Roehl Transport: Get Your CDL Diary

@louie - You'll be outside to hook up the truck in the morning/run through a pretrip inspection, but after that you'll be in the truck. The most standing around outside I did was when we did backing and that was just waiting around while the other guys backed.

Have I mentioned how I love Wednesdays? No? Well now you all know! After a week of intense study and enough practice tests to make me nearly go crazy.... I passed.

Now I'm just waiting to hear back from Abby at Roehl. And more than likely I'll be headed up to Wisconsin to start on the 27th as planned.

I'm more than ready to go. I'm more than ready to begin this journey and become a sponge. I am ready to learn everything I can and then some. I'm sure I'll be somewhat nervous getting back into a truck from the past Company school. But I just have to remember that Roehl isn't the same. They do things different. And different is good.

My next post will probably have to do with my adventure going up there by Greyhound. Especially the 8 hour lay over in Chi-town!!

If anyone has never ridden a Greyhound.... well, you see some crazy ish!!! Sure, it takes forever and it's like being in a Sardine can, but for me it's worth it for the entertainment you'll see along the way!!

So until then everyone!!! Live long and prosper!!!

**Oh, and I almost forgot to thank Brett again for the High End Training. If it wasn't for that and the repetition I'm not sure I would have passed!!)

Hows it going man update?!

Ladies and gentlemen, after a tiring Greyhound ride up here to Appleton, I've made it.

That 8 hour layover in Chicago was killer. Especially when you're a smoker and run out. And don't know the area.

I've been chillin in my room since around 2:15. And let me tell you. This is one nice hotel they put you up in. I'm still waiting on my roommate who hasn't arrived yet.

For anyone looking into Roehl. So far... so good. I even decided to be a penny pincher and grabbed me some peanut butter, jelly, and some bread for dinner. Simple, fairly chip, and... well who doesn't like PB&J?!?!?

My room overlooks the heated pool. It's a quick walk outside to get that smoke in.

I'm ready to get orientation done tomorrow and into the truck. But, to the guy who just drove in here.... he needs some work on his shifting. He was grinding gears like mad crazy. He wasn't with Roehl, but still.

So, once I get in tomorroe evening, do the homework I'll more than likely have, grab a bite to eat, and maybe a shower (Already did that too) I'll give you all the down low on Day 1.

But for now, I'm gonna lay back in this comfy bed, watch some TV (Even though I hate TV) and just relax. For fellow smokers who may be paying $4-5 a pack. . . . I just paid like 7 or 8 for a pack of L&M'S. JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE. I may try quitting soon. At least cut back.

Well, I'm done rambling. So until tomorrow.... unless I decide to update on what my roommate is like....

Well, here's a quick and short update before I go walk around a bit....

My roommate finally arrived. He drove himself down and luckily he doesn't mind me riding with him to and from Fox Valley.

He seems like a pretty cool dude. Anyway. I just wanted to throw that out there at you all. Before I fall asleep before I'm ready, I'm gonna take a quick stroll. Maybe go out and kill my lungs a bit more....

So until next time TT. Tomorrow is the beginning of an amazing journey!!!

Day 1:

My roommate and I got up around 5 AM this morning. Kinda piddled down and bit then I headed down to wait on breakfast.

Here I was expecting a crappy, cold, Continental breakfast. Boy was I surprised. We had pancakes, sausage links, eggs, I'm not sure what all. And let me tell you, it was good. It definitely hit the spot, even though I only ate a couple of pancakes and a sausage link.

We chilled out in the lobby until around 7 AM. That's when a guy named Ryan showed up with the van to head over to Roehl.

To start the day we had a brief get to know you, then we filled out a paper for the Pre-Work Screening. Then we all hopped into the van and headed to the Medical Center to do the PWS. And a quick note for anyone coming in, try not to have a lot of caffeine or smoke until after you've had this test.

So, pretty much they'll call you back one at a time. They'll take your resting heart rate and blood pressure. Don't be nervous, it's a fairly simple test.

Then you'll go out and the first you'll do is squat under this metal table/bench which replicates squatting under a trailer during your pre/post trip inspection. You'll do it twice and stay under for 20 second each time.

Next, on the same station, you'll observe the 3-points of contact, and get up on the station, and to your knees. Then again using the 3-points of contact get down. After each thing you'll get your heart rate checked.

Next, you'll life some baskets from waist to shoulder. 2 different weights. Then again your heart rate.

