How Physical Is The Job?

For me the challenge is not so much any physical nature of the work, and there isn’t any really. I’m actually quite strong, having been a weightlifter in a past life.

The struggle for me is how much I have to manipulate with my hands. There is a significant amount of latching and unlatching, coupling and uncoupling, cranking and uncranking, opening and closing, which many may find easy but I actually find pretty challenging. I am not mechanically inclined, but if you are, there’s nothing to worry about

I have been reading your diary. I had to laugh when you used all the plates to deadlift 315. My ORM was 385. I did Crossfit for a few year, starting at 45 years old..but then my back issues started (not from CF lol). As long as I am not doing a lot of heavy lifting, I'll be fine.

Hiya, Vicki ~!!

Trucker's wife here..but when I used to drive w/him, under a permit, the heaviest dang things were the hoses; we pulled tanks.

Ask PJ ... it's NOT a cakewalk, either, haha!! I usually digressed to the hubby . . . anyway!

Did you read Brett's book? Might help you in the 'decision making' phase of driving.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

And the other stuff, inately important if you make the leap~ of course.

Wish you well, nice to have another female around!

Huge welcomes;

~ Anne ~

Don't forget sweeping the trailer of debris, or possibly installing chains.

Haha that's for youngsters, I've got a 60v blower on the truck for that and I don't even have chains on my truck. Haha, I know, ultimate lazy right?

I do have some back and neck issues from a repetitive motion injury from the Post Office but the truck isn't too bad. Plenty of shocks between the truck the cab and the seat to cushion the drive.

Vicki, just remember however that opiate pain medication and muscle relaxers are a no no in trucking. If you take them now you must stop prior to driving and cannot use them when driving at all.

I figured that. I have an appointment with my pain doctor tomorrow and will see what we can cook up. I usually only take them when I have to work, so I'll just suffer through until I make a decision on this. I have a habit of getting an idea and being totally obsessed and then losing interest. I've been obsessed with truck driving THIS time for about 2 weeks, so I'll give it another month or 2 before I make any solid decisions. But yeah, I don't want to see an 18 wheeler coming at me piloted by someone on muscle relaxers and opiates :D The speed demons of the 70s and 80s were scary enough lol.

Unfortunately in this job you cannot take them when you're off duty either. If you can stop them completely then you should be good. Dry van there is seriously almost zero strenuous activity. That's why so many of us put weight on. Take an 800mg ibuprofen daily if you need it but you can't really do anything better than over the counter meds on or off duty and not even all of them ie: many cold medicines, benadryl etc.

Hiya, Vicki ~!!

Trucker's wife here..but when I used to drive w/him, under a permit, the heaviest dang things were the hoses; we pulled tanks.

Ask PJ ... it's NOT a cakewalk, either, haha!! I usually digressed to the hubby . . . anyway!

Did you read Brett's book? Might help you in the 'decision making' phase of driving.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

And the other stuff, inately important if you make the leap~ of course.

Wish you well, nice to have another female around!

Huge welcomes;

~ Anne ~

Flatbed and touch freight Jobs can be very physical, with something like dry van not to beat a dead horse but the most physical thing you do is crank the landing gear and chain. I've only chained once so far and it was a pain. I've only had physical jobs from the Military to the oilfields to roofing so its honestly a challenge for me to sit on my ass all day

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Unfortunately in this job you cannot take them when you're off duty either. If you can stop them completely then you should be good. Dry van there is seriously almost zero strenuous activity. That's why so many of us put weight on. Take an 800mg ibuprofen daily if you need it but you can't really do anything better than over the counter meds on or off duty and not even all of them ie: many cold medicines, benadryl etc.

No benedry! ? I like to take one at bedtime, helps me breathe through the night, thus better sleep. Is this prohibited?

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Unfortunately in this job you cannot take them when you're off duty either. If you can stop them completely then you should be good. Dry van there is seriously almost zero strenuous activity. That's why so many of us put weight on. Take an 800mg ibuprofen daily if you need it but you can't really do anything better than over the counter meds on or off duty and not even all of them ie: many cold medicines, benadryl etc.

No benedry! ? I like to take one at bedtime, helps me breathe through the night, thus better sleep. Is this prohibited?

You won't fail a DOT drug test for it but some companies don't allow it or any cold/flu medicines that could potentially make you drowsy and slowing your reaction time and thinking process.

Prime wont allow it. We can only take Comtrex or Mucinex.

I know drivers who do...but the lawsuits that would occur after an accident. It would basically make you non hirable for "failing to comply with company policy". I used to take Zyrtec at night cause it helps me sleep....despite it supposedly being a non drowsy formula.

Prime bans any drowsy causing meds...even Rx

I figured that. I have an appointment with my pain doctor tomorrow and will see what we can cook up. I usually only take them when I have to work, so I'll just suffer through until I make a decision on this. I have a habit of getting an idea and being totally obsessed and then losing interest. I've been obsessed with truck driving THIS time for about 2 weeks, so I'll give it another month or 2 before I make any solid decisions. But yeah, I don't want to see an 18 wheeler coming at me piloted by someone on muscle relaxers and opiates :D The speed demons of the 70s and 80s were scary enough lol.

Seriously this is a commitment. You don't learn this job in a week or two. You will want to quick a dozen times before the end of your first year. please dont this if you arent serious.

As a 46 year old woman with a 56 year old female trainee...i can say that most of the work is not too physical. But turning the crank handles in 100 degree weather with a full load of beer is either hard and sweaty in high gear or exhausting in low.

As reefer I usually get the trailer washed by someone else so I don't climb back there too often. Many customers will install the load locks if you leave them back there.

I never touch freight. In 5 years I kicked 2 pallets off the back of a trailer. Sometimes I have damaged products I need to unload by hand.. Maybe 10 times in those years.

I have a youtube channel you may want to take a look at. There is a playlist for considering CDL school. Weather extremes, changing sleep.patterns, driving while sick are all things people do not consider.

Howdy again, Vicki.. you're most welcome!

Thank you Anne! I have been reading on it, watching videos, visiting as many websites and truck forums as I can. I just read the long story about the guy who rolled his truck. Yeah. Didn't scare me away yet :D I'll keep reading and researching. I did put an app in to Prime and maybe I'll do a few others, just to see what the recruiters have to say...It's not like I can't say no if I change my mind. But I do know how recruiters work lol Benefits of age I guess

Wow.. you've read "Persian Conversion's" story . . . that right there is grit. To the nines. I read it STILL . . . every now and again. I could tell you some stories, that my guy has been through, as well . . . Life happens. So much to learn EVERY day!

Keep on keeping on, do 'whatcha do.' As I mentioned in another thread (or 2?) I had to pay the plow guy a dang 'Benjamin' so the hubby can/could/did get in & out. There's SO much to consider, especially if you DO go with a company where you are able to bring the rig home. Accommodations. Not everyone has a yard (and in Spring/Summer, I wish we didn't!)

Prime is a GREAT choice, IMHO. Training is lengthy, but I don't think that's a bad thing, whatsoever. They are picky, because they CAN be. Have you looked into Swift, as well? << Personally, my 1st choice; since Prime won't have me with an 'odd' work history, methinks. That's what they are 'sticky' about; and can be! It's in Kearsey's videos.

Rainy (OOPS KEARSEY!) has MANY videos, some but not all, Prime specific. I know, she mentioned it .. but .. here's the link~!!

Truckin' along with Kearsey

Wish you the best, m'lady ~

~ Anne ~

ps: When you are CLOSE to ready; there's this:

Apply For Paid CDL Training