Physical Requirements Of Trucking

So I was talking with a girlfriend about trucking and she tells me I'll probably not like it because it takes a lot of lifting, operating pallet jacks, lift gates, etc. I just left a farm where I handled 50 lb. feed sacks - right at the edge of my strength. I don't mind physical work but if it's too much for me, she might be right that I'd be unhappy. Could you guys & ladies who are already driving please tell me what's the reality? Would I be getting in over my head?

I've been so excited about trucking but want to go in with eyes open. I was set up to start school two weeks ago but postponed so I could take time to be sure this is the right way to go. Thanks.

Hey Trish! We go round and round about this on the ladies forum. If you are lifting 50lb feed you will be fine. Some companies make it a little more difficult for the fairer sex. Skip em! A lot of us started working out a little more, that never hurt anyone. Don't take a dollar store account,lol Not to offend your friend but she may be a little misinformed? Jealous? You can do it!

Okay, I'll say it. Your friend has no idea what she's talking about.

The only time where she would be correct is if you'll be unloading your trailer by hand. But that's not the direction you're going.

Think about it, if this job was so physically demanding like she's making it out to be, then why are 98% of drivers out of shape. They lack exercise because trucking requires none. I mean this in the nicest way I can.

Every large carrier is 98% no-touch freight and that is completely true. Theres nothing physical about it unless you're doing flatbed.

If you're going OTR and running long runs, then no, it's not that physical. If you're doing city driving (pick up your load at the terminal , drive a few miles into the city and deliver freight locally) then yeah, it's physical. But nothing at all that you can't handle, if you've already been lifting 50lb bags of feed. Sheesh. And some local freight is feed, but you'd be unloading that with a pallet jack and the feed on a pallet. You GOT this. In city driving, yeah, it's almost all unloading with pallet jacks, 2-wheel hand trucks, etc. while other times, the customer will have their own forklift and will unload it for you, then off you go to the next customer.

I had the impression you were going over the road anyway, so who cares? She doesn't know what she's talking about.

Ain't no biggie. She's just another jealous nay-sayer who doesn't want to see someone else chase their own dreams because then she'd have to take a hard look at why she's not doing the same with hers.

That just ticks me off. I've been so stoked to see you taking the leap and start your new life.

Look, it's not that huge of a risk, testing this all out because the training is fairly short, compared to a lot of other professions. You're going to know pretty quickly, once you get to school, whether or not you like this. If you're not even a little bit thrilled climbing into a tractor (and being a chick) and starting up that big engine (as a really cool chick), and then making that big thing move the way you want it to (even though you're a chick), you'll know you don't like it. You know what I love doing? Backing the 5th wheel under a trailer till it locks onto the kingpin. Even going really slowly, your tractor hits that thing so freaking hard, it feels like you broke something or you just did something really, really baaad. Thrills me every time. I love it. That's some powerful, heavy-duty equipment. It's badass, Girl. You gotta' try it.

Time for some new friends to go with your new life. Come hang out with us instead.

-mountain girl

Again, all that unloading stuff is for local city drivers delivering freight - not over-the-road driving that you were looking at doing.

-mountain girl

I love you guys! Honest. I think I've said this before but ever since I came here to TT half the reason I want to be a trucker is to hang out with you cool awesome people. (And to drive a truck that's bigger than my brother's.)

I have to defend my friend though, she is super cool and you would love her, she just doesn't know, um, beans, about trucking. She says she knows a lot of truckers but they must be local delivery types.

Yay! Full speed ahead!

Oh, and mountain girl? That kingpin thing? Makes me want to get in a truck, like, RIGHT NOW.

Awesome.

I'd say on top of your friend probably only knowing local drivers, she might be concerned that she won't be seeing you as much anymore.

We don't see each other much anyway ... she's in NC and I'm in AZ. I think all my friends are just, like, what the heck, when I tell them I want to be a trucker, because it's totally out of the blue. I'm overeducated (2 bachelors degrees + a masters in fine arts) and up till six years ago had nice predictable jobs, like waiting tables or office work. When I went to live on a farm my friends & family thought that was adventurous and cool, but now that I want to be a trucker ... honestly I don't know what they really think. Whatever. Fortunately of all people my mother has been the best! I think she's jealous.

We don't see each other much anyway ... she's in NC and I'm in AZ. I think all my friends are just, like, what the heck, when I tell them I want to be a trucker, because it's totally out of the blue. I'm overeducated (2 bachelors degrees + a masters in fine arts) and up till six years ago had nice predictable jobs, like waiting tables or office work. When I went to live on a farm my friends & family thought that was adventurous and cool, but now that I want to be a trucker ... honestly I don't know what they really think. Whatever. Fortunately of all people my mother has been the best! I think she's jealous.

Trish, I am currently attending Roehl's CDL school and I can tell you, that if I can do the physical stuff at my age and being 5'0" and overweight I am sure you can too. You will find there are many, many, well educated individuals in this profession (my class of 6 is an example). You CANNOT be a trucker and be stupid....there is just too much you need to learn. There is more to this than just sitting behind the wheel of a tractor as you must continually know what is going on around you among other things.

Like you, my mother is one of my biggest supporters, but then she always has been no matter what I wanted to try in life. I suspect some of my friends think I am rather flaky trying something new yet again, but you know what? When something no longer works for me I just do something else, unlike most people who will sit around and complain about their life. My advice to you is put on your swimming suit, hold your nose, and jump in! The water is fine and there are lots of folks here to help keep you afloat when/if necessary. I wish you the best of luck and cannot wait to hear about your adventures!