Comments By MB007

Awesome. I'm up here at Appleton training. I'm like you, this company is top notch. Hope everything goes well with ya!!

Thank you sir! We drove a bobtail around the course all day. I feel like I climbed a mountain. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Very difficult.

Day#2 I'm on lunch break. Spent the morning learning and practicing right and left turns on the simulator. Instructor snuck some smoking brakes, engine blow out and intoxication hazards on me. My first corner turned was on the curb. Told me "imagine a baby sitting there" and never do that again. Problem fixed. Next we will spend "class" outside on the truck coupling and uncoupling. Then we might get to drive around the lot with bobtail. Proof that this company cares about new hires: Last night they called our room to see if we needed anything from the local Walmart and shuttle would pick us up. Although it doesn't mean much, as someone that grew up in the Atari age, I am impressed that they keep arcade games in the cafeteria. I've already blown a few dollars on quarters playing The Walking Dead pinball game. Back to studying and practicing double clutch shifting in the air.

Tip: Bring a backpack with notepad. Be organized. Have all your handouts and be caught studying. Also bring all the supplies they recommend--and more. Have your steel toe boots, gloves (I bought 2 different kinds). I also brought a flashlight. Be ready for sever weather changes (especially if you're in Gary like us). Don't be late. Be early for everything. Keep your space clean and organized. Push in your chair. Think of it like a military. They like order and neatness along with safe behavior.

Exciting!!!! I'll definitely be following your journey, as for the saving money on food, I highly recommend a trip up to the local big box store and picking up something like a cheap George foreman or an electric kettle, itll let cook a few more things than the microwave and they can go in the truck when youre done with the hotel.

Great advice.

Day#1 Got to keep it short. But suffice it to say, me and my two classmates were thoroughly impressed with the professionalism of our trainer and the Gary terminal. The simulator was excellent and we learned all about the company's ethics and their emphasis on safety. I have a roommate at the hotel and was lucky to have one with many things in common with me. The Best Western room has a refrigerator and microwave. I am able to save alot of money by bringing my own food and preparing. I also am a bit lucky in that I have a car. The breakfast is free. The lunch at the terminal is free.

That terminal has a decent variety of food. Not as healthy as I prefer, but for most people that is fine. They have rooms to sleep, free laundry and relaxing chairs. Their facilities are state of the art and relatively new and clean. We are employees in training. We are being paid about $500 weekly and no obligation to pay back if we stay on for 15 months. This is an excellent deal.

We did well on the simulators and will get to drive a truck tomorrow. Took many notes and have been practicing shifting quite a bit. Stalled alot, but we need more practice. Gotta finish studying the textbook and get to sleep.

I look forward to the adventures on and off the road. Thanks everyone for all the insight.

Mister B is wondering:

What about allowing those without a trailer? Bobtailing, maybe?

Lessee.... self propelled (not a trailer). Got a bed in the back. Hey! You're driving an RV!!

Thanks for the perspective Brett and G-Town. I'm almost 1 week away from starting my training at Roehl and was feeling a bit of regret about signing that pre-hire letter!

Mister B wrote:

I'm not comfortable with the logbook issue, however.

Can you explain your concern? Most of the large carriers use elogs...

This might give you a different perspective:

Learn The Logbook Rules (HOS)

Thanks. Specifically the issues of fudging or not fudging. From what I read, it seems there are many who drive beyond the hours of service. So if I'm 2 hours from arriving at the customer, but my hours run out, I can keep going or stop. If I keep going, get the miles are paid and customer gets delivery. However, that can lead to problems because it is against the DOT rules. It's quite a conundrum.

Just finished the book, Brett. Quite an eye-opener. The experiences with those different companies really taught me alot. I'm not comfortable with the logbook issue, however. Regardless, I'll keep my mind open to discovering the nuances of the process. Roehl uses elogs, so I'm not sure if that changes the dynamic you described. Hoping I can balance that with keeping living expenses low, taking whatever they give me, being amicable with shippers, dispatchers and keeping up with empty trailer locations.

La Paz county park in Parker AZ is semi truck and trailer friendly. I just stayed there a few weeks ago. It's on the Colorado River just south of Lake Havasu AZ.

Beautiful desert scenery and sunsets that rival just about anywhere.

JJ

OK, that's one to put on my list. Thank you.