Profile For Dazbone

I just completed my phase 1 training in the GYCDL program at Roehl. I was selected to the national refrigerated fleet and trained in Appleton Wisc. Appleton trains in automatic's only so the coarse is 3 weeks long. As a VERY general overview, I was impressed and appreciative of the way Roehl sets the expectations early (safety, responsibility, ethics) and backed it up with sticking with me when I stumbled. I could not have asked for more. The training was fast paced like drinking from a fire hose, 60% of my class graduated. On test day I passed the pretrip inspection with 1 point and was in the last backing maneuver with 3 points when tragedy struck. I had believed that you got 2 free pull up's and 2 free Get Out And Look's and they were 1 point each after that. I was in the hole, a couple inches from the box I thought and opened my door to verify and the Roehl/State evaluator yelled " don't get out of the truck" I was nervous and confused with what he said and suddenly assumed what he was telling me was I needed to indicate with my air horn because I must be in the box. I blew the horn and hopped out thinking I nailed it. When he explained what just happened (3 points and then blowing the horn with the bumper not in the box 10 points (12 point max) I failed you could have knocked me over with a feather. He yelled for me not to get out of the truck because it would have been number 3 which would be an auto fail, and asked what I was thinking and I explained my apparent misunderstanding. I could not believe with everything I walked away from to pursue this chance at a new challenge in my life was over. I saw real compassion in his face and was told go back to the waiting room and hangout. Within 30 minutes the director of operations called me in and let me know he had talked to my instructors and the evaluator and I would be given another chance to take the test the following week. It would have been easy for them to dump me for a stupid mistake because it is upon me to know the rules and even though I was grateful for the 2nd chance I was so angry at my self that it took me a couple days to put it behind me. There is more to the story in Part 2 that I will post later today or tomorrow.

I am heading to Appleton Wisc. Monday 8/31 to begin my training with Roehl. I cannot express how much help this site has given me and I will do my best to pay it forward. I am pretty old school and expect to earn my way, there are no short cuts in life. I will be training on an automatic, running refrigerated national fleet. I have read so much from every forum that it got me thinking, what would you guys and gals like me to report on? Maybe something that has not been covered as much ? Again Thanks!

Not for sure PackRat, Just looking into other opportunities. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks.

Thanks JakeBreak! I am sure you remember just how stressful this decision is. One of the many things I consistently see on this site is that you make your own opportunities and when you own up to and take responsibilities for your own actions you will succeed. Do you miss any aspect of OTR?

Whats is your opinion on a rookie choosing Millis ? Has there been any change since Heartland bought them? I live in Iowa, not sure they hire from this state.

I met a couple of their drivers where I work and they liked Roehl and seemed like good guys. The paid CDL training seems like a good idea. Schneider, Prime and Swift on also on the list. I am prepared to earn my stripes and extended time on the road in the first couple years is not a problem. I have a phone interview with Roehl 7/1, I will ask again if there are openings for dry van. My 3 kids are in or just graduating college. In the long run 5 years plus, I may like to be dedicated or local. Thanks!

First I would like to thank everyone for the content and straight advice given on this site, your honesty and knowledge is invaluable. After 30 years in the print industry I have decided to make a change become a truck driver. I have taken my DOT physical and passed my CLP, I am now looking for CDL training. I applied to my first choice of trucking companies (ROEHL) and they contacted me today with a preliminary offering of 41.5 cpm driving refer. 14 days out with 2 off. I was looking more into dry van as it seems to get more consistent miles with less wait time. I am looking for your collective opinions and advice to help me make the best decision. I am in no hurry to jump on the first offer. I am sure I have left out some important information so please ask and I will do my best to answer. Thanks again guys!