Update On My Trucking Journey

Hello Forrest, and I can appreciate your goals, but just a suggestion, I would figure out how high a "normal" trailer sits of the ground, and get that small step ladder, like mentioned above and figure out a way to practice getting up and down that distance. Might even find an empty sitting in a lot and get permission to use that.

Seems like you have been very tenacious so far, I wish you nothing but success and seeing a post that says you are headed to school.

Congrats on your medical card. If CFI is what your gut tells you, then go back with them. If the recruiters are still talking to you, that means they are still interested. When the recruiters start ghosting you, that is when it is time to move on. I found out the hard way, while I was in CDL school. I really wanted to do flatbed, but every flatbed company I talked to quickly treated me like I had leprosy as soon as they found out about my back issues.

I would go to a Lowe’s or Home Depot and check out some metal and plastic 3 step stools that fold up. This can easily be stowed on the catwalk with bungee cords, or behind the passenger seat, out of the way until needed.

I would go to a Lowe’s or Home Depot and check out some metal and plastic 3 step stools that fold up. This can easily be stowed on the catwalk with bungee cords, or behind the passenger seat, out of the way until needed.

the toughest part is actually climbing with a prosthetic on. The leg that I wear does not bend at all

If I could get cleared to drive without a prosthetic that would be amazing and so much more comfortable.

If I could get cleared to drive without a prosthetic that would be amazing and so much more comfortable.

Forrest, instead of a ladder, how about a ramp? You could have one fabricated to facilitate going in and out of a trailer. It could also be easily stowed behind the cab. Aluminum folding ramp would be best. Also, if you were approved to drive with the prosthetic, why couldn't you just ditch it whenever you wanted after you were out on your own? Have you considered team driving? Then your co-driver could do all the climbing.

If I could get cleared to drive without a prosthetic that would be amazing and so much more comfortable.

Forrest, instead of a ladder, how about a ramp? You could have one fabricated to facilitate going in and out of a trailer. It could also be easily stowed behind the cab. Aluminum folding ramp would be best. Also, if you were approved to drive with the prosthetic, why couldn't you just ditch it whenever you wanted after you were out on your own? Have you considered team driving? Then your co-driver could do all the climbing.

Which may not work quite right legally. Wake your co-driver up from his 10, where legally, they have to go into "On Duty/Not Driving" to do anything?

While you could probably get away with the log falsification, does anyone really want to ruin someone's rest?

Rare as they may be - Forrest is going to have to figure out how to get in and out of a trailer once in awhile. It's just part of the job.

For the record - for the people reading this thread - how often (average) do you ACTUALLY HAVE TO climb into a trailer? Not walk on from a dock, but climb up from the ground? Depending on that you're loading, you might have to go in once a load to sweep out. Reefer may be luckier and just take it in for a washout. Drop and hooks may go weeks without having to climb in and inspect/clean a trailer.

But the reality is - EVERYONE EVENTUALLY ends up having to climb in...

Rick

Rick said: "But the reality is - EVERYONE EVENTUALLY ends up having to climb in..."

Rick, I used to climb in every time I picked up an empty. I was trained to inspect the interior of the trailer and to sweep it out, if necessary. So it became a habit. I've got all my legs, but really bad knees, so it was a struggle every time. I know amputees have climbed mountains, maybe even Mt. Everest. So I think there is a viable solution for Forrest.

Forrest, is a ramp easier for you to climb than a ladder?

Congratulations Forrest. CFI will treat you great. While they do not have an agility test, you need to get into the trailer from the ground every time you end up empty from a live unload to sweep out your trailer. Wish you the best of luck. Your success out here will be an inspiration to many.

I've got bad knees which makes it tough getting in the trailer, but the good thing is that all of Schneider's trailers have built in ladder steps. It's easy to get up and down. Now, granted, I haven't done it with one leg, but check them out and make sure whatever company you go with has that. Also, Schneider doesn't have an agility test for dry van.