Impression of Roehl so far

Well, I'm going to Roehl school starting 11/26 in Marshfield. I've been communicating with Rob and Rick for about 2 1/2 weeks now. So far they have been the examples of people who know how to communicate. They have treated me very professionally. I have been out of trucking for about 10 years. Durring this time I chose to get off the road and become a salesman in radio advertising. before this stint in sales, I drove for aprox 11 years.

Anyways, anytime something changed, they were johny on the spot to let me know. There have been no surprises for me to encounter my first day. I just got a call yesterday from Rob informing me that the motel I would be staying at changed. I got put into a better hotel due to their regular motel was booked due to some event. I am not being charged for it. I still have to pay the $350 that everyone else will pay, but thats it. Thats points in my book! I was told I would have my own room because students that are going to be there for 3 weeks need their own space for that amount of time. They said that classes consist of 6-9 people because they want ample time to teach prospective employees. Its been alot of years since I've driven, so I'm sure there will be tons of new things to learn. I chose this company based on my lurking on this web site. In any of my past experiences have I had a company treat me like this when going for a driving job. It used to be in this order... go to clinic, get DOT phys., whiz quiz, 6 hour orientation and usually assigned something resembling a truck and kick in the but out the door with my dispatch instructions. Regulations have definitely changed things alot! I have been approved the 7/3/4 program pending me going thru classes and passing everything to their likings. Since its so close to Christmas when I will be graduating, without asking, they told me they get their drivers home for Christmas. Usually thats info that newbies will never have volunteered! Evo 1 is 7-10 days # $60/day. Evo 2 $65/day. NO TEAM RUNNING DURRING EVO! Hometime in between evos.This is a long post, but I hope it will help shorten the reserch others will do if they are thinking about Roehl. I asked them these questions....

1. If I pass everything (CDL, drug, trainning, physical tests) will I be offered a job? Yes
2. Selecting the 7/4/3 what is considered a 3/4 day off period. 3/4 complete days
3. Major travel lanes based out of Cincinnati (I live near Louisville). Anywhere they want to send me. New York is out til I've been their atleast 6 months.

4. Fueling? They would like me to fuel in preferred places en-route, but whenever I need to. No specified amount of fuel, which means I can top off when I have to. They only ask for me not to top off if I will be coming past a terminal.

5. Equipment? 3 years old or newer.

6. Layover? First 24 is on me. Sorry, I forgot how much after 24 hours.
7. Miles paid? dispatched loaded/mt. same rate.
8. Lumpers paid? With comcheck
9. Tolls/scales? keep reciepts. they pay prepass and easypass? (new to me, been out of it a long time).

I told them I am asking all these questions to make sure that both sides had a good fit for one another. I dont want to job hop like I did in sales (let alone pay back their $2400 bucks for the training). They respected that.

I asked them what they expect from me as a driver? They told me to deliver on time. Follow safety/log rules strictly, take loads when given, (from past experience, not every load was a winner and looks like it still isnt) and I will be well pleased with the company. Be reliable and know how to plan my time wisely! Geting off the road when weather is too bad is always the drivers decision... PERIOD!

In the past, drivers that have had problems with the companies I worked for, (not all drivers, but alot) had them because they had a poor attitude, complained too much, didnt get that gravy train load, unreliable, was a stool driver or for some reason just #####ed constantly. Most dispatchers I knew had a certain amount of loads per day and would give the good stuff to people they had no problems with and the rest went to everyone else. (is this still true?) I think so. You cant go wrong talking to Rick or Rob. Even when Rick was out of state, Rob didnt drop the ball!! Call these guys and they'll get you going! I am very impressed so far. I will not have internet access while up there. I will fill you in after trainning for an update. Anyone else going up there feel free to contact me to talk more.

See ya'll