Roehls RDTC review
 

I arrived in Marshfield Sat. evening, having permission to arrive a day early to account for possible issues on the road. I live about 1000 miles from here. I am staying in a motel that is setup as housing for Roehl student drivers. The accomodations are acceptable. The room is large. I met 2 students who have already completed the first week. They are doing well and enjoying it. They said out of 9 students only 2 are having a hard time "getting it". Can't say too much about Roehl's physical facilities yet, it was dark when I got to the offices to pick up my keys.
Today is Sunday so I am going to scope out the area today and do some shopping. The apartment has everything but pots and pans and a stove. It has dishes and bowls and glasses and silverware, a refrigerator and a microwave. I am staying at Old Dutch Apartments. Internet access is via ethernet in a room they have setup. You do not have internet access from your room, nor does my AT&T air card work in my room.
Every other vehicle in the lot is a pickup truck. I am driving an old Volvo 850 wagon. Hmmmm....
I will post updates as time allows. School does run from 7 AM until 5 PM 6 days a week. You test out for your CDL on the Wed. of the third week, or so I have been told. If you pass the next 2 days are spent signing up with Roehl and orientation. If you fail you get to go home early. I will do the best I can to provide info that I would want to be reading on this board as a newbie considering this profession.

respects,
Dennis in se pa

Good luck from a fellow PA'er. :wink:

Thanks coalregion. My family is from Tamaqua originally. So we have even more in common.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

You are going to do fine.
Hang in there and learn lots.

Re: Roehls RDTC review
 

Is Marshfield in PA ? Anywhere close to Pittsburgh / New Castle / West Middlesex ?

Marshfield is in Wisconsin!

Dennis, I think you're gonna have a great time there, I know I did! two months after I started at the RDTC, I was into my own truck.

BTW, I may be through Marshfield tomorrow to get a windshield replaced... might stop in and say hi :)

Thanks for the clarification. Where are you based out of, and what routes do you run ? Are you on the 7/3-7/4 programme ? If not, what kind of hometime do you get ? Also, what are your average weekly miles ? Thanks.

Well, I'm still kind of new at this, so my answers may not be typical of a driver who has been with Roehl for longer....

I drive out of Columbus, OH. I'm nowhere near a Roehl terminal but you can live most places in the eastern US and drive for Roehl. When I was with my two trainers, and now, I've run all over the eastern half of the US. I was in the northeast the past few days before thanksgiving, but I've been down to Florida, all the way up to the michigan UP, and through canada.

I am not in one of the 7/3, 7/4 or 7/7 plans but I have looked into it. The 7-7 and 7-3/7-4 guys have to live within 150 miles of a terminal or drop yard, but typically they get better miles than us lowly national guys. I just saw a 7-3/7-4 driver out near Port Huron, MI thi s morning who mentioned he ran over 3,000 miles a week. The reason Roehl offers this is because they can run their drivers for almost 11 hours a day for their entire week without having them run out of hours on the 70 hour, 8 day rule. The truck runs all day, every day, and by the time the driver runs out of hours, he goes home and the other drive gets in.

I think it's a great program, because the drivers are running miles the time they are out, not sitting as much as the rest of us. I personally don't want to share a truck or take the slight pay cut, but it's a great program.

I get home every 10-14 days, and I get 3 days off. This can be flexible, depending on where you want to go home to(i.e. take time off away from home), specific dates you need off, etc. So far they seem good at getting me home when I want to. Just last wednesday they deadheaded me 200 miles to get a load home for thanksgiving.

I hope this answers your questions, let me know if you have any more :)

Thanks most kindly, for your detailed and thoughtful response. Roehl is one of the companies that I plan to look at, when I start job-hunting in the third quarter of next year...and I shall certainly look you up from time to time, with queries :) .

Do you happen to know if Roehl has a terminal / drop-yard in the Pittsburgh area ? How often have you gone through this area ? Is this a busy freight lane for Roehl ? How do you like your truck ? Thanks again.

Made it through the first day. IT IS COLD AND WINDY! So I went to Walmart and got a better jacket and gloves. The pre-trip thing is done outside and takes awhile. We sort of got slightly introduced to it late this afternoon.
We got the "We're serious about safety" speech today. They mean it. There are 6 people in our class. I like that small number. I now some people from this board.
Marshfield is a very nice town. In fact I really like it around here. The people from Roehl I've met so far seem like good decent people.
Tomorrow or the next day we should actually be starting to drive the trucks!
This whole thing is quite a challenge to me. It might not be to some, but it is to me. I hope I make it.
respects,
Dennis

