Greetings from Alaska

Hello!

I encountered this site while doing some research on moving from auto mechanic for 25 years to truck driver due to a work related injury of my left shoulder and hand (the hand is fine) back in May of 2011. Two surgeries and complications along with concerns/lingering issues since 2011 have raised a few questions in my mind. I performed a physical capacities exam 1 year ago and had a "good day", meaning more than I will iterate , but in the end qualified for medium/heavy work, however, I do have limitations that I have come to recognize over the course of my recovery, the greatest being overhead work and long duration repetition.

If things move forward in the direction they are now I will begin school in March/April for CDL A and every certification I can squeeze out of the Workers Compensation Vocational Rehab. I intend to get doubles, hazmat, tankers and any other peripheral available to increase my chances of employment.

I have not had a moving violation since May 1986, no criminal record, no DUI ever, outstanding credit history, married 23 years and still going, will be 50 in July this year and tested very high in apptitude/academics for vocational evaluation. I hope this will benefit me when seeking a new employer.

Keep in mind that I have always been fit and strong and kept active with exception to the above. Getting back to a "normal" level of activity has been a mighty battle, and I am winnning the war. I want to be as active as possible, physically and mentally, without overdoing it, otherwise I go nuts!
Also, keep in mind that I am ignorant when comes the "lingo", so I ask that you avoid the use of acronyms, please.

The foremost question I have at this time is; What "specialty" type of hauling is the most physicaly demanding in descending order?

I have in my mind, and correct me if I am wrong, that a tanker would be near the least demanding when compared to a reefer or dry van that required me to unload/load.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Apologies to the Mods if I should have posted my question someplace else, feel free to move it as you see fit.

 

Would this be a likely option for a CDL newbie?

Do you have any knowledge or theory as to why a truck driver may be prone to carpal tunnel? OTR is not likely unless it is to Prudhoe and back(if that actualy qualifies as OTR), otherwise it would be "local". My understanding is that things are quite different in Alaska when compared to the L48, thus part of the difficulty getting a true sense of what I may be in for.

OK, I got the impression that load/unload is "somewhat" common, good to hear that it may be more the "exception, rather than the rule"? I am not confident my shoulder could tolerate pushing so much freight around, but I do continue to improve each day, so that may change.

 

That is my intention, as soon as I complete the courses.