Comments By whosfate

Hi All,

I'm still considering a career change to the trucking industry and have had apps in with TMC and Roehl. At the moment, TMC is still processing my application for the past 2 or 3 weeks because they cannot verify some details with my previous employer because my previous employer will not respond to them. TMC is my top choice, but I need to have other options if they don't work out.

I am also still strongly considering Roehl and was wondering if anyone had any insight to Roehl's national flatbed division or even their NE regional division.

Just looking to see what I could potentially expect as a newbie as far as miles per week in either division along with their stated home time which is important to me or any other details you would like to share. I have read so many good things here about Roehl and they seem like a popular choice here at TT.

This site is truly a blessing and I have read so many helpful posts and articles.

Thanks again

So just an update for everyone who has been following this thread:

After much research, contemplation, and prayer I am wanting to drive for TMC pulling flatbeds. My application was submitted last week and I have been in touch with my recruiter several times. I am told that everything looks good on my app, but since I was terminated from my previous position TMC is wanting to speak with my previous supervisor there (who happens to be the company owner) and they have been dragging their feet responding to TMC's request.

I explained to my recruiter the entire circumstances concerning my termination (ouch...I have never had this before) as to the reasons why I was terminated - as it was explained to me at the time I was let go. I told them straight up that I have nothing to hide and was completely honest about everything. So both I and TMC are awaiting for my previous employer to get to them, then their hiring committee will make a determination. Hopefully, TMC offers me a conditional offer here in the near future.

I might still consider Roehl as well, but it seems I may get some more (or at least more frequently) home time with TMC. Plus, from what I can determine, TMC's flatbed training seems more comprehensive and the OTR training being 5 weeks instead of 2 sounds a bit better to me.

I'll keep you guys posted on the progress here with TMC. I'll definitely would like to start a training log about my experience with TMC should they offer a conditional offer.

-Bill

Just thought that I would keep everyone updated on this thread (and yes I changed my screen name).

I had initially applied to both Schneider (for a dedicated Walmart run) and Roehl. My family and I decided that the Schneider position was not for us, so I contacted them and basically said thanks, but no thanks. Roehl is still on the list.

Another decision to make was what type of trailer do I want to pull around; reefers were definitely out for me. I have decided that should I accept this mission, flat bedding is what i want to do. So Roehl is still in the game and I spoke with TMC yesterday. Since deciding to do flat beds, I am leaning more toward TMC at this point and their in-house CDL training program. The recruiter there has to process my application yet and then said it would go before a hiring committee. Should know within a week if they decide to offer me a position. They seem more selective.

I spoke with my recruiter at Roehl yesterday to get some things answered and he told me that flat bed training is now at Marshfield, van is now done in Gary, IN and reefer is done at Appleton. Seems they switched some things around.

We have continued to pray and contemplate if this is the right career move for not only me, but my family as well. I want to thank Brett and everyone here who contributes to the first hand info of the trucking world. It is a great source of quality information!

G-Town, I passed a Swift truck on Wednesday, 3/1 pulling a Walmart trailer. I was headed into Lewistown, PA at 1000 on 322 East. Swift truck was headed toward State College on 322 West. Was that you?

G-Town, you are correct!

That should have been per week. I noticed that after I submitted the post, but didn't see how to edit my post. Is there a way to do this?

Thank you to everyone for all the helpful posts, much appreciated. I spoke with Schneider yesterday and got the rundown of what this dedicated Walmart positions entails.

• Night schedule (starts at 6:00 pm) that runs 5 days out / 2 days off • Days off would be weekdays • After CDL class, would spend 18 days at orientation in Carlisle, PA • 2-4 extra days to learn the Walmart account • Truck would be left in Bedford for P/T drivers to use while I was off • After 6 months, I would be assigned my own truck that would not be shared • Pay raise at 6 months and 1 year • 7 – 8 loads per day / 2 – 3 stops per load ($15/stop after first stop) • Trucks are Freightliner Cascadia or Century Classics (I thought the CC’s had production discontinued in 2010, that would be an old truck by now) They said everyone starts with a manual transmission (yay!), but can request an automatic after awhile.

I still have much to consider as to whether I want in on trucking in general, and this gig in particular. I have phone interview with Roehl on Monday. Initial contact with Roehl indicated I could do either Van or Flatbed on the National fleet (11-4/3) or their NE Regional (home weekends). The NE Regional fleet pays a little less, but I see from their map I may spend some time in their “Gold Zone”.

Patrick, thank you for your insight on home time. Would much prefer my time off to be on the weekend and be awake during the day! I worked at company that shipped a lot of freight via truck, usually flatbed. We quit taking trucks on Friday at 14:00 and started again on Monday at 06:00.

G-Town, I see you were into computers for 30 years. I started my BA in Information Technology many years ago, but never finished.