Next is the part I struggled on a bit since I am just a little fella. You'll push against a bar 3 times and need your average to be 80lbs. And you'll pull 3 times for an average of 100. Now I got the averages, but what scared me was my target maximum HR was 167. You are not supposed to meet that maximum. I had 169. So, I had to go outx rest then push and pull again. This time, 166. Although I nearly failed (I'm so glad I didn't) my heart rate is normally high anyway.

After that you're done. Another quick note. To get your maximum HR (220- your age=??. Then mulitply that number by 0.9. That will be your maximum. You must be below that.)

Once every was done we headed back to Roehl. Once there we filled out some paperwork. Then we did the I-9 form on a laptop. One at a time. Then comes everyone's favorite word. LUNCH.

And it's from a sandwich place. You'll fill out a form in the morning and pick your sandwich, chips, and if you want a cookie. It was GOOD.

After lunch, we talked to Korey, the Training supervisor. He's an awesome guy as well. He'll do some get to know you stuff and then also tell you his expectations. To some he may seem a bit hardcore in some areas, but don't fret, it's the USMC in him. He's a great guy.

Next we got our copies of the JJ Keller book. As well as a set of Paper Logs. Then we were showed how to do the paperlogs.

And that was pretty much it from day 1. Simple and somewhat boring day. But tomorrow begins the fun!!

We were told we didn't need our J.J. Keller book tomorrow, but if you're like me and want to stay ahead of training, read the first 2 chapters when you get back to the hotel.

Anyway, that's what I'm doing once I'm done with this. I know my Day 1 wasn't great and suspenseful but it's Day 1: Orientation.

Oh, you'll also get your driver code....

So there you all have it. And to anyone coming in while I'm still here, don't be scared to ask myself or anyone else training anything. We are all a team and everyone will help you if you ask questions.

So feel free to ask on here as well. I'll try to update as much as I can. But with such quick paced training, I may miss a day or two. If so I'll get to it ASAP.

I can't wait for the weekend. It's supposed to be in the 40s and sunny. Plus this weekend we only work 7-11:30 on Saturday. We'll have the rest of the day and Sunday to ourselves. And since my roommate lives not far from here he's going home for a those days he said. So if so it's just me in here.

Well, until tomorrow everyone. Have a great and awesome day!!

Day 2:

So, I'm sitting out here on the porch of the hotel having me a cancer stick after somewhat nerve racking day. But all in all, I think we all did well. So here's how my day went...

As usual with me and my roommate we are up at 5 AM. I was down stairs by about 6:10. Ate breakfast. This morning I went light with a pastry and muffin.

Ryan came and got us in the shuttle today so we'd know how to get to Fox Valley Tech.

We were in what's called dispatch at 7 AM. That's where you'll fill out the form for lunch and get your assignment for the day (trainer, truck, trailer).

Then we filled out the paperwork for FVTS. We split into two groups of 3. Went out to.our assigned truck with Ryan. He went over the pre-trip on the tractor with us. Then it was time to hit what I'll call the speedway (it's a big oval). Then we took turns driving around that oval. Learning to shift up and down shift. It was a bit slow at catching on at this point. We did this till lunch time.

After lunch my group hit the simulator up with Ryan. The simulator isn't my favorite thing here, only because it made me dizzy like I was wearing VR Goggles and doing a VR Roller Coaster. But it did help.

Around 2:30 we switched and went out with John. He did things a little different and we went around the skid pad area and worked on shifting. I grinded a couple of times but all in all things started clicking. He only had me do one lap. I'm not sure if that's because I did good or because I scared him bald (LOL). A little before 4 John showed us how to uncouple a trailer (my group didn't drive with one today, but he said we were ready for one when we were done). We met up in the sim room with everyone else, filled our log books out and now we're back at the hotel.

Not a overly detailed day but I'm sure anyone reading this can hopefully get what's going on.

So anyway, I'm about to read a couple of chapters from my book, go over my logs and make sure they are up to date and correct (I'm kind of a perfectionist.) Then relax till around 8:30-9 then it'll be time for some sleep.

Today went by super fast. Which is a good thing. I can't wait till tomorrow. Training here is superb!! If not the best!!

So, until tomorrow everyone. Have an awesome day. I'm on my way to my CDL and becoming a professional trucker!!!

Day 2:

So, I'm sitting out here on the porch of the hotel having me a cancer stick after somewhat nerve racking day. But all in all, I think we all did well. So here's how my day went...

As usual with me and my roommate we are up at 5 AM. I was down stairs by about 6:10. Ate breakfast. This morning I went light with a pastry and muffin.

Ryan came and got us in the shuttle today so we'd know how to get to Fox Valley Tech.

