Changing careers and looking at Roehl

New to the forum but I have been reading alot of threads and have found alot useful information. I have been working in the law enforcement field for over 18 years (turning 38 in September so yeah I started young). I should first say I make good money (over $55,000 per year) but to be honest I have always been one to seek out a challenge and I no longer feel challenged in my career. I have four boys but they are all grown up (my oldest turns 21 in October so yeah I started young there too) with the exception of my 9 year old that lives with his mother.

I have been looking to change careers and have been talking to a buddy of mine that drives trucks. He recommended Roehl and Prime based on what he has heard from others during his travels. Though swift has a training school here in Richmond, Va. he advised me that I should avoid going that route, again based on his experiences with truckers. (I realize everyone has their opinion but when you hear it from enough people....)

So considering Roehl or Prime I am thinking more Roehl because I read that Prime is placing their drivers in the Lightweight trucks. My wife may want to travel with me from time to time so that would not work for me. Additionally I have heard great things about Roehl's training program (as well as Prime's) and I really want a quality training program.

One question I have, I come from a training background and was wondering do you get any additional pay for training someone? If so how much? I know I have alot to learn and I would not want to get into it unless I felt I could be an effective trainer but I would not mind doing it eventually.

I know most people would say "$55,000 a year, Monday thru Friday, holidays and weekends off, What the #### are you thinking?" I know I am taking a considerable pay cut and making a major lifestyle change. I have no mortgage to be concerned with and I am at a point where I can make a career change so I have decided to make the jump....but I would like any feed back on the training question and Roehl in general.

I sent my application in last Wednesday and followed up with an email to my assigned recruiter on Friday but have not heard anything yet. Currently I am studying the DMV CDL Handbook in anticipation of testing form my learners.

Thank you all for any information and guidance you can provide.

 

Thanks for the reply paoldschool....my buddy actually recommended the same thing, going through a private school, there is actually one right down the road from me at the community college that Schneider accepts drivers from. My only reasons for not going that route are 1) Even though I would have the money (thanks to a large payout when leaving my current job) it would mean digging into my cushion fund....Im not really comfortable with this. 2) My buddy is adding another rig to his buisness and has offered me a spot as long as I get six months experience in first....however he would not be adding another one for at least a year...time enough for me to complete a contract...so I feel comfortable going the contract route.

As for the training I am a trainer by nature, I instruct defensive driving at the Criminal Justice Academy, so I feel that becoming a trainer would be natural...but I probably would not be with the company long enough to worry about it anyway, was just curious about any extra pay that may come with being a trainer.

Any other suggestions about starting with Roehl?

 

DOT- Con-Way is a good tip...I looked them up and they are right down the road from me in Chester Va. I will definitely look into them more so thanks alot for that!