passing the physical at maverick?

Discussion in 'Maverick' started by chevrolet_gt, Jul 7, 2013.

  1. chevrolet_gt

    chevrolet_gt Bobtail Member

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    Backstory

    I crushed my ankle when I was 15 in a car wreck(actually only crushed my fibula and cracked the tibia). I had a plate with 7 screws on the fibula and 2 pins in the tibia, 2 years later I had the plate and screws removed but I still have the pins. I have arthritis in my ankle so there are times when it hurts so I have a limp at times which is one reason why I quit throwing trash at Waste Management. My ankle has never interfered with my ability to drive because it takes some weight to cause any pain if I'm going to be in pain(it varies, mostly with the weather or if I've been on it for a long time). The main problem I have with my ankle is being on it for long periods of time, like you would be if you were working in a factory, especially with standing in one place for a long time. For an example, I spend 5 hours walking around the Columbus Zoo with my family for one of my children's school field trips. Later that day after we got home I did get pretty sore and broke out the cane. The next day hurt the most but I could still get around with the cane. I think most of my predisposition to pain in my ankle is from not being as physical as I used to be, remember I used to be a trashman which required me literally running 50+ feet per stop at 200 to 600+ stops per day. School hasn't helped me get moving to much because it requires lots of hours at the desk studying or writing programs. School isn't working out because I'm losing my funding soon and I need that to pay the rent or I need to work, plus my wife just isn't making enough to cover what my loans don't. I can drive, I have a valid CDL but not a whole lot of experience. I'm going to get my own DOT physical done before I go that way there are no unseen problems once I get to an orientation.

    Issue

    Maverick recruiters have seemed to have an interest in me, more so than some other company recruiters, and their company doesn't seem to look too bad compared to others. The only thing I'm worried about is how picky they seem to be about their drivers physical condition. I can still climb up and down things and my agility will increase with time once I start to work again. Outside of gaining about 80 lbs since I quit Waste Management I'm not in too bad of health and any issues that might cause me to fail a DOT physical, like blood pressure, I will have taken care of before I go to orientation. I'd rather spend money on a physical than get sent home. How does their physical go outside of the normal DOT stuff? What are they looking for that could disqualify you? How much information should I trust from the recruiter? With what you have read about my condition should I stop considering Maverick?

    I'm more interested in Mavericks Refer division but not opposed to doing any of their other divisions. I prefer refer because it is less likely to be effected by economic recessions which help to increase job security. Simple fact is I need a job and I want to drive truck for that job and because of my ankle driving is just about the perfect occupation for me because I'm off my feet most of the time. I'm not opposed to manual labor, I wouldn't mind doing some hard work here and there, just not to the point that I'm in pain all the time. I've passed other DOT physicals in the past with my ankle but I just can't afford to spend money and time going to a company that is just going to send me home because they don't "think" I can do the job.
     
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  3. jxu417

    jxu417 Road Train Member

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    If Maverick is interested in inviting you to orientation- JUMP AT THAT OPPORTUNITY MAN!! Seriously. Anyways, about your concerns over the Maverick Physical. Yes, it is more stringent than probably 98% of all other companies, it sounds like you would do OK. For a very recent day by day account of the orientation which second day of is the physical (and then day to day account of Barn training and Glass training- which I realize may be where you stop losing interest if you are only looking at TCD) then read Razor's thread: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/maverick/202583-my-maverick-experience.html . And there is JimTheHut's classic 2+ year account starting from day one: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../101564-heading-for-little-rock-maverick.html . And for all of the common threads that we Mavericks post on every day, save this link: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/maverick/ . Feel free to post on any of them, and there are lots of us from every division that will be happy to answer your questions. Again, if you are LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ONE OF THE THOUSANDS WHO APPLIES TO MAVERICK-AND THEY GIVE YOU A SHOT TO GO TO ORIENTATION- DO NOT PASS IT UP. Good luck and keep us posted!
     
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  4. sewerman

    sewerman Road Train Member

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    before you go to maverick make sure you get a letter from your doctor saying that you are able to work with no limitation.
     
  5. chevrolet_gt

    chevrolet_gt Bobtail Member

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    And what if there is a limitation but one that doesn't effect my ability to drive?
     
