Profile For Cowboy

I waited almost three weeks to get a driver/trainer for phase 2 with Roehl. Waited another 14 days to get my own truck assigned to me after phase 2. Be prepared to wait longer than expected. Congrats on getting your CDL.

Hooked up with trainer yesterday, 2/19. Went all around Chicago and drove 107 miles to Beaver Dam, WI, where I'm three hrs Into waiting for a live unload and then will go 207 miles to drop n hook in Menomonie, WI.

I don't even have a trainer assigned to me for me to call. All I get from my FTM is "we're working on a plan to get you with a trainer. We'll call you when we have it figured out." Today is just lost income. ☹️ It doesn't make sense that people who finished after me and four others are already assigned trainers.

Good luck to you and stay safe!

Monday, 17 Feb 2020

Well, I've been home 11 days now. My wife was notified that we had to vacate the home we've been renting for 5 years by 28 Feb, because the owner's selling it. So, I've spent this past week at home, securing an apartment for my wife, 17 yr old son, and myself. We got moved over the weekend and are getting settled in. All the while, I've been waiting on the call to meet my trainer for my Phase II training. Haven't heard anything yet. I've been told it's not abnormal to wait a week to a week and a half, but it's getting a little frustrating. I need to get on with Phase II for my 19 days so I can get my own truck and start making money. Of the four of us on my training truck, only one of us (the flatbedder) has been assigned a trainer and hit the road. The other three of us are still waiting.

Hope it happens soon. I'll get my last check from GYCDL this Thursday. The check after that will be based on what I work this week, which is nothing so far. Patiently waiting.

Be Safe!

Sunday, 9 Feb 2020

Made it home about midnight Thursday night. So good to be home for about a week. I made life-long friends at GYCDL, including my instructor, but it was nice to be home. Got my paper-copy CDL on Friday and will contact my Fleet Training Manager on Monday to let her know that I'll be ready to roll out with my Driver Trainer this coming Thursday. Looking forward to really learning the day-to-day operations and the lifestyle now that I'm licensed. I know that I know just enough to be dangerous without a lot of further training and I'm ready for the next phase.

I really appreciate all those who have been following along, including those who did not post but just read along. I can honestly say that I made the right choice, for me, going with Roehl. There are lots of good trucking companies out there, I know. Pick the one that fits what you want and need. For me it is definitely with Roehl and I could see it being my forever company, barring some unforeseen problem or issue. As of now, I love this company, their values, their commitment to safety, their care for drivers and their families, their equipment, their facilities, and definitely their training and continued training. I am a company driver and have a goal of becoming a million-mile safe top tier driver in that capacity.

If you're a family man/woman and are considering this career, please do yourself a favor and include your spouse/significant other in your research and decision making. Make your spouse a part of the team. I am home now and we are going through the process of planning for my absences. My wife has my driver code (and my truck # when I get one) and the proper phone numbers for my FTM in cases of family emergencies. We have synced up calendars so we are on the same page for what's going on and what's coming up. We use WhatsApp, Phone Calls and Duo for my down-time contact (stay off the phone when operating the vehicle). She knows I WILL contact her when I'm down. I check her texts and voice texts when I stop driving to catch up on her day and then respond accordingly.

When you're at work, be at work and have your head in the game. When you're home, be at home and have your head out of the game and with your loved ones. Keep it properly balanced. It's not that hard if you have your loved ones fully informed and educated about the seriousness of your work and the potential dangers of you being distracted. This can be a great, prosperous, fulfilling career if done the right way.

Stay Safe! Cowboy

That is Awesome!!! Congrats and welcome to Team Roehl. Look forward to meeting you sometime out on the road.

Thanks to all.

You got it BigShow, just stay out of your head and drive the truck. Good luck!

Go Chiefs!!!