starting roehl on Feb 25th

Yeah, I am on salary. Yes, they will run you more, but I don't mind. At least if you end up sitting somewhere, you aren't losing money. I think its worth it.

 

So the 1st bad news today from Roehl was that after June 1st the school now will cost 3300 instead of 2400!!! This sucks!! No slots open prior to June 1st.

Offered the apprenticeship pay program...and it definitely doesn't sound worth it:
870/2wks for the first 6 wks
1410/2wks from 6wks-6months
1490/2wks at the 6 month mark
1590/2wks at 12 month mark
1690/2wks at the 18 month mark
.36/mile at the 2 year mark

or I can start the base pay .30/mile. Which(according to the website is)...
1st 6 wks 300/wk
6wks-3months-.30
3months-.32
9months-.33
12months-.36
24months-.37
36months-.38
48months-.39

So: the first 6 wks I would make $135 more per week...
THEN
I'd make 705/wk no matter how many miles I run...or sit. Correct me if I'm wrong but won't they run the sh** out of me if I'm on salary? Where as if I average 2350miles/week for the 1st month and a half (after training) I'll make the same thing.
However:
If I did the apprentice thing, and ran 3500/wk for two years that would average out(based on the pay offer) to .209/mile over that entire time.
The good news is Carrie just called back and they hire out of America's Driving Force (which is only $2400). It is also a local school, so that helps.
Help me see all of this differently...please!

Also any opinions on America's Driving Force? Thanks!

 

Yeah, but what happens when the miles aren't there?

You are running, but not the way people would have you believe. There are mileage drivers that would kill to run the way we do, but in the same regard, you aren't being asked to run illegal either. I keep hearing this statement, and it confuses me. Why would expect to come to work and not work? I didn't come into this thinking I was going to sit a truck stop all the time not doing anything.

I have sat for four plus hours waiting on a load. That has been my experience. If you want to try mileage pay, then go for it. But I sleep a lot better each night knowing what my paycheck will be, not wondering it could be depending on my miles.

 

Ok, first thing let me get one misconception of me out of your head...no where in my post did I ever say:
"I expect to come to work and not do work"
The reason I picked Roehl over some of the others is that I'd rather work for .30/mile starting out than to work for .20/mile. That is basic economics. EVERYONE (even you) wants to get paid. Everything I've read on these boards says that 2500 is considered low miles. If I average that EVERY WEEK for the entire 1st year, I'll make $38,575 (training and everything) on the mileage pay plan. My salary, if I chose to go that route, would have been $36,080. So as long as I run "low" miles I'll be +$2495.
If you are honest about things you can guarantee I'll be averaging more than that...right? If I am 6months+ and not... I can guarantee you I wouldn't be there anymore.
The statement that backs up all of this is the one you made
"There are drivers that would kill to run the way we do" meaning you are running a ton of miles...for that same salaried pay. I get it, and thanks for your response...
Mark

 

Well if you are planning on doing the apprentice thing, your training would be free also. I though Roehl only offered the salary pay to Honor Program members only. If that is the case, there would be no need for you to attend a school, being that Roehl provides 100% FREE training with no obligation if you qualify for the Honor Program. I don't think they offer apprentice for regular drivers. (don't quote me on that, but I am pretty sure).

Another thing, whether you do the salary or mileage pay I think it will basically even out to about the same in the end. If you run straight salary pay for 48 months, and run straight mileage pay for 48 months, it might be close. But then again, your mileage fluctuates throughout the week. If you are fortunate enough, you will get alot of miles and blow the salary out of the water. On the other hand, if not.. you will be turning in empty beer cans to recycle just to get through the week.
Be safe out there!
Justin

 

The way Carrie the Honor program and from the website:

Approved veterans who have exited within the previous 12 months qualify for both the free CDL training and apprenticeship program. Veterans whose exit has been more than 12 months can qualify for the apprenticeship program. Please call us if you require more information. National Guards and Reservists currently serving or who have exited within the previous 12 months can also qualify for acceptance into the Roehl Honor Program.

So I wouldn't qualify for the Honor Program.

I'm going to let you guys win this argument. Conventional math says that I shouldn't based on xyz but you guys are so adament about defending this program that it MUST be lined in gold for you somehow. I personally will have to just take your word for it, because there isn't any way I'm drinking the kool-aid...and nothing you have shown has convinced me I'm making a mistake in not doing it.

 

Wait one minute. I never, once said anything bad about your decision. I was stating an obvious fact. This can go 2 ways. 1- you can take salary and be content on your wages and know exactly what you are bringing home every week. 2- you can take mileage and POSSIBLY make more than salary, PLUS bonuses! Listen, I'm a good going person. I don't put people down. If you want to take mileage, gosh darnit you take mileage and you run your ##* off!! And when you come back here and say, "IC40OZ, I AM MAKING TONS OF MONEY!" I promise i will be the first one who says congrats. GOOD JOB! If you have a goal man, go for it.
Be safe
Justin

 

Yeah you are right and I get your point Justin. I reread my last post and came across as a d1ck...definitely not my intention. I guess my intention originally was hoping that some one that has been in this for awhile could tell me exactly why this program was so good, because the debate of (guarantee of a salary) vs. (the offered mileage rate) is to me a no brainer.

 

The way I look at this situation is very simple. People have needs in life. If someone is financially stable enough to live on a certain income for a certain amount of time, then the Salary is a GREAT choice. If someone can get by with the Salary, but would like to possible make more, then the Mileage is a GREAT choice.. Salary is what it says.. solid figure.. THAT IS IT..
Mileage though, is your MILES PLUS bonuses and all the other pays involved. With salary you don't get any layover pay... NOTHING... a single salary..

I see your point.. I know what you are thinking. Trust me, we are on the same track.
Take care
Justin

 

The thing is, if you're going to take mileage, you've got to be a good runner to get the good loads. Don't think that there's some computer that says "This guy's 10 miles closer, we'll give him this load instead of the driver another 10 miles away." They know who can drive, who tries to get as close to that 11 hour mark as possible (without going over), who wastes less time, and who complains more. With salary, you can be the average driver and earn about as much as the great driver for the first few years. The thing is, they might let you play yard jockey several days, going to a local customer, throwing away your hours strapping, tarping, etc., and you're still going to take home that same pay.

When you're at the yard and hear about guys complaining they're averaging 1500miles/week, you might be happy to be on salary. Or you could just brush it off and realize that they treat the more valuable employees better.