roehl questions. would like to hear from drivers

If you go to Wisconsin,try to avoid Steve Bruacher. I think that's how you spell his last name. What a jerk! Everybody else seemed really nice though.

 

what if you already have a CDL in the State of Massachusetts or anywhere for that matter? does anyone know what the training program is like or is it just a refresher? whats the anticipated pay rate when you're out there just starting with them?

 

Booth,

As far as being with the same trainer the whole time, I have heard sometimes yes and sometimes no. On the "No", if a trainee does not feel they are being trained properly, they can request a new trainer. I don't believe you can get any sometime when out with a trainer, but it's only 10-13 days, not a long time to be out with a trainer, when I went out with a trainer back in 2000, it was for 6 weeks and no home time.

Out of pocket expenses:

$100.00 prior to arriving at RDTC.
$485.00 on the first day, $400.00 for the hotel and $85.00 for transfer fee for Wisconsin CDL application.
$2,800.00 is the cost of the course, can be paid by cash up front or can be financed by RDTC and after being hired by Roehl, for every 10,000 miles driven, $200.00 is paid back to RDTC, after 120,000 miles (or about a year), the tuition is paid back and is virtually free.
Food and incidentally expense are the responsibility of the student, the rooms have a microwave and refrigerator, so you can make your own meals and reduce the cost of eating. No restaurants near RDTC, so we drove back to the hotel each day. Figure about $300.00 for food, unless you want to go out and eat every once in a while.

When out with a trainer, I think it will depend on how the trainer eats his meals, if eating at truck stops, that can be expensive, but if eating out of the truck most of the time, then it should be relatively inexpensive. I figuring $25.00 a day, but hope it's much less.

I'll try to start a thread once I get out with a trainer.

 

srestrepo,

I had a CDL before going to RDTC, but I had not driven for over 10 years. They have a training/orientation program for people that recently complete CDL training at other schools, I think it's about 8 days, that is phase I, then they out with a trainer and that is phase II, and after that they enter phase III, they are issued a truck and are paid regular pay rate, but are monitored by a Training Fleet Manager for a period of time before they are assigned a permanent Fleet Manager.

As far as the pay rate when out with a trainer, it's $90.00 a day for each day you work a minimum of 6 hours. As far as the rate you get paid after being out with a trainer, that depends on the type of fleet you would be driving for (Flat Bed, Reefer, Dry Van).

 

Booth,

I paid everything up front. But if you finance, as long as you work for Roehl they don't take any money out of your pay, and you only have pay back if you quit.

If you have more questions, let me know.