It's decision time...

1. No APUs

2.Other than the normal DOT physical you will have to do the "duck walk" which is described in several place, a step up onto the second rung of a step ladder, and carry a box full of weights a certain distance.

3. That depends on where you live.

4. $58 a day.

 

Do you have to quack during the duck walk?

 

Only for extra credit.

 

1. No APUs but you can have an invertor installed that's up to 1700 watts. Hard to find a 1700 watt one but you can find easily a 1500 watt. Buy the yellow one that they sell at truck stops...or at the USX shop. If you shop around, you can find it for $99. You can plug all your electrical stuff into it. We have a mini fridge & microwave in our truck. Plus, a single burner to cook stuff like eggs & other skillet things.

2. My wife passed the physical. She didn't have to do the duck walk but at other places they do it. Practice at home to see if you can do it. Walking with 70lbs & lifting 70lbs wasn't too hard for her. Climbing on the table was easy. A guy who was at orientation to do a dedicated regional account was told his heart rate was too high after the lifting & walking so they told him his only option was OTR until he could get his heart rate down.

3. You will have to go out with a trainer for 120 hours then team with a fellow student for 8 weeks. Luckily, I had my wife.

4. $58 a day. I had a bad experience with my first trainer. The company wasn't very helpful when I told them I wanted to switch. This is trucking....the trainers aren't going to be professional like in other fields. Be ready for that & don't put up with it. Victor King was my second trainer. He takes females. Super nice guy & will train you to be a "professional driver" lol

 

How did your wife get away with not doing the thing where you have to walk under something?

It is 120 and team or 150 and straight to solo depending on where you live.

 

My wife went under the table. That is supposed to simulate getting under a trailer. That was super easy. The table is like 4 and a half feet tall. It was up to her chest/neck she says. My wife is 5'3. You get under it & touch the wall then stand back up.

Jamie, I would recommend you team after your trainer. Do that until you feel comfortable with the job. A lot of things will happen in this job & its nice to have a partner to assist you.

 

We never did the duck walk but I believe its where you walk like a duck for 5 to 10 feet. I think Craig's thread talks about it. Orientation is easy.

Get your paperwork in order. They will waBant to know all the places you worked in the past 3 years. They will call them. My wife couldn't get hired till they spoke with her old employer even though she had her W-2 to prove she worked there.


The road test is more about seeing if your a safe driver. Go into it knowing you passed. That will help with your nerves. The road test guys are very cool.

Which terminal will be your home terminal ?