I might have made a huge mistake. I need answers if anyone can help me.

i dont know about PAM but not to fear. Plenty of companies wont be worried about that. Have you seen some of the drivers. I watched a REAL big guy roll into his trailer to put load locks on. A buddy of mine drives with a fake leg

 

Some companies have minimum requirements for different divisions. The dry/reefer side only needs to be able to lift 35 pounds, but flatbed needs to ne able to lift 90 pounds. And, I just met a reefer driver who wears a prosthetic arm...not a big deal in some cases. Schools don't usually give a ##### though...they just want the 5k and get you through ASAP

Sent from my DROIDX

 

Left Pam a year ago. At that time there were no such tests.

 

Yeah, PAM doesn't do any of those to my knowledge. At least I didn't when I got hired on 3 years ago.

Those types of tests are mainly for flatbed drivers and the like...I had to lift 3 tarps varying between 35-100 pounds and stand on each leg for 30 seconds without wobbling...but they want to know if you can lift the heavy tarps, and that you won't lose your balance on top of a 13'6 load and fall...since all you have to really be able to do is crank a landing gear and open/close a couple doors every couple days, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

Hey Noggin, how goes the new job?

 

Goin good. I've been here only 10 months and I'm already making over PAM's top pay lol

 

Dude if you can lift 50lb twice your good to go. You played foot ball 4 years ago, I'll bet you can grind out a few heavy lifts on one leg.

 

Good question Blacktop-Demon. I have had a number of repeat physicals since first getting through school back in '92 (NETTTS). I do recall one only that required that I do a deep knee bend on one leg then rise back up again. That was with Waste Management and I can understand why they did it. The amount of clutching a local waste hauler does will blow out a knee real fast (and make one helluva strong thigh muscle in the left leg).
I never had to do a physical like that again though.
You didn't mention which knee you blew out but I would suggest that, if it is your left one, you do some routine exercise to keep auxiliary muscles toned so that, until you are comfortable with RPM (no clutch) shifting, your leg tolerates the multiple shifting you will find 10-13 speed rigs to have.
I can't say anything about your choice of company to run with (they all make promises,... mine actually kept them).
Don't be discouraged though. Trucking is what it is... the CB is full of whiners, wannabees and super truckers, most of which will make you want to turn off or throw out your radio from all the crying.
My suggestion is this: Listen for awhile, don't let anyone get you upset, don't respond to negative people and most importantly, be trusting of only one person... YOURSELF.
When pulling into a truck stop, turn off that ###### CB. People will think they are help you by 'guiding' your rig into a parking spot but I can assure you, if you hit anything, they won't be helping you pay the damages.
GET OUT AND LOOK (it's called the G.O.A.L. technique).
Happy Trucking.