Impression of Roehl so far

"retire us old guy's with grace" - right.....
I am 56 and just getting started.
At 38 you are just a baby.

respects,
Dennis in se pa

 

The thing is, Roehl's school isn't just a way to learn to drive truck--it's a way to learn to drive truck the safe way. They preach their "save seven" and mean it. I might not get rich starting out for Roehl, but at least I'll have some peace of mind. Driving an 80,000 pound rig is dangerous, but they teach you in a way to make you feel safe. Their rates go up over time, and pretty quick, too, but it might not be top dollar for a driver with ten years OTR experience. The companies other values might be something worth considering, above the few cents per mile shortfall.

 

Craig - you are now a "short timer" - military speak for not long to go. This week will fly by and before you know it will be on the road home wondering how the time went by so quickly. I miss Marshfield already. I made it home by last night inspite of snow through northern Indiana and Ohio. It was not too bad so I gently pushed on and got past it. Then I ran into freezing rain the last 15 minutes home.
Good luck this week. I am sure you will have no issues. Let's keep in touch Mon!

See You Out There!!!!

 

My dad sent me some pics in southern MI (close to IN border) and they have over a foot of snow with more on the way... glad I missed that storm!

 

Yeah I may bee a baby, but definately played my cards right, if all goes to plan, and you know how that is, but if the current plan in place works out by the time I am 56 I will be done, house is already paid off, school is paid for, took advantage of that U-PLAN back in 92, I just hope the AARP will let me in early too LOL
Merry Christmas

 

Hey Doma,nice to hear that you played your cards right.Thats what life is all about. By the way I think you can join AARP at the ripe old age of 50. I started trucking at age 54, and retired at 60. But due to things in life that come up I have went back out a couple of times.At 70 I still keep my CDL it is sorta like an insurance policy in my wallet. I dont want to use it but ya never know whats around the next corner. Merry Christmas and keep on truckin.

 

If you are a student driver who has never driven OTR then from what experience are you basing the training on? Because they told you so?
Their last safety review by the FMCSA was in 1991. I'd say they are past due with all the trainees they are pumping thru this ridiculous 3 tier training system which ain't going to keep your career intact when you hit that patch of ice after working for 70-100 hrs a week for a month strait.

You as a student have good chance of not making it thru the first year of OTR , no matter how good you are trained .Unless you think all the driving positions are due to a driver shortage or drivers retiring after 20 or 30 years of loyal service?

I made it because I kept myself out of iffy situations so I would make it when my enthusiasm outweighed my experience. I also NEVER volunteered for anything after hours that started with the words "can you help us out". Real road driving experience and lots of luck, will decide if you make it. Most of the carriers preach safety this and that, yet most abandon their preaching when that load has to get there on time. You will have what I call a light-bulb moment, and then you will know what OTR trucking is all about.

I have been driving trucks for many years and can tell you that working someone on the schedule and for the hours that Roel and the rest do is NOT SAFE. So them saying they want you to be safe and work safe is just a perpetuation of people making statements they have no intentions of following thru on. Much of it is just window dressing my friend.

 

hey cmoore, did you go to school in Jonesville?
the reason i ask is my neice graduated there and you are the same age as her....

sorry for being off topic, everybody be safe out there>

 

Bigblue19,
They tell us it does not change in the real world, even if people try to tell you it does. Roehl puts safety first. If I get out there and find that is not the case you and everyone else will know right away. Safety is important to me. Running legally is important to me. That's why I chose Roehl. Maybe I am naive. Maybe what I have been told is the truth. I guess I will find out.
I know I would not want to tell one of my instructors that an incident could have been avoided if I had taken the time to do a proper PTI. Maybe that is a character flaw in me, it's just the way I am.