New to trucking and want to drive a flatbed

Greetings all! I will start at TDI in January, so I have two months to get into shape. After all my research, I have decided that I REALLY want flatbeds! First of all, they pay more, which is one of my primary objectives - make as much or more than at my present job. Second, after researching tons of trucking companies, I find that I REALLY like TMC. When I called they said, "certainly we hire women drivers," so I guess all that is left is for me to meet the physical requirements. I have been watching videos of tying down the load, folding and deploying the tarp, climbing all over the truck, and I really think I can do it. I have worked on a farm for many years, regularly lift, stack, and carry around 50 lb feed bags and 75 lb hay bales. I am about 30 pounds over weight, but hope to rectify that before January on my diet and exercise program. I don't have a problem with heights (losing the weight will help with balance issues) as I built a barn and climbed up to do the roof.

So, the question is, what physical requirements are they going to have? Will they put me through strength tests? Will I have to lift a hundred pound weight onto a shelf above my head? I'd hate to get hired, head off to Iowa, go through a week of training and then be sent home because I failed a strength test. Does anyone know what TMC, McElroy, or any of the other flatbed companies require? THANKS!

 

Thank you! I will have to try to find something that weighs 80 lbs to practice with. When I worked at HD I used to load 80 lb bags of cement for customers, but that isn't the kind of thing I want to throw onto my shoulder!