Tale of the 7/7 (2012)

I was hired in to Roehl a couple weeks ago for the 7/7 Fleet. I got bit by the flu bug so it kept me at home an extra two weeks. Looks like I launch on Tuesdays being out 7 days, then home time 7 days.

A little history before I begin. I've been off the road since March of 2011 as I left Knight on an offer to get back into construction management, something I swore I'd never do again...and I mean it this time. Economic conditions has slowed us down to a halt. I'm tired of this gig & never really liked it when the economy was good.

I started this past Monday with three other recruits in Ellenwood, GA. It started with the backing test, then on to the road test. Next up was the drug, urine & hair follicle. From there we did a physical test at the terminal. After a great lunch we were off to the DR. for the DOT physical. When this was complete that called it a day at about 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday we watched a few videos, issued our company manual, pictures taken for the ID's and released for the day about 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday was more vid's, a HAZMAT test, issued fuel cards & electronic gate key, and turned in our payroll information.

Thursday we met our FM, a little more paperwork, given a hat, and those that are driving "full" time were issued their trucks & loads to get out and get after making their wages. I went on to the house & will begin my saga the 3rd of January....thus the 2012 tag.

From start until right here, all is good. Roehl put's off a good vibe & by what I experienced professional. I'll keep my posts accurate and posted from MY perspective. That being said I'll see y'all back here after I return from my 1st weeks dispatch somewhere around January 10th.

 

Pretty easy stuff. Mind you though your heart rate can't exceed 150bpm.

• Check blood pressure
• Squat twice under the trailer to demonstrate a part of the PT inspection
• Climb up into the trailer
• Lift a milk crate with 30# and then 50# three times
• Pull 100# of force
• Push 80# of force

This happens at the terminal with your urine & hair follicle test.

At the DR. for the DOT they again check your BP, weight, & measure your neck. There's a formula there that determines if your a candidate for sleep apnea. The last test is for a hernia.

 

Waking up this morning I had an email from payroll. It confirmed a deposit into my checking account for wages earned attending orientation.

I'll add that to the "+" column only because I was under the impression this would not be deposited until my 1st trip. Granted this impression did not come from Roehl directly, but rather driver mumbo jumbo in orientation.

I should of confirmed directly with Roehl, but I wasn't in need or depending upon the deposit...So all is good that they moved forward in doing the right thing & not withholding wages contingent upon jumping through hoops.