Nervous Lady Here.

Hi everyone,

I Just joined the forum. my name is Denise, out of Wisconsin. I starting my career back again. been out of trucking for over 30 to 40 years but always kept my cdl just incase one day I wanted to get back into it. Now, I know things have changed since I got my cdl but I'm starting my refresher course on Monday, with Roehl. now sure about this physical capacity test that they going to have me do, not even sure what kind of score I'm going to need to pass it. But anyways I'm so nervous right now, I do remember some things about getting in the truck although, Roehl do have all Manuals which not a problem for me since I'm going to be in the refrigerated division. My question is do anyone know what the score you have to pass for Roehl physical capacity test? and yes, unfortunately, I do smoke cigarettes but not a heavy smoker. I probably smoke like maybe 1 to 3 a day or none at all. yes, that means I'm trying to quit smoking, but doing it cold turkey. I am praying that I pass this test on Monday so I can get on the road and start my training. please send me some advice.

Thanks

Hi Denise- it looks like you're starting tomorrow. I just posted my experience with the Roehl 'machine' lol. There is a video of the machine and the basic motions. I can't tell you much more- that's what I saw, did, and overcame :-) The minimum is around 125 IIRC. I have nothing to relate those numbers to- it's measuring resistance in some fashion, and I think that is a cumulative score of all 5 outcomes- 1 on the abdominal crunch, 2 for the arm/shoulder tests left and right, and 2 for the legs/knee tests left and right. The guy who administered our tests was on his last week before leaving the position, so you won't get the experience of Big Tony giving you a simultaneously encouraging and terrifying "GO GO GO GO" to motivate you to do your best. Huge man in physique, persona, and voice. Absolute teddy bear in real life I think, but that was nerve wracking LOL. I ended up with a 195, partly because I was scared I might fail if I didn't give 110%, and partly because I was secretly hoping if I didn't fail, that I might prove myself strong enough for flatbed...but that's a different story.

My only suggestion that might be helpful- since you are apparently around my age (I'm 50 this year) if you have borne children and know that there are some lasting effects....um...I wish had I worn a pad. I peed a little doing the abdominal crunch and I had just emptied my bladder prior. Mortifying while it happened, but at that point there was no going back so I just went all out. Tony even looked at me at the end and said "this is my proud face' LOL. But I still wish I'd had worn a maxi pad... :-(

never heard any of this before! wow.

If done at the leisurely pace shown in the video it'd be a walk in the park. but the scoring mechanism requires you to put as much speed into the force you apply as you can manage...

official video

Hey guys, maybe I'm be paranoid here but I have a concern myself I wanted to voice.

I'm 30yrs old and will start training at Roehl on Monday. I'm excited, nervous, everything. Lol. Most of all super pumped. I've spent days thinking about the resistance machine that your on during your first day. They auto enrolled me into the Flatbed fleet which is fine by me but I'm hoping my strength is strong enough.

I'm also a much larger woman than most. I don't have any health issues and nothing keeps me from bending, moving etc. I've been in retail for the past 10yrs standing in one spot and I use to take yoga classes during the week before I started my old job, which had me lifting boxes of 50-70 pounds of wine/champagne bottles a few times a week. I'm not weak by any means and I can move around perfectly fine. But I'm still paranoid and I don't want my weight to be an issue. It's hard venturing into something totally new, while also keeping that I got this mentality. I like to be prepared for what's to come.

Ellie, there is one thing that keeps potential flatbedders from becoming flatbedders...their own doubt. I would encourage anyone and everyone to try out for it, it's fantastic and while there is a little more toil, the sleep schedule and delivery spots are worth it to me.

50 to 70 lbs is absolutely as much as I've lifted so far with tarps and all. There are usually little steps on the back of the tractor to walk up to the deck for safety. Your job with the champagne and lifting is probably more strenuous.

At worst what could happen? Not pass and sign up for another type of freight? Go for it!

Ellie, there is one thing that keeps potential flatbedders from becoming flatbedders...their own doubt. I would encourage anyone and everyone to try out for it, it's fantastic and while there is a little more toil, the sleep schedule and delivery spots are worth it to me.

50 to 70 lbs is absolutely as much as I've lifted so far with tarps and all. There are usually little steps on the back of the tractor to walk up to the deck for safety. Your job with the champagne and lifting is probably more strenuous.

At worst what could happen? Not pass and sign up for another type of freight? Go for it!

Your completely right! Worse case I don't pass and I sign up for another type of freight. Either way I want this.

The fact I'm getting so paranoid and nervous just branches off from me wanting this so badly. I know I can do it, and whatever I don't know how to do (which is a lot lol) I KNOW I can learn. I don't feel like there isn't anything I can't do as long as someone is willing to teach me. It's just interesting as my training gets closer my family is going from "hey that's awesome, there's great money in that." to "Are you sure you can do it? There's a lot you have to know and do."

I could ramble on but thank you for your encouragement and that reminder!!

Just to update, because you never know who may wonder back here.

I passed my strength test at Roehl for the flatbed division!! I gave it my all, focused and just went as hard as I could. My left arm is waaaay weaker than my right. I had to really force that last and final pull. That was the worst. But even when it came to abdominal crunch, which I thought I would be weakest in. I had no issues whatsoever and it was actually the easiest task even though I could tell I had more force working against me. 😁💪💪 All in all, it was a nice Monday morning workout. Lol. I'm now a week in training at Roehl and love it more and more each day. 😎

EllieMae,

Congratulations! You have proved to yourself and everyone here on TT that with determination and a positive attitude you can accomplish anything. I wish you continued success in your training with Roehl and if nothing else at least you can change the type of haul if you need to. Good luck.