So, how are things going at Roehl?

FFE > Home
https://www.ffeinc.com
FFE is a leader in temperature controlled service with true LTL nationwide service.
Kansas City
19321 Montrose St.
Gardner, KS 66030
~

 

Ever consider asking the people at Roehl those questions?

 

If you can't help the person, why even comment? Here's a news flash for ya. RECRUITERS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LIE!!!

 

Hey all, I'm 7 months in at Roehl, half way through my contract. I can't really complain, the training is alright. They teach you not to hit stuff in a nutshell and learn how to operate the truck. After training I was/am getting decent miles and home on weekends, sometimes you'll get home early Friday other times you may get home late Saturday and go back out early Monday. Been hauling refer loads from MN to out NY, PA, NJ, MA, and a few to MO. A lot of my runs are usually done in WI, IL, and IN as well. A typical week will get me 2300-2600 miles. Some drivers told me they get more miles, some get less. I guess its luck of the draw maybe.

 

As far as the training goes, I was out with a trainer for 19 days AFTER getting my CDL, if you're not a good driver you will probably be out longer, if they think you're a safety risk they will kick you out. After your x amount of days you'll be issued a truck and start your solo career. Be considerate with your trainer, you'll be bunking in the truck with them. I've heard horror stories lol.

 

Training takes place over 4 weeks. We had 4 students per truck with an instructor. You basically spend 10 hours their watching the other 3 students back or drive. You get about 30 minutes a day in driving and two turns if you're lucky at backing. They teach straight line, offset, and 90 degree.

Last week you take your CDL exam with a 3rd party tester. It's a lot easier than what Roehl puts you through. Any more than two pull-ups and they get after you but during the test he says you can theoretically have up to 12 and still pass. Also the instructors send you through town, around every round-a-bout they can find, etc. The tester basically drives you around the block and back. A right turn, left turn, asks a sign question and bridge clearance question to make sure you're looking at signs, and has you perform an emergency stop.

Phase 2 you go out with a driver trainer. How long you stay with them depends on how well you do and how often your trainer goes home, but the minimum is 21 days. My trainer ran recaps and didn't take any home time while we were out. I tested on my 18th or 19th day because my temporary license was expiring and they said I was doing good enough to test out and get my own truck instead of having to go home to get my license and come back out for just a few days.

Testing after phase 2 is basically the same as your CDL test but it's with a Roehl instructor instead of a 3rd party tester. Mine was laid back and said I did really well.

Then in Phase 3 you get your own truck and have a "Training" Fleet Manager. But they do absolutely nothing but try to run you ragged as if they want you to quit. I just started running nights so I could deal with actual fleet managers and after 2 weeks of not speaking to my training fleet manager she called me and sent me to a terminal to test out and go on my own.

The testing after this phase they call close quarters training. You basically go back to a terminal and an instructor will tell you to back into various spots. The key thing they look for is for you to get out and look and to not blindside. Drive around the terminal so you can come into an easy driver side 45 or 90 if you have to. But blindsiding will cost you points.

After that you get assigned a regular fleet manager. Nothing really changes. Depending on who you get they may ask what hours you want to run and things like that and try to keep you out of places you want to go. Others are massive control freaks. I lucked out and got a good one.

I average around 2,800 miles a week, and honestly I don't even run hard. I'm always shutting down early if I can still make it the next day. I don't run my hours down to the last minute every day like some drivers do. I'm not an elitist or a super trucker. I'm just here to get this contract over with.

 

With health insurance and life insurance a first year driver can make 600-1k a week after tax. If they are getting consistent miles. You are scored based on mpg, productivity, a few endorsements on your CDL, you'll get dinged if you have equipment damage. I think it's after two quarters of safe driving you'll get a raise. One of my buddies just got a 5 cpm raise.