snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Aug 7, 2004 2:22:17 GMT -5
I am 4'10" 95 lbs , will I be able to do what it takes? ie.. clutch, tire chains, loads, etc..
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Post by Fozzy on Aug 7, 2004 5:34:30 GMT -5
I am 4'10" 95 lbs , will I be able to do what it takes? ie.. clutch, tire chains, loads, etc.. In a perfect world, there would be nothing stopping you. unfortunately we live here in the crummy old real world. To be 100% honest, I think it would be VERY rough on you at your small stature. There are some trucking jobs that you'd be able to do, but in almost every one there are things that may come up where you need brute strength, a long reach, or a heavy butt! Just etting up a truck so you could both use the clutch properly AND still be able to see out of it, would be a toughy. Opening some container and trailer doors are tough for me and I'm 6'2" . I've trained both very small and very large people to do this job and both have their own certain little problems to deal with. You goal is to find some sort of specialty type of trucking job that size and weight is not an issue.
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Aug 7, 2004 12:55:37 GMT -5
Thank you Fozzy
I am looking at Swift for my training and was told by the recruiter (aka sunshine blower) that I would not have any problems . Then he sends me a brochure with a list of physical job demands that are way out of my league. So I thought I'd ask people who wouldn't deem it necessary to give me rose colored glasses.
You mentioned specialty jobs that may work for me. Could you please give me some suggestions ? I will only be on the road alone for approx. a year . My husband will join me after we get rid of some debt and put our daughter in college.
Any Help will be Appreciated
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Post by Fozzy on Aug 7, 2004 15:12:13 GMT -5
You say that you live in California? Ditch the idea the Swift trucking gig. (just my opinion) And call a few AG haulers and see whats going on. Right now they are hitting their stride! Tomatoes, Beets, Onions ect ect. They should have jobs a plenty and you dont really have to do anything other than drive. If you get out on the road somewhere and cannot do something the big carriers will use their little "job description" to fire you. Better to be nearer home and making the same if not more money! There are plenty of rock hauling jobs and cement jobs out there too. You need to work that end of driving and stay away from vans and such. Tankers would possibly work, but the hoses are pretty heavy
Fozzy
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Post by GLAngst on Aug 7, 2004 15:51:27 GMT -5
I stopped at a truck stop in Kingmen Az.for lunch one day.I seen a short gal(not an inch over 5 ft.) get out of a 379 Perterbilt.I watched her a bit as she fueled,did her enroute inspection then she got back in the truck and pulled away from the fuel island and went and backed the 53 ft.trailer she was pulling between two trucks and parked. Size doesn't make the person.Didn't get a chance to talk to her the guys were on her like bees on honey.
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Post by Arcflash on Aug 8, 2004 0:35:33 GMT -5
You could do it... I've seen smaller folks than you driving. You'll run into some tough situations though.
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dhagood
425 Detroit
eschews obfuscation
Posts: 57
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Post by dhagood on Aug 8, 2004 13:45:50 GMT -5
it would certainly be possible for you to succeed, but you would definitely have to work at it. a lot of problems that guys solve with brute strength could be "out-smarted".
my company has several women drivers that pull a flatbed trailer, and they succeed pretty well. one of the drivers is a woman about 55 that might weigh 115 lbs, and is about 5'4" i'd guess. she is a much better tarper than i am (and i'm getting a complex about it, lol).
it can be done, but perhaps at some cost. we lost one recently to a workman's comp issue regarding a loss of upper body strength supposedly brought about by overwork. the woman didn't want to stop driving, but the doctor pulled her medical certificate, so...
in any case, good luck to you.
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Aug 8, 2004 16:35:29 GMT -5
Let me start by sayin thanks to all who have replied.
Fozzy you've given me some real good ideas, especially since I live in the armpit of the Central Valley. AG central and lots of dairies.
Problem: I DON"T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A BIG RIG ! I used to manage an automotive repair facility across the street from the DMV , so I saw a lot of the truck schools taking their test . May I assume these are the mills you and others are talking about ? If so, would they be good enough for what I should be looking at?
dhagood thanks for your input, I was raised to believe that I could do anything that took muscles I just had to do it differently. I just don't want to needlessly injure myself or appear to be a wimpy woo and get fired . KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS ! LOL
To everyone else thanks for the support , ya'll have been great .
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Aug 21, 2004 12:38:17 GMT -5
UPDATE;
I've been offered a position in a field where size doesn't matter. Juvenile Probation . You just have to be able to run really fast ;D !!!
My husband and are still going to drive, we just think that getting bills paid off, and a nice savings built up will make starting out less stressful.
Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. Be safe
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Post by Pcuthbert on Sept 7, 2004 10:16:22 GMT -5
Hi Snow;
As you indicate you are still considering driving in the future, I would like to offer my nickles worth.
Your experience in the Auto Shop should hold you in good stead for a position in the maintainance facility of a company. You may be able to get them to provide you with a license to "road test" equipment.
Tankers would be a good place to start. There was a mention of the weight of the hoses, but there are techniques to handle them which does not require a lot of strength.
I have seen women of your stature doing this for many years.
Good luck;
Pat
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snow1
425 Detroit
Posts: 44
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Post by snow1 on Sept 7, 2004 15:40:19 GMT -5
Thank you Pat.
As it stands right now I will be Team driving with Hubby, so that will take care of a lot of my size problems.
I recently passed my PAT's for the Probation office, so that was a large boost to my self esteme. It helped that I was the only female , and I did better than some of the boys. Although I gotta admit watching them lift and support 150lbs, made it look a darn sight easier than it was. When it came time to drag the 165lbs, dhagoods advice came in real handy. Brains over Bronze. It helped too, that I was able to watch the guys methods and see their mistakes.
Sorry to go on, I'm just proud !!!
Again Thank you for your reply.
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