My Journey as a Truck Driver

JBS doesn't have a school, but they have a program where they will basically loan you the money to get your CDL, if you sign a 12 month contract. If you apply, use me as your referrer!

 

Today was basically physicals and drive test to qualify for hire. I guess I didn't really understand that . . . I assumed when I got on the plane, that I was hired. My JBS recruiter was better than most recruiters, but still a little liberal with the truth. I'll write about recruiters another time.

Started the day with 25 people, 6 of us were fresh CDL's. I was really surprised . . . and mostly in a good way . . . at the process. At 6 am we were shuttled from the hotel (2.5 stars of 5) to JBS main terminal. It would've been nice to have someone there greet us, but we stood outside in the cold for about 10 minutes until the guy in charge of orientations showed up and let us in.

He spent about 20 minutes kind've explaining the syllabus for the day, basically an ergo exam, fitness, physical, drug testing, and drive test. At that point, lots of waiting.

My first exam was drug testing (urine). The company they used seemed very thorough. We were advised to not drink too much before, because if the sample was over diluted, its an automatic fail. They get immediate results if there's too much blood or sugar in the sample.

The second part was about 30 minutes of measuring flexibility and range of motion. They measure every nook and cranny to see how flexible from neck, shoulders, arms, back, legs, knees, ankles, etc etc. Very very thorough. I don't think there's anything you could fail here. My understanding is that its used as a baseline for future injury claims. They also give you instruction if you're too stiff and inflexible.

The next part was fitness . . . again, VERY thorough. They take your blood pressure (first of 4 times), and strap you to a heart monitor. Basically you have a maximum heart rate based on your age, generally max heart rate is 200 - your age = max heart rate, so my max would normally be 161. However I don't know what calculation they used, there was a guy I would estimate about 55 years old who was told his MHR was 133, which would make him 67. He was in big trouble since his resting heart rate was already 99. My resting heart rate was 68, blood pressure 120/62.

First activity was to step up/down at a moderate rate for 1 min.
After each activity, record heart rate then let it lower for next activity.
Next squat 10 times.
Next carry 30 lbs about 30 yards.
Next carry 60 pounds about 30 yards.
Take blood pressure (180/78
Next step up into a semi cab 3 times.
Next lift 20 lbs 3 times from floor to waste high cabinet.
Next lift 40 lbs 3 times from floor to waste high cabinet.
Next lift 60 lbs 3 times from floor to waste high cabinet.
Take blood pressure (170/82)
Next lift 45 lbs 3 times from waste high cabinet to shoulder high cabinet.
Next lift 90 lbs 3 times from waste high cabinet to shoulder high cabinet.
Next push 80 lbs min pressure against wall 3 times
Next pull 80 lbs min pressure 3 times
Take resting blood pressure (130/80)

If at any time your heart rate approaches your max, they make you slow down and rest . . . and if you can't recover soon, I think you get failed. My MHR only reached 111, so I wasn't in any danger, but the older guy failed out, and another heavier gal was made to rest a lot. Those were the 2 others I was tested in this part with, so I don't know about the rest.

Next is basic vision, hearing, weight, eyes, ears, neck measurement, height, drop trou and cough.

Here's some things to know about JBS and DOT physical requirements:
DOT says blood pressure can't be higher than 140/90
If your BMI is higher than 35 AND your neck measurement is higher than 17" (women is 16", don't know BMI), JBS will only give you a 6 month DOT physical certificate. They require you to get tested for sleep apnea. (You get 6 mos because insurance doesn't kick in for 3 mos, then you have 3 mos to get test) I think there were at least 4 guys that only got 6 mos certs. I got the 2 year certificate.

Next is driving test. We went out 3 at a time for that as well. This was the part I was most nervous about as a new CDL. The other 2 had driven for 15-16 years. Our tester was head of safety, and a former DOT cop. He was quiet for most part, hard to read. Was very strict, but I think very fair. Trust me, JBS is very concerned about safety. You can tell when a company preaches something as a token "must do". That clearly is not JBS, they are constantly and repeatedly preaching safety. For example, when backing you are required to GOAL (Get Out And Look).

No matter what, I was really hoping I wouldn't go first. Fortunately I didn't. We drove an '12 KW t700, 8 speed. I had never driven anything but an Eaton straight 10, so I was nervous about shifting, clutch, everything. I had also never driven a 53' footer before either, CDL school was a 48' with axles all the way up. First guy drove well as a 15 year vet, grinded gears maybe 1-2. However when he got out of cab to GOAL before backing, he didn't follow the 3 points of contact rule, and examiner yelled at him and made him get back in cab and exit. . . . but he passed, easily I think.

Next guy said he had 2.5 million miles. Guy really struggled though, at least 5 times examiner had to reach over and help him find a gear. At that point I got really nervous thinking the shifting must be really tough. He still got passed, even though he also was caught going 53 in a 45 mph. It must've been close though, examiner was constantly writing notes.

Finally I'm up! Jim, if you're reading this, you'd be proud. I nailed the sucker! Examiner knew I was a newbie, so he said he'd take notes with a pencil. As far as I can tell, he didn't write down a single thing. Shifting was super easy, super smooth . . . I didn't grind a single gear. I did have a hard time with a downshift, but I hid it well. He made me back twice (other guys only once), I think because I backed the first me so easily, he wanted to make sure it wasn't luck. He had me back the second time into a much smaller hole at a truck stop, just barely wide enough for the truck . . . nailed it easily. Needless to say, I passed.

When I got back from driver exam I found out at least 3 had to do a redrive, including a guy that says he was a trainer with Swift for 5 years. He was pissed because failed for having to stop in middle of intersection when another truck pulled up to far in turn lane.

At the end of day, 18 left. Only 2 newbies. JBS is a little harsh about those that failed. I was told that if you failed drug test, they kicked you off property and you had to find your own way home. Apparently if you fail anything else, you get a Greyhound ticket. So they'll fly you out, but Greyhound you back. They won't even shuttle you to bus station though.