New Hire Orientation

I am starting my first truck driving job with a regional carrier in a couple of weeks. I have to go to Tennessee for one week of orientation. I am concerned about the possibility of a physical assessment. I am 6'2'' and on the high side of 300 lbs. I passed my DOT with only a minor elevation in my blood pressure.(the doc used the wrong size cuff) I know I can do the job should I be concerned they are going to send me home if I cant do a one minute "step test"? I can lift, carry, climb, and crawl, but my knees may be a problem. any thoughts?

Usually the company will tell you what their physical entails. Most companies don't do anything beyond the standard DOT physical but some companies do. Have you asked them what you're going to have to do?

Ya know, even just a few weeks of moderate exercise can make a big difference. It might help a lot to do just some light exercises in areas you think might be a problem.

But don't be shy about talking to the recruiters or even people from other departments to determine exactly what they'll expect of you and how strict they'll be about it. You should be able to determine exactly what will be expected of you and have a chance to work at it until it's time to go.

Brett, Thanks for the reply. I am going to talk to my recruiter today to get the details. I have a couple of weeks, so I will take the time to start practicing what I saw and heard online.

Sounds like you will have no problem. If you have passed the D.O.T. physical. Brett is right when he says that a company physical is no different. You are going to just another doctor and they all do the same thing for the most part.

The Knees are the first to go in trucking. I have had minor discomfort with mine for years. O.k. sometimes it really hurts, but it feels better after a while. I would think though that you will have no problem because you are a BIG person and might scare the doctor into giving you a good report.

Just a little (BIG) humor.

Excising now can help too. A few weeks can make a big difference. I take a Aleve when doing strenuous work before hand because I know its going to hurt. It helps me push through what I have to do. Be positive about it. Believe that you are going to be fine and you will be.

I wish you luck. Let us know how it goes.

If you knees *any part of you* hurt try Bio-freeze (not icey hot or store brand) it works wonders. I did talk to a guy in the terminal cafe today that said he was sent home from four companies before celadon hired him AND helped him lose weight... He was bigger than the size you stated. Bottom line is don't give up... If you get there and they send you away get on the phone and call around and go to the next one.