Profile For penn99

Thank you, Old School and Randolph!!

2021-11-12

It has been a long time since I have updated.... and a long time since I have visited this forum.

I have since completed the Phase 3 portion of my training, many weeks ago when I spent 2 weeks in the Midwest.... while there, I had a variety of loads in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Minnesota during that 2 week period.... performed my winter training on the simulator in Marshfield, WI.... and finalized by Phase 3 at the terminal in Gary, IN.

Being based out of Phoenix, a majority of my runs are now in AZ, CA, NV, and UT.... thus far. And.... way to many in the L.A. metro area.... lol.

All continues to go well.... I am having fun and enjoying my job. I have had a few extremely stressful situations, but, that comes with almost any job.

All has been good.... all is good.

This will likely be my last update for this thread. Time will tell.

G......

I am a Flatbedder... and sometimes the tarping can be a pain... and sometimes, certain driving situations can be extremely stressful... however.... I have never had any negative thoughts about having chosen this profession. I am actually enjoying this, and I am actually having fun.... every day.

This may change in the future... but for the time being, I am holding on to this and making the best of it all.

And so, as I wrap up Phase 3.... and starting tomorrow morning, I will be heading up to the terminal in Gary, IN to do my ‘Winter Training’... as the Phoenix terminal does not provide this training.... cannot imagine why.... lol.

Much thanks goes to Roehl... and much thanks goes to Trucking Truth.... for helping me all along the way with my journey.

All has been good. All ‘is’ good. Very good.

G....

I have mostly bounced back and forth between northern California and Utah.... and somewhat in Nevada... and lately, I have been going in and out of L.A. a lot. Ugh... can’t say I like doing L.A. continuously... but... it is part of the job at this point.

All has been good very well... from my perspective. My Fleet Training Manager states I am doing extremely well. I have no reason to doubt him. He has also been excellent to work with......

All in all... I am enjoying my new career... and I am enjoying the lifestyle as a trucker. I feel well prepared by Roehl’s training. I was not expecting it to be easy.... and.... it has not been easy. The L.A. metro area has had me in few extremely stressful situations, yet, I have powered through. And I will never forget the number 1 rule.... do not hit anything.

My favorite trip thus far: picked up 4 aluminum coils in Vernon, CA (L.A. area) and delivered to the Coors Industrial Park in Golden, CO. Man, I love the Rockies!! Makes me seriously think about moving back to Colorado.

Dillon, CO.... before heading up that long hill to the Eisenhower Tunnel.

One of my recent loads.... picking up near Long Beach... ugh L.A. area.... again!! And... I had to tarp it!!

Wow... its been a few weeks since I have last posted.

I started Phase 3 with Roehl after my last post...... and have been on the run ever since.

My first solo load in Phase 3 was a load of plastic sewer pipes... a relay load from the Roehl terminal in Phoenix to two different stops in the Sacramento area. I was nervous as *%*@ going out on my own... but shortly after leaving the terminal, the nerves died down and I think my previous training took over. It actually felt somewhat natural... well... as natural as it could possibly feel that early in my solo career.

My 1st solo load:

My 2nd solo load:

I have the same problem.... it seems after every time I start driving... my inverter faults.... I have to reset it every time I stop for the night.

I do the same as Mikey B. and Grumpy old man.... I push the reset button which is next to the yellow l.e.d.

If anyone has any ideas on how I can resolve this continuous problem.... Also... I will be talking to maintenance soon.

I am adding a pic from the internet... and I put in an arrow as to the exact location of the reset button.

I am currently finishing up Phase 3 of training.

I found the Phase 1 training and the my instructors in Marshfield to be great. My driver/trainer for Phase 2 was excellent. My time in Phase 3 has been challenging yet fun and I am really happy.

