Comments By Dingo

Day one is in the books. Went to breakfast met a couple other guys. We have guys from New York via Haiti, Georgia, Michigan and we found another guy from Pennsylvania. Met Wade the lead instructor in the lobby at 630. Had to clear 3 inches of snow off the car but all good.

Started the day with routine paperwork. The fun stuff. Got a sweet Motor Carrier Atlas and a nice pen with a flashlight.

Watched a new hire presentation and a couple of videos and called it a day at 1630. Lunch was good.

Came back to the hotel and started watching my JJ Keller modules. Week 1 day one is in thr books and starting on week 1 day 2. Glad the internet here is really good.

Tomorrow is more presentation in the morning, I believe pre trip inspection and then out to the yard to do them. Driving on Wednesday. Looking forward to that.

It has been 13 years since I sat in a classroom but it is not too hard and Wade made it all pretty easy. Meeting the other instructors tomorrow.

Off to a shower and bed. Hope we don't get any more snow.

Day 1 starts tomorrow. Made the 9 hour journey, 600 miles in 9 hours and 45 minutes. Stopped at a travel center on 80 to eat and get gas... and ran into traffic in Chicago go figure. It was a nice drive made better by SiriusXM. But the Tolls!!! Wow!!! Nearly $50 bucks... going home a different way for sure. Side note... love the billboard in Chicago advertising that Fort Lauderdale PD was hiring complete with beach and palm trees.

The room is nice. Bed seems comfortable. My Roommate seems to be a nice guy. Older like me. Walmart on the other hand...talk about tough getting into wow. Appleton has anything and everything to eat.... I went to a favorite restaurant of mine that I ate at alot in Arizona, Culver's. We don't have that in Pennsylvania... now if I could just find a Whata burger.

Off to bed, meet up is at 0630 in the lobby. Here's to a good day 1.

Dingo

I have less then 24 hours to go before I leave for Appleton WI and the start of a new career. Sitting here finishing up packing and getting everything ready I was wondering if I should do a training diary. There have been several really good ones and what could I add. But then I realized everyone's experience is different so I will do one.

Today is Christmas day and it is bitter sweet. My mother in law moved in with us in December of last year. We bought a house together and we have been caring for her since. She passed away at home last night. And I am going to miss the funeral due to training. My wife and I decided it is for the best. I will be able to give 110% because I know that is what my mother in law would want. We discussed the job prior to me applying alot, and when we told my MIL she said " well you will miss us".

So I leave for Appleton tomorrow morning at 6 am. 9 hour drive. I am looking forward to it. I have heard alot of good things about Roehl GYCDL and some bad and I think I am going to do well.

Wish me luck and I will keep you informed.

Dingo

Hey Jessi, welcome.

I was a paramedic for 17years, just got burned out. I am 49 and I start my trucking career Dec 27th with Roehl in Appleton WI. You have come to the right place for your questions. Read Brett's book available free on the site and ask, ask, ask!!! Good luck on your new future career.

Dingo

Been Paramedic for 25yrs and 56yo I have always wanted to learn Trucking but concerned about my age. No health issues thank God and no more kids at home. I want to try long haul driving and I do have a nephew and a younger brother that are truckers. I live in south Texas and don't know where to start ? Should I try driving with my family members first get the feel of the road then go to school ? Any info helpful fellas ??

Got my permit!!! And got my contract letter!!! Found out I am going to Appleton not Marshfield. But that is cool. Start date is December 227th!!!

Andry, I read your blog about the training and it was excellent. I am sorry about what happened to you. But as long as you are happy now, that is all that counts in the long run. I worked 12 years in corporate America before going into EMS and I know what just being a number is all about and playing the corporate game. EMS was no different. If you had a cert and a pulse you had a job, so there was no support for employees and it was "you are a dime a dozen". So that is why I got out. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

I started with Roehl in 2020, got my CDL in Marshfield, drove with a trainer for a month, was assigned a truck and began driving, but was fired on my second week. I never did reefers, so can tell only about dry vans. The school itself is good, most instructors are good too. Marshfield hotel is particularly nice. The closest terminal is in Gary, IN, and there is a drop yard in Bensalem, PA. I was on a NE regional fleet, driving Monday through Friday and spending weekends at home. Roehl will let you park at a safe location if you live farther than 50 miles to any terminal or drop yard. Overall it is a good starter company - trucks and equipment are new. However, the pay is low, I got only 34 cpm. Another disadvantage is company size: Roehl is a relatively big corporation and drivers are treated like disposable truck parts. I am glad that I started with Roehl, but am glad even more that I do not drive for Roehl now.

