Question:
Got the call Monday 29th. Drive from Fond du Lac, WI and meet with Driver Trainer in Kaukauna, WI. After much running around that day I got my gear packed and rolled out of the house, here begins the tale.
I was nervous as hell, no particular reason just anxious I guess. Didn't eat a lick of chow all day so by 17:00 when I got to Kaukauna my guts were really upside-down. Met Dino, nice fella about 3 my senior. I knew we were going to get along nicely. He had everything ready to go just waitin on you he said. We swapped out some tarps and let her rollabout 17:30. Big load of fabricated steel pipe about 4' in diameter going to SCA Barton Industrial Riverfront in Cherokee, AL (a huge new facility still under construction, warehouse I guess)
Dino drove to Cottage Grove, WI south of Madison and handed the wheel over at the Road Ranger. We stopped in for a quick cup and chatted an bit inside, by this time my insides were a mess I got an energy bar and coffee only thing I was able to choke down all day. We stepped off at 20:00 and within a few short miles I was in the zone, worries faded and it was game-on!
Dino rode in the jumper for an hour and 45 and asked if it was OK if he jumped in the sleeper for a nap I said not at all, and actually made me feel
good because he said he didn't usually do that for at least 4-5 days but he could see that I was a "natural" and besides at this point he couldn't have pried me from that seat.
02:00 arrived at the Gateway Travel Plaza East St. Louis for the night and woke Dino and informed we were there. I truly think he was impressed, I know I was. Fuel and parking spot for the night and we jumped in the weasel sack around 03:00 ~ END DAY ONE
09:00 DAY TWO ~ Shower and chow, PTI and we were rollin again. I took the first leg from East St. Louis to Corinth, MS stopped at the Wal-Mart for a few possibles and we continued to march Dino pulled us in to Arnold's in Tuscumbia,AL for the evening we were scheduled to deliver at 07:00 the next A.M. It was another pleasurable day behind the wheel. Dino kept asking if I wanted to switch and take a break, but I would hear nothing of it I was havin a blast. Did stop at STAGGER LEES in Tuscumbia that Tuesday night I had been burnin for a Captain and Coke figured it would smooth over the edge a shade and I was right it seemed the perfect end to a couple of good days.
DAY THREE ~ made our delivery no hitch. but now what New Years Eve Day not much freight around we were hoping to be home (Wisconsin) by the time the Ball dropped.
A BIT 'O LUCK ~ head north to Jackson,TN and get a load of steel and as luck would have it deliver to Oshkosh, WI 15 miles north of home, plus it doesn't drop until Monday the 5th @ 08:00. Yes, looks like we might make that Ball Drop after all!!
BIT 'O LUCK RUNS OUT (for me anyway) ~ as chance wuld have it Dino is from Milwaukee and my p/u was 2hrs North in Kaukauna with my house right in the middle. My wife was at home with my 7 and 9 yr olds who were both sick and my 13 yr old was babysitting, no ride here?! And my parents were having a big shindig at the house, no ride here either?!, LOL
Well we figured we had about a 90% plus chance of getting me hooked up with another driver going North past Fond du Lac that could drop me at the Stretch. But by the time we were North Bound on 41 toward Milwaukee pretty much everyone was already tucked away for the night.
We got to the Roehl yard in Oak Creek and Dino offered me to stay with him and I could get a ride from my old man in the A.M. but I didn't want to be a burden so I stayed with the truck and figured on getting my ride to pick me up at the 322 Exit PILOT sometime before noon today.
LUCK SHINES ON ~ an hour after Dino left I got an incoming form the Disp. another Roehl Driver Trainer was leaving Gary, IN for Kaukauna and could pick me up in Oak Creek at 07:00. WOO HOO !!
I might be late but at least I'll be!!, LOL
05:30 rap, rap, rap on the window even better.
So needless to say al was well I got Home this A.M. 07:30 and am getting ready to go to my parents for dinner with my wife and 3 girls. Don't have to deliver until Monday A.M. A small hick-up but no complaints from me. Like I said I'm having a blast.
So for the next few weeks I'll be in a Roehl Condo # 3566 pullin that big deck. Coffee's on me !
STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, EVEN IF IT MEANS STANDING ALONE !!!
TO BE CONTINUED...
SEMPER FIDELIS
DevilDog

Answer:
"Having a blast." Where I have *I* seen that before? You do, dont you, when you are 1st out there and, there is trust with the trainer. I am really glad to hear things are going well. Hope that your blast continues as mine did when I was with my trainer!

