Impression of Roehl so far

Big -

What do you want to do?? Just go for it! Several of us that you have been following are just that and getting great results from Roehl. Cmon man, just do it. Where can you get better training and a JOB for less?? If you wanna work, lets get with it. (I say that in a friendly way).

 

Day 13 -

Today we practiced what everyone wanted to practice. We all agreed that driving with right and left turns would be best. He took us thru right and left turns that were tighter than we would see on the test. Sorry to say, but today was just more drilling on skills. We didnt even practice the 45's today. We all got them down. Tomorrow will be the CDL practice drive test. A different instructor will be taking us out and grading us just as if it were the real test. In the interim, the rest of us get to practice 45's durring this time. That sucks because its gonna be cold again! Dear God... thank God the cold is almost over with!!! We lost another student today. I wont name any names, but the cruckst of it is, is that he allegedly wont be taking a job with Roehl???? HUH? Pay for training, stay in the cold for three weeks, and not take a trucking job??? I dont understand. Oh well. to each his own. Not for me to understand. since Im the experienced guy, the instructor threw everything he had at me just to test my metle. He got me a few times just to prove who is instructor and who is still rusty. Million miles or not. He did a good job. Ask him to do that to me again in a few months. It'll be a different story then. Our instructor Brian is very knowledgeable and a great guy to learn from. I'd do it again. The first week guys that are currently starting are looking at us wondering what the hell are they in for when they see some of the things they will do when they see us going thru it now.:smt068

Good news!!! Today it was about 22 degrees!? Dear God that was warm. No really! When that first layer of skin dies, it really feels quite warm

The only question you have to ask yourself is... Can you stand the cold... Well can ya.. punk? borrowed from my bud Clint Eastwood. See ya'll. Will let you know how everything turns out tomorrow. PS. Learning how to eat out of a microwave is considered a skill.

Good night

D

 

Day 14 - CDL Pre Test day (Drive test)

Well, all the other guys were willing to let me go first. I didnt mind and it probably eased their minds that they were not the first ones to go out for the practice test. Thats ok. Im not one to prolong things. I like to get it done and get it over with. Took much easier right and left turns than what we had been practicing. I think this was probably done to ensure us being prepared. Thats great! would rather be over prepared than under prepared. had one tough right turn. From a single lane two way with cars parked on both sides, turning right onto a divided 4 way with cars parked on both sides. I got into where the cars would park (because there were'nt any parked there. That snookered me. Turns are what I am truely rusty at. I didnt stay far left in my lane and cut into the spots where cars parked before I made my swing. The results were I didnt swing far enough in my lane to the left before I turned. Doggonit I curbed the divider with my steers by about an inch and it knocked 5 points automaticly. Then they said I stopped long on a stop sign. In Wisconsin their stop signs are before their stop lines, and I stopped at the line. I guess I'll only have to deal with that in Wisconsin. Instructor said I grinded a gear. I've only done it once in the class. That is something I have had no problem with. I think I just scratched it. No big deal though. I'll just tighten it up a little. so, curb = 5 points, scratch =1 point, and stop sign = 1 point. Total of 7 points. Stupid crap that I can fix for perfect score. Back when I drove they just sent the safety man out with you for a road test and they didnt have a bunch of stuff to grade you on. Thats where I believe this industry has gotten better. They are paying attention to more. Thats a good thing. The brand new guys to trucking werent but a couple of points off from what I got! They are doing awesome!!! The instructors are harder on you. I believe this is what makes Roehl such a desireable school to go to. Their students consistently do much better than most other schools. They really prepare you to stay with them as a driver. They invest LOTS of drive time to make you what they want you to be and thats OK with Me! They will explain no matter what it takes if you are capable of learning with total patience. Well tomorrow is more driving time to practice everything we did wrong today. Talk to you guys/gals tomorrow! Drive safe!