  6. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    Maverick's physical is more detailed and intense than any other company I have ever encountered. But, it's not as bad as a lot of people claim. I'll try to tell you the important things that I remember from it and give you advice as I can.

    First of all - don't bother getting your own DOT physical. Maverick will not accept it, you will still be required to take theirs. I had two valid DOT physical cards when I came here, I still had to do the same one again. So don't waste your time and money there.

    Second - If Maverick is willing to extend an orientation invitation to you, that's a big deal. Way bigger than at the mega carriers like Swift and Prime. On average, Maverick receives over 34,000 driver applications every year, and typically less than 900 of those are accepted for orientation. If you get an invitation, you have surpassed the VERY strict requirements that Maverick imposes on new drivers. So congratulate yourself there if you have, in fact, received an invitation.

    Now, the aside from the basic DOT required physical, the rest is an all day process and there is a lot involved. To be honest, I don't know if you'll have any problems or not. For the majority of it, your ankle problems probably won't come into play, but there is one part that may cause you an issue, but I'll tell you about it and you can determine if it may cause you issues.

    After the basic DOT physical, you'll go into a room where they'll have several things set up for you to do. I don't remember the exact order, but here is everything.

    - You'll be required to use a stairmaster and walk up and down it for 3 minutes. Step up, step down, repeat. After 3 minutes, your pulse will be measured to make sure that you're not on the verge of a heart attack.
    - You'll be required to lift several weights in different ways. I believe it's something like 80 lbs to waist level, and 110 lbs to ankle level, and a couple other things. If you were slinging trash for WM you should do fine here.
    - You'll lay down on a massage table and a guy (don't know his actual job title) will test your leg strength and range of motion. Again, if you worked for WM, you'll do fine here I would imagine.

    Next, you'll go out into the barn, where you'll do the next series of events.

    - You'll have to climb up from the ground onto a flatbed trailer, stand up fully, and then climb off of it without falling. You cannot jump off, you must climb down backwards, facing the trailer.
    - You'll be required to climb onto the top of a 6ft high plywood box which is sitting on a trailer, used to simulate a load on a flatbed. You'll be able to use two tarps as steps, which reduces the climbing height to about 4ft. The boxes have straps on it that you can grab onto to pull yourself up. You'll then need to climb down in the same manner as the trailer.
    - You'll have to walk a small beam that's a couple feet off the ground and only wide enough to walk one foot in front of the other. Basically a balance test.
    - You'll have to be able to drag at least 80 lbs behind you, simulated using an 80 lb bag with a rope. You sling the rope over your shoulder and drag the bag behind you.

    And finally, you'll go into one of the classrooms where several ladies will sit you down in a chair and test the range of motion of each and every one of your joints. If your ankle gives you a problem, this is where it'll likely be. They'll twist and turn each of your joints (ankle, knee, elbow, wrist, neck, etc.) and determine what your range of motion is. I assume they have minimum requirements, but I don't know what they are, they pretty much just tell you if you passed or failed.

    This physical is actually geared towards flatbed and glass drivers, but TCD (temp controlled division) drivers must pass it as well, as far as I know. When I was originally hired, it was for glass, but my fear of heights caused me problems, so I switched to TCD.

    So, here is some info and advice I will give you regarding the whole thing:

    - You will not be out any money for attending orientation and trying, aside from your own food and personal expenses. Maverick will pay for your bus ticket to North Little Rock, and will pay for you to go home if you don't pass. You won't end up stranded. If you don't take the bus and find your own way there, they will reimburse you whatever the cost of the bus ticket would have been.

    - I may be incorrect about this, other drivers may know for sure, but if you attend orientation, you're paid $550. I believe you still receive that salary if you fail for an uncontrollable medical reason (your ankle, blood pressure, etc) but your salary is forfeited if you fail the drug test or get sent home because you're being a jerk. HOWEVER, I may be incorrect about this part, so don't take it to heart.

    - Bring ALL paperwork and documentation related to your ankle with you. Be sure to bring any paperwork that states that your ankle does not affect your ability to operate a CMV if you have any.

    - Don't use the term "reefer" at the terminal. It's TCD, or refrigeration unit. They don't like what else it refers to, I suppose. Which is funny, because they call it a "reefer" on the Qualcomm once you're on the road LOL.

