Comments By penn99

2021-07-27

Another quick update.

Last Friday:

The last 4 members of our group took their exam. Three passed... including my hotel roommate... and the last member from my training truck. One failed the exam.

Total for our group: 12 people started the training on week 1... and... 12 people finished the training on Week 3 (after half day of class on Saturday).

Of the 12 taking the exam... 9 passed and 3 failed... the 3 will extend their stay 1 week and retest (this week).

Last Saturday:

Half day of in-class training. We thanked those instructors who were onsite... and we said our farewells to our new family members. Our group bonded immensely well.... we met as strangers....we soon became friends.... and we departed as family.

I drove both of my training truck buddies to the airport in Wausau (Mosinee) and then I drove down to spend the afternoon/evening with my brother and his family.

Last Sunday and Monday:

Drive... drive... and drive some more to get back to the Phoenix area. Arrived home about 630pm on Monday evening.

Tuesday (today):

I went to the DMV this morning and finalized my CDL with the state of AZ. Hard copy of the CDL to be sent to me via mail with 7 to 14 days. Sent a copy of my temporary paper CDL to Roehl.

Chatted briefly with my Fleet Operations Manager and my Fleet Training Manager.

I will have two days off and then I will work locally for two days this week at the Roehl Terminal in Phoenix.

After another day or two off, I will then will fly to the Roehl Terminal in GA to meetup with my trainer/driver for flatbeds.

I have also sent an initial text message to both trainers... one at the Phoenix terminal and one who is my driver/trainer in GA. I briefly introduced myself and stated I am awaiting a chance to talk to both individuals before meeting up with each of them.

A few days off will feel really good and I can make up some time with my wife.

I still feel a wee bit happy... and, I am excited to move onto the next phase.... Phase 2.

All is good.

2021-07-21

A quick update:

I went 'dark' here on TT after my last post. My apologies. I just wanted to focus and I disconnected from most things other than my time here with Roehl. As I will be closing out my 3rd and final week in the Phase 1 training on this coming Saturday... I hope to provide a better update once I return to the Phoenix area early next week.

Twelve of us started the class in week 1... and now as we close in on the end of week 3.... we still have 12 students. We are somewhat unique with the fact that we have had nobody leave/quit/dismissed from our class... as the classes for the few weeks before us, and the classes for the week following us, each have had multiple students leave/quit/dismissed.

As such.... I passed my CDL exam last Tuesday... and I am feeling a wee bit happy.

Myself... and one of my training truck partners were supposed to test on Monday... but we were delayed and tested on Tuesday. All four of the flatboarders in my class (including me) took the test... and all of us passed on Tuesday. As 'we' flatboarders have cargo securement training today and tomorrow (Thu and Fri).... we could not take the exam any later than Wednesday of this week.

And as it has gone this week: four of us tested on Tuesday.... four passed. Four of us tested on Wednesday... 2 passed... and 2 failed (currently being rescheduled for re-test). No-one tested today as the examiners were unavailable. And.... the final four of us will test tomorrow (Friday).

Friday... those who pass the exam will be in contact with our 'new' Fleet Training Managers... and we will learn more about our upcoming schedules and the specific information we need to get connected with our driver/trainers, etc.

Saturday... half day of class.... then we all go on our way back home... most of us preparing for Phase 2 of training with Roehl.

For now... two more days of class... and then onto going home for a bit... then onto Phase 2.

All is good.

2021-07-09/ Phase 1 / Training Day #4

Backed and connected to box trailer.

Pre-trip tractor and box trailer.

Instructor drove on various roads on outer edge of Marshfield…. Allowing us students to get a feel for driving on roads, turning corners, etc.

I volunteered to be the first to drive from the yard... I thought I would be more nervous that I was... but... I was not nervous... just felt.... a bit elated. I drove for about 30-40 minutes… about 25 total miles. Awesome experience and I did well on my first time out.

Second student then drove the same route…. then lunch.

