Roehl the inside scoop from orientation to training to driver

I am in your shoes (finishing up my CDL course this weekend), but I have spoken to a driver from Roehl at a local TA and he said they do what they can to get you home when you request it. I am keeping my mind set on this..."I will ask, hope for the best, get home as close to my requested dates as possible, but realize that this industry makes money when you are rolling." I am not trying discourage you, but I have been doing a lot of research on that and being the son of a retired long distance truck driver, I know that I have to be flexible. I will say that Roehl moved up to the top of my list quickly, because I like what I have found on them and what they offer in equipment and the structure of their company seems very organized.

 

I heard directly from my trainer and he will be here around 8 and we will leave tomorrow morning. Up until this waiting for a trainer I have been happy with the company. I have spoken to other drivers that came through the Gary terminal to test out and told me that the wait for the trainer is common but once you get out things are more according to plan, and they do their best to get home for when you ask. So I am hoping it is so.

 

Great news man! Have fun out there. Try to get some sleep tonight. I am sure you will have 100 things running through your mind right now about what to expect tomorrow. Be safe!

 

Trust me, in phase 3 they will want to make the transition as easy as possible for you. They will bend over backward to get you home when you need to be.

 

Finally huh? Have a safe time OTR Spartan!

You went through the Gary terminal training? Did they pay for meals, lodging etc..?

Keep us informed on how it goes!!

 

mph1972,
When do you start training with Roehl? I am looking at them also. (top of my list) Have they told you about whether or not they pay for meals, lodging etc....? I know that they offer loans for the training, and if you stay with them for 120,000 miles the loan is paid for!
Where are you running out of?

 

I am out of Florence, SC where I am also going to school for my CDL. Test at DMV on Tuesday. It was close between them and Stevens, but Roehl allows me to bring the tractor home and I am 40 miles outside of Florence, so that makes a huge difference in what direction I went, plus the recruiter for Stevens was sort of flaky about returning my calls and emails and when I finally got them on the phone, they kept me on hold forever and I told them I was going Roehl, thank you, but I am worth more than just a number. I was told that I would get Lunch and Dinner and the breakfast is whatever the hotel has to offer. Pretty normal. I was also informed that I would get a $600 bonus. $300 on after completing Phase 1. Then everyday I work with a trainer I get $90/daily. Not sure what will pan out, but I have really been impressed with the way Roehl does business. I am retired Navy, so my GI Bill paid for my CDL Training. Hope this helps.

 

Good luck with your DMV test on Tuesday. Are you going to Wisconsin for training? I look forward to hearing about your Roehl experience!

Thank you for your service to our country!

 

Thank you! I am very confident I will blow through the DMV test. I pre-tested highly with my instructor, who is a third party examiner with the state, but the school has not gone third party testing and probably won't. I am not exactly sure if I am going to Wisconsin or Indiana, but once I start the process I will start a thread similar to this one. This has been a great thread!

 

Yeah after you complete orientation and become officially hired its $300 that week then $300 more the next week. And yes $90/day with your trainer.

Ethan