Any companies out there willing to hire someone that can't climb into a trailer?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by OhioScott, Nov 25, 2022.

  1. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    I knew a guy about five years ago who was sweeping out the back of his trailer and stepped off the back edge hit his head steal pipe. He suffered permanent brain damage. Had to have brain surgery and his brain and head swelled up they had to cut open his skull to relieve the pressure or he would’ve died. He was in a coma for three weeks. The dude will never be the same. Trucking company completely tried to get out of any Workmen’s Comp. claim and got a bunch of lawyers to fight it. I guess he wasn’t logged on duty, or whatever. Ultimately they had to pay but it took years of court battles. Guy needs care for life. Climbing in and out of the back of those trailers for even someone who is a professional athlete is a risk. They’re not set up for it no matter what your ability is.
     
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  3. Thrasher28

    Thrasher28 Heavy Load Member

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    It latches onto the e-rail like a normal load strap does and has a loop on the end to help pull yourself up with. Pretty much the same as leaving a door closed for a handle, I reckon
     
  4. OhioScott

    OhioScott Bobtail Member

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    Well you bubble-busting #@%&!?/! (LOL) I appreciate your comments but I was OTR for 2 years and I'm pretty aware of what I'm getting into. I remember seeing the St Louis Arch, wondering where all the snow is in Colorado (just before pulling the next big hill) and driving over the Chattahoochee (never knew how much that muddy water... uh, you know the thing! :p). Anyway, I'm going to exercise and hoist my butt into the back of that trailer, get hired and buy a ladder and make some money. And while we're at it: I'm not going to block the fuel station, wear flip-flops or fling bags of poop out the window (man I hate that S#%/). Thanks again for the comment!
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2022
  5. Terlingua

    Terlingua Medium Load Member

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    Ok, that's who I'm also driving for. They do require you to show at least once that you can get in and out of the trailer during training. I just had to do it that one time. Once you're one your own, you could keep a ladder in your truck and no one would care.
     
  6. OhioScott

    OhioScott Bobtail Member

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    Yeah, there was a woman that just barely made it: Had to swing her left arm out and stop from falling, that almost turned into a workman's comp claim fast, quick and in a hurry. Using an OSHA approved safety belt and a helper strap or poly step would actually be safer than just climbing in, you'd think that the "safety team" would consider that.
     
  7. OhioScott

    OhioScott Bobtail Member

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    Yeah, other than having an accident I'd imagine that working around a 42 inch high open ended deck has got to be the 2nd most dangerous part of the job. Using a safety belt to climb in and possibly a tether that keeps you from walking off the edge could definitely reduce slip and fall events. I wonder if it would be worth the $200 or so investment per employee vs the cost of the workers comp claims it would prevent? The shipping companies could also launch a safety campaign asking shippers and receivers to allow drivers dock access to the trailers to provide a safe environment for a sweep out. I can understand that some docks are crazy busy but in my experience the dock staff doesn't seem to be in a mad rush to load/unload you.
     
  8. OhioScott

    OhioScott Bobtail Member

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    Well good news (I think): Another large training company may hire me without the need to demonstrate my climbing abilities. We'll see if that works out for me.
     
  9. Sixela918

    Sixela918 Light Load Member

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    I started out at Swift on their target dedicated account. Never climbed into (or even opened) a trailer.
     
  10. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    If you are not really able to do the job... just find another line of work.
     
  11. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    There is SO much BS going around.
     
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