I personally liked how fast paced Roehls training was. I really didnt want to be stuck with a trainer on the road for over a month like i would of if i had gone with some other companys. Hell 5 days with the trainer i was ready to get the heck out cause i just couldnt stand being stuck in a truck with another person. I love being solo
the accelerated OTR training isn't all roses. it means that a new driver only gets two or three dispatches to run with a trainer in the truck, rather than five or ten. for flats that's an issue, as there are so many different kinds of loads that the new guy could benefit from seeing.
That's kind if touchy. We have a book to follow to make sure your legal. I have seen some crazy loads at the yard, but everyone learns different. I over strap is chain everything. I have had a 30k lbs load and 40k lbs worth of securement. If you follow your cargo securement book, I think a new driver will be just fine. I think the problem with new drivers and flatbed is they are not ready or don't think there is a lot of work involved, and they can't be more wrong. I will say flatbed is some labor intensive work. Lumber tarps are no joke.
if you're talking about the Practical Cargo Securement Manual, it's worth your time to compare the sections on tier strapping, coils, and the number of tiedowns with the actual green FMCSR. there are three editions of the practical cargo book roaming around roehl, and none of them are free of errors. the early one that i have is wrong in about a dozen places and even illustrates illegal techniques as the recommended way to tie a load down.
i've had students for 10 days and nine of them were with curtainsides. one student i had never got to actually chain or strap a fresh load for the first 10 out of 14 days, because we had relays and long hauls. some of them never get steel, some never get dressed lumber.