Answer:
I ALWAYS WANTED TO DRIVE FOR ROEHL TRANSPORT. THERE IN MARSHFIELD WI AND OTHER PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW. MY DAD DROVE FLATBED FOR RYERSON STEEL DELIEVERED AT ROEHL QUITE A BIT. AND GOT ME LOTS OF INFO ABOUT THERE SCHOOLING. HE STARTED GETTING ME INFO ABOUT THE PLACE WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN I HIGHSCHOOL. I WAS ALL SET ON THE COMPANY. WAS GONNA DO FLATBED AND RUN THE OL WHITE LINE. BUT THAT ALL CAME TO BLOWS THANKS TO A STUPID DESCISSION. SEE MY OLDER BROTHER WENT THERE FIRST AND I WOULD ALWAYS GIVE HIM A RIDE UP TO ROEHL FROM MY HOME IN BARABOO. HE DROVE FOR THAT COMPANY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS TEAMING WITH A FRIEND FROM THE CLASS. HE QUIT WTILL OWED THEM $ FOR THE SCHOOL SO THEY WHERE PISSED. HE WENT TO SCHNIEDER TO DRIVE. SO I WENT THERE AS WELL NOW I DRIVE FOR A COMPANY THAT GETS ME HOME ALMOST EVERYNIGHT SHICH I LIKE BECAUSE IM MARRIED AND I HAVE 1 CHILD. BUT I STILL GET MAD EVERYTIME I SEE A ROEHL TRUCK. DONT KNOW WHY GUESS ITS A LESSON LEARNED THAT WILL BURN ME FOREVER. SO IF YOUR HEART IS SET ON ONE PLACE JUST DO IT DONT LISTEN TO OTHERS. I DO WANNA SAY GOOD LUCK TO THE MARINE THAT IS DRIVING FOR THEM SOUNDS LIKE YOUR HAVING A BLAST. SO GET OUT AND TRUCK IT UP. CAUSE OUTSIDE THE D.O.T AND DISPATCHERS THERE IS ALOT OF FUN OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD. JUST TAKE EVERYDAY FOR WHAT IT IS. TOMORROW IS ALWAYS DIFFERENT
Bob Hopper

Answer:
First off, TURN OFF YOUR F*&KING CAPS.
Now you said you were pissed when you see a Roehl truck. Why would you be pissed whn your brother quit them owing them money for their time and training.
I would be pissed at your brother for ripping them off. Unless there is more to the story than what you are saying.
Tim
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Newbie Division
WWJBD - What Would Jimmy Buffett Do??? This is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
Sounds like you're having a good time, little brother. Wow, I wish I could take that much time on a trip, but in the expedited business, it's balls to the walls, sleep and balls to the wall again. An 800 mile run like that would be less than 24 hours for my company, half that if it was really hot.
I hope you and your trainer hit it off good, sounds like you're off to a great start already. Be careful and patient out there, the roads full of idiots.
Semper Fi,
Wayne

Answer:
Seems like a very weird route to get to Alabama from Kuakuana. Did you have any extra pickup's or drops? Was it an OD load?
Here is something that alot of new drivers do not realize. The trainer can actually see alot more sitting in the bunk then he can in the jump seat. It serves a couple purposes. The major thing is it instills confidence in the new driver. The trainer can also watch the new driver better back there. He can watch foot positioning, if he covers the brake, how often he scans for the mirrors, etc. You can still see the fender mirrors sitting in the bunk in back. Try it one time when your trainer is driving, just sit in the bottom bunk and look at all you can see him doing. I am sure he was paying attention you to while you may not have realized it. This was how my trainer did with me at least. Keep us all updated. If you see 2765 at a yard, just look for the short bald headed guy with a long goatee, coffee is on me.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
Buzzdog- your right, in what a trainer can see from the sleeper. One of my last times with my otr trainer he was in the back. Reading his book...or so I thought. I was listening to the stereo just trying to sing with my favorite songs. Suddenly I looked back at him and he was watching me.
His 1st words. Your more comfortable with me back here, and not up front with you arent you? I actually was and did not realize it. Mind you my trainer was a long time friend before I went with the company. But I have always gotten self concious when a professional driver was sitting beside me, no matter what I was driving.
I am not saying a trainer should always be back there. But on occasion it can be a real learning experiance for both drivers.

Answer:
22:00 Sunday night bags packed steppin off @ 04:00
drive to Oak Creek yard for delivery to Oshkosh @ 08:00 then to wherever...
New HOS startin in a couple hours, should be interesting. Going to review tomorrow A.M. over breakfast
I will hopefully get back to this post soon but I will keep notes and got the digital camera with me for some snaps. I will be running either through Marshfield or Gary Mon. I know that, my Gate Pass went missing over the weekend so I gotta get a new one. If anyones around look for me # 3566 short dark hair, 6 foot goatee I'll have the Green Bay Packer sweatshirt on tomorrow. WHOO HOO GO PACK !!
Stay Safe, Stay Legal and return home to those that we have left behind.
SEMPER FIDELIS
SEMPER FIDELIS

Answer:
Im not pissed at ROEHL there Mr USAF 2T2. im pissed cause I listened to my brother and went to SCHNIEDER. So we could team for the experience and extra pay. That lasted a month when he decided he didnt want to drive no more. i didnt find out about him owing money to roehl until my dad told me he got a call from a collection Agancy concerning my brother not paying the money to ROEHL. So im pissed at me not ROEHL. Anyhow good Luck to all those coming into and following this career it can be a fulfilling one and a great adventure. It has many ups and downs. Take the day mile by mile. And for what its worth. And tough out the bad weeks or months.
Bob Hopper

Answer:
Bob HOPPER, are you still with SNI?
How long have you been there?
How meny miles are you driving each week?
Are they treating you right?
And whats preventing you from going to Roehl?

Answer:
USMC DevilDog, how about an update.

Answer:
No im not with SNI. I got out after 5 months. No miles little money went hungry. Theres nothing preventing me from going to ROEHL Transport. Except I have a daughter and a good local job. I do go from Wi to Ny a couple times a month. and into Minnesota but mostly I am home every night. If this job falls thru the cracks the the economy like most jobs Roehl is where I will turn my head to first. I do pull dedicated frieght which helps us out. The pay is good at 36 cpm loaded and 21 cpm empty ( It sucks) but where loaded three quarters of the time. And when where empty its short haul. I right now am happy with my comapny so roehl is on the back burner for know.
Bob Hopper