Comments By Chris M.

So it looks like we're just going to be doing the same this this week....backing and driving on the road. Next Friday some of us are going to test early, and my trainer is 100% positive I'm one of them. I'll just start posting one post for the whole week.

Day 6: did some classroom work on trip planning and on Saturdays it is half day so we got out at 11:30 CST.

Day 7: Sunday - OFF

Day 8: We practiced our straight, offset, and 90 backing all day today.

SirTriv, congrats on starting the process. Each company is different on what they provide, this site had great information on different companies and what thay provide, it's up to you on what you're looking for. As for Roehl, you have to find and pay for your own way to training. They pay for hotel, breakfast, and lunch you're on your own for dinner and meals on the weekends if you have any more questions about Roehl I will be glad to help you.

Craig L. We were learning how to shift on the simulator on day 2 and they explained everything on how to double clutch. I know how to drive a standard already, all my cars/trucks have been standards. I just had to get use the the double clutching which isn't bad at all, it was the down shifting that was kinda weird but not too bad either, I got it down also. The only thing as for rules are the gear recovery method they had for us to remember what gear we need to be in in case we miss a gear, which is.....

1-4th gear is all under 15 mph.

Add the mph together to get what gear you should be in

15 mph: 1+5 = 6 (6th gear) 25 mph: 2+5 = 7 (7th gear) 35 mph: 3+5 = 8 (8th gear) 45 mph: 4+5 = 9 (9th gear) Above 45 mph: (10th gear)

Also the hard walls and soft walls will really help in finding the gears too.

Yeah good thing he did have a car or I would have to wake up early and walk 4 miles to train and 4 miles back (not a bad thing). But I gotta do what I gotta do to make it work!!

Day 4: Hooked up a trailer and was going around the track learning how to to right turns. I got the shifting down!! The trainer was really impressed with me and told everybody to watch me bc I got it down perfectly (made me feel good) we all got an overview how we did and pointed to me and said I did great. So that helped my confidence and made me feel better. Now I can't wait to start this backing I'm nervous but just gotta keep calm and do what they tell me to do. So basically that was we did.

Day 5: So today the did left turns all day today and learned how to pull in between 2 trailers like at a truck stop. That's just about it. My roommate is having a hard time shifting and I'm trying to help him. First 2 days he was having trouble with pre-trip so I've been helping him on that and today he got it down, and thanked me for helping him. I told him everything I know about shifting/rpms/speed but I can't shift it for him. I kinda feel bad bc he is trying so hard, I told him to practice in the chair at the hotel room. I told him I know it may look dumb but it will help you how to double clutch, I hope he gets it down bc we are going into week 2 and me and the 2 other guys that are with us will most likely go do some real driving on the roads while my roommate stays behind and learns a little bit more. Hopefully he will get it!

Day 3: Got our ID badge in today. Split into 2 groups again. 1 doing pre-trip and the other doing more simulator training. After lunch we got our trainers 4 students to 1 trainer. We learned to actually drive the big rig which was alot of fun, we got about 15 mins each. At the end of the day we went over pre/post trip again.

Correction.... not "gas bomb" but "gas bump." Lol

I met the 2 people at Wisconsin airport. I'm just going to sum up each day without going into great detail just the main points.

Day 1: Nothing but paper work, went and did the physical capacity test https://youtu.be/6LdnRs0hlOk Had our pictures taken for our ID badge. Gave us a driver training book to study and take test. We have about 2 weeks to complete it. They do feed you breakfast (which is really nothing, but it is something and I still appreciate it) and lunch which is actually good. You get to pick out of salads, sandwiches and wraps. You get either chips or fruit cup with it. You gotta pay for your own drinks. What they didn't tell me was...your only ride from the hotel to the training facility is the first Monday only and from there on out you have to find a ride there. I was surprised bc they never told me that, good thing my roommate drove his car so I gave him 40 bucks for gas for the rest of the month for driving me there, it's about 3.5 miles from the hotel. So keep that in mind.

Day 2: finish some more paper work or correct some that you messed up on the first day lol. Went through their program called " The ROEHL Way" which is all about values and safety of the company. That took until lunch time. Then after lunch we split up into 2 groups, one group went with a trainer and went over pre-trip and the second group went and learned how to shift on the simulator which was fun... I drive a manual but it is a little bit different on the rig. I had to get use to double clutching and how they wanted us to down shift was kinda weird... they had us let go of the gas and wait until the rpms got to 800 then clutch in, neutral, gas bomb, clutch in and down shift.....yeah something I gotta get use too and learn, and quickly forget my manual truck at home haha. But other than that that is it so far. I'll keep yall posted.

Well, I made it to Wisconsin and met 2 other people on the way here. I flew and the bus ride would've taken 30 hours. Got settled in my hotel room and relaxing for the rest of the night. First day starts tomorrow. I'll keep y'all posted.

Hey burt, welcome. I start my training with Roehl June 10th, in my opinion they seem like a great company to start out with, I'm doing Flatbed training. As Brice has said, Research, research, research. They also have great articles here on how to pick a company. Best of luck to ya!!!!