Comments By Andy C.

Pj, thank you! Yes, the trial by fire is crazy lol Actually wound up in Atlanta for testing, passed woot! They gave me a 2013 cascadia condo, styling lol. Only problem is its truck pc instead of qual comm i learned on. Truck orientation tomorrow and i can lose the "in school" moniker. One more step down. The real pressure now is a first run i think ha. But Damn, i feel on top of the world today!

What a freaking trip! Busy, been from New Jersey to Texas.. (Dallas at the moment) Unbelievable how far I've come... First day with the trainer, nervous about pulling the truck up a few feet into a fuel island lol To cruising along at 64 miles per hour with 42,000 pounds of canned goods behind me... I've seen the hills of PA and Virginia, the traffic of Chicago, the unending corn fields in Ohio and Minnesota. Chesapeake bay and the great Mississippi... So much in between. I found truck stops to be both super nice and quite a trip to be in lol Trying to sleep in. A top bunk while Russ is going through "destruction" routes lol my ribs hurt from bouncing up in the air and down... OOF! But i wouldn't trade it for anything. Spent a day in Missouri waiting on a repair, def issues... 9 am to 8pm Of course we had to make our delivery in San Antonio, 22 hours of drive time and 21 hours between us. We'll be a lil late, but it's a learning experience. Logs, paperwork, messages on qual comm, lots to learn. Russ nicknamed me "detour" Lmbo. At first, lemme tell ya, it's overwhelming. All the signs to look for... I missed a few, but old pro now lol Lessons on map reading, etc. I test Saturday to get my own rig. Looking forward to it actually. Confident. Shifting skills are top notch now. Advice on those going to a trainer, Pack 6 _7 smaller bags. So much easier to move to the passenger seat to sleep. It's realistic to expect to shower every other day, until your on your own and earn your own credits.... Except the Ohio turnpike lol free showers. Nice too. Play the rookie card at pilot and flying j's can score you a free shower too ha. "I'm a rookie here, Really no idea what I'm doing (smile) how does the shower system work? 3 out of five gave me a freebie teehee I brought a few cans of foodstuffs, some other non perishable, it's really not expensive to eat tho. Of course i don't eat breakfast, snack for lunch, ohhhh pilot now has chicken fried steak at a few places, delicious! I average 300 to 400 miles a day, one or two 500 mile days. Russ is taking me to the bank ha. But my 90 dollars a day will suffice. I give trainers a lot of credit. Keeping calm during a major rainstorm, i took an exit a lil hot, needed a crow bar to get my a** off the seat lol, he was very Kool about it. Few more hours till San Antonio, then nothing until i test... Loving life right now!

You'll be fine Kevin, They only need about 75 strands about an inch long. No worries. We finally made it to our drop, a live unload, then off to Michigan... Things are finally coming together, i know there is still a ton to learn, more about the qual comm, more on route planning and trip times. But after two days, i am beginning to feel like i belong here. I think the two weeks will both go very quickly and at the same time be incredibly painfully slow ha. I'm truly enjoying myself tho. Trainer is awesome at pointing things out, corrections when i need, so far so good! Really hope this all helps to anyone interested in Roehl.

Kevin, They did the hair follicle test in week three, a day before i completed... I did notice a guy with a brush cut had a couple bare spots lol Don't think you will have to worry unless your bald, then, well, they have to get the hair from somewhere lol When you get to Appleton, tell big John i said hi and tell schmitty things are great lol Good bunch of guys there! You will enjoy yourself!

First day out with Russell, super nice guy, picked me up in Syracuse, he drove about 20 miles to another rest stop and we switched seats. Holy pressure lol j/k went and dropped our empty trailer at a company, picked up a full. Lo and behold, we are heading to Chicago with it, so, almost all the way back to my home, we stop for the night lol It's nice to know that a few days away from a truck hasn't affected things, not that i really thought it would, but being so new... It's only day one, who knows what's happening tomorrow or next week heh. But i am so looking forward to it. Until next time gang! Wtg Michael lol glad i wasn't the only one who watched the show lol

Things move pretty fast Around here... Got a call from Sara today, there will be a road trainer in Syracuse tomorrow afternoon. About 2 and a half hours away. (If it's a no no to give a name i apologize and please remove) Russell called not much after i spoke with Sara, in the few minutes i spoke with him trying to figure out the semantics of meeting, he seems to be a very nice guy with a sense of humor. Thank God lol, need someone to laugh at my rookie mistakes lol. We'll meet at a pilot truck stop off of I81... It's a tad nerve wracking, someone i don't know and who doesn't know me, but heck, it's nothing new right? I think sometimes i wonder what the hell i got myself into. But the greatest accomplishments come to those who move and don't drag their feet right? Hope to have a little time here and there to touch base. Whew...sometimes i feel like George. Jetson... "JANE, GET ME OF THIS CRAZY THING!"

those of you who know what the heck I'm talking about, give me a thumbs up lol

Andy Congrats on your journey so far, been enjoying the posts. Wine Tasters still rules, not to diminish yours or PJ's. I'm pretty sure that I read it off of either Roehl's website or the JOC that Fox Valley has a contract with Roehl to spit out 10 of you,

Thank you Michael, and No worries lol, WT had definitely covered things better I wanted to give my take as a total noob lol and at the Appleton school, I think the instructor told me it was a contract for 300 students over a period of time. From what i saw, small numbers mixed in. 2 to three students each class, my last week, the first week class was only one driver, he still paired up with another from a different company... We took class with other trucking companies, some four weeks long, some refreshers. At Roehl terminal, the class i saw was 10 students. Seems there is no lack of talent! Going over the Roehl way today, Really enjoy the philosophy.

Yes pj, i did get Sarah, i will pass along your kind words, lol, edited of course, looking forward to working with her, and i will follow your advice keeping in touch on a daily basis. Zdog, congrats! Are you sure it's the Marshfield class? When i signed up that's what i was told bit wound up at Fox Valley in Appleton. Tho, at orientation, i did see a class at the Roehl terminal. Curious of their processes, i know Fox Valley is a new contract, only a few classes in so far. Either way, from what I've learned so far, Roehl is a terrific company. Couldn't be happier with my choice!

Trucktogropher, I would really be interested in hearing more about your journey, should be leaving in a few days to meet my road trainer, nice to see what's coming lol Congrats btw!

Thanks PJ, Yes indeed, i have a fleet manager, super Lady, we chatted on the phone a bit, she told me the same thing, keep in contact with her every day lol I'm super impressed with what i have learned today, they really are serious about their safety ha. Everyone answered any questions i had, there was nothing i was lacking as i left a full employee of Roehl. I should be out with my phase two trainer Wednesday. I will keep my fingers crossed for Shawn, lol, But from what i understand, they are very diligent on trainers. Should all be top notch. Seriously, no trucks older than 2012? Holy hell lol, i drove a 1997 freightliner in class lol The test drive today was like a beautiful experience lol Simple, couple of turns to evaluate. No biggie. Still unbelievable, three weeks ago, I've never stepped foot in a truck. Today, ha... Almost on my way to being a pro. Didn't miss a gear! Ha. Funny to be proud of that, but i am. Great journey So far, looking forward to labeling myself as you do "Rookie solo"