starting roehl on Feb 25th

Canada extended the passport requirement, but I think that deadline is actually coming up soon. I've been using my birth certificate with no problems, other than the power-loving customs guys.

Truth be told, the tarps are more than 75-100 pounds, especially when wet. Just so you know, with Roehl the farthest you have to lift the tarps is from the ground to the box on your truck. If the shipper won't put them up there with a forklift, you call customer service and they either get them to lift the tarps, tell them to take the load off, or tell you not to worry about tarping it. I'm about 5'9", 145 pounds.

 

I forgot to mention that I was also old(er) and with my slim build, that was an additional factor for me to consider. That's great news about the passport vs. birth certificate. At least I don't have to begin the passport process. Thanks for your input.

 

Well I'm now nearing the end of Evo 2. I just finished day 17, my fleet manager says he wants to test me on Tuesday of next week. I'm up in Gary waiting on the last trainer for Evo 2. Yes, you read that correctly, that will make 4 different trainers. I think it is a good thing, it will allow me to see several different ways to do the job. I can then see what things are similar between the 4 guys. I am a firm believer in not reinventing the wheel. If someone has been doing this a number of years, then they've probably worked out all or most of the details. Why try and do something completely different.

I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty wore out. Heh...I didn't work this hard at the factory. In fact, I only worked about 2 hours in an 8 hour shift. Having done this training nonstop, I'm ready for bed every night. My new trainer is somewhere in Gary delivering a load right now. He should be picking me up this afternoon/evening. I'm hoping that we'll just hang out in Gary for the night. I think I need a nice shower, and a long nap. Heh...I'm only 32 years old and yet a snooze on occasion is very useful.

As to cyclingviking's question: the paper Roehl had me fill out for my GI Bill access, was in the Honor Program folder they sent me in the mail. It is a VA Form of some kind, I don't remember the number designator. All you do is tell the recruiter you want to join the Honor Program, they will send you the packet. It has all the forms you need. In my case I filled out the form on the VONAPP website (VAs online applications). I've done this before for school so it was old news. You still have to wait on the signature page from VA, after your paperwork is processed. You sign it and either mail, fax, or email it to the recruiter. They will ensure that VA gets it. I hope this helps.

Now...its time for the shower and maybe the nap.

 

(at) Jeff, I recun you will be glad to be done. I bet doing all the training and evo's straight thru is a bear, probably kill an old out of shape potatoe (Indiana joke) like me.
From your posts I gather you are doing flatbed. Any idea where they will run you? I will have to keep an eye out for a Rail Big Truck around town. You did miss all the massive flooding over the river....man, it was/is bad (got lots of picks if you want 'em).

Take 'er Easy.....

 

Did I just see a Dan Quayle joke???

 

Well I successfully passed my Evo 2 written and road test. Heh...perhaps I should have spent a bit more time in the workbook. The trip planning portion of the test really stumped me for a bit. I did pretty good on the road test, but butchered the pretrip something aweful, luckily you can't really fail the roadtest because of the pretrip. Mostly they just want to make sure you're actually looking the truck over, and not just kicking the tires and turning the key.

To put it plainly...I'm just way too fatigued. I think I'm up to 22 days out and I'm going to stay out until 12 - 21 July. I have a week long Army training to go to. Heh... my Evo 3 DSR is sending me out at 0900 tomorrow. My advice to anyone coming into RDTC and the Evos...think long and hard about staying out all the way through. Its pretty tough, and I'm use to long hours and weeks away from home. I strongly encourage anyone to take the time home that they allow you.
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Hey Fooman...
Yep, I'm training to be a Flatbedder. Heh...considering doing the lazy thing and switching back to van...but I want the money.

Yeah my wife told me about the Memorial Bridge and Westport. She said Chrysler was under about 5 feet of water, good thing they moved the cars.

I'm hoping they'll let me run all the way to Vincennes. If they do I'll park the truck at the old truck stop on Willow. I may drop and lock the trailer and take the tractor to the house. Its still up in the air, and with a truck having been stolen in St Louis...I'm not sure how keen the company is about leaving trucks and/or trailers around.

Now...off to Wal-Mart to stock up my new truck. Afterwards...some long needed rest.

 

Are you in Gary, now? I'm sitting here in the yard, if you're around let me know and you can put a face to the name.

 

Anybody in Gary tonight?

 

anybody heading to marshfield july 14?

 

I'm supposed to be home then, but I guess it's possible anyway.