Almost failed....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by WesternPlains, Jan 3, 2018.

  1. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    I'm posting this to perhaps help someone else. I was surprised at my physical agility test. Almost failed.
    It was actually only one of the tests. Everything else was not a big deal.
    Bear in mind...
    I've been out of work since July. Spending lots of time looking for jobs. Studying the industry and jobs and all. Also went to CDL school.
    One other thing is I couldn't have become an OTR driver in the past. I was very healthy. Much physical activity. Highly physical work. No way in H! could I have done this. Sit in a truck and drive for 11 hours. I couldn't have taken over an hour.
    One big thing that got me to do this is minerals. Especially magnesium. I can do anything with magnesium. I'm not joking.
    I also allowed myself to not try to exercise or get in shape. I want to do that around OTR driving to do the best I could. Didn't want to show up and climb the walls day one. So I've been slouching.

    Also bear in mind. They dictate what tests they want. How they want them. She told me so.
    The one test I had trouble with was a 20 inch step up onto a box. Have to do that 20 times. No time limit.
    She also admitted to me that; I was doing better at the end, than in the beginning. She thought the first step. Geesh was difficult. Wasn't going to make it. ... Yes, I just plain am not used to taking a step that high. It was new to me. At least without something to hold onto. I got to 12 steps and my legs started burning. I wished I had brought my magnesuim. Would have straightened that out instantly. She knew it would have worked. The last five steps. I got to where I would take a step up to the box. Then step up. She allowed that. But not taking a running start (hehe). I ended up passing. She congratulated me with my new job.
    Bear in mind also... I used to get in and out of a truck, 60 times a day. No big deal. Same steps as a 18 wheeler. This was a whole different difficulty...
    She admitted she didn't think most truck drivers could do this. She said they ordered exactly that. I discussed with her that I thought they wanted to make sure I could recover. I'm going to have to climb up a ladder on top of that tanker. If I miss a step due to ice or? I need to be able to recover. They want to make sure I can. She agreed this is what it was probably about.

    Anyway..... I hope someone gaines something from this. Perhaps have less difficulty than myself if they run into similar.
    And she was a great physical therapist. Good looking, tall, and OMGawdy... legs!
     
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  3. Shock Therapy

    Shock Therapy Road Train Member

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    Congrats WP, Your one 'step' closer :p
     
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  4. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    Hmmm? You need Twinkies perhaps?
     
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  5. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I could never pass those test if weightlifting is involved.
     
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  6. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    As I understand. With weight lifting. They always are considerate of women. Don't even try to test for what they shouldn't be able to do. They'll downgrade weight for a woman. Just making sure she can do what she should be able to do anyways.
    As far as shouldn't be able to do. We have an employer here hiring for a beverage company driver. He want's someone who can lift 175 pounds. (he wants a meathead, not a man)
    Therapist could tell I was a little worried about weight lifting. I told her about the idiot beverage company. She laughed. She said OSHA doesn't allow over 100 pounds. After that it's two people per OSHA requirements. Mine was only 75 pounds, ten times, above chest height, and put on a shelf. In a box with handles made it easier. I told her thank you. That's doable.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2018
  7. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    No they're not you must be able to lift the same thing a man does.last company I failed miserably I also wasn't told an agility test was part of the physical otherwise I wouldn't went.
     
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  8. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    That company isn't worth working for. They're idiots!
    I saw a youtube. I think it was Schneider. Had a gal on a weight machine. One you sit, and straighten out your leg. From a bended knee, lifting at the ankle on a lever. He said openly that this is set for women or men. I think he also took into account the woman's weight. He said he wasn't gonna try to over stress this little gal. She was tiny/petite and cute. She has no problem driving a truck. They just want to make sure the person is healthy. That's all.
     
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  9. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    I did get the pun on that one. :laughing-guffaw:

    Honestly... She had to grab me the very first step. Didn't have to support me. I was close enough to falling that she did. Then very close to me or grabbing on a few others. .... But then.... finally after the 16th. I figured out how to do it. Get some momentum with a step toward the box. She didn't even come close to reaching out to me on the last four. She was impressed I did better at the end than the beginning. .... I was impressed too! :laughing-guffaw:
     
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  10. Shock Therapy

    Shock Therapy Road Train Member

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  11. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    They should have took. Into account my weight I'm 115 and was back then and they ecspected me to lift over half my weight.
     
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