I am excited. I have heard others say the same. They care about their drivers getting home. We will soon find out. Thanks.

Congrats!! I went through Roehl, many years ago. There have been many changes, but I’ll give you my opinion on some of your questions.

First of all they have expanded their training and terminals. The reefer division was just getting started good when I was there. I haven’t kept up with all they have done. They also have drop lots in various places. They always got me home on time. I took my truck and trailer home with me. The old rule was if you live 50 miles or more from a terminal or drop lot you were allowed to take it home. You must provide a safe/legal parking place.

They are a good company. They are still family run, and the family has very serious values and do have some strict rules keeping with their values.

I’m a little suprised they said reefer or flatbed in PA. They used to have tons of dry van freight there. Contracts come and go in this business all the time. The longer you stay out the farther they can send you.

Hey all,

I am 2 days away from testing from my CDL permit. Pennsylvania DMV in Mercer Co. is closed on Mondays. Once I get that my recruiter said to call her and we would setup my start date for GYCDL, looking at the 27th of December. So I have questions about the company and driving for them.. I just finished reading Brett's book (great read for anyone who hasn't read it} anywho....

1) I live in Pennsylvania. Where is my closest Terminal? I do a Google search and Roehl pulls up in Ohio, but according to the company website, the closest might be Gary, Indiana. How important are the terminals? How often are you at the termials?

2) I am going Reefer for now, in my area my recruiter said it was reefer or flatbed. Where does reefer mostly go? Will I be doing any cross country to Arizona, California, Colorado etc, or stay mostly on the east coast, Midwest?

3) When can I bring my dog with me? I have seen at the end of Phase 3 but when does phase 3 end?

4) How often do you actually get home in reefer? I am comfortable( in my mind anyway) with staying out 3 weeks or so, but how often do they keep you out for longer?

5) How much customization of the truck can you do? I want to name my truck and put it on the side. Can I do this?

6) Does your fleet manager(dispatcher) assign the loads or does a freight manager above them do it? See I read Brett's book.

7) What are must have in the truck for my personal comfort?

8) This one is for the one's who have gone thru the GYCDL program, can you get extra time on the weekend or after hours to practice pre-trips?

9) Is Roehl a good company to work for? I have read a lot of reviews and have seen way more favorable comments then negative comments, but I want to hear from people who are currently working there.

These are just some questions I have. I could ask my recruiter but like Brett says, they will tell you what you want to hear. So I am asking my soon to be fellow drivers.

Thanks in advance,

Dingo

What company recruiter have you been in contact with? PackRat gave you a good list of links to peruse... they are the best on the internet 😁

Laura

My recruiter is Cheryl Nagle...She has been amazing. Answering all my stupid questions.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all... my name is Dingo. I am new here and new to the "lifestyle". A little bit about myself. I am 49 years old and was in EMS for 17 years until this morning. I handed in my drug box key and told my supervisor I quit at the end of my shift. Jist done with EMS and the medical field. I applied to Roehl last month and am studying hard for my CDL written in PA on Monday. Once I pass that my recruiter said to call her and schedule my start date... looking at Dec 27th. I am excited, nervous, and honestly a little scared. I have saved lives in all kinds of situations and been scared doing but it is the fear of the unknown. Being one who loves to learn and do new things, I have read everything I could get my hands on, watched YouTube videos until the wee hours and taken I don't know how many practice tests. My wife and family are totally on-board and excited. Can't wait to officially start this new chapter of my life and this new adventure. Sorry for being long winded but I and excited.