Hey hows Marshfield today besides COLD and Windy? Im in Fremont about 1 hour east of you. Keep me posted on Roehl Im considering them so I am watching this post with alot of interest.
Stay warm -

Yes, it was cold and windy today. We actually got to drive today on their range. Idle speed shifting at first, and left turns. Eventually regular speed up shifting. As in many things, that which seems very difficult is doable if taught in baby steps.
There were 3 per truck, which is FINE because you do alot of shifting and your leg gets tired real quickly.
I am very impressed with the quality of the staff at Roehl. The instructors we have, Brian and Jason, are fantastic. Tremendously patient, and no yelling....yet anyway!!!!
At this point I would certainly recommend this school.
Tomorrow it will be more shifting then learning to downshift and backing.
I am beginning to believe I may actually be able to do this.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

Yes, it was cold and windy today. We actually got to drive today on their range. Idle speed shifting at first, and left turns. Eventually regular speed up shifting. As in many things, that which seems very difficult is doable if taught in baby steps.
There were 3 per truck, which is FINE because you do alot of shifting and your leg gets tired real quickly.
I am very impressed with the quality of the staff at Roehl. The instructors we have, Brian and Jason, are fantastic. Tremendously patient, and no yelling....yet anyway!!!!
At this point I would certainly recommend this school.
Tomorrow it will be more shifting then learning to downshift and backing.
I am beginning to believe I may actually be able to do this.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

Never did get up there yesterday, they sent me to Kaukauna instead.

When in RDTC Jason went with my truck once when Joe, my normal instructor had something come up. I doubt you'll ever hear any yelling from him or anyone else at that school, they all seemed great to me.

Graymist,

I think the closest drop yard to Pittsburgh is their Mogadore, OH drop yard. Don't have much time now, but I can elaborate more on your questions later tonight.

Hey Dennis -

Hows Roehl today? I got your message yesterday thanks but Sunday wont work. I will try and get over to Marshfield while your in town, it would be interesting to check out the school with a current student.

Week 1 Wednesday - More power on shifting and right turns on the range. Tomorrow backing and then out on the road! Everyday starts out with 2 hours in the classroom. Everyone we talk to speaks well of this place. Drivers are here that left and came back. It seems well organized, clean and well run.
At the end of the day I am worn out. Back to the room, dinner, study for tomorrow and then to bed.
I am having fun.

Wolf River unless it is a Sunday I would not have anytime to spend with you. We are at it from 7AM until dark Mon-Sat.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

They had us driving on country roads today, and through town this afternoon. It sounds like a far way from never sitting in a truck, but you take a step at a time and it is not so bad. Just got to keep in mind you have a long trailer back there.
I am having fun.

They have you pulling boxes or flatbed.
In Gary we did flatbed for some reason.

I can only log onto this board now when I have a "hardwired" connection. It seems the IP address my aircard gets is banned, because I cannot get on via that. I am guessing a Roehl recruiter uses the local net and had an address range that the classadrivers bosses have chosen to block. I wish they would fix this. I have sent them several messages with no result.
Anyway it is Tuesday evening week 2. I am getting the straight line and 45 degree backing down pretty well. We do mostly backing and road runs now, and a full Pre trip everyday.
One thing I always have to remind myself is how long that trailer is when making turns.
I still think this place is GREAT - the people and the facility. I would choose this again if I had to and would recommend Roehl's RDTC to anyone who wanted to start out right and get good training at a clean, organized, caring place of business with a great big training range.

glad to hear all is going well

Thanks Wolf.
Wednesday evening week 2. Driving through town today. Not too bad. Just take it easy and remember you have that long trailer back there.
I am having a blast!!!
I am so glad I decided to do this.
The middle of Wisconsin seems to have about the nicest people you will find.
I guess it is just too cold for the jerks!! :)
I would recommend this place if you are thinking of getting started in the trucking business.
A great school, and a great company to work with when you complete the 3 week course.
You will not be getting asked to falsify your logs or run illegal here. Their number one cornerstone value is safety. And they preach it.
respects,
Dennis in se pa (currently in the middle of Wisconsin! :) )

Dennis
You are missing the snow here in PA.
And yesterday it was as windy as WI.
Hope you get a good trainer and continue to like driving.

