Ridiculous is right. That's a whole lot of bull in pronghornracer's post.

For starters the tarp is not 140 pounds. It might be 120, but I would say closer to 100 definitely than 140. It's really not a big deal at all. Don't underestimate the tarp, grab the sucker and put it on the back of the trailer, then drop it off and do it again.

When I was in securement training there was another woman, story was very similar to this post. She was given probably 15-20 minutes and tried every way imaginable, but she couldn't do it. I thought the woman's forehead would pop, it was beet red with veins popping out all over. I felt sorry for her, but truthfully after a couple of tries I would have given up and headed to the nearest dry van company if I were her. It had nothing to do with her being a woman either, there was another woman in the same class, smaller in stature, and she did it with not too much of a problem. This woman was older, overweight and out of shape and I'm pretty sure that she smoked about 4 packs per day. (nothing against smokers, I'm a pack a day man myself)

I'd also highly doubt that the box is 140#. It's more like a milk crate actually, it even has handles and you simply squat down, grab the handles and lift it to your waist. Again, no big deal. I never saw anyone have much trouble with that at all.

As nrvsreck said, the forklift drivers will put up there for you almost 100% of the time. I never ran into a time when they wouldn't. However, I did have one problem in Russellville, SC once at GP. When I got out to the tarping lot, which is after you scale out and go out the security gate, far away from forklifts, I unrolled the back tarp and just as I was climbing down to pin the corners a gust of wind kicked up and the damn tarp beat me to the ground... I tried your method, pulling it bit by bit, but with the wind blowing that was nearly impossible so I rolled it back up and heaved it up on top the load. It wasn't exactly easy and it took me a minute or two, but I did it and I survived.

Anyone who can't make it through Maverick's orientation tests would never make it out on the road for them, plain and simple. Let's not make it out like their tests are impossible...

Well, guys and gals Im in at Maverick. I leave Sunday at 10:00 am to get to Little Rock at 5:15. Wish me luck because if i really have to lift 140lb crate when I weigh 135lbs, it just might kick my a$$. Ill get to find out Monday tho. Thank you all for youre help and Im taking my laptop with me so I will keep you all posted.

Ok...here we go again..lol

Angie called today and set me up to start orientation this Sunday. I'll be heading to L.R. Saturday afternoon. She made a couple of sly comments related to me cancelling last week, but it really didn't seem to be a problem. Her comments are not demeaning, in fact she and I usually end up joking around at least some when we talk and today was no different, she's a very nice and friendly person to deal with. The fact that apparently there is no hard feelings tells me that they are probably a pretty good company to work for.

stevedb28, maybe we'll get to meet after all.

I want to try to clarify something for some of the newbies who might be reading this thread now or in the future. There are actually 2 different schedules in play here. Some will start on monday. This group has not been to school yet. They will spend Monday in L.R., then go to ASU/Newport on tuesday to start driving school...when they finish in Newport, they come directly back to L.R. and begin orientation and flatbed training and then out with a trainer. I am on the other schedule in that I already have my driving school behind me ( I paid out of pocket), I will start orientation on Sunday along with any experienced drivers that are hiring on. I will go through orientation, then flatbed training, then out with a trainer.

Hope this helps, I'm not 100% sure of this information, but this is what I've gathered from talking to recruiters and the guys that were in the Maverick sponsored training at ASUN while I was there. I think this is a fairly accurate description.

Later, Arky

hey arky, yes I may meet you sunday if you arent too busy. I am one of the ones going to Newport tho. In your post though, Angie told me I would be in Newport for 3 weeks, then go to Little Rock for 4 days orientation, then after that, I would go home for a few days and a trainer is to pick me up. I think the difference there is that you are not going to spend 3 weeks in the driving school. See you there

Yes, as I understand it, you are correct. Although I think you will be in L.R. Monday and then go to Newport. At least that's the way it went for the guys that were in my class. You will be in Newport for 3 weeks, actually you'll come back to L.R. on Thursday of the third week and start your orientation on Friday.

I should get to meet you sometime anyway. I'll pm you my name and cell phone #.

Arky

well maverick offered me a job today but as i am still in school until the 23rd i am weighing my options its definately alot better going through school first and then looking for a job....you have many more options

That info is pretty accurate. You will get home for some time off somewhere either between school and orientation or between orientation and when you go out with your trainer. I've seen it work both ways. I think it has a lot to do with whether they have a trainer close to your home available at the time you will finish orientation or not. If not, they will send you home for a few days after school and bring you back for orientation then you will leave with your trainer straight from there. Don't be afraid to take a trainer that doesn't live close to you. Mine was from just up the road in AR and I am from OH, but I felt like I got the best trainer that they had we really clicked and still talked to each other on a weekly basis even though I'm not with them anymore.

Good luck!

Appreciative of all the Mav info!
 

Have spent all weekend reading through the various Maverick posts and am very excited to attend their orientation next week. Haven't been in trucking since having left Alaska 7 years ago and wasn't sure of which companies here in the "lower 48" would be the best fit. Must say that Maverick certainly looks to be as good as it gets for company drivers who value safety, $$ for their efforts, and hometime with the family. Thanks again for the posts!

Northern Lights, are you required to take a refresher course since it been so lond since you drove, or do you go straight to orientation. Thanks

Can anyone working for Maverick tell me alittle about there insurance, and average miles per week driven? Thanks