I'm Going Off To Roehl 'cause I Need To Train!

Are you driving a rental to orientation?

Negative. Taking my 1998 F150 4.2L 4x4.

Well well well...

I made it here in decent time and got in some GREAT double-clutch practice. lol I stopped about halfway through at a rest stop for 2 hours. All in all an uneventful trip.

except...

about 5 hours away from Marshfield I got on a toll road. When I slowed for the toll booth, I noticed my engine temp rising. when i got into the stop and go line, my gauge said hothothothothothothothot!!!!!!! I caught it in time and turned my heater on high. It helped enough to get me through the toll booth and I limped to the nearest gas station. I let her cool down and checked my coolant level. The dang tank was empty! EMPTY!!! I got a gallon of water and she drank it and wanted a chaser. Baby took a gallon and a half to get up to normal level.

I checked my oil and THANK GOD it was dirty but clear. phwew! At this point I damn near slapped myself. I didn't check my coolant before leaving yesterday. I got wiper fluid, rainX, oil, mirrors/windows cleaned, BUT FORGOT COOLANT!!!

Learn from this, someone.

She's running fine now, but it scared the BEJEEZUS out of me.

On to the meat and potatoes, folks. I'm here in time to relax a bit. The bar/restaurant attached to the hotel has a KILLER beer list. Really great selection here. I'm impressed and I'm a beer snob. Friendly staff at the hotel. Big pool/hot tub/arcade/area which is open until 11. Breakfast will be served at 6ish and we are expected at 6:30 for a ride to the terminal. After a day or two, we will be responsible for our own transportation. I kinda like how "sink or swim" that is. Let's let the problems solve themselves. I have my phone alarm set for 5:30 and 6 (it's nowhere near the bed), I have the hotel clock set for 5 (between the beds). I'm wondering if they do a wake up call... I really don't want to mess this up.

I met my roommate. I will call him "Paul". He seems like a decent sort. He came from Iowa. He's a gamer nerd and stocked up on food like I did. I'm glad he seems alright. I wont lie, I was afraid I'd be bunked with some guy named "Ramrod": a convicted serial diddler who has a leather fetish and a shower aversion. Nope. Paul seems like he's going to be a pretty good roommate.

Well, I'm going to finish this delicious local imperial IPA and maybe sit in the hot tub with a book for a minute. Then off to bed for Day 1.

Thanks for tuning in and wish me luck!

-Eli

The bar/restaurant attached to the hotel has a KILLER beer list. Really great selection here. I'm impressed and I'm a beer snob.

I'm going to finish this delicious local imperial IPA

Be very careful. Some companies will send you home for that. I believe it is prime that has the bartenders and housekeepers report any alcohol usage. Remember EVERYTHING you do is being scrutinized. They will look at it as you're either not taking your training seriously, or that you cant go a few days/weeks without a drink. Most companies will immediately terminate you on the road for drinking even if you're on a 34 hour reset because you're still responsible for their equipment.

Totally agree with Rob. Forget about beer for a good while. This is one long interview. I remember one of the orientations I attended where they had spies in the local clubs. If they spotted any students in there they got sent home the very next day. It's not worth the risk.

Yeesh! I appreciate the heads up, guys. Now I'm all paranoid! I have no plans to do that again, but after that drive, i needed a beer and some onion rings.

I never thought they'd put out feelers like that. thanks for letting me know.

You should be fine tomorrow, but I’m sure they will put out a “no alcohol from here out” message to all students.

So far I have realized that I forgot my coat and my teeth brushing supplies.

So far I have realized that I forgot my coat and my teeth brushing supplies.

Sweetie, you need to get your priorities straight lol

Coolant...pre trip! Beer.. i had the same reaction as the guys. Go back and re-read your comments. The very first thing you said was about the bar and beer. And then the comment....

but after that drive, i needed a beer and some onion rings

If you cannot drive hundreds of miles with bad things happening without a beer.. go home now.

Maybe it was a figure of.speech, but alcohol has no place in trucking. Some.companies do not want you drinking at home either because you take the truck home and could need to.move it or come off of home time early. Then what? you are legally drunk from a wedding but you need to move the truck.

Prime does crack down..they send home students and even fire experienced drivers who get too drunk in Springfield. If you cannot control yourself, then you shouldnt be in control of an 80,000 pound killing machine flying down mountains at 70 mph. That is the idea.

Concentrate on the training and getting it done. Good luck

I just read through this...

I’ve never needed a beer after any drive. I hope it was only a figure of speech and not a lifestyle representation.

Frequent social drinking will not mix with this career. Keeping in mind a CDL holder is held to much stricter blood alcohol levels. Most companies I know have zero tolerance for even a trace amount of alcohol.

Be careful.

We all want to see you succeed that's why everyone's chimed in in the beer subject. We're not trying to nitpick but we would hate to see you (or anyone else) get sent home. You'll be surprised to see how many empty beer cans are scattered around truck stop parking lots every morning. It just isn't worth it. There are drivers who do it and it's only a matter of time before they're caught. All it takes Is a trace and you're put out of service for 24 hours. You wont get a DUI but your company will find out and you'll likely be terminated. Out of curiosity what is Roehls policy as I'm assuming it was mentioned? I look forward to following along on your journey