Roehl

I've done a lot of research, reading posts and narrowed it down to Roehl or Millis. I chose Roehl and have applied and have a conditional offer from them. Since I have driven before I'll tell you it's a bit premature to worry about how much time to sit between loads, there are many variables that effect how long between loads: Location you complete a load, the time of year, the number of hours available a driver has available, the type of trailer you are hauling (Dry Van, Flat Bed, Tanker, Reefer Etc...). The bottom line really is about how many miles you get a week, which directly effects what you are going to get paid for the week. Roehl states in the offer letter between 2300-2600 miles a week, not a whole lot, but I'm sure there are weeks that one can push 3000 or more, but don't think that will be the norm.

Good luck on your search.

 

I'm just finished Roehl orientation as an experienced driver. Everything seems good so far. Roehl seems like they take care of their drivers. Sitting here at the terminal, of course I've run into the occasional driver that complains and whines. Sitting here in the drivers lounge now, we had a driver pull his truck into the shop, open the shop door and sling his keys at a mechanic and walk off. Based on my experiences thus far, I think Roehl is a good company. Everyone here in Ellenwood seems attentive and respectful. They have taken care of us so far. The only complaint that I have is that my recruiter didnt tell me that I would have to do a sleep study for sleep apnea. When they sent us down to have our physicals at Concerta (that place is horrible BTW), they measured my neck and said that I have to have a sleep study done. Just be prepared to stay a few extra days to have this done if you have a neck diameter of over 17" or a BMI greater than 35. Its not such a bad deal if you do have it. Roehl will give you a $600 credit toward the CPAP machine ($1380) and you pay off the remainder of the balance through weekly payroll deductions. $15 for the first 14 weeks then $30 a week until its paid off.

Based on information provided by Roehl, these tests will become mandatory in the coming years. Better to be ahead of the curve than stuck in the ditch.

 

Based on the majority of drivers I've talked to here, they're happy with the company. I'll probably start a thread in the next week or so to record my experiences. If you have any questions about how things work here, I'll answer your questions to the best of my ability.

 

Scatman,

Thanks for the info on Sleep Apea, I've been reading up on it lately. To the best of my knowledge I don't have it, but I have been reading up on all the things that can fail you on the DOT exam, i.e. Blood Pressure, Sugar, Clorestrol and Sleep Apnea. As far as sleep apnea, my neck is 16" and my BMI is less than 30%, I've been working on losing weight over the past year, lost about 20 lbs, the biggest change has been my BP, dropped a lot over the months.

Did you have to do the "Pre-Work Screen Process", (squatting, stooping, lifting, pushing, pulling and some other stuff)? It may only be for the people going through their school up in Marshfield, WI.

BTW, I'll be having my DOT physical (paid for by Roehl) done up near my home, so before I go to the school, I will have already been tested by Roehl.

 

Look forward to hearing how things are going for you, just send me a message with the thread.

 

Yes I did the Workscreen and it want too difficult. Basically, as long as your heart rate doesn't exceed (220-age)x0.9, you'll do fine. The 40lb waist to chin lift was the hardest for me as I have a left shoulder problem. The push/pull was pretty easy I only had to lean into the bar to achieve 100lbs of push and 80lbs of pull x 3 reps each. I suggest wearing something like gym shorts for the square and squatting under the trailer.

 

Excuse my spelling errors, I'm posting from my phone. Wasn't too difficult*, squats and squatting under the trailer*

 

I've been practicing the squatting and crouching everyday, that won't be a problem. I have to figure a way to practice the step-step, kneel-kneel test. I go out and do a fast paced walk for a mile or so every day, then check my BP and heart rate.

BTW, I been living here in Thailand for the last several years, although my home is actually in Buffalo, NY which is my legal residence. I'll be flying back to the States this upcoming Monday, then I have my work cut out, DOT physical, ten license (expires in May), Hazmat endorsement (Test, finger prints, etc.), I'm also going to get my TWIC Card, just in case I need it, read that Roehl requires it if you want to run flat beds.

 

Brianc, you will not know if you have sleep apnea. I have it and did the study only because my GF at the time said I would stop breathing for 30-50 seconds through out the night. Only issue I had with Prime is that they wanted to charge me for monitering it. If my card (all have computer cards in them) showed I did not use it for a certain percentage of sleep I would be taken off duty.

A question, why would you leave Thailand. I have visited many times and my last trip was a couple of months ago.