Comments By Wine Taster

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted. I have been turning and burning. I made the switch to curtianside trailers and I must say, I like it much better. If I never have to touch a tarp again it will be way too soon. You guys that like tarping (ummm old school) are complete lunatics. ROFL!

Welcome to Roehl! Trust me this is just the beginning. You think you head is spinning now? Wait until you are out there all alone. It is amazing that school really was that long ago for me. It is so much a blur now. After about 6 months, I am finally starting to feel a little relaxed. It is daunting but you will get through it.

If you like sushi, the place beside festival near the hotel is fantastic!

Well, just to toss this out there.... there are many really good company sponsored schools out there. There are advantages and disadvantages to the different schools. By going through a non company sponsored school, you have to put a lot of cash out of pocket. You may get it reimbursed after you get hired over many months. You will not make any more money either way. You will still have to go out with a trainer for the company you choose after school either way. Many of the company sponsored schools will pay for your trip to the school. I started with Roehl. It was a great school and they have treated me great. Just don't want you to discount company sponsored training with out researching them as well.

Supplies.... mainly just food, clothes and hygiene stuff. I think at Prime, you do not get to go home before going out with your trainer. So, sleeping bag. Pack as light as you can because you will not have much room during training on the truck. You don't need much cash with you. If you have a check card, it will work for most things you will need. To be safe you may need cash for the DMV. This is a good link on here that may help you

Items To Pack

Yes they will honor your permit. However, you may have to have it transferred to their state. What I mean is.... When I came to Roehl, I had my class A learner's permit. I had to transfer it to WI when I got here for school. Once I completed school, I had a WI CDL-A. I went home and had to transfer it back to NC. It gets kind of costly. Had I know then what I know now, I may have waited and tested the endorsements once school was over.

As for the school, I have no idea. Basically all the company paid programs are going to do is get you driving and pay you low for the first year. After that the sky is the limit. Just remember to try and complete your first year wherever you start no matter how bad it is. Stick it out and tyr to keep your record clean. Best of luck!

PJ good luck man. We will miss you at Roehl. I got your text the other day. My headset broke and I have not been able to make any calls to friends lately. I did finally get to actually talk to the legendary Old School. I think I scared him away thought with my ramblings. ROFL! Anyway, hope you are well and I will talk to ya soon.

All I can say is Roehl has been very good to me. You guys and gals flatter me. I did not realize that this thread would have such an effect. Hope to meet some of you one day on the road.

Guess I am not too nutz then. Then again, I have literally stopped three times in the first 25 miles to make sure I didn't forget to latch a door or put something away.

So, I have been driving a few months now. I am starting to settle in. It has been a huge learning curve with ups and downs. I have ripped a hole in the sidewall of a tire (my very first day out solo). I have stuck the truck deep in mud. Other than that, no problems.

Here is the question. I do a walk around on a trailer when I hook to it. I try to make mental notes of any minor damage, scratches, etc. Anything major gets a picture taken before I hook up. It never fails that later on when I am doing a vehicle check or a post trip, I notice another dent or scratch. Then my paranoid brains starts wondering if I did that. It is like sand in an oyster in my brain. Am I being over paranoid?

I really think I am going to start taking a picture of each side of a trailer before I hook to it. Kind of a CYA, put my brain a rest later kind of thing. I do not hesitate to take responsibility if I were to cause damage. On the other hand, I do not want to be on the hook for someone else's mistake.

Just a little / lot paranoid lately!

Yes you get a bonus for referrals. Most of the people on here do it to help others.

Hey wine taster Really enjoyed the read, I couldn't stop once started. I have a question on referrals, Does Roehl pay them? I know that you have influenced quite a few people to go there way, I'm probably going to be another. I just figured if your name gets dropped that you could benefit from all the hard work you put into this. MRC