother nature, and the size/ weight of your truck.
If you loose that you are an accident waiting to happen.

I think the miles should start to go up for you guys some soon. The biggest issue is just to #### many trucks on the road driving down rates. Though with low rates will come some lower prices for consumers and maybe more goods being purchased.

Lastly for you guys in school.
Keep your heads up, no looking at the ground. As they said in the Army "there is no discharge on the ground"
If you have a respect for the truck and pay attention you can do well.
And a little hint if shifting gets the best of you. Shift using your fingertips.
You cannot grind a gear or force it using your fingers, and it allows you to feel the slot better. If it does not go where you think it should, let the RPMs drop a hair more, if that is not it then bring them up and try again. No big deal. Nobody can shift 10 gears correctly the first time.
Though if you listen to the instructor, and shift at the RPM they tell you to, it is pretty easy.

Good luck. If you have questions then put them here. With a few of you in class I will try to read these every day, and I know that JJ will also.
If we can make your training there easyer with tips here we will. You are sort of a number there, you are a person here.

Thanks Chrome... I appreciate the pep-talk and the advice greatly!

Originally Posted by Linebacker51

You might already know this, but...

Don't forget blood pressure. You could be strong, energetic, young, and feel great, and have high blood pressure. If it's high, get to doctors, get on meds, and get a Dr's note. The limit is 140/90.

Also, it sounds like they check your heart rate while doing the Work Well, so some cardio work would probably be a good idea for some. With your age, you're probably fine.

Actually, the BP cuttoff is 159/99 for a 1 year DOT card, the Dr. checks that in the physical. They also come around first thing with an electronic gizmo and check everybody's while you do paperwork. So it gets checked twice. Mine was 126/92 which is higher than I like it... but the Dr. also realizes that you are stressed, tired, and probably ready to kill over any minute... Yes, they do keep track of your heart rate.

Originally Posted by Iceman87

Question 1: How long after I begin my solo career can a passenger be permitted to ride along? IE: 60/90 day probation period, etc.
A1: None. A passenger can ride as soon as driver picks up solo truck.

Q2: Are there any requirements for passengers? IE: age, insurance, etc.
A2: The passenger must be 18 (which, last I checked, my wife meets). A driver must fill out a form and submit to HR for insurance on passenger. Fee is $11/mo.

Q3: How long can a passenger ride for consecutively? (Since we'll essentially be living on the truck, I can't have a "3 weeks at a time" rule).
A3: None. The passenger can ride with the driver indefinitely.

Q4: How many miles does each truck average?
A4: Right now they are averaging between 2500-3200 miles/week.

Q5: Can a driver drive the truck while on personal time? (Seeing as we'll be living in the truck, we'll be taking our "home time" in whatever large city or even small city is in the vacinity. I wanted to know if a driver can use his truck to drive around town bobtailing or if s/he had to depend on taxis, etc.)
A5: Unknown. The recruiter didn't know the answer. I am hoping some of you can chime in here.

Q6: As a company driver, who pays for gas, maintenance, repairs, tolls, lumper fees, etc?
A6: The company pays for everything. (I asked again, to make sure. "Including gas?" His response was yes. Is that true?)

Q7: When does health insurance kick in and is it free? Does a driver need personal insurance on him/herself or the passenger?
A7: Insurance kicks in after 90 days and for a family is $80/wk. No personal driver or passenger insurance is necessary.

Q8: Are personal touches allowed to company owned vehicles? (Personal touches being defined as fridges, microwaves, etc.)
A8: Yes. They are allowed.

If any of you could chime in as to the true or falseness of the above Q&A I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks again.
Iceman
(Sorry, I have a penchant for rambling)

From what I have heard today is this: Yes you can have passengers day 1 after you go solo. They have to be 10 or up for summer or 18 othertimes. Trucker cannot drive the truck on personal time. If you live within 50 miles (or maybe its 40?) you don't get to take the truck home on hometime. They DO require that you have a physical address... this could be family that agrees to let you "stay" with them.
That's about all I know.
Good luck!


DAY 2
Is pretty much classroom time... taking practice tests and such. We need to know chapters 1,2,3,5,6 for our test tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Iceman87

Okay so I just got off the phone with a Central recruiter. Now, keeping in mind that I just got out of the military so I am FULLY AWARE of the cocomamy BS recruiters come up, I wanted to run it all by you before I submit my application and jump into trucking with Central.

Before I go on, let me first state my situation. Having just separated from the military, my wife and I have spent a significant portion of our lives apart. Not interested in continuing the trend, we are thinking about putting our belonging (those that can't be sold, donated, etc.) into storage so as she may ride with me as a passenger. "Oh, but Iceman, you'd make so much more as a team driver," I can hear you all saying. Trust me, I have seen the number breakdowns, I know. Unfortunately, my wife drives a Scion xB (you know...those boxes/toasters on wheels) and she thinks THAT is too big and scary. There is no way in H*LL that she will be comfortable driving a rig. So she will be passenger.

Now that that's out of the way...onto the questions I asked the recruiter.
Question 1: How long after I begin my solo career can a passenger be permitted to ride along? IE: 60/90 day probation period, etc.
A1: None. A passenger can ride as soon as driver picks up solo truck.

Q2: Are there any requirements for passengers? IE: age, insurance, etc.
A2: The passenger must be 18 (which, last I checked, my wife meets). A driver must fill out a form and submit to HR for insurance on passenger. Fee is $11/mo.

Q3: How long can a passenger ride for consecutively? (Since we'll essentially be living on the truck, I can't have a "3 weeks at a time" rule).
A3: None. The passenger can ride with the driver indefinitely.

Q4: How many miles does each truck average?
A4: Right now they are averaging between 2500-3200 miles/week.

Q5: Can a driver drive the truck while on personal time? (Seeing as we'll be living in the truck, we'll be taking our "home time" in whatever large city or even small city is in the vicinity. I wanted to know if a driver can use his truck to drive around town bob tailing or if s/he had to depend on taxis, etc.)
A5: Unknown. The recruiter didn't know the answer. I am hoping some of you can chime in here.

Q6: As a company driver, who pays for gas, maintenance, repairs, tolls, lumper fees, etc?
A6: The company pays for everything. (I asked again, to make sure. "Including gas?" His response was yes. Is that true?)

Q7: When does health insurance kick in and is it free? Does a driver need personal insurance on him/herself or the passenger?
A7: Insurance kicks in after 90 days and for a family is $80/wk. No personal driver or passenger insurance is necessary.

Q8: Are personal touches allowed to company owned vehicles? (Personal touches being defined as fridges, microwaves, etc.)
A8: Yes. They are allowed.

If any of you could chime in as to the true or falseness of the above Q&A I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks again.
Iceman
(Sorry, I have a penchant for rambling)

Your Wife can join you on the truck as soon as you upgrade, Fees are $125.00 a year.

Passenger indefinitely is true!

As everyone has said the miles vary anywhere from 1500-3000 miles.

As a company driver you DON'T pay for Tolls, any fuel, Scale tickets, Lumpers or Pallets.

You can buy a power inverter and just have the shop install it to run your electrical things.

Insurance is pretty reasonable and its through United.

I'm pretty sure you can't use a Company truck to drive around sight seeing, They wouldn't care if you went to walmart if you are going past one.