Any Questions about Roehl??

I'm giving serious thought to going flatbed. Currently scheduled for orientation June 11th for Van.

I really like what I see about Roehl but I have one major concern: Training is less than 2 weeks (up to 13 days for us CDL students). That seems pretty short for learning about driving, backing, mountain driving not to mention securement. Yes, we get the real basic stuff in CDL but in no way does that qualify as learning to drive!

Your thoughts?

 

For van I went out for two weeks with a trainer. I asked as much and learn as much as i could. My first week was a grind but I made it through. A lot of it takes time behind the wheel to learn. You'll get a taste with a trainer then work on it more while solo. That's for backing, mtn grades, and driving. I do van but for flatbed, make securement a big focus and your trainer will help u along the way. I still talk to my trainer, ask him questions. Other drivers and what you learned in school. Its short but better than 1-4 months with a trainer at other companies. Like any job you have good and bad days, learn from experiences. You'll do fine just get the most while u have someone next to u to ask.

 

If you go flatbed you have a chance of getting me as a road trainer, so that's always a plus.

 

That would be fantastic! I'm leaning in that direction. Finishing CDL school soon so need a good trainer to really teach me to drive!! I'm a serious student with a great sense of humor.

 

Honestly for me if I could return and do it over I think I would do van for my first winter. I started in June like you and went to flats. Never touched a flatbed load till late September. Which I do believe is the beginning of the slower season. Thinking that getting thru a winter of dock bumping would be good. Then switching to flats in March would be good. That way you are familiar with basics of Roehl and used to the road. Tho i also think that half my issues were because of not having an actual FM because of lacking them in the office. I was not liking my 1200 mile weeks on the slow season.
Good luck to you!!!!

 

Don't scare my potential flatbed brothers away! I never had a 1200 mile week. That stinks.

 

Honestly I think I had at least one less then that. Ran flats from Sept to Nov or close and just wasn't making any money. Granted I going home every two weeks, but it was like I was an after thought and planning stunk. Between all that and then no FM to speak of. I needed to make money first. Just feel like I would've done better having the 6 mos bumpin and then moved.

 

Well flatbedders are going to start slower no matter what until you learn to secure faster and efficiently. Whether or not you drive for 6 months or 6 years before you start flats you are going to take longer if you've never done it. Probably would have helped to actually have an FM looking out for you as well.

 

Treefork....That pic is just to good. It reminds me of something from one of my favorite shows...The Little Rascals.....of course my hero...Spanky.
I think I am going to go Rhoel and bump docks....at 52 and just starting it's a long way to the ground from that skate board....lol ....but if I were to go flat bed I would love you as the "teach"

 

One last question.....I hope. On the 13 days of training and OTR is the instructor an Instructor...or are we team driving and my instructor is really in the sleeper??