Roehl 20 May 2013 Class

Rick,

Yesterday 5/13 went fine. Had a good introduction to the course in the morning and had the drug test (urine sample) before going to lunch.
After lunch we were out on the range doing a pre-trip inspection of a truck, followed by driving in the "Roehl 500", basically driving around the perimeter of the driving range and practicing starting, up-shifting, down-shifting, stopping and turning corners (left turns).

Homework assignment was reading the first 7 chapters of a 33 chapter text book (600 page book). The assignments consisted of general knowledge for Trucking, CDL Regs, etc., quiz at the end of each chapter, nothing difficult, a lot of the stuff covered in the Class "A" permit tests.

Today, 5/14 started out on the range with a pre trip inspection, followed by driving around the range doing more left turns in the morning. in the afternoon we continued the driving, but instead of making left turns, we moved up to doing right turns, followed by a post trip inspection.

Tonight we only have 5 chapters to read.

Tomorrow, we will be starting the back up training, beginning with straight line back ups, probably will look more like zig zag backing than straight line backing at first.

I must say I am very happy with my decision to come to RDTC, the training staff are very professional, providing continual feed back on how students are doing, the instructors are very patient with the students, always encouraging and pointing out different ways to overcome difficulties that are encountered.

That's all I have to say right now, more to come as I proceed through the course.

 

Mike,

I pretty much packed what was suggested in the info packet from RDTC. Although I tend to overpack, too many shirts, too many pants/jeans. Since I had to pack for both going to the school as well as going out with my trainer directly from RDTC (my choice), I packed some stuff for the time out with the trainer, such as bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket), heavy jacket, insulated boots, etc.

Before I finish RDTC and head out with my trainer, I'm going to rethink what I am going to keep with me and send the rest back home and pick it up when I get my own truck. I don't want to tick off the trainer with too much stuff that I don't need.

OK, on another note, day 3, 5/15...Did a pre-trip inspection, then we all drove a couple of hours on the range practicing shifting and turns, followed by a demo run by the instructor for our on the road training through the town of Marshfield, that stuff took up the morning hours. In the afternoon we all drove for the first time out in town, driving in light traffic, practicing turns at intersections, shifting, accelerating, decelerating, stopping and observing all traffic and hazards.

Tomorrow we will do the same and I think we will also start some backing techniques, I thought we would be doing that today, but did not.

As you know this is the first week, out of three, but by the end of the second week, on Friday, the actual CDL test will be given for the people that don't have a CDL. So we still have a lot to go through and learn before next Friday.

It's my understanding that the last week will be some classroom training, completing additional applications, forms, and the Pre-Work Screening, hair follicle test and also do some driving trips where we head out first thing in the morning and drive all day long to some other cities via highways and interstates before returning to Marshfield before the end of the day.

So as you can see, although we have done a lot so far we still have a long ways to go.

More to follow...

BrianC

 

Brian C. Sounds like you are getting a good education!!!.... Hopefully what I got from my school will suffice! From what I'm hearing it was just enough to get the class A. I will be getting there Sunday, hope I get to meet you.

Glenn

 

Glenn,

Yes, from my perspective, this is a good program, not just what they call a "CDL Mill", but a school that provides good value for the cost of tuition. I went through a school back in 2000, it was OK, but RDTC is far better. There's only 6 students per class with 2 instructors, they pace what they are teaching to the pace that of the students, they continually provide feed back which help us know what we are doing right and what we need to put more focus on, and in no way do they demean or belittle the students no matter how bad we grind the gears, it's just part of the learning curve.

Yes, look forward to meeting up with you when you get here...Look me up when you arrive, my class number is 373, instructor's name is Kevin.

BrianC

 

Mike,

From what I've heard, there are now 2100+ trucks, I previously was under the impression there were 1900, so it seems they are expanding the fleet, that's a good thing.

As far as this weekend, we have class on Saturday and off on Sunday, so I probably will be hanging out at the Hotel Sunday as I don't have any wheels here, I flew up here. They have a indoor pool and jacuzzi at the hotel, so I'll probably take advantage of that, as well as a Gym that we can use down the road. Here's the Hotel's website: www.woodfieldinn-marshfield.com

Oh, btw, bring a towel, there are no towels in the room, it was in the info packet that Roehl sent.

BrianC

 

Well my plans changed. A orientation slot opened up at the Dallas terminal so I will be going there now. Any info on what to expect there would be appreciated.

 

i was at the Dallas Terminal once. It is a really nice place, not nearly as equipped as the larger terminals, however, for orientation it might even be better considering there is less distraction.

It's in a nice area of dallas and has good security. it is clean and neat. When I was there I met the man in charge of orientation, he was very helpful and a nice guy. I also met the ops person in charge, again, very pleasant. It's small but clean and organized. Not sure where the hotel is but I believe it is close and I think they have a van to shuttle the troops.