starting roehl on Feb 25th

Spoke to her last night. She had a rough day, but said it wasn't Roehl's fault. She told me she's already much happier than in her last paying job...

I've had both those who've not driven and those who have. The general difference is, those who HAVE driven aren't dunderheads at all.

The general dispatcher who hasn't driven seems to think a driver can get a big truck from point a to point b exactly as a car. They never seem to remember the truck takes awhile to reach speed, or that it turns like a ship compared to a boat, or that it must deal with weigh stations and so forth, or that it takes more time to load it than it does to put the groceries in the car, or that traffic jams actually happen on the freeway too, or that most can't go as fast as a 4 wheeler, or that the driver only has so many hours in a row to work with, or most of all, that the driver isn't actually a robot.

Those who have driven may forget some of that stuff, but when you remind them, they don't just blow it off as if you're lying. And I've never heard anyone exclaim all those yrs driving and not doing something really stupid unless they were talking about a situation after the fact and to others... Not while dealing with it currently. Later, when it's worth laughing over... You bet!

 

Well, I too have chosen to join Roehl. I am also doing so, due to the Honor Program. As I mentioned in my post on Welcome Wagon, the factory I've worked at for 6 years is closing. I will be officially laid-off 2MAY2008. Therefore, I needed to find employment quickly.

Here is what went down. I sent my application on Saturday at about 3AM Central. I work mostly midnights and a lot of overtime, so I couldn't sleep. I then went to bed for a little while. At about 9:30AM, I woke up and called Roehl to ask one of the weekend recruiters some questions regarding business practices and general documentation requirements. He pulled up my App and said he'd forward it on to Carrie. He then told me to call her on Monday.

Monday came along and I called Carrie as instructed. She must have been busy with another recruit at the time, because I got her voicemail. Well I left the name and number and went on to my application processing for Werner (which now seems to be a bad idea - if all the negative feedback is something to go on). At around 10:30AM she called and told me to fax my DD214s and I'd be all set. She then went on to say, she would be processing my paperwork, to get me into the class beginning 5 or 7MAY2008.

What a sweet surprise that was. Heh...and its only now Tuesday.

 

Hey Jeff, sounds like you are well on your way.
I am also from Vincennes, good to see a homie on here, lol.
(Have you ever talked to anyone from out at Bestway? Just curious...)
anyway.....
Be sure to keep us updated on your new adventure. Good luck!

 

~Tips his ballcap to a fellow corn-fed Hoosier~

No, I haven't checked in with them yet. I do know a fella that runs for them. He says their not bad, they pay pretty comparable to most fleets. He did say however, that its not uncommon for them to get him stuck somewhere having to deadhead once in a while. I did see that their webpage listed a minimum 1 year of experience OTR. There is also a company with a terminal down in Princeton. Heh... can't remember the name now. I think they run for Toyota or Ford.

I want to run Regionals (that's why I chose Roehl) - just in case I decide to switch to OTR. That way my girls will be a little better prepared for the away time.

 

I was told Bestway runs automotive as well, and with the auto industry the way it is now they have problems sometimes (for what its worth). I see a lot of their trucks home on weekends tho.

Did your recruiter tell you where you would most likely run, what region is regional? and did you choose the 7/3 or 11/3 thing?

I havent talked to any recruiters yet, I am in a holding / fact gathering pattern right now, so I dont want to start the phone calls just yet.

Thats the good thing about this site, all the shared information and experiences. Gives a guy a clue what to expect to some degree.

 

Well it seems the ball is in my court so-to-speak. I received my, "congratulations, your pre-app processing is approved" from Werner Enterprises. I think I'll hold off on return contact, just until I lock in a school date with Roehl.

You're right Foomangoo, the Bestway yard is pretty full on the weekends. If they do haul a lot of auto, then perhaps their shipping for the Ford Distro outside of Princeton. I know their facility is usually vacant on the weekends.

As far as what region I'd be working in with Roehl, I chose the Midwest Van region. (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York) Their webpage lists the various regions. Regionals (11/3 or 34-48hrs off) pays a little better than the Hometime Plus option (7/7 or 7/4, 7/3).

Regionals is a bit more condusive to my main goal - Make $$$ without conflicting with Reserve Training time. I'm a Sergeant, so I have a lot of young troops looking up to me. I'd feel bad to just leave them hanging, which is probably one reason why I'm still serving.

You are following a good plan, research then act. My current situation doesn't allow for a great deal of research. (Thank God for this website) If I went to long without income, we'd be destitute before I'd deploy. I'd be a terrible father and husband, if I left my wife and kids in that condition.

Good News today - Carrie (from Roehl) called me today to say that my app had been completely processed and she just needed to schedule a start date. I told her any day after 2MAY2008. Like Evolution said, the best parts about CDL training with Roehl's Honor Program, is that I don't have to sign a contract and the training is free.

 

More good news:

I've locked in the RTDC date - 5MAY2008

Next hurdle - DOT Physical and CDL-A permit

This will be a nice excuse to visit my Dad, he lives in Ft Atkinson, WI. Its about 2-3hrs from the school. I'll be able to visit on weekends with him.

 

Congrats GI-JeffO!!!

 

Well, DOT Physical is scheduled for 14APR2008.
I will probably be following it, by the CDL-A permit testing on the same day.

I'm thinking I will go ahead and test for the extra endorsements as well.

CDL-A: required - General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles
CDL-A (chosen extra endorsements): HAZMAT, Tank Vehicles

Thanks for the congrats marinedriver. Heh...now its your turn to start the ball rolling. Believe me, you feel a lot better after that first return call from Carrie at Roehl Transport. She's cordial and very knowledgeable, and she easily answered many of my questions.

 

Jeff, where are you taking your physical at? and your permit tests?
Does Roehl pay for the physical? Do they have any specific instructions for people with health issues?
and yes, Good luck!