I am a Flatbedder based out of the Phoenix terminal. I was assigned a 2021 Freightliner with 150,000+ miles. I installed a mini-fridge and a microwave. There is a swinging arm mount for a TV... however, I doubt that I will install one. Wifi in the truck? Hmmm. No. If you know something I don't... please let me know. LOL.

Good luck. YMMV... but.... I think Roehl is an excellent choice... only based on my experience.

2021-08-24

Update...

Last Saturday, I finished up my Phase 2 training with Roehl.

Friday night, we (my trainer and I) ran out of time and stayed at a truck stop a bit west of the Phoenix area. Saturday morning... we dropped off our last load together... and then landed at the Roehl Terminal on the west side of Phoenix. I said a long farewell to my trainer... he was exceptional in every way that I can think of and I will truly miss training/working with him. As such, not all is lost as we have also become friends and I will remain in contact with him.

After a small wait, I met with the main instructor/trainer from the Phoenix Terminal.... I then obtained the keys to my truck (well, not my truck until I pass my testing), and proceeded to step through all the requirements of my Phase 2 testing. All went well... and.... I passed without any issues. Needless to say... I felt immense relief.... and I felt a wee bit of happiness.

My driver/trainer was suggesting.... and the individual giving me the test is highly recommending when the time is appropriate.... that I also become a driver/trainer for Roehl. LOL... I said absolutely not..... well, not for now... who knows what the future will bring. I told them both.... I need to focus on myself.... and focus on the areas where I need improvement... time will tell.... but, I see me staying solo for the remainder of my driving career.

The truck I tested in is officially now my truck. It is nice but has a few issues.... the previous driver was a smoker, so the maintenance team is trying to help out with that issue. Additionally, there are a few maintenance issues... and the maintenance team is also working on those items. Everyone in the maintenance group at the Phoenix Terminal... from the head of the department... to the guys in the shop... have been extremely nice to me and very helpful.

And so.... my solo journey begins tomorrow... the beginning of Phase 3 training for Roehl. I bought and prepared a few items.... and delivered those items plus some clothing to my truck today.... to my truck which is still in the maintenance bay.... all should be ready by tomorrow. I am nervous, anxious, and excited to start my solo life in a truck. Did I mention that I was nervous? Regardless.... I believe I will do well.... I will do everything in my power to do well. I believe I am ready.

And... for a little more info on my Phase 2 training... I already mentioned my trainer was exceptional. I also feel that my time training during Phase 2 was a wonderful experience and I am feeling blessed for all that took place. We never made it the Midwest, however, we did get to the Dallas area... but that was the farthest east we went. We were in the L.A. area a few different times and we were back in the Phoenix area a few different times. We also were up in the Bay area of CA one time.... one load but with three individual customers, thus, three individual drops. We then picked up a load in Sacramento.... and that load had 6 individual customers (6 drops).... one in eastern Nevada... and the remaining 5 in southern Utah. Strapping... unstrapping... strapping... unstrapping in the rain.... strapping in the rain... unstrapping. Fun stuff... at least this load did not have tarps.

And thus... the states we hit on our journeys... AZ, CA, NV, UT, and TX. Wow... what a great time I had.

And now... onto Phase 3. I am excited!!

All... is so very good!!

G....

It sounds like you are really doing a great job! Enjoy those resets. You've deserved a break!

That photo from Hurtado BBQ looks so good it makes me hungry!

Thank you, Old School......

2021-08-15

And... another week of Phase 2 completed.

Multiple runs.... with multiple loads... pipes... steel coils crosswise... steel conduit... misc stuff being tansported. Strapping.... chaining... strapping some more.... and tarping....and putting on the miles!! Good Stuff!! I continue to have a great time and enjoy this every single day.

We are on another 34 hour reset. Relaxing and unwinding until we startup again early on Monday. Can't wait to get going again. Wish I had the motivation to write more here... but... its just nice to sit back, watch a little Netflix... and relax.

Working on my solo loads so that I can finish up Phase 2 and test out.... and then.... getting ready for Phase 3.

All is good!!