Prime's Physical Test For Flatbed Division

Can anybody on the inside at Prime confirm if part of their DOT physical for the flatbed division currently consists of:

Picking up a box that weighs 100 lbs and lifting it to your chest, and taking a rolled tarp off a 6 ft shelf, putting it on the ground, then putting it back on the shelf?

How much does the tarp weigh?

Can anybody on the inside at Prime confirm if part of their DOT physical for the flatbed division currently consists of:

Picking up a box that weighs 100 lbs and lifting it to your chest, and taking a rolled tarp off a 6 ft shelf, putting it on the ground, then putting it back on the shelf?

How much does the tarp weigh?

Hay, Garrett;

Have you looked at Turtle's and Chief Brody's diaries? Current enough, IMHO.

Also, if you do Facebook, join the group 'Prime Time Grinders.' (I did!) It's for 'newer' people there to ask meekly & not get bashed (like that other forum, haha!)

Just my 2 cents, for now!!

~ Best wishes~

~ Anne ~

Garrett

I forget the specifics but the box you have to lift to your waist is not 100 lbs. I think it's 85 lbs. Then you do have to lift a tarp up to a shelf that's chest-high. The tarp is about 65 lbs. And there are a couple of other things all of which if you're in any decent shape you can do.

I will tell you though that the Agility Test is actually easier than what you will encounter when you're out on your own. The lumber tarps weigh about a hundred pounds. I can get them up on my deck but when they're wet it's a struggle.

I started my driving career as a flatbedder at Prime.

Picking up a box that weighs 100 lbs and lifting it to your chest

Yes, a weighted milk crate, but it wasn't 100lbs. More like 50lbs, if that. Nothing to worry about, females do it too.

taking a rolled tarp off a 6 ft shelf, putting it on the ground, then putting it back on the shelf?

Yes, but the shelf is only around 4'6, the same height as a flatbed deck.

How much does the tarp weigh?

I can't remember exactly, but I recall it being 60-70lbs. With proper lifting technique it isn't a problem. The trick is in keeping the momentum of the lift all the way up to the deck. Firmly grab the sides of the tarp, lift with your legs, and then use one knee or the other to assist your arms for the remaining boost up to the deck. All one motion. It's all about the momentum.

The agility test isn't as much about testing your strength as it is to see if you're using safe lifting techniques to avoid injury.

I did the agility test last week and am now on TNT. It’s separate from the DOT physical. All they made us do was pick up a tarp and put it on a shelf then take it back down. No box lifting or anything else. Everyone did it no problem. Hope this helps.

There's another one that you'll do when you go through the flatbed boot camp

I posted that too hastily. Now I remember that the more involved Physical Agility Test was at the beginning. I don't know why SweetLou had a less involved one, but I do remember all of the potential flatbedders going through it at the beginning.

There were other parts of the agility test, as well. Such as climbing 3-4 rungs up a ladder and back down 3 times in a row, followed by a heart rate check. Of course, this was like 5 years ago, so things may have changed.

Yeah, I read both of your diaries and expected it to be more challenging. However, the instructor even said “it will take 30 seconds and you’ll be done “. 🤷

I did the agility test last week and am now on TNT. It’s separate from the DOT physical. All they made us do was pick up a tarp and put it on a shelf then take it back down. No box lifting or anything else. Everyone did it no problem. Hope this helps.

Are they currently doing hair follicle tests?