Looking for opinions

I am constantly bending and leaning in under it to check kingpin, pull locking bar out for sliding tandems and things of that nature, and checking brake chambers, inside tires during pre/post trips but I don't think I've ever actually been on the ground and totally under the truck since I've been in school. But getting into and out of trailers is a daily thing. If, for whatever the reason is, you can't do that, then I see it as a real problem.

Although I see a boatload of guys that probably couldn't get under a truck with a gun pointed to their head, personally I do think a person should be able to do so. Winter is coming and sooner or later I figure my luck will run out and I'll have to get under there to deal with frozen brakes or shoveling out around certain spots at the very least.

 

Why can't you get on the ground or under the truck?

 

First.... dump that school. Go to another. That is incompetence.

Second... There are companies who will test you. They'll call it a duck walk. Want you to walk on your feet under the truck. Or whatever. I think it's stupid. This is the kind of stuff that comes from administrators. Not drivers, or engineers. Just stay away from certain companies. You can find them on youtube. Proudly showing their physical agility tests. I think it's showing how anal and stupid they are.
Third... Anyone can get down on the ground. Crawl around on their hands and knees if they have to. Get back up? Use something on the truck for support to get back up. Like the landing gear, the rear bumper, or the tires. Ain't no big deal.

You will need to get under there. That kingpin is extremely important to check. Must check those jaws on the 5th wheel. Make sure they're closed on that kingpin. You need to get under there to check the free play in the slack adjusters. Can't do that with mirrors.

 

I always did it the easy way; instead of crawling under the truck or trailer for pre-trip, I'd just do like we did in the Navy; "gun deck" the paperwork.
"The term "gun deck" is Navy slang for fabricating or falsifying something. This term is now used to indicate the falsification of documentation in order to avoid doing the work or make present conditions seem otherwise acceptable."

 

If you want to drive for a living; there's other types of driving that don't require a cdl.
Courier services and expedite services; some just need a Class-C drivers license.

As far as a cdl though, I've seen drivers get out of 18 wheelers and use a wheel chair. Saw one guy that appeared to be paralyzed in the legs and used a lift to get out of the truck, then walked on crutches. I've seen drivers with artificial legs and they do just fine. They must have gotten waivers.