Starting RTDC on Monday 1/6/14 - any others?

they use roads.

 

Ok, so now that I'm back home with a real keyboard and good wifi I'll write a review of my time in marshfield. First off, we were the guinea pigs for the new wisconsin cdl testing regulations. The 45 degree back is gone and replaced with a 90 degree alley dock back, the others are a straight line and a right to left offset back. The pretrip was also brand new standards and the road test used a new route and scoring system. No one at the school new what we would exactly be asked to do so rumors were rampant throughout our time there. Our initial class consisted of Beedub, another guy who had a cdl and previous experience, a younger girl who had the misfortune of hitting a deer driving home during week one, a woman who had a great attitude but unfortunately decided to bow out in week two due to the pressures of the condensed training, and myself. Initially we were split up with the one lady and I placed with Bob, and the other three with Joe. By week two I was one on one with Bob and Beedub and the other gentleman were paired with Joe. I had my share of troubles though I was making steady progress with each day, however by the thursday prior to the week two test Bob felt that I wasn't quite ready to test the next day, I agreed with this and the school decided to allow me to test the third friday. One primary concern is that for out of state permit holders if you fail the test you have to go to the dmv and apply for a wisconsin license and cdl permit, then wait 14 days to test. I have to give Bob a lot of credit and thanks for putting up with me and showing patience through the entire process, I feel the chance to get all that individual instruction was the key to my success and to bulding a firm foundation on which to begin my career.

So week two came and went and I got to watch Beedub do the happy dance after he aced his test(He's going to be an awesome driver for sure.) Week three was more of the same with steps forward each day and enough driving around marshfield for me to develop a pretty good familiarity with the city and a pretty healthy dislike for the roundabouts. This past friday arrived and I began my test by acing the pretrip, acing the first two backs, and then promptly getting myself wedged in during the alley dock back requiring six extra pull ups to get right and finish it right. (I'm not afraid to admit I was cursing loudly in the truck with each pull up becoming further convinced with each one that I was going to blow it and never make it to the road test..) The road test began with me missing a turn and somehow not getting a mark against me for doing so, had a few suicidal four wheelers pull out in front of me turning left on central ave that I avoided while dodging the urge to salute them. Overall we arrived back at the yard with my palms sweating and my tester smiling as he said I passed with room to spare. I should mention that the cold weather gave me recurring problems with my car starting and Beedub was nice enough to give me a ride when I needed one including a ride in on the last friday. So after I passed my test Bob gave me the keys to one of the white vans so I could run to Stevens point to get my cdl and then scramble back to the yard to finish all the hiring paperwork that I was behind in. Everything was completed by 5 and I caught a ride back to the hotel with another student that helped me get my car going that evening as well.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time down in marshfield and feel that the training was intense and thorough. All the people I met down there, students and faculty alike were all genuinely decent people. Now I wait for next week to start out my journey as a driver.

 

Bob is fantastic. I credit him with giving me a positive start with Roehl right off the bat. Definitely one of the best instructors they have.

 

We are just gonna miss each other beedub, I'm in Gary right now hooking up with my trainer in the morning. Good luck!