Thanks PA,
End of Thursday week 2.
It snows and is very cold here, but that does not matter. I am having a great time and learning something.
I know I will leave here next Friday less than a perfect driver, but with the skills I need to be a safe driver and steadily improve my skills.
I cannot say enough about the quality of the people who work here.
Outstanding.
We practice what we have been taught from now until the test. Driving through town in traffic, and backing, and the Pre trip inspection procedure.
I cannot believe I am actually doing this. 2 months ago I was sitting at my computer at home on this and another board discussing whether I should do this.
I decided to just close my eyes and jump and here I am.
I am happy it turned out this way.
One guy did leave yesterday so we are down to 5 in our class. His wife was giving him a hard time so he went home.
Unless you enjoy being by yourself alot and on the road, and have your family behind you you should not do this. I read about people going trucking because they are broke and need a job. That is no reason to do this. This job requires a real commitment. I will soon find out if it is for me.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

Glad to hear that you are doing well at RDTC and find Wisconsin people friendly. I will say that Roehl does practice what they preach on safety. Hit the bad snow storm in KC today. Called in and said that I was going to sit for a few hours and let the storm pass. Didn't get any flack but "you are the driver and you decide your comfort zone". Very good for new drivers. Just remember that it isn't all a bed of roses. There are those people and days that will really get under your skin. Keep us posted on how Evol 1 and 2 go for you.

Soladad
#5437

Thanks soladad,
I will keep you posted.
We complete next Friday 12/14. We are down to 5 people. Started with 6. 1 guy's wife was giving him a hard time. Should have had that squared away before coming. Sorry to see him go though, he was a good guy.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

Sounds like it's going great for you. Glad to hear that, and good luck on your testing out next week. Ah he!!, your from this area, you'll do fine! :lol:

Hey Dennis -
Hope your not freezing your !!! off too bad.
Out of curiosity what was your profession prior to your leap into trucking?Im a carpentry contractor and as we all know construction is at a stand still

My previous profession?
From 13-33 I was in restaurants - busboy to management,
33-42 construction - carpenter's helper to custom builder
42-53 Computer systems,
53- present real estate agent - was doing well, but the market is soft right now
I thought about doing the OTR thing to see if I like it. The idea of driving a truck locally and making deliveries does not appeal to me. If I am going to do this I want to be Out There! Something new everyday. If I like it I will stick with it. If I do not I will just stay with my real estate thing until I get another idea.
respects,
dennis in se pa currently freezing his butt in wisconsin

They have their beer in refrigerators to keep it from freezing!

Hey, my aircard was doing the same thing the other night....check out the t
thread about Me Being Banned....whenever it happens to you...write down your IP address that's being blocked...shut it down, reboot, pull the aircard-so it will re-set and try again.... hopefully- not the entire range of available IP's in that area are blocked.
Keep them reports coming.....

What kind of loads are you hauling ? How long do you have to wait to get loaded / unloaded, and your preplan for the next load ? Have you hauled
any loads in the Pittsburgh area ? Even though you're in training,what kind of miles are you getting ? Thanks.

graymist - I am finishing up Roehl's RDTC school this Friday. The only load I am hauling now is an empty 53 foot trailer. :)

The 7/4-7/3 plan sounds quite interesting to me. Are you part of that plan too, or are you OTR ?

I will be on the 11 on 3 off national van fleet. I cannot afford to work those shorter deals. I have bills to pay. Unfortunately.
Tomorrow it is practice cdl skills test and pre-trip. Same on Wed. Then the real test on Thursday. I think I am ready.
This is FUN!!!
respects,
Dennis in se pa

Good luck on your tests!!!!!!!! Im sure you will do fine!

Thanks wolf.

Hows Roehl going today? You have to be loving our warm weather we are having

Between Marshfield and Gary, which is a better place for orientation and training ? Also, which is a better home terminal, in terms of getting good loads and despatchers ? Does Roehl have any other home terminals ? Their website doesn't quite say. Thanks.

Wednesday evening of week 3 - the final week. Took the practice cdl and pre-trip tests yesterday and it went well. Tomorrow we get the real tests. I believe everyone will pass. Interesting how much difference alot of practice makes. And the effort of the trainers - can't express how great these guys have been. If you are going to come to school here ask to start the week that Brian and Jason are instructing. The other guys are good too, I just happen to know these guys better. The logging part of driving seems to be a pain in the butt at this point. We have been learning how to do that the last few days. On Fri. we basically get to sign on to the company if we chose to, then head home and wait for our EVO I trainer. I am hoping not to actually start until after Christmas, but I will deal with whatever works best for Roehl. I am hoping I like the cross country driving thing. It is what I want to do. If this does not work out I have my real estate thing to fall back on. I will maintain my license and office for a few months. But it is my wish to make this national van gig my new adventure.
One of the plusses of training here is getting to experience the beauty of central Wisconsin. I really like it up here. Inspite of the cold. I am really glad I decided to do this.

Roehl has terminals in Gary IN and Atlanta. It does not matter where their terminals are, what matters is where they run freight, which is pretty much all over the US east of the Rockies.

And yes 20 degrees seems warm after -28!!

respects,
Dennis in se pa