Pre-trip inspection and driving test at orientation???

I don't see how they would expect you to pretrip better than your state required. If so they should tell you in advance any differences and let you study up.

I don't know about the 1 cone thing, but I can tell you that the main difference in the standard is that on the driving test for your CDL, if you get out of the cab, the test is over. Whereas companies stress GOAL, or Get Out And Look. So if you are able to doublecheck yourself as often as you want and still hit a cone, that would be bad. I could see them considering that careless and unnecessary.

 

My Uncle worked for them, He said that the test wasn't bad. you should know what to check, He kinda pointed to the engine and said All that stuff in there that I am supposed to checked, Well I just checked them. Of course that was back when all the companies wanted drivers in a bad way. His driving test was in the lot back then, so I am sure if he had hit one of the other truck, well.... that would of been it.
that was my test also. I had to drive about 200 miles, Drop and hook. back to a dock, and things that are done in the real world, No cones for me either!

 

PharmPhail, You found a company yet? See you are from NC and just curious?

 

Do you guys work for Roehl? If so how do you find them to be as a company? I ask because I am scheduled to start school at RDTC Marshfield in March.

Thank You

 

Nope, nothing. Hiring freezes now from my prehires. Where'd you go to school?

 

Chill. Orientation is not a test. There is very little driving in orientation, but when you do don't be running over stuff.

100 point inspection? Nah. Look under the hood, check the oil, see if anything's falling apart, thump the tires and check the lights. Whenever you hook, get out and look at your connection - during that cold streak in mid-Jan. we had 7 disconnects in one day and I had trouble getting my truck to connect at all.

 

I am scheduled to start orientation in Gary,IN on feb. 9th. Anyone have any advice, suggestions or info you think would be helpful.

 

PharmPhil, I am in my 2nd week at Isothermal (Sage) here in Spindale. So far has turned out to be a good choice as they are a great group. One-on-one training with no groups when driving. So far I have not hit anything or run over anyone! hehehe

 

When I went to orientation I went as an experienced driver so I was expected to pretrip, hook & disconnect and drive as I do in the real world. With some experience you will check most of the things on the state pti without even thinking about it. Call me a dork if you want but I check my trailer connection two ways everytime I hook to a different trailer. First I visually look to make sure the jaws are closed and the handle is all the way in. Second I do a tug test. A word of advice to any newbie, don't just gun it when pulling out from under a trailer. Take it easy until the trailer is resting on the landing gear. If something goes wrong and the trailer drops, better that it lands on your tractor tires than on the ground. It might just save your job. I also do a tug test everytime I've been out of the truck and I go to leave.

As for working for Roehl. I'm on 7/4-7/3 the biggest issues I have are with my dispatchers. They want the truck running and feel like they are doing me a favor giving me hometime. These are two young men young enough to be my children and have no clue what is important in life. They see themselves as lord and masters over a sixty driver fleet and we will do what they say or else. I admit I am a fiercely independent driver and that clouds my feelings towards companies and dispatchers. That also has a lot to do with moving towards becoming an o/o.

I would give Roehl a grade of C. That means they are either the worst of the best or the best of the worst. You choose. I have been averaging 1500 to 1700 miles per pay period. Most of what I have been hauling are consumable products such as paper products, diapers, cleansers, etc.