After lunch all groups pulled their training trucks/trailers down to the training yard. One truck per corner. With instructors planted at each corner and providing guidance, we (entire class) took turns backing the trailers around the entire perimeter of the training yard… backing around 4 corners and 1 obstacle on one of the side lengths. Challenging but fun.

The 3rd person in my group drove the same route as the first two of us drove earlier in the day.

In the evening, I spent about 3.5 hours continuing with the JJ Keller videos.

2021-07-10/ Phase 1 / Training Day #5

Saturday, half day.

All week 1, week 2, and week 3 students combined in the same classroom…. classroom presentations and discussions.

In the afternoon and evening.... I spent all afternoon until about 8pm in an effort to finish up the JJ Keller videos and other required company videos. Whew… finally done!! Now I can focus on the studying for the pre-trip inspection... and driving.

2021-07-11/ Phase 1 / Day Off

Sunday. Day off. No training scheduled.

Now having an access badge and employee I.D….. I opted to go over to the terminal and practice my pre-trip inspections for about 4.5 hours30am. I was the only week 1 student there… unless one came in later in the day. There was a week 2 student who came in with one of his instructors. I suspect he was doing extra work to improve upon his backing and driving. I met and talked with him briefly. Nice guy.

Back to the hotel. Lunch. Review my pre-trip inspection notes. Walk down to the Hub City ice cream shop. Review my pre-trip inspection notes. Chat with my roommate. Look at my pre-trip notes briefly. Ok… I am done. Time to chill.

Start of week 2 tomorrow morning. Thank the good lord that I don’t have watch any more of those damn videos. And I can now focus on driving and pre-trip.

Week 2 of training:

I am doubting that I will provide any further 'daily' updates for training. I am unsure as to how beneficial they are, especially with the previous Roehl diaries that are here on TT. The daily training is not difficult…. But… we are here for about 9 to 10 hours each day. And for me… trying to get those videos done every night…. All week…. Wore me down a bit. So… I will play it by ear this next week. I want to focus on my driving and my pre-trip… and not have to worry about updating here. My apologies in advance.

I will offer some advice now, partially referring to the assigned JJ Keller videos and various company videos, that are required to be completed as part of the training.

I had seen references to these videos in previous diaries… but… I had no idea that trying to complete the videos would take so much time. The videos share good information and are not difficult..... and at the end of each JJ Keller videos, you are required to complete a quick quiz… again, not difficult…. just time consuming... all encompassing for the first week, if and only if you are trying to get the videos completed.

As such... I would highly recommend that you get a solid and in-depth jump start on learning the pre-trip inspection process… before coming to training!!! I thought I did... apparently, I did not do good enough. You can get a could start by looking at Daniel B’s info here on TT. You will be much better off and feel much, much better about yourself. Guaranteed.

Keep in mind.... we were 'shorted' a training day due to the holiday observed last Monday.

All is still good... and getting better!!

Keep up the hard work, something you know all about I'm sure but now you're using it with all new material.

Great updates BTW!

Thank you, Maggs!!

2021-07-08/ Phase 1 / Training Day #3

Today...

Worked on pre-trip... briefly worked on backing into and connecting to a trailer.... worked on pre-trip with the trailer.... worked on straight line backing.... worked on right and left turns with the trailer.

And.... 3.5 hours of JJ Keller videos after a quick dash to Wal-Mart. The videos are not hard... just time consuming... and as much as I want and need to focus on the pre-trip inspections, etc... got to get these required videos done.

Updates becoming shorter and shorter... for the time being. Sorry about that.

Its 10:30pm and its time to sleep... up at 4:45am... quick breakfast at 5:45am... then off to work....err, I mean training.

All is good.... should I say something about the WIFI at the hotel again?? I have found a secret location 'near' the lobby to do my video watching in peace.... sooooo......

Today was fun.... yup.... all is good!!

Still following, too! Did you use Daniel B.'s pretrip guides? Sure helps tons!!!

I DESPISE shoddy WiFi myself. We have issues almost daily, living in the country; and this extremely storm filled day sure exacerbated it!! Sorry!

Wish you well, rest up!

~ Anne ~

Hi Anne....

