GYCDL With Roehl Starts Monday

I have less then 24 hours to go before I leave for Appleton WI and the start of a new career. Sitting here finishing up packing and getting everything ready I was wondering if I should do a training diary. There have been several really good ones and what could I add. But then I realized everyone's experience is different so I will do one.

Today is Christmas day and it is bitter sweet. My mother in law moved in with us in December of last year. We bought a house together and we have been caring for her since. She passed away at home last night. And I am going to miss the funeral due to training. My wife and I decided it is for the best. I will be able to give 110% because I know that is what my mother in law would want. We discussed the job prior to me applying alot, and when we told my MIL she said " well you will miss us".

So I leave for Appleton tomorrow morning at 6 am. 9 hour drive. I am looking forward to it. I have heard alot of good things about Roehl GYCDL and some bad and I think I am going to do well.

Wish me luck and I will keep you informed.

Dingo

Are you sure you want to go to training now? I guarantee you Roehl would have no problem with delaying your start with these unfortunate circumstances.

Prayers for you and your family following this most unfortunate event.🙏🙏🙏

Best of luck, and sorry for your loss! I have found training to be exciting and challenging...just stick to your commitment, and you'll do great!

I will mirror, both PackRat AND Mt.Matt's replies.

You KNOW Roehl would understand a delay, but . . . do as we must; I get that as well. Being 'married' to a driver for 20 years . . . I totally get it. As you seem like you have your family's backing in this, onward as you see fit.

Condolences to the family, I just lost a DEAR FRIEND on my birthday; 4 days before Xmas. Forever Fam Friend. Dam. I feel you. I'm sorry.

I'm happy you ARE blessed with an understanding wife. It's not easy shoes 'WE' fill, either.

BEST TO YOU, Dingo. (Favorite dog of mine; always wanted one! Settled for a Pibble.)

I'm following, also!

~ Anne (& Tom) ~

Day 1 starts tomorrow. Made the 9 hour journey, 600 miles in 9 hours and 45 minutes. Stopped at a travel center on 80 to eat and get gas... and ran into traffic in Chicago go figure. It was a nice drive made better by SiriusXM. But the Tolls!!! Wow!!! Nearly $50 bucks... going home a different way for sure. Side note... love the billboard in Chicago advertising that Fort Lauderdale PD was hiring complete with beach and palm trees.

The room is nice. Bed seems comfortable. My Roommate seems to be a nice guy. Older like me. Walmart on the other hand...talk about tough getting into wow. Appleton has anything and everything to eat.... I went to a favorite restaurant of mine that I ate at alot in Arizona, Culver's. We don't have that in Pennsylvania... now if I could just find a Whata burger.

Off to bed, meet up is at 0630 in the lobby. Here's to a good day 1.

Dingo

Day 1 starts tomorrow. Made the 9 hour journey, 600 miles in 9 hours and 45 minutes. Stopped at a travel center on 80 to eat and get gas... and ran into traffic in Chicago go figure. It was a nice drive made better by SiriusXM. But the Tolls!!! Wow!!! Nearly $50 bucks... going home a different way for sure. Side note... love the billboard in Chicago advertising that Fort Lauderdale PD was hiring complete with beach and palm trees.

The room is nice. Bed seems comfortable. My Roommate seems to be a nice guy. Older like me. Walmart on the other hand...talk about tough getting into wow. Appleton has anything and everything to eat.... I went to a favorite restaurant of mine that I ate at alot in Arizona, Culver's. We don't have that in Pennsylvania... now if I could just find a Whata burger.

Off to bed, meet up is at 0630 in the lobby. Here's to a good day 1.

Dingo

Congrats, man. DANG .. long trip, but . . . might's well get used to that, haha! OMG... Tolls are that bad? Haven't been that way in a PV in a while, either. Pre Pass &/or EZ pass, from here on out, yes?!?

Sleep well .. so much upcoming!!

Holler if you need anything!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Day one is in the books. Went to breakfast met a couple other guys. We have guys from New York via Haiti, Georgia, Michigan and we found another guy from Pennsylvania. Met Wade the lead instructor in the lobby at 630. Had to clear 3 inches of snow off the car but all good.

Started the day with routine paperwork. The fun stuff. Got a sweet Motor Carrier Atlas and a nice pen with a flashlight.

Watched a new hire presentation and a couple of videos and called it a day at 1630. Lunch was good.

Came back to the hotel and started watching my JJ Keller modules. Week 1 day one is in thr books and starting on week 1 day 2. Glad the internet here is really good.

Tomorrow is more presentation in the morning, I believe pre trip inspection and then out to the yard to do them. Driving on Wednesday. Looking forward to that.

It has been 13 years since I sat in a classroom but it is not too hard and Wade made it all pretty easy. Meeting the other instructors tomorrow.

Off to a shower and bed. Hope we don't get any more snow.

Hope its still going well? Best of luck to you. Roehl will train you to be a top notch driver.

Day 2... started the day in the classroom learning The Roehl way and the Safe Seven. 9 people in class. Everyone seems to be grasping it. Afternoon was pre trip in the cold and snow...who's dumb idea was this to do it in December and January?

We were issued ice cleats and safety vests. Roehl is huge on safety, and those cleats were much appreciated.

Shopping after class at Fleet Farm....a Tractor Supply/ Rural King on steroids. Several of the guys came up without cold weather gear.

Back at the hotel( that has heated indoor pool and jacuzzi) to study. The internet at the hotel was hit or miss...thank God for Mobil Hotspot. JJ Keller modules are pretty I formative, but I am a hands on learner and that comes tomorrow.

Dingo

Day 3...started o'dark 30 at the truck for pre trip. Hands on. Then went to the simulator. I was not expecting that. This thing is state of the art. My 3 man training crew all did well in the simulator learning g left and right hand turns and the 4 steps.

Back out to the truck and to finish pre trip. We had a fill in instructor today. Our regular instructor is a Certified CDL examiner and today was test day. The test is done right in the yard in the truck you train in.

3 inches of snow on the ground the lot was a sheet of ice. Thank God for those ice cleats. We pick up a trailer and parked it for pre trip on the trailer after lunch.

Came down after lunch and pre tripped the trailer. Good thing we did, the trailer had a broken PSI thingamgig box. Traded out that trailer and reported it to maintenance. Picked up a new trailer and headed 20 minutes across town to an Indiustrial park.

We each took turns on making turns. Left and right. The instructor said we all did really well and were some of the best first time drivers he has seen.

Back to the terminal , dropped the trailer off and post trip on the tractor. Plugged it in, it is supposed to be cold cold tonight. Did some grocery shopping at Walmart and back to the hotel of more studying.

Tomorrow is straight backing. Cannot wait.

A little about Appleton WI. There is a mall, every major store you can think of, Target, Walmart, Sam's and Costco. And restaurants galore. Panda Express, PF Changs, Culver's, Wendy's, Arby's Texas Roadhouse, Applebee's, Famous Dave's, TGIFrifdays... can you tell I am a fat kid? The price of tobacco is outrageous!!! $17.50 for 2 cans of Cope Wintergreen longcut.

Back to JJ... see you tomorrow.

Dingo