Getting Ready To Go Roehl

Hi all,

Just a middle-aged guy trying a new path in life. I was born and raised in central NJ and have lived here my whole life. My dad was in heavy construction and my mom was a homemaker until us kids got older. I became a volunteer firefighter / EMT, which is where I got my introduction to driving heavy vehicles. I worked for public works and drove dump trucks and garbage trucks. I developed my fondness for big vehicles early on. I had my class B CDL and always wanted to upgrade to class A, but providing for a young family took precedent.

My main career was as a refinery operator in Linden, NJ. I left there following a minor medical issue that has since been resolved. For the past few years, I've been working as a massage therapist. That was supposed to be the semi-retirement career that would allow my wife and me to take the time we wanted to do things for ourselves now that the kids are older. Aaaand then we separated. So I came back around to thinking about getting my class A CDL and was kicking that around for a little while. As the dumpster fire that was 2020 was coming to an end, my cousin died unexpectedly in mid-December. He was only 47 and was like a brother to me. We grew up together, we were in the fire department together, and saw him almost every day until I was 30. Right after he died, I got Covid and pneumonia and it was looking kinda serious for a couple of days. So after I was out of the woods and on the road to recovery, I decided I'm not wasting any more time. I did a ton of research, studied my butt off, and passed my tests to get my CLP. Soon I'll be headed out to Marshfield WI to start training with Roehl. They were in the top couple of companies I was looking at, and what clinched it for me is the structure of their training program. I like the idea that the pre-test training will be at the facility and then the OTR portion is run as a solo truck.

As I've said before, this site is an invaluable resource and has helped me research and prepare for these next steps. See you on the road soon.

All the best to you!

Hi all,

Just a middle-aged guy trying a new path in life. I was born and raised in central NJ and have lived here my whole life. My dad was in heavy construction and my mom was a homemaker until us kids got older. I became a volunteer firefighter / EMT, which is where I got my introduction to driving heavy vehicles. I worked for public works and drove dump trucks and garbage trucks. I developed my fondness for big vehicles early on. I had my class B CDL and always wanted to upgrade to class A, but providing for a young family took precedent.

My main career was as a refinery operator in Linden, NJ. I left there following a minor medical issue that has since been resolved. For the past few years, I've been working as a massage therapist. That was supposed to be the semi-retirement career that would allow my wife and me to take the time we wanted to do things for ourselves now that the kids are older. Aaaand then we separated. So I came back around to thinking about getting my class A CDL and was kicking that around for a little while. As the dumpster fire that was 2020 was coming to an end, my cousin died unexpectedly in mid-December. He was only 47 and was like a brother to me. We grew up together, we were in the fire department together, and saw him almost every day until I was 30. Right after he died, I got Covid and pneumonia and it was looking kinda serious for a couple of days. So after I was out of the woods and on the road to recovery, I decided I'm not wasting any more time. I did a ton of research, studied my butt off, and passed my tests to get my CLP. Soon I'll be headed out to Marshfield WI to start training with Roehl. They were in the top couple of companies I was looking at, and what clinched it for me is the structure of their training program. I like the idea that the pre-test training will be at the facility and then the OTR portion is run as a solo truck.

As I've said before, this site is an invaluable resource and has helped me research and prepare for these next steps. See you on the road soon.

Good luck, Jim! I was trained in Marshfield too, and am very glad. You will stay at a very nice hotel for 3 weeks, then you test, get your WI CDL , go home for about a week, pick up a CDL from your state, then go for 3 weeks OTR with a trainer, test again at one of the terminals, and get your own truck. Formally they call the first 6 weeks of solo driving 'phase 3 training,' but the only difference is you still have a training fleet manager , otherwise you start earning what they told you at the beginning.

Thanks, I working out the travel plans right now, since there's no direct bus or train line to Marshfield. The closest I can get is about a half hour out. Waiting to hear back about shuttle availability.

The ticket is paid for and Friday morning I'll be on the train headed for Wisconsin. Orientation starts March 22 in Marshfield. I could have gone to Appleton on the 29th but they train on manuals in Marshfield. I know manuals are becoming less common each year but I figured if I can my CDL without the restriction, what the hell, just gives me more options.

Congrats Jim, good luck!

The ticket is paid for and Friday morning I'll be on the train headed for Wisconsin. Orientation starts March 22 in Marshfield. I could have gone to Appleton on the 29th but they train on manuals in Marshfield. I know manuals are becoming less common each year but I figured if I can my CDL without the restriction, what the hell, just gives me more options.

From the beginning to orientation.

After doing some research and experiencing some crappy events, I decided to take the plunge and train for an OTR job and lifestyle. My first decision was that I wanted to move fast and get training in the winter. I wanted to be able to see as many varied road situations as possible while I’m with a trainer. After that, I started researching companies. I started at 22 companies and eliminated the ones that didn’t train, or didn’t hire from my area. After that, it was a matter of weighing the pros and cons of each. And yes, I made a spreadsheet. While I am interested in flatbed, I wanted a company that had multiple divisions, preferably with a lot/terminal close to home. It got down to Roehl, Prime, or Veriha. While Veriha looks like a good choice, they only run dry vans. The choice between Roehl and Prime came down to the training setup. I liked that Roehl did the CDL skills prep fully out of the training facility and the TNT phase runs as a solo truck.

During this phase, I was also studying a ton. I went and got my physical done. It was company paid, but the prices around here run the gamut from $50 to $140. If you're planning on going for company-paid training, check to see if your choice pays for the physical. It sounds to me that even if you have your physical done, they might send you to the one they provide anyway, so save yourself the hassle.

