I seriously doubt anyone actually has to "jump" onto or off of anything. He's probably talking about a large plywood box on the trailer, meant to simulate high loads. You get up there and practice your lumber-tarping skills.

As far as lumber tarps go, the ones I used were somewhere between 100 and 120lbs. Occasionally, when they get wet, that'll add another 20lbs or so of water. I'd say about 99% of the time, the forklift operator will lift the tarps on the load for you.

OK just to clear up a few things for you guys. I just finished school and orientation for Maverick and I am waiting on my Driver trainer to pick me up. You have to show them that you can safely climb onto a trailer and you have to pull your self up onto a 5'6" box. They do all the test to make sure you can do the job safely They do not want to put someone in a truck that can not do the job safe, that is their main concern. During orientation they repeatedly told us that if we could not do something properly to call the office and they would talk you through it or try to get you some help.

Thanks for the input everyone...especially the direct input from Deere29.

With the reputation that Maverick has, I just couldn't imagine them requiring anything dangerous. With Deere29's imput, I can still consider them. I'm not helpless, I just dont intend to do something stupid just to show somebody I can.

Getting on the trailer and on the box, shouldn't be a problem....being required to "jump" onto either one of them...well, somebody would have a good idea of where I thought they could stick their trailer and their box. :wink:

Thanks again Deere29!

Arky

Hey Deere29,what do you think of the people and overall professionalism of the instructors and everything in general with Maverick ? Nice facility and good equipment.Did you get to meet Steve Williams ? Hopefully you got the opportunity to meet him and Dean Newell,2 very good people,also Curt V. in safety.Arky,the box they are talking about is not too big of a deal,like they said its there to simulate a small load of lumber,etc; You cannot go wrong going with Maverick as long as you do not mind the hard work,securement,tarping,etc; They do care about their drivers and you will get your weekends off,they do everything in their power to make sure you get some time at home on the weekend.

What are Maverick's trucks governed at?

70 mph

What's harder, flatbedding, tarping and messing with straps, etc. or Van, and having to fingerprint boxes. I personally hate unloading van cargo by hand. So sometimes I wonder if flatbedding would be harder or easier. I'm not lazy, I'm just trying to get a feel of how flatbeding is.

Adam I have been at it almost two months and I have seen some of the box guys sitting for hours to either get unloaded or loaded while I get the shipper or consignee in and out in about 30 mins plus 15 mins to put all the stuff away. I enjoy the heck out of it. I stay on the go all the time but I enjoy my relax time like now.

Yea that's what i figured. Flatbedders don't have to wait around as long; plus they get paid better than van drivers. Thats a big plus in my book, with flatbed.

When I first started looking I went through alot of companies looking at pay, benefits, miles, plus alot more. I won't say that I have a perfect week every week, but I have a good fleet manager that does everything that he can to get good freight. That is really what makes this job easier for me