Comments By >>--HuntinDoug-->

I've thought about this as well. So, I put this on my Christmas list: http://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-12V-Hot-Pot-oz/dp/B000667QL4 My sister-in-law got it for me. It heats up 20oz of soup, or tea, etc... I plan on having a 3 gal bucket in the truck. Since I use a CPAP, I will have gallons of distilled water on board too.

The plan is to be able to heat up 20 oz of water, mix it with room temp water in the bucket and you're good to go...

I hate to say it, but this is a terrible way for Swift to start a new driver. I'm sure they fully realize you wont get your luggage for many, many days. It clearly shows that they just don't care about you as a person. And they wonder why they can't keep drivers... Sheesh!

As some of you know, I am a luthier by trade, so this thread is right up my alley. However, due to wood dust related health problems I am transitioning into trucking. I'll be driving for Roehl on their 7/4 - 7/3 program. I will still be building on my off days.

At any given time I have 20 to 30 guitars in various stages of completion. Here are just a couple pics of a recent build, and a stack of upcoming builds that are being sanded by a friend. After I settle in with Roehl, I plan on making a traveler guitar to take on the road along with a little amp.

I talked to Kim at first. She was always very punctual. Then when I was leaning toward not getting my CDL at Roehl (getting it locally instead), she set me up with another recruiter that handles new hires that have their CDL's already. I've called twice and left messages... still havent heard from him.

If i were to get a passport it would, at times, cost me money. Because few people at my company have them i would be required to go pick up or split canada loads an the expense of very long bounces.

That's interesting... The company makes drivers go across the border for less money than a straight run in the states?

I just got my WIOA finalized. Ended up taking longer than anticipated almost 2.5 months. You just have to grind it out. WIOA is paying the entire cost including buses. I start school on Jan 4th complete on Feb 4th and have the freedom to pick between any of the companies without being an indentured servant for 6 months or a year. If you qualify and can wait I think it is worth it. I will also not be rushed in to picking a company or division when I complete the CDL training this way.

Great!... Glad to hear it actually worked for someone. Can you give us an idea of some of the variables: your age, work experience, how long the process took, what state, etc...

One more thing: Talk to Roehl. They don't take money out of your check to pay back the program. They expect you to drive 120,000mi. Then they call it even. You also get paid $500/week during orientation.

Went to the required orientation today to try to get cdl school paid for with the WIA program. Now i just have to fill out all the paperwork and go down to speak with a case worker. I'm praying i get qualified because they pay up to $7,000 and all the schools i looked at are max $5,000. I don't want to go company sponsored cdl training unless i have to because they take money out of your check every week to pay back the loan. The first year pay will be bad enough most likely so taking more money out of an already low check will suck.

I hate to be scrooge here... But the WIA program is kind of a farce. At least in OH. I tried to contact a case worker several times. It was like pulling teeth to get someone to call you back. After digging deeper, I just gave up. I was told directly that the program was designed specifically to target inner city young adults with "little or no" job skills. If you have work experience beyond flipping burgers, and do not meet the criteria set by the federal gooberment... you don't qualify. If you have worked in an office, a factory, or anything that is above minimum wage, they have no interest in training you. The answer I got was: "Why train a person to give them new skills when there are local jobs available with the skillset they already have?"

I sincerely hope that it is a localized problem here in OH. Best of luck...

The person I talked to is Kim Calhoun

So... Back to the original topic:

I have made my decision to go with Roehl's "earn your CDL" program. I've done a TON of research on several companies. Roehl suits me the best. Originally, I was going to get my CDL locally, then go to orientation. However, after I did the math, the "earn your CDL" program at Roehl is actually a good deal. Most other companies want to repay the cost of tuition over 4 or 5 years. This is like paying it off in 1 year. And, getting paid at the same time. I plan on working for them for a minimum of 1 year anyhow.

I talk to the recruiter tomorrow to finalize the details, and set a firm date. If I see anything strange in the contract, I will post it here.

Interesting post... My dad was a police officer from the early 60's to 1970. He went back to school full time (while working full time), got his degree, and ended up in the Chief of Police position in 1970. By 1975 he was sick of the politics and left law enforcement to drive for North American. He drove for about 20 years, and loved it! He logged somewhere around 2M miles (I think). It was amazing to see the difference in his personality after he started driving.

I cant imagine the stresses of law enforcement in 2015! Best of luck to you in your new career...

Thanks Hrynn... This thread is exactly what I needed to see. I'm 99% sure I'll be starting with Roehl in mid Feb. I am very interested in the 7/4 7/3 & a few other hometime options. Roehl told me I would be going out of the Dayton yard. I live outside Miamisburg, OH.

Since you are based out of Dayton, I would love to talk with you by phone to pick your brain if possible. Let me know... Thanks, Doug

I called the medical person at Roehl directly to ask her about Tramadol & drug testing. I have been told both... that it is treated like a narcotic, and that it's not treated as a narcotic. So, I called them direct. They told me it is technically NOT a narcotic, and is not tested for, or treated as such. I would ask your doc to prescribe it instead of a narcotic. It works well.

It's all about insurance rates for the big companies, and covering their corporate butts if something really bad happens:

Dashcam video

I recently went thru all the medical preparations to make sure I will be able to pass the DOT physical. In the process I found out I have sleep apnea... I wasn't shocked at all. Actually, I kind of expected I had it. I've had my CPAP for about 2 weeks now, and I love it. I feel great in the mornings now. The biggest change for me is that I actually dream now when I sleep. I never got into deep enough sleep to start dreaming. The machine I have has a cell phone built in, so I can set it up to transmit log info without having to deal with the smart card transfer.

I'm gravitating toward Roehl. The have APU's in all their trucks now, so I don't have to worry about idling. Schneider says they don't have APU's.

So, is the DOT physical required before you take the written test (for your temps)? If so, I will get my physical this week since I start CDL school in Jan.

I talked to a Roehl recruiter yesterday. I have another phone interview set up for next week. I think they just took the top spot on my list from schneider... We'll see come Feb.

Yea, didnt see that thread.

I thought this was cool. Freightliner boasts it is the first fully autonomous commercial truck. Not to fear... It still requires a driver!

FreightLiner Inspiration Website

This is good info... Roehl is on my short list.

Blessed58, what division are you driving in? ITR, Dedicated? Regional?