Regarding Daniel B's guides... I have reviewed those. Thank you for the well wishes.... much appreciated!!

Sorry... no.... I started another diary in this forum... I actually am with Roehl Transport in Marshfield, WI. My apologies for not being clear on that.

Good morning everyone.

The diaries on this website were instrumental in helping me make some decisions, so I decided that best thing I could do would be to pay it forward and get something updated on here.

I start SWIFT Academy in Memphis, TN on July 6th, 2021, my first week will be entirely virtual, then I will go up to Memphis.

I had to get my CDL permit and medical card before I started, so that's all been done. Looking forward to keeping everyone updated as best as possible!

Best wishes with your training!

I also start training on July 6th... and I will definitely be observing as I like to 'compare notes!'

OH awesome!

I bet we are in the same virtual class this week.

2021-07-07/ Phase 1 / Training Day #2

‘The Roehl Way’: presentation and in class exercises. Half of our training day.

Yesterday, we were assigned our specific instructor/trainer our team each training truck. I am stoked to have the instructor that I wanted and I am with two other students.

Today we went out to our training truck and started training on Pre-Trip Inspection (tractor only for now). Side note, all training trucks are automatics.

End of day… each of us was allowed to drive the training truck around the ‘training’ yard, two times. Another side note... the first time driving a big rig (no trailer)... was awesome!! Being an automatic... it was much easier than I originally had expected.

Watched 3 hours of ‘required’ JJ Keller videos at the hotel. Time management for my new career starts now!!

All is good…. except the hotel WIFI still blows chunks!!

2021-07-06 / Phase 1 / Training Day #1

Met Roehl shuttle van driver at 6:30am. Those with cars followed the shuttle driver to the Roehl facility. Today is the only day for the shuttle. Those without vehicles will need to catch a ride daily with those of us with vehicles. Training started at 7am today... and will be starting at 6:30am for the remaining days.

Introductions of instructors. Roll call of students. Twelve students and two no-shows.

A few students had to do a drug (urine) test as their original tests were over 30 days ago.

All instructors and students proceeded out to a truck/trailer setup. Each student had to verify that they could successfully complete various physical tasks: open/close hood, get into and out of cab using 3pt. connection (3 parts of body on unit) at all times, up/down on catwalk using 3pt. connection, duck walk under trailer to inspect 5th wheel (on both hands and both knees was an acceptable method to crawl under trailer), lower/raise landing gear of trailer, open and latch trailer door… then close a properly latch/secure trailer door, properly climb into/out of trailer. For those who will be driving flatbed, we also had to do two simple tarp handling exercises. All tasks were to be performed multiple times and were to be observed and approved by the instructors.

Completion of multiple forms using Tenstreet… each student using their own phone to complete the tasks. Completion of the I9 form. Obtained access badge to Terminal grounds and installed Roehl’s app on phone. App provides multiple functions for training... and for working for Roehl.

Introduction and welcome by Training Manager for facility…. Justin.

New member orientation presentation.

Initial Review of HOS (hours of service) and performed sample log sheet.

Introduced to… and assigned.... the JJ Keller video series to be accessed via Roehl’s app.

I spent 2.5 hours completing the first series this evening.

My update today is vague and basic due to the added homework outside of work. Time appears to be fleeting. The WIFI in the hotel is surprisingly terrible for many of us students…. phone reception is hit or miss... but seems to be ok at times. Tomorrow, I will see how well my hotspot from my phone will work. But for today... I had to find a quiet location near the main lobby to get my homework completed. UGH!!

I am a bit tired tonight..… time to sleep.

All is good so far…. Except the WIFI.

Don't forget to check out the zoo. It's only a few minutes walk from the hotel and its not bad. Also the Mexican restaurant out by the Menards is way better than the one near the hotel. Good luck!

Thank you for the information. I have been to the zoo many years ago... and I may just have to check out that restaurant. I brought 2 cooler with me and a bunch of food so that I can minimize eating out. But I will certainly take a bunch of cheese, meat, and a few other things back home to AZ.