Question for Roehl drivers only

I just completed week 2 of Roehls RDTC in Marshfield and just tested for my CDL. Here's what I can tell you about Roehl. It is better than I expected. I go to school everyday on time, I am treated fairly, and the trainers are excellent. It is a fun and fair atmosphere for work, there is no horseplay or goofing around. The place is not a palace but it is clean warm and well equipped for the trucking industry. It is clear from this two weeks that they know what they are doing and do their best to be efficient but are also reasonable people. I think the company has very sound ethics and is only asking for a fair days work.

I am from Michigan and plan to go out national van. I also would like to move to either Texas, Florida, Nevada or SD. It seems from my research that Texas would be best for freight/miles. Roehl has a terminal in Dallas. As far as the west is concerned it appears from my research that you would be looking at flatbed and it seems that the flatbeds go all over the country more than the vans do. I also understand that Roehl has a terminal in Phoenix too that is big flatbed spot.

Although I'm not OTR for them yet, I can tell you that the company appears to have its ducks in a row and I have thouroughly enjoyed my experience thus far. Training is well organized and all six in our class passed the CDL test this past Friday. I'm sure like every company, there are times that are not perfect, but it seems from what I have experienced thus far they attempt to operate fairly and in the best interest of the company as a community.

 

Yes, rider. Spouse or child only. So you are ok there. Texas is good too, Roehl has a terminal in Grand Prairie, in between Dallas, and Fort Worth. They also do run a Texas regional, though I don't know if that is just van, or flatbed or both.

 

I am also thinking about flatbed but want to get some van experience first before I have to get into the load securement. One of my classmates is going flatbed and will be going down to the gary indiana terminal for securement training after RDTC, I think a day and a half.

From what I understand on the rider question is you have to be on with Roehl for six months, it has to be immediate family (wife would qualify) and you have to have their permission. And again, this makes sense...

 

Do you recommend them as a company to drive for?
I would recommend them as a good starter company as a newdriver. Very safety orientated. I have found them to have good and bad points.Everyone has a different level of tolerance of what they will put up with as adriver.

If I move in the next year to Texas will this hurt me?
Depends on what you mean "hurt you". The Texas program isnew. New terminal and a new fleet being developed. Still developing a customer base. Are youthinking of OTR or the East Texas regional? In talking to some of the regionaldrivers miles are up and down on the regional fleet. I run OTR out of Texasterminal.

 

If you're OTR, I don't see why anything would change except for where you take your home time...

 

I just moved from MA to MN last week, nothing changed but my license and state of residence. Hope that helps.