Comments By MB007

I love to camp, or worse, go backpacking. In two years, I've stopped at only one place that I could consider "campable".

80 foot trucks and campgrounds are incompatible. For your 10 hour break, I'd say forgetaboutit. You probably have the ability to choose your "home time" location. That's when you can think National Forest or State Park. For a 34, or longer, park at a truck stop, grab your pack and call Uber.

Thanks Errol. What about allowing those without a trailer? Bobtailing, maybe?

Do any of you keep a tent with you and set it up outside (presumably during nice weather) and spend the night outside of your truck? Maybe you know of a campground that allows trucks to park? Maybe you have been able to park your truck in a way so others don't easily see your tent. I was wondering because being outdoors is something I enjoy. I'd hate to be stuck inside a truck every single night if there was a peaceful and unpolluted area where I could sleep outside once in awhile.

Mister B Be sure and let us know how you get along with Roehl. It's in the top tier of companies that I am interested in. The fact they have a drop yard in my hometown is pushing me towards them. I am willing to bet it might make the trip from my last stop until home time a paying trip every now and again. That and the fact you're a paid employee from day one might just make them edge out Prime.

One thing I did notice in your post is you never mentioned The High Road training aid for your permit. You do know at Roehl you need that before you show up? That is unless I am confusing them with a different company. Search for Roehl on TT reviews of company sponsored schools to confirm that.

Thanks Bill, I am using HighRoad daily. I already passed my Permit test last week (yes, Roehl requires that permit). So the learning must continue. There are many rules I want to have memorized before I start training. I read that their training is intense and I don't want to be too "green" about the terminology. I'm making a transition from a completely different career with no transportation experience. So I'm taking all of this very seriously and am grateful they are taking a chance with me. I'm also in my 40's with a family that needs me to make this new career successful. I'm hoping to create a "training diary" here when I start. I'll be in Gary, IN on the National dry van fleet.

That really helps. Thanks Steve.

Well, I just signed my hiring letter to join Roehl's Get Your CDL Program. I'm scheduled to start on the 27th of February. So I'm doing some intense study of the company, CDL rules, Brett's book about trucking, etc. until I start. One thing that I'm not clear about is Drop Yards (versus Terminals). I have a vague idea about the difference between drop yards and terminals. I would like to know why a company needs Drop Yards versus terminals and what the differences are. I presume terminals are where your managers and dispatchers work. You can do administrative things there and have your truck worked on.

But Drop Yards? From what I've found in discussions, you just drop off your truck there. Possibly for home-time?

According to TT, Roehl has Drop Yards in the following cities:

Kansas City, MO South St. Paul, MN Prentice, WI Madison, WI Oak Creek, WI St. Louis, MO Bensalem, PA Springfield, MA West Memphis, AR Dayton, OH Cincinnati, OH Mogadore, OH Darlington, SC Jacksonville, FL

Terminals are located in: Fontana, CA Phoenix, AZ Iron Mountain, MI Marshfield, WI Appleton, WI Gary, IN Atlanta, GA Dallas, TX

OK Brett. That's solid advice. Indeed, that High Road program is fundamental for mental preparation. I have committed to getting 100% on one lesson per day (at least) while I am getting ready for paid CDL school at Roehl. Reading your work—and that of the others—is very helpful. I found some other sites and youtube channels too. Big changes in life require lots of preparation to handle the unpredictable challenges. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Benji. That avatar is unforgettable!

Thanks for the heads up on training. Are there any simulator programs, games, we can use to practice backing, unhooking trailers, etc? Maybe even something we can do with a real car?

Thanks everyone. Lots of great information.

I've been scouring the forums about cooking while OTR and it seems an induction burner plugged into a 1500 watt inverter might be the best way to cook and heat up food (It appears that an electric pressure cooker and portable frying pan comes in second-place). For any of you drivers out there with an induction burner: Please tell me what brand and experiences you have. Thanks.

Thanks for the insight. Good podcast. Sounds like a little like seniority districts in the railroad industry. Am hungry for more.

So for you or anyone else out there, what are some examples of "leftover" jobs/runs that are given to beginners and lower performers? Also any stories of unfair treatment. Just curious.