Profile For Jolie R.

I am 5'0" and have been driving an Eaton 10 for the 2 years I have been driving. I was concerned before going to school regarding the clutch until I realized that clutching is different on a truck than in a car as you only need to depress it far enough to shift, usually only a couple of inches. I sit farther back than most women because sitting too close to the steering wheel can be dangerous in a collision. I sold cars for several years and was always amazed at how close most women sit in relation to the steering wheel and saw the horrible bruises one received when she was in a wreck and her air bag blew. Only you can decide where you are comfortable, but you are probably sitting a lot closer to the wheel than is necessary. It can be done if you are willing to make some adjustments, which you will find you need to do quite often when you begin to drive, as these trucks are not designed for women but we make do. Good luck!

I don't think Rick threw that out there as a hard statistic. I believe he is extrapolating a number based on the volume of miles a professional will do. What he's saying is that your exposure is much greater.

Another consideration is that many states look at trucking companies as a good solid revenue stream.

OS, truer words were never written! I make 2 runs between Cincinnati and Columbus M-F and the State police and DOT are sitting about every 5 miles and that is not an exaggeration! I see countless drivers pulled over daily. Mind you, I go through 2 construction zone each way and see a lot of knuckleheads speeding through them in both cars and truck, and believe they deserve to pay every cent they get in fines! I think that 100 mile stretch of highway is what keeps the State of Ohio afloat financially!

Thanks for the info, I've been considering going this Route to get my CDL One question, what happens if your a bit slower to catch on ? Will they work with you a little longer, or are you more likely to be " let go"

Thanks in advance

It depends, most catch on, and they give you goals for the end of each week. We had a few struggle and they worked with them. If you fail the skills test, they work with you and hold you over until you can retest.

Ah man, Thanks for the reply ! I was hoping that was the answer, I'm debating going to a school, or roehl's program.

I got my CDL through Roehl before they went to their current program. I had a very difficult time learning how to back the trailer....even a straight line back. They did suggest I leave and go to a longer program (theirs was barely 3 weeks at the time), but I wouldn't and because they saw my determination I got some extra help outside of regular class time. I passed all of the things necessary to get my CDL which surprised the heck out of everyone but me and those who know me best.

Their school is awesome and there are days when I am driving down the road I can still hear in my head things my instructors and trainer told me..... things like cars and trucks tend travel in packs so when you find yourself in a pack, ease off of the throttle and let them get by you. It won't put you behind schedule but could make the difference of whether you end up in a pile up or not. I also pull very very heavy loads every day and hear my trainer telling me I need to get a little more out of a gear before upshifting. I only drove for Roehl for the first 6 months of solo driving and have been out for a year and a half now but what I learned has been invaluable. I run into drivers I knew occasionally (even my trainer, twice!) which is always nice. I can't guarantee it but I doubt you would ever regret getting your CDL from their school.

Folks, if you are tired or begin to get the yawns I implore you to pull over and take a nap! A driver lost his life today on I-71 near Columbus OH and from the description of what happened and the time (between midnight and 05:00) it is reasonable to believe he dozed off. I saw the aftermath and it was heartbreaking. I'm not trying to be a sensationalist but far too often we try to push on just a little while longer because we have some deadline to meet for a delivery. NONE of us have the cure for Ebola in our trailers and while we might get written up for a late delivery, at least we would still be alive. I drive a daycab and get up at 01:30 and I am to my truck around 02:45. There are days that I have to stop and take a 20 or 30 minute nap despite having a full night's sleep. All of us are too important to our loved ones to think any freight is worth losing our lives over. On that note it is my bedtime. Safe travels to all of you.

Jolie

I have a friend driving for Swift with a felony for GTA. Not sure if you have tried them but it is worth a shot. Best of luck to you.

I mostly drop and hook now, but not too long ago I had to live unload and I got in the dock beautifully. The guy inside came out and said they could unload the trailer easier if I would open the doors! Oops! As Rosanna Rosannadana says, it's always something!

I rolled back with doors open and the shipper wanted then closed and could open them from the inside lol

Believe it or not, I drove on the Nabisco account when I was with Roehl and I would drop trailers at the Love's Park plant in their docks with the doors closed and the seal intact. I am not sure how they opened them like that but since I was brand spankin' new as driver it was much easier for me to back with them closed than open so I didn't care! I have never been to another consignee since then either that had a set up like that!

I mostly drop and hook now, but not too long ago I had to live unload and I got in the dock beautifully. The guy inside came out and said they could unload the trailer easier if I would open the doors! Oops! As Rosanna Rosannadana says, it's always something!

Honestly I NEVER open my doors until I'm ready to dock and I open the doors and release my tandems, do a pull up to make sure im straight and slide my tandems back at the same time, then back in. My company and every one of our customers requires tandems to be all the way back whether loading/unloading or drop/hook and for the life of me, my backing sucks with the tandems all the way back. At one customer location i go to, they require us to move our tandems back at the guard shack so I literally have to slide them to appease the guards, get into the drop lot, move them forward, back in, then move them back again lol. Craziness in action for sure but it is what it is.

I too preferred to have my tandems forward while backing when I first began driving, but now with some experience like to have them to the back. I deliver to a McDonald's distributorship daily and it is pretty tight. With them forward there is too much trailer swing to be able to get in a space without possibly bumping another trailer. I can also judge the pivot point of my tandems better with them back. It is amazing how preferences can change! Glad to hear your are doing well and figuring out what works best for you!

Thomas, I would love to know who your instructor's are. I went to Roehl's CDL school in Marshfield in October 2014. While I no longer drive for them I think their training is excellent. When I am driving some days, I can still hear my instructor and trainer's voice in my head in certain situations. I haul very heavy trailers each day and I can hear Dan telling me I need to put my foot in the throttle to accelerate or Brenda telling me to get a little more out of a gear! :-)

Stupid question from a newbie. Is the Rand an app or a book? Thanks.

Karen

Rand McNally publishes a map book, and sells a stand alone GPS and logging units, and they even have an Android app. The app connects to the logging device, from their website:

The HD 100 app works with the HD 100, Rand McNally's electronic logging device. The HD 100 plugs into the truck's diagnostics port and connects Hours of Service information wirelessly to the HD 100 app. HOS logs are available on the HD 100 app and via the Rand McNally Connect web portal.

Michael:

Thanks!!! That definitely has my name written all over it. I need all the help I can get lol.

Believe me when I say that if you are going to drive for Roehl you will need an atlas and your own GPS unit. I drove for them and left last May and I doubt they have changed their navigation system since I left. Theirs will get you close to where you are going to but then you have to rely on what they call close up directions which is basically info from other drivers who have been there which can be hit or miss.I don't think they want you to have your own GPS but I know most of the drivers do. Best of luck to you.