Comments By Kip Brown (aka Six)

Yes. Roehl Refer fleet.

Kip

Well I'm finally in my last three days of school and can't believe how fast it went and how much you learn in a short time. At first it all seemed overwhelming but once it clicks, it just clicks. Early on I thought the pre-trip was a lot to remember but now it's a cake walk. I got all my maneuvers pretty much down. Once you learn the reverse lane change, the ally dock and parallel park comes pretty easy. Thinking back, the hardest things to me were the weather all day, sometimes the high being 9 degrees lately, and lots of snow. Also, on the road takes a lot more concentration that some might think. Looking ahead and always aware of what's going on around you; Watching speed limits, on-ramps, off-ramps and always trying to anticipate what those 4 wheelers are going to do keeps you on your toes. Learning to play those traffic lights to make the move through town more smoothly is an art form. Learning to slow down and take your time is key. While driving through town I could care less how much of a hurry the 4 wheelers are in.. I only care about making the next maneuver safely.

This is going to be the most challenging job I've ever had, and I'm up for the challenge!

Kip

I'm going to trainco and will be working for Roehl refer fleet. How it worked for me was I had to get my CDL permit before attending school, as well as a drug test and DOT physical (which Roehl paid for).

School is 4 weeks. At the end of school you do your pre-trip, maneuvers, and road test. In Ohio, the maneuver skills test you have to straight line back, reverse lane change either right to left or left to right, Then either the ally dock or parallel parking. It depends on which one the examiner wants you to do. Then you do the road skills driving test.

Once I complete it I'll go to Marshfield WI for 3 day orientation, another drug test then on the road with an instructor for 14 days. Upon returning you do a final backing test with the company dock examiner, get assigned your truck and you're on your way.

Six

They are great people.. like a big family. Not sure if we will have school Monday if we get that 10 inches of snow though.

Six,

Where are you training?

Trainco in Perrysburg, Ohio. They list it in Toledo but it's actually in Perrysburg on Oregon road.

I'm on my second week. I swear I'm addicted already. Once I got that truck on the road I was hooked. We were off for a week for the holidays and all I wanted to do was be back in school and behind that wheel.

I have heard a lot of great things about Maverick and I am about to start my cdl school. I want to apply there but I am worried that if they have auto trans I will be hurting myself starting out. Really interested in flatbedding!!! Suggestions or advice?!

My school only has one automatic just to give you a taste of it. I hate it. Without the clutch you end up using a lot of break pressure fast while doing maneuvers.

No. I'm going to school in Toledo, Ohio

Hey! I'm in my second week at Trainco in Perrysburg (Toledo). It's a great place. See you Monday!

Kip

I heard somewhere that it was possible to enter the quallcom route plan directly into the gps. Anyone have any insight on this ?

I have a 720 and it's awesome. The hint I got was to enter in your fuel stops from the quallcom and just route from fuel stop to fuel stop instead of entering in the entire route. Enter the first fuel stop and once your get there plug in the next one on your route etc..

Six

First week of school over and I'm loving every bit of it. In six days, the first 1 1/2 being classroom instruction, I did the straight line back and reverse lane change. Then we did bobtail shifting on the range then went on the road for the first time yesterday. It was a little intimidating at first but relax and have fun. I love this ****. My confidence was lifted when we rode in the afternoon with the "senior" class who have a week left and I shift and drive better than a few of them.. lol

Wanted to say everyone drive safe and have a Merry Christmas!

Six