Roehl Questions

[rjm522]

I just spoke with a recruiter from Roehl and he seemed like a good guy. I called them because of their 7 out / 7 in home time option. I was also told that they have a southern regional fleet that should get me home on the weekends and that they have a 14 out / 7 in option.

I do not have my CDL but I was told that after I sign on with them I should be in my own truck within 30 days. So if I take August to get the CDL and September to go through training I should be making money starting October 1.

Here are my questions:
Does anybody out there work for them currently? What is your opinion?
How is the driver training program?
What type / condition truck should I expect as a newbie?

I am looking for feedback on these guys to make sure I make the right choice.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[Sealord]

Don't know if the site is still up, but try www.roehldriver.com. You should start getting paid when you do the OTR training before you get upgraded to solo. BOL

[Hat Rak]

Don't know if the site is still up, but try www.roehldriver.com. You should start getting paid when you do the OTR training before you get upgraded to solo. BOL

It's still up, thanks to Red Roller (not a Crete driver)... but hardly anyone posts on it!

[Hat Rak]

I just spoke with a recruiter from Roehl and he seemed like a good guy. I called them because of their 7 out / 7 in home time option. I was also told that they have a southern regional fleet that should get me home on the weekends and that they have a 14 out / 7 in option.

I do not have my CDL but I was told that after I sign on with them I should be in my own truck within 30 days. So if I take August to get the CDL and September to go through training I should be making money starting October 1.

Here are my questions:
Does anybody out there work for them currently? What is your opinion?
How is the driver training program?
What type / condition truck should I expect as a newbie?

I am looking for feedback on these guys to make sure I make the right choice.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Sorry I worked for them last year, but some of my knowledge is rather up to date. I'm sure there are others on this MB who are currently Roehl drivers and can help as well.

My opinion of Roehl is they were great to get started as a driver. They are however a bunch of penny pinchers, and some of the upper level administrators should get slapped in the face a few times and told to get their heads out of their *cough*. Everett Roehl is probably one of the wisest board members, and I think his son Rick is a little overzealous with the company, especially now that they're gone and bought out a reefer company (I saw that coming). As a driver, your experience with the DSR / travel agent dispatchers will vary depending on the terminal you get based out of and the fleet you place yourself in (flatbed, van, curtainside, 7/3/4, 7/7, or 11/3, team or solo. I ain't never heard of the 14/7 option but that sounds almost like a 7/3/4 but where 3 drivers slipseat between 2 trucks. *shrug* That is only a guess.

The driving training program is pretty good. You'll learn how to negotiate small shipping yards and one-dock shops pretty quick. You'll learn how to keep from getting yourself involved in an accident, and you'll learn how to maximize your time out on the road and turn it into money in your pocket.

Newbies typically get the old trucks in the fleet, until the fleet manager thinks you won't 1) run away within a month, or 2) won't beat the crap out of the old truck. The trucks are generally 04 or later International 9400 series w/ Mid-Roof sleepers and 10-speed transmissions. There are also Freightliner Columbias which are generally brand new, but same sleeper size; mid-roof. The frieghtliners are a little lighter than the Int'ls by a few thousand pounds or so.

[xzostd1]

I am a current Roehl driver. I attended their school in Marshfield May 8th of last year...drove flats 7 on 7 off out of Iron Mountain, MI. ...bought my own tractor in November and am now a IC with them.
Their training is very good...with a emphasis on safety. They are not a driver mill! Attending class and paying the tuition does not mean you will end up with a CDL and a job. The 3 weeks of school flew...then you have 21 days of training/working/ living in a trk with your trainer/trainers!! I disliked that portion!! Hate is a better word!
Bill Menominee, MI

[Karnajj]

I am a current Roehl driver. I attended their school in Marshfield May 8th of last year...drove flats 7 on 7 off out of Iron Mountain, MI. ...bought my own tractor in November and am now a IC with them.
Their training is very good...with a emphasis on safety. They are not a driver mill! Attending class and paying the tuition does not mean you will end up with a CDL and a job. The 3 weeks of school flew...then you have 21 days of training/working/ living in a trk with your trainer/trainers!! I disliked that portion!! Hate is a better word!
Bill Menominee, MI

That right there is enough reason to stay away from Roehl. Three weeks is not even half the amount of time a trainee needs to be with a trainer.