We were in what's called dispatch at 7 AM. That's where you'll fill out the form for lunch and get your assignment for the day (trainer, truck, trailer).

Then we filled out the paperwork for FVTS. We split into two groups of 3. Went out to.our assigned truck with Ryan. He went over the pre-trip on the tractor with us. Then it was time to hit what I'll call the speedway (it's a big oval). Then we took turns driving around that oval. Learning to shift up and down shift. It was a bit slow at catching on at this point. We did this till lunch time.

After lunch my group hit the simulator up with Ryan. The simulator isn't my favorite thing here, only because it made me dizzy like I was wearing VR Goggles and doing a VR Roller Coaster. But it did help.

Around 2:30 we switched and went out with John. He did things a little different and we went around the skid pad area and worked on shifting. I grinded a couple of times but all in all things started clicking. He only had me do one lap. I'm not sure if that's because I did good or because I scared him bald (LOL). A little before 4 John showed us how to uncouple a trailer (my group didn't drive with one today, but he said we were ready for one when we were done). We met up in the sim room with everyone else, filled our log books out and now we're back at the hotel.

Not a overly detailed day but I'm sure anyone reading this can hopefully get what's going on.

So anyway, I'm about to read a couple of chapters from my book, go over my logs and make sure they are up to date and correct (I'm kind of a perfectionist.) Then relax till around 8:30-9 then it'll be time for some sleep.

Today went by super fast. Which is a good thing. I can't wait till tomorrow. Training here is superb!! If not the best!!

So, until tomorrow everyone. Have an awesome day. I'm on my way to my CDL and becoming a professional trucker!!!

Day 3:

Well, woke up at 5 AM again. This time to low temps and freezing rain falling. Rode in with a fellow trainee. Did dispatch and Ryan got his assigned Roehl truck back in for us to use. Which will now be the truck we train in.

After dispatch we went with Ryan to see a demo of coupling a trailer. As well as a street demo (meaning he just went out on the roads). By this time the snow was coming down good. Saw 2 different wrecks while we were out. When we got back to FVTC we saw a lot of people coming in.

After this we went into the sim room and worked on our right and left turns on the sim. Didn't go too badly. I think I did right turns pretty good, but my brain got all jumbled on the lefts. I did them without hitting anything, but I was going into the wrong lane and everything. But that's ok. Then we went to lunch.

After lunch we got the word that we were shut down due to the weather and road conditions. So, the rest of the day my group was in the Inspection Bay (Where you'll be when weather is bad enough) going over the pre-trip one at a time. After that we met the other 3 in the sim room and just talked about the day. Ryan felt we did good. Which is good. I felt I struggled a tiny bit today.

And now here I am at the hotel. Once relaxed I'm gonna study as much as I can on the pre-trip. As I've said, I've passed a pre-trip before so I know I can do it again ij a few weeks.

So, a slow boring day for today. Hope you all have a great rest of your day. New day and new beginning tomorrow.

Day 4:

Folks, today was an awesome day. Went to bed last night at 8:30. Up at 5. Did the whole breakfast thing and was at morning dispatch at FVTC at 6:45.

Today we started out on the Keller Track (what I call the speedway) and went around with the trailer hooked up. Did pretty good. Was taking the turns the way we were supposed to and all. Had one minor hickup or brainfart on my part. Kept stalling at one point because I kept for getting to let out on the brake when it started to give a little pull. A few times my timing was off as well. But that's okay. Overall I think we all did ok.

After lunch we went to the Sim room to work on backing. I did the straight line pretty good. Then we had a scenario where the police clear the road and you have to pretty much serpentine around the curves to get back. Didn't too incredibly horrible. Just mixed up when to adjust right or left a few times. But the plus to it all is that it was our last day in the sim.

Around 2:30 we met up with the other instructor named John and headed out to the Industrial Park for some street driving.

It was awesome. Taking turns, shifting and down shifting those gears and getting better as we went along.

Had a few hiccups again but it was okay. All part of the learning process. And we're all getting better.

Tomorrow is more street driving and we start doing some live backing.

As I said, an awesome day!!! It's so hard to believe that in a couple of days we will be done with Week 1 and 3 to go. Actually about 2.5 depending how testing days go. But I'm confident that by then we'll all be ready, and all 6 of us will come out of this with our CDLs. Then of course after that will be graduation and time to go home for a bit to get the actual CDL and wait on a Driver Trainer to go out on the road with them for about 15 days!!

Hopefully anyone headed up here in the next week or two will have as much fun learning this life as I am!!!