starting roehl on Feb 25th

MommaKay, I am getting ready to attend school here in Tennessee and Roehl is on my list of companies I will be sending an application. I am a retired woman Marine, so I know what it is like to be in a "mostly male" environment. I would like to know how your training went once you were out of school. Did you have a male or female trainer? How long were you with a trainer before you were given your own truck? I think Roehl has a terminal in Nashville. I live in north central Tennessee, so that would be nice. Are you able to take your truck home? Any information you could give me would be appreciated.

 

Hi Marine, thanks for the questions

I had two trainers, both male. First trainer was a pill, I was with him for 7 days during which time I rarely did anything right. He rarely commented unless I made an "unacceptable" error, in which case he would freak out on me.

My second trainer finished my Evo I training and all of Evo II. I was with him for 14 days, IIRC. He was an excellent trainer, and I learned a lot from him. He was patient with my goofs, never hesitated to tell me when I was doing things right, and never freaked out. He liked to pose hypothetical questions for me to ponder and come up with my own answers to them.

I had my choice of male or female trainers, but was told that if I held out for a woman I might be waiting a while. It was more important to me to get out there as quickly as possible. I think it was a good decision.

After Evo's I &II, I did my testing (written test, open book I completed in my hotel room; driving test exactly like the CDL test the next day) and was assigned my own truck that afternoon. It was broken (bad range selector) so I had the weekend off while they had it repaired.

My first load was from Marshfield (IIRC) to Groveport, OH -- a nice test of my ability to navigate and manage my time. They gave me three days to get there, it took only two. During this Evo III period, which lasted 7 weeks, I averaged about 2000 miles per week. Mostly easy driving with easy delivery schedules, though I did have to negotiate downtown (and I do mean DOWNtown) Chicago on one trip. A couple of snowstorms hit me at just the wrong time, really messing up a couple of deliveries, and I ended up sitting for 4 full days around New Year's. Another time I messed up and started my day 15 minutes too early, had to shut down after getting to the customer and do another 10 hour break. I could have fudged the logbook, but played it straight and reported the snafu.

During Evo III they routed me through Marshfield for close-quarters training/testing. I managed to pass through the testing range on the first try, which surprised the devil out of me. I completed Evo III about a month and a half ago. Nothing different, really, except that my miles picked up and I'm now dispatched directly out of Dorchester.

I don't take my truck home, not sure that I want to. I leave it at Kaukauna, where it can be serviced if need be. It's about an hour away from my home, easy to get to. The only thing I don't really like is leaving my normally-garaged car out in the elements while I'm gone. Once the snows are well and truly finished for the year, I might request to take the truck home. As they say, though, "It's a privilege, not a right."

 

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. What companies did you seriously consider before going with Roehl? I am looking at Conway/CFI, Trans Am, Prime, KLLM, Transport America and Schneider.

 

I don't think Roehl has a terminal in Nashville, unless it has been added in the past few months. The closest one to Nashville is in Ellenwood (Atlanta) Georgia.
Good luck

 

Thank you, Homeboy, I appreciate the information.

 

I enjoyed reading this thread. I was asking some of these same questions a little over a year ago. My $.02 on this is, while in school, learn what it takes to get your CDL. That is what you are there far and paying big bucks for also.

The next 20 days is going to be a little different life style. Your E1 trainer is going to teach you a lot more than just driving. Great training that you will need on your 1st load solo.... E2 you will be driving more each day. I would use this trainer to do some blind side backing if you feel the need. I have had to do this only a couple of times in the past year.

What to take with you while training, as little as possible. Sleeping bag, gloves, extra clothes, and something to snack on. A cell phone is almost a must.

Get through training and it gets a lot better. You will be driving a nice truck, most trainers have newer trucks, enjoy it. The truck you will be assigned to may be a little older and not the same model, but it is yours and you are not sharing it with anyone....

I came to Roehl for the best hometime. I work the 7/7 out of Carnesville, Ga.

Good luck to all,
Later
Rim

 

rimshot - you are on the 7/7.....where are you running mostly?
what kind of miles do you get doing that? and what is your payrate? if you dont mind me askin'?

 

I've been getting around 2400 - 2900. Most of the time my 1st load is headed north and then they start working me back south. I have been in Florida alot lately, which I like. Last week was a real slow week.

I like the 7/7, but not a lot of money coming in. I do have a retirement check that comes in each month.

Hope this helps you some,
Later
Rim

 

yes, rim, thanks.

I would have a hard time trying to live on just the 7/7 then......I would need more like a 14/3, that would work

Keep those Roehl posts comin..........

 

11/3 is their normal, so you should be alright.