    - The recruiters at Maverick are held to very high standards. They will not lie to you - doing so is instant termination. You can trust what your recruiter is telling you.

    - With your ankle, I would stay away from flatbed and glass, because your potential for injury is MUCH higher. There's no reason in setting yourself up for a life altering injury if you don't have to. Stick to TCD with something like that. Besides, we're the better guys at Maverick anyways ;)

    - If there is a limitation on your ankle, get a note from your doctor explicitly stating that it does NOT affect your ability to operate a CMV.


    If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, or you can PM me if you'd like. I check this site several times daily. I can tell you anything you want to know about TCD if you have any questions related to that.

    By the way, whereabouts do you live? You wanna make sure you're in the TCD hiring area before wasting any time.
     
  7. chevrolet_gt

    chevrolet_gt Bobtail Member

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    I live in Ohio. Really I've only talked to a recruiter through email as my phone is shut off at the moment and I have to wait until I'm in town to use my parents phone. I'll be talking to the recruiter about my ankle, the last time the doctor looked at my ankle he said there was about a 10% loss in movement. WM wore me out and that is one reason why I'm not with them anymore(they wouldn't transfer me to commercial frontload or rolloff, even knowing I had ankle problems. Instead they game me one more route to do on top of my usual 5.) I plan on getting my DOT because I want to make sure that I don't have any unforeseen health problems before I go, and the waste of time going to another state only to be turned away is more than I can afford, I have a family to support and the money I will receive at the end of September will only go so far.

    If you haven't read my previous posts I will add some important information about my past experience that I should have included in my backstory. My last OTR experience was with a trainer back in 2002. I had just come off the road with my trainer and was taking the written solo test when they told us to stop and go home. The company had to cease all operations for a bankruptcy or something along those lines, I think Celadon bought them or something. After I got home I took the next driving job that came my way(or any job really) and WM was the first to bite. Problem is I only drove class B type trucks while at WM. I have enough confidence that I could drive tractor/trailer again, it like riding a bike, just have to take it slow at first until you get your balance again. My work ethic and attitude has changed a lot since then as well(I was young). CR England has a spot saved for me in October but from all the bad reviews I'm looking for better companies but I don't want to blow any opportunities that are a for sure thing(or at least more likely for sure). I can learn to do just about anything and I can excel at almost anything I do once I know what I'm doing(one reason they kept me in residential at WM was because I was one of, if not, the best). I just need the chance to do it. That's why I'm not so worried about CRE, I just don't like the pay scale they have, its a little low.

    Still, they looked at my work history, which is mostly driving class B at WM plus a taxicab for 4 years until October of last year, and want to talk to me so that must not be an issue with them.
     
  8. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    You'll be coming in as a student at Maverick, so you'll have to go out with a trainer for 4 to 5 weeks, since you don't have recent Class A experience. But you definitely have the right attitude to work here.

    I'd say give it a shot, you have nothing to lose! Keep in mind that TCD is out for a minimum of 2 weeks, unlike the regional flatbed drivers. And don't be surprised to be out 3 weeks at least, just FYI.
     
  9. chevrolet_gt

    chevrolet_gt Bobtail Member

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    I was expecting the trainer OTR anywhere I go because of that, but I don't have to go through an actual school again do I? Is that X3 at the end of your name for the game by any chance?
    I'm not too worried about the time out. I understand that part of the job and will probably enjoy it, I need a break from everyone. I am curious though, how soon after you go solo do you get home time?
    I think the nearest terminal to me is in Middleton, OH which is a few hours away, I think. Do you get to take the truck home with you? Bobtail? I don't have room for a trailer where I live(not unless I do some major landscaping of the front yard lol). But I can back the tractor into the driveway. I know my last trainer would drop his trailer at a parking lot, he had permission, a few miles down the road.
     
  10. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    Our "terminal" in Ohio is really kind of an unmanned drop yard the last time I heard. I've never been there myself.

    Typically you'll get some hometime either while you're with your trainer, or if he doesn't live near you, they'll try to get you home ASAP after you go solo. For me, it ended up being about 10 days before I got home.

