Roehl flatbed training too brief for new driver?

I learned both at the same time with Roehl. In '08 we had to go out with a trainer for 21 days. It probably depends on the person learning and the person teaching. Though knowing what I know now, it's probably a bit short.

 

Boyd Brothers in Birmingham! My husband has been with them for 10 months and is now a trainer! You do your pre-class, a month OTR with a trainer, then you do class and local runs when u get done with the trainer. They really prepare you!

 

Roehl's training is really top notch, but it is brief. I was on the road with my trainer for only nine days, which I felt was nowhere near enough to really be comfortable with the job and develop all the skills and knowledge required.

 

Both of my fleet managers (they alternated a 7/7 shift) were former flatbed drivers and made a point of letting me know that they would be happy to answer any questions I had. In particular, they said they wanted me to call them each time I encountered a type of load that I hadn't hauled before. I don't know if that's the case with all the flatbed FMs, but it helped me to have that. Also, I found that other flatbed drivers at the shipper were usually very happy to give advice when asked nicely. After all, we are all in the same boat.

 

When I switched from vans to flats I had two days load securement training and then I worked with a local driver in Gary for 5 days. In that 5 days we hauled nothing but coils. So when I got on my own I had a coil going from Gary to Alabama. Then from Alabama I picked up plywood to home.


Their training is brief, but if you have any questions its good that your FM will help you out and actually know what they're doing.