Roehl the inside scoop from orientation to training to driver

Hello everyone,

This is going to be the first of many threads I write about my adventures with Roehl Transport. So far my experiance with Roehl is great, my recruiter worked hard and fast to get my paper work completed and get me a bus ticket for Monday, July 2nds orientation. I'm going to go into the flat bed devision and from what my recruiter explained to me, I have to go to Gary, ID for orientation cause that is the only terminal that trains flat bed. Orientation pay is great, $600 for the completion of phase 1 which is 8 days. Phase 2, I have to find out some more info, but from what I gather it consist of two weeks of training with a certified trainer. Now it might be three weeks, but I'll find out more on Monday when I start the first day of testing, poking and prodding.

My recruiter called me this yesterday morning to verify I received all my travel arangements. I had a brain storm and was thinking the bus ride from where I live to Gary is close to a day and a half ride. So I asked if there was a airport near by and if I had to I would pay the differance. She said there is and all I would have to do is pay for the luggage fee and the shuttle from the airport to the hotel. The shuttle fee will be reimbursed as long as I keep the receipt. So now instead of a bus ride that would've taken forever, my recruter acomendated me with a plane ride that will only take 8 hrs, there's a 2 hr layover in Washington D.C., so thats why its going to take so long. So there's antoher point for Roelh transport taking care of my needs.

My airplane leaves at six in the morning on Sun, so wish me luck and I'll post Sun night after the ride. Thanks and goodnight.

 

Well, I'm here at the hotel. The flight wasn't two bad and I'm glad I went that route. I actually got here sooner than I thought. That last few hours were waiting on the bus to get to the airport and take you to Hammond, IN then waiting on AAA taxi to take you to the hotel. If you pack lite, then you could walk there faster than waiting around, but they have a account with the taxi service so you don't have to pay. Apparently you have the choice of bus, car rental or jet. It's nice Roehl give you those options.

The hotel is under construction but is very nice on the inside. When you get here you have the option of having a room mate or paying something like $23 for every day you stay here. I was going to choose to have my own room for the first night but you have to check out by 12 unless your going to keep the room and I can't afford that rite now. I also didn't want to move all my stuff in the morning. They have a cont breakfast set up for you starting at 6am.

Roehl would like it if everyone is ready by 6:45 to wait on the shuttle to take you to the terminal. It's a good idea to get breakfast, so I'm goin to have to get up by 5:45 to get a jump start on my room mate, lol. I want to be the first to take a shower. Then it's off to the races to get poked and prouded, feeling out paper work and physicle testing. Roehl gives a hair follicle test so if you do drugs they will find it.

Well wish me luck I'm off to bed and I'll get back to y'all when I get back tomorrow.

 

I hear ya and good luck with your choice. The first one is the most important and will make you or break you.
Thank you and have a good day.

 

I just finised my second day of orientation. The first day went really good. We started off by getting picked up at the terminal, to be taken to get a drug test, physical and agility test at Comprehensive Care. The hair follicle test wasn't bad for me, but for some they might need to get nother hair cut to get shaped up. Lol

After that I must've waited around for an hour to see the doctor to get my physical done. He checked my breathing and I was a little bit worried about it cause if you followed my other thread then you would know I came down with bronchitis while I was with Werner. I still had a little problem with breathing but the Doc said I was ok. They really did a thorough physical, including a hernia test.

When all that was said and done, then came the agility test. They made sure I had normal blood pressure and heart rate. The physicle fitness guy showed me a chart and said my heart is not allowed to get over 180bpm for my age of 30 while performing some exercises. So he made me crouch down under a table, which was suppose to be a trailer. I did that twice then heart rate test. Next was a 24ft ladder climb. I also had to carry crates to one point and back, a lateral pull down, balance beam, and a few other excersises. After each one my heart rate was checked and nothin over 110bpm. No problems good to go.

We then were picked up and taken to the terminal. They issued us a truck stop guide and a Rand McNally motor carriers atlas. A pretty nice binder with our homework and student guide book. This company really has their stuff together.

The only real problems I see is the training room is in a trailer that heats up pretty fast especially with all the students we have and the van does'nt have enough seating. But you have to way out the good with the bad. With that being said they feed us three times a day, breakfast, lunch, and diner. Well breakfast is continental but a good selection of food. The lunch is really good but cold by the time we get to eat it. That comes from Zantes with a real good selection. Dinner they give us a voucher to go eat either at Zantes, or a place closer to our hotel called Around The Clock. What ever you do don't eat the Philly Steak. It's nothing like a Philly Cheese but they try to make it sound like it. Their a full restaurant with all types of food.

Roehl give us homework to do so we can get use to trip planning and loadin/securing loads on the flat bed. I will get back to y'all about day two orientation later since this is a pretty long reply. If anyone has a question they need answered let me know and I'll do the best I can to find out and answer back. Thanks y'all and have a good night.

 

It is very feasible to get n at Roehl, all you have to be is in their hiring area and they'll put you through their school. They move all types of freight with flat bed, curtain side, reefer and dry van so if you don't like one or want to try something new then switch to the other. They really want to keep their driver if their a good driver. They want you to retire from there. Good luck and give them a shot...