I must say that I really like this forum, I have looked at a few others and from the posts on those sites, no one in their right mind would even consider getting started in trucking…LOL

Ahhh…so many decisions, and I didn’t even apply to multiple companies. In considering this career change, we are making this decision together as a family and praying hard about it.

Thanks everyone!

Schneider has this funny little rule about leaving the truck at the terminal if you live within a certain proximity to it. You can always ask.

I completely agree with G-Town - that's a nice gig, but really tough on beginners.

Old School, I will definitely ask about that. According to Google maps, I am 1.5 hours of drive time from the terminal.

As far as being tough on beginners, I can absolutely see that being the case. But I also see that it could be a great way to get very proficient at backing skills and time management. Pros and cons to everything, make the best of it is all you can do.

G-Town,

Thank you so much for your insight. This forum and you guys are amazing. I have done quite a bit of searching here and have read quite a few of your posts. Your intimate knowledge is a great help and has given me some insight as to the questions to ask. Coming from a project manager background, I have always found that asking the right questions from those in the know goes a long way in planning.

I think for me and my family the hardest thing will be the time away from home and the huge reduction in pay. I am not expecting to make the big money on day one as with my current line of work, but we need to eat and keep the lights on. I did spend time away from the family when I was field engineer (sometimes as much as 3 weeks) but I was home for weeks or months at a time as well. So financially and time away from home will be a big adjustment. On the other hand I have always liked driving and being on the go. Hard work and 14+ hour days are not strange to me.

For anyone who thinks all office positions are 9-5, think again. The high paying positions are easily 60+ hours a week...oh and you are salaried, so no overtime either ;)

Those slip seat jobs are slip seat because the driver is home so much. They aren't going to assign you a specific truck and then allow it to sit at your house for four or five days, without it producing revenues, unless you are an Over the Road driver who has been out on the road for four or five weeks. Trucking is an asset based business and those extensive assets are invested in for the returns they produce. An idle truck is not doing them any good.

Thanks Old School. I understand everything that you stated there and that companies cannot afford to have expensive equipment sitting not generating revenue. From the little information i have to go from Schneider right now is that I would work a 5/2 or 6/2 schedule, so the truck wouldn't be sitting any longer than what a OTR/Regional would do. I will be sure to ask about this though.

Patrick, thanks for the info about your regional experience. When I spoke with Roehl yesterday, they have a regional position in my area and I think that is the route I would take if I sign on with them. I think it would be 11-14 out / 3 days home, though they said the days vary.

Question, in your experience, when you request home time, can you request that those days be on the weekend each time? I would rather spend my home time with the family when the kids are not in school. Better to come home Friday night/Saturday morning and leave again on Monday.

Steve, thank you for sharing your experience with this account. I will double check with the recruiter when I speak to her later today. I have so much to weigh between opportunities, needs, future paths, et cetera!

Thank you all for your insight, I really appreciate it.

Thanks Patrick!

Yeah I wasn't sure about the slip seating or whether the equipment used is day cabs or sleepers. If it's sleepers, then that is kind of a big deal for me. I'm not a prima donna, but some people are not well kept..lol The other thing i am thinking is that if my truck is not assigned and I can't take it home, then I would be burning up hours traveling to and from the terminal during home time. I'd rather have a load ready to deliver when I get off of home time. I'm not trying to be too picky as a rookie, but it has to work for me and my family's circumstances.

I'll have to see what the recruiter says later today when I speak with them.

If I make this career change, then I will most likely start with either Roehl or Schneider as from what I have both are good companies to start with.

First post on this forum, but I have been lurking for a few weeks and I have to say this is one of the best sites I have come across for the trucking industry. But first, a little background about me:

I am 35 years old and have worked in construction (4 years) and the past 11 years as a project manager and field engineer. I was let go from my previous employer at the end of December and have been on unemployment since. I have submitted approximately 80 resumes for various project manager positions which has equated to one phone interview…LOL. I am married with 4 children ages 12 and younger, so home time is important to me.

I had contemplated driving truck several times and even got my CDL permit when I was 21, but decided against it as some other things had come up.

So on with the questions. I applied to both Roehl (have read many positive things about them) and Schneider. The specific position at Schneider is a Walmart dedicated account out of Bedford, PA. Schneider will pay for my CDL classes and then have me go through their orientation.

I have a phone interview with Schneider today about the position to see about all the details. Does anyone have any recent experience about this particular account? I have used Google a good bit and this site, but most of the info is somewhat dated. Pay, hours, days off, etc.

I hear that they do slip seating for this position, any chance to get an assigned truck? I live ~60 miles from the terminal, so I would not be too keen using what little home time I have to drive to the terminal. Schneider’s requirements were to live within 100 miles. Also, not too keen sharing sleeping quarters with strangers.

Any advice is much appreciated. At this point the family and I are still trying to decide if this career change is the right one. Sorry for the long post!

God Bless, Bill