    You do take the truck with you when you go home, but Maverick will not allow you to drop the trailer anywhere while on home time, unless you live rot by a terminal. They are very picky about us separating from the trailers. Very rarely do I bobtail anywhere, although it does happen from time to time. You'll have to find somewhere near your house where you can park the entire truck. Also keep in mind that you're responsible for any and all damage if the truck is not parked in a legal, designated truck parking spot (like at a truck stop). Personally, I park in a shopping center near my house because I have permission from the owner. But if anything happened to it, I could be held responsible. But nothing ever has. I always close the curtains and make it look as if someone is in it.

    And finally, the X3 at the end of my name was not originally intentional. I used to go by CaptainX, but I was seeing that name registered already in too many places, so I added the 3 at the end, because its my lucky number lol. Coincidentally, I have spent many hours playing X3 on my gaming laptop, along with many other computer games. I'm also actively involved in Star Trek Online as an officer in a large fleet, if you're into sci-fi games lol.
     
  11. chevrolet_gt

    chevrolet_gt Bobtail Member

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    LOL I would love to play star trek online(big fan of Gene Roddenberry and the whole star trek saga), in fact I'm watching TNG lol. I wonder if there was a way I could put my whole computer system in the truck :D I have about 1TB or more of games and movies that I wouldn't mind taking with me for those long 34 hour restarts, but probably not. I'll just wait until I can afford a decent laptop or use my wife's HP :( then probably hone my programming skills in my off time.

    I haven't asked them yet but there is a small grocery store in town about 5 miles away from me that has plenty of room near their dock. Small town with very little crime, if any at all, don't think there would be too much of a problem there. If not, the nearest truck stop to me is 15-20 miles away in Sunbury at I71 and 36. I just don't like to have to depend on my wife having to come and pick me up plus I wouldn't like to leave something that expensive that far away in that populated of an area(to much activity, something could happen). The farmers next door just put in a new gravel access to one of their fields and they take trucks in there all the time for harvesting, maybe I could get them to let me park it there? It's pretty close so I'd feel safer with it there as long as the ground is sturdy enough. Could be compensation for letting them dig in my yard to fix the piping that drains the water from their field to the creek behind my property. Ideas, ideas lol.

    10 days out after training is bad at all. Neither is 4 to 5 weeks out with a trainer. I was out with my last trainer for 10+ weeks and no home time, except with him in Keezer Falls, Maine.

    I wonder if they'd try to get me empty around that terminal and let me park the trailer there then bobtail it home. That way the trailer will be in a Maverick terminal and the truck will be with me the whole time. But from what I understand they prefer to put a load on you while you are on home time? That doesn't seem right, especially with temperature controlled goods. It could have been for a different division though so I don't know.

    I appreciate the info.

    Oh yeah. Are they concerned about joints that pop a lot? 6 years of jumping in and out of a truck 200-1000 times a day and lots of throwing trash(I used to be able to lift whole washers and dryers by myself and toss them into the hopper, ain't gonna do that no more lol) has done some wear and tear on my body, not to mention the lack of physical labor since 2007. I can crack my knuckles just by closing my fist, I scared my biology professor when we were doing a muscle fatigue test using a dynomometer(sp) that we had to squeeze as hard as we could 5 times in 3 reps. Each time you could hear my knuckles lol.

    Really the only things I'm worried about(which most I will take care of before I come, hence the DOT physical before I leave home) my BP which on the machine is too high but with a cuff and stethoscope is normal, my pulse which I try to test after doing some work just to make sure it doesn't go above 130(last test it was 128 after pushing my riding lawnmower to the car so I could jump it, in the heat), my ankle of course, and my knees which hurt sometimes from jumping in and out of those Mack cabovers. Outside of that I don't do any drugs(well I had a hit or two of pot in 2007), I rarely drink alcohol. I just eat like crap, dip(I did quit smoking a few months ago), and drink lots of caffeine(Mt. Dew and coffee). Outside of some debt I owe from being stupid when I was younger I'm clean as far as a criminal record goes. And a plus is I'm educated, which I'll go back to school sometime in the future when I can afford it, so I'm good at math(went all the way through trig and pre-calc), I understand ethics, critical thinking, cultural diversity, and human biology and psychology LOL. So as long as I pass the physical requirements I'm more than qualified for the job. LOL OK I'm done boasting HAHA.
     
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