So I passed my physical and went to the MVC the next day. I got my permit processed for $125. In NJ, because of Covid restrictions, they are only doing knowledge testing by appointment. You have to schedule your test online and the earliest I could get was 4 weeks later. Went back for the test and passed everything on the first shot (Thanks Trucking Truth!). I just told the woman at the testing center which endorsements I wanted to test for and they popped up on the computer screen one after the other.

I told my recruiter I had passed and things really kicked into gear. I sent him whatever forms or paperwork he needed either through email or through the Driver Pulse app. We agreed on a start date of March 22. With Roehl, you have to provide your own transportation to training, but if you take mass transit, they will send a shuttle to pick you up at the nearest station. I’ve gotten a phone call or email from my recruiter every couple of days so far, and he has been great about explaining everything.

Timeline so far: Feb 8, DOT physical - Feb 9, Scheduled knowledge test - Mar 9, passed knowledge test and got CLP - Mar 22, first day of orientation

As I write this I am T minus 22 hours to get on a train in Trenton NJ and head to Wisconsin.

Welcome brother and congratulations! I'm in phase 3 right now with Roehl and having a blast! These folks want you to succeed. I think you'll find that you made the right choice. I trained in GA at the Conley terminal and have only been to Marshfield once so far.

I wish you the best, and hope to see you out there. I'm in truck 6996, if you see me give me a wave.

So it is the end of day 3 and they've been keeping us busy.

I took Amtrak to Tomah, about an hour South of Marshfield WI, and got in Saturday evening. After the long trip, I didn't feel much like eating and just went to bed in my room at the Econo-Lodge. There's a Denney's next to the motel and that's where I had lunch the next day. I met a couple of drivers there, one of whom works for Roehl, so I had some company for my meal. Right afterward, the shuttle showed up to bring me and one other newbie up to Marshfield. Turned out he was to be my roommate at the Hotel Marshfield.

The next morning we carpooled with some other trainees over to Roehl, about two miles away, to begin our new careers. Day one was mostly administrative stuff, company history, and some other basic stuff in the morning. In the afternoon we started safety information and introduction to equipment and the industry. The morning of the second day was about situational awareness, road safety, stopping distance, etc. In the afternoon we started practicing our pre-trip inspections on the range and started driving bobtail around the yard to practice shifting/clutch control. There are three trainees per truck and seat time is pretty much evenly divided. On day three we continued with our pre-trip practice after punching in, then into the classroom to go over proper turning setup and execution. There was also a demonstration of the workings of the fifth wheel. Back out to the range for some more bobtailing before lunch. After lunch, we coupled up to a trailer, went over trailer pre-trip, and drove around the practice field for a few hours.

There is a bunch of computer-based training that needs to be done and I've been knocking it out a little at a time in the evenings. Hopefully, by the end of this weekend, I will be able to knock it all out. So far so good. The instructors are all great and at nine trainees, we all seem to be getting enough attention.

Random thoughts so far: If you're coming to Marshfield, bring your own car if you can. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food as well as Walmart, Target, and Menards but they are a couple of miles away. There's a taxi service in town though if you need it.

The Hotel Marshfield has a free laundry room. If I had realized that, I would have packed a little lighter.

The practice field here is a dirt/red clay mix. If it rains for more than three minutes, it turns to sludge. Bring your booties. My recruiter told me to bring steel-toed boots. My roommate says his recruiter told him boots were optional. Guess who got his sneakers muddied?

There is a fair amount of computer-based training. You can do it on your phone, but it's much easier on a laptop.

The terminal has a couple of computers and a laundry room. Since you are an employee from day one, you are allowed to use them.

Great update! Keep em coming when you have the time!

So it is the end of day 3 and they've been keeping us busy.

I took Amtrak to Tomah, about an hour South of Marshfield WI, and got in Saturday evening. After the long trip, I didn't feel much like eating and just went to bed in my room at the Econo-Lodge. There's a Denney's next to the motel and that's where I had lunch the next day. I met a couple of drivers there, one of whom works for Roehl, so I had some company for my meal. Right afterward, the shuttle showed up to bring me and one other newbie up to Marshfield. Turned out he was to be my roommate at the Hotel Marshfield.

The next morning we carpooled with some other trainees over to Roehl, about two miles away, to begin our new careers. Day one was mostly administrative stuff, company history, and some other basic stuff in the morning. In the afternoon we started safety information and introduction to equipment and the industry. The morning of the second day was about situational awareness, road safety, stopping distance, etc. In the afternoon we started practicing our pre-trip inspections on the range and started driving bobtail around the yard to practice shifting/clutch control. There are three trainees per truck and seat time is pretty much evenly divided. On day three we continued with our pre-trip practice after punching in, then into the classroom to go over proper turning setup and execution. There was also a demonstration of the workings of the fifth wheel. Back out to the range for some more bobtailing before lunch. After lunch, we coupled up to a trailer, went over trailer pre-trip, and drove around the practice field for a few hours.

There is a bunch of computer-based training that needs to be done and I've been knocking it out a little at a time in the evenings. Hopefully, by the end of this weekend, I will be able to knock it all out. So far so good. The instructors are all great and at nine trainees, we all seem to be getting enough attention.

Random thoughts so far: If you're coming to Marshfield, bring your own car if you can. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food as well as Walmart, Target, and Menards but they are a couple of miles away. There's a taxi service in town though if you need it.

The Hotel Marshfield has a free laundry room. If I had realized that, I would have packed a little lighter.

The practice field here is a dirt/red clay mix. If it rains for more than three minutes, it turns to sludge. Bring your booties. My recruiter told me to bring steel-toed boots. My roommate says his recruiter told him boots were optional. Guess who got his sneakers muddied?

There is a fair amount of computer-based training. You can do it on your phone, but it's much easier on a laptop.

The terminal has a couple of computers and a laundry room. Since you are an employee from day one, you are allowed to use them.