Section I

1. I adjust well to change.

2. I don't mind weather, altitude and/or climate changes.

3. I like to work off-hours.

4. I like a constantly changing schedule.

5. I have good self-discipline.

6. I like a challenge.

7. I pay attention to details.

8. I am patient.

9. When I am terribly bored, I can still keep on task.

10. I can deal with all kinds of different people and attitudes in a diplomatic and professional way.

11. I am not shy (enough) that it causes me problems socially.

12. I am able to assert myself when I need to.

13. I believe the "customer is always right" – or even if I don't believe this, I can fake it well.

14. I can function under stress.

15. I don't mind detail-oriented paperwork.

16. I can control anger when it is inappropriate to express it.

17. My basic driving skills are good.

18. My MVR (or driving record) is good.

19. I am not afraid to drive in heavy city traffic.

20. I do not have problems with road rage and can keep under control when others make stupid mistakes and drive carelessly.

21. I don't mind being alone for extended periods of time.

22. My family is supportive of my new career choice.

23. Fluctuating paycheck amounts would not bother me.

24. I take pride in a job well done.

25. I like to be, and usually am, on time for appointments.

26. If I am delayed getting home for unforeseen circumstances, I can tolerate it. (I don't necessarily like it, but I can at least tolerate it if it isn't a recurring problem.)

27. I am in (at least) reasonably good health.


Section II      What would you do if this were you?

A. You make arrangements far in advance to be home on a certain day for a special family event and have promised your family that you'll be there. While still 500 miles away from home, the truck breaks down, requiring a day's wait for repairs. You would…

1. stay with the truck until the needed repairs were made, even if it meant you'd miss the event.

2. leave the truck and catch a ride home - promises are promises.

3. call the dispatcher and scream but still wait with the truck.

4. be very disappointed but learn not to cut it so close in time when an especially important event is coming up. You wait out the repairs.


B. Your dispatcher insisted that you run all night long to be at a delivery appointment at 6:AM sharp. Upon arrival at the receiver, you're told that they won't be able to unload your load for about 7 hours. You…

1. call the dispatcher to whine and complain.

2. tell the receiver exactly what you think of that and demand that he unload your truck right now, or else you'll leave and he won't get the freight at all.

3. call the dispatcher to ask him why he insisted you be there so early. You inform him that you can't unload for 7+ hours. You decide you need a nap --- you might as well, you have the time.

4. learn that you should call the receiver direct from now on to double check delivery times.


C. Your dispatcher gave you directions to a shipper's plant that were so far off you were lost for hours. As a result, you were late for your delivery appointment. Upon finally arriving at the plant, you telephone your dispatcher and…

1. call him every name in the book and threaten him that he'd better never do that again.

2. inform him that the directions were very bad and that you wouldn't have been late if you'd been given correct directions.

3. don't mention the bad directions at all and hope he doesn't notice you're late for the appointment.

4. learn that dispatchers give bad directions fairly often and rom now on, you will call the place directly, or look up the address on a city map, in advance, to get your own directions.


D. A D.O.T. officer is inspecting your truck, trailer and paperwork. He seems "bent" on finding something wrong. You know you're in good shape, yet the inspection is nearing 1 ½ hours long and you're going to be late for a delivery appointment if it stretches much longer. You…

1. tell the D.O.T. officer that he may as well give it up, there's nothing wrong, he is holding you up and if he isn't going to write a ticket, it's time that you got going.

2. tell the D.O.T. officer that if he holds you much longer, he will be responsible for the late delivery appointment.

3. mention diplomatically and non-threateningly that you have a delivery appointment soon and you'd really appreciate it if you could make it.

4. learn that when you can least afford the time is when things like inspections and tire blowouts occur and decide that you'll try to give yourself a little more time cushion in the future.


E. Your dispatcher is developing the nasty habit of giving you runs that cannot be made in the legal amount of time you have. You've already tried speaking to him in a calm and professional manner and it hasn't changed anything. You…

1. quit that job – who needs all that stress?

2. go to the Safety Department, explain the dilemma and what you've done to try to rectify it. You request a different dispatcher.

3. keep putting up with it – you're only a newbie and don't want to get fired.

4. tell the dispatcher that you won't accept any more loads that can't be completed within legal Hours of Service limits.