Profile For Cowboy

Cowboy's Info

  • Location:
    Leeton, MO

  • Driving Status:
    Rookie Solo Driver

  • Social Link:
    Cowboy On The Web

  • Joined Us:
    5 years ago

Cowboy's Bio

Just turned 50. Wife and I are empty-nesters and we want to see the country together (I'll be driving and when allowed, she'll be riding---she wants no part of driving) and get paid doing it. My father and brother were truck drivers and loved it. I've been around it all my life. So, here I am, itching to get on the road and needing to go to CDL school and learn the industry.

I am now a lease/operator with TransAm. Roehl Transport was a great place to get training and get a CDL, but after the training is over and you go solo, they are absolutely atrocious: they show no respect for their drivers, they nitpick you to death with the cameras and constant calls for "coaching". But the worst part is it takes an act of congress to get any miles out of them. Even now, when the HOS rules are suspended through the end of the year for essential food, grocery and paper loads. They are the only company that I've heard of that absolutely refuse to let their drivers take advantage of the suspension. It's a bizarre business model that Roehl has.

On the other hand, I'm quite satisfied TransAm. They have exceeded my expectations for how they treat their drivers, the miles you get, the professionalism and the dignity of leaving you alone to drive the truck and deliver the freight.

Hobbies: Horseback Riding, Fishing, Reading and Watching Old Movies,

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Posted:  4 years, 2 months ago

View Topic:

Roehl/TMC/Maverick

I waited almost three weeks to get a driver/trainer for phase 2 with Roehl. Waited another 14 days to get my own truck assigned to me after phase 2. Be prepared to wait longer than expected. Congrats on getting your CDL.

Posted:  4 years, 9 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

Hooked up with trainer yesterday, 2/19. Went all around Chicago and drove 107 miles to Beaver Dam, WI, where I'm three hrs Into waiting for a live unload and then will go 207 miles to drop n hook in Menomonie, WI.

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

I don't even have a trainer assigned to me for me to call. All I get from my FTM is "we're working on a plan to get you with a trainer. We'll call you when we have it figured out." Today is just lost income. ☹️ It doesn't make sense that people who finished after me and four others are already assigned trainers.

Good luck to you and stay safe!

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

Monday, 17 Feb 2020

Well, I've been home 11 days now. My wife was notified that we had to vacate the home we've been renting for 5 years by 28 Feb, because the owner's selling it. So, I've spent this past week at home, securing an apartment for my wife, 17 yr old son, and myself. We got moved over the weekend and are getting settled in. All the while, I've been waiting on the call to meet my trainer for my Phase II training. Haven't heard anything yet. I've been told it's not abnormal to wait a week to a week and a half, but it's getting a little frustrating. I need to get on with Phase II for my 19 days so I can get my own truck and start making money. Of the four of us on my training truck, only one of us (the flatbedder) has been assigned a trainer and hit the road. The other three of us are still waiting.

Hope it happens soon. I'll get my last check from GYCDL this Thursday. The check after that will be based on what I work this week, which is nothing so far. Patiently waiting.

Be Safe!

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

Sunday, 9 Feb 2020

Made it home about midnight Thursday night. So good to be home for about a week. I made life-long friends at GYCDL, including my instructor, but it was nice to be home. Got my paper-copy CDL on Friday and will contact my Fleet Training Manager on Monday to let her know that I'll be ready to roll out with my Driver Trainer this coming Thursday. Looking forward to really learning the day-to-day operations and the lifestyle now that I'm licensed. I know that I know just enough to be dangerous without a lot of further training and I'm ready for the next phase.

I really appreciate all those who have been following along, including those who did not post but just read along. I can honestly say that I made the right choice, for me, going with Roehl. There are lots of good trucking companies out there, I know. Pick the one that fits what you want and need. For me it is definitely with Roehl and I could see it being my forever company, barring some unforeseen problem or issue. As of now, I love this company, their values, their commitment to safety, their care for drivers and their families, their equipment, their facilities, and definitely their training and continued training. I am a company driver and have a goal of becoming a million-mile safe top tier driver in that capacity.

If you're a family man/woman and are considering this career, please do yourself a favor and include your spouse/significant other in your research and decision making. Make your spouse a part of the team. I am home now and we are going through the process of planning for my absences. My wife has my driver code (and my truck # when I get one) and the proper phone numbers for my FTM in cases of family emergencies. We have synced up calendars so we are on the same page for what's going on and what's coming up. We use WhatsApp, Phone Calls and Duo for my down-time contact (stay off the phone when operating the vehicle). She knows I WILL contact her when I'm down. I check her texts and voice texts when I stop driving to catch up on her day and then respond accordingly.

When you're at work, be at work and have your head in the game. When you're home, be at home and have your head out of the game and with your loved ones. Keep it properly balanced. It's not that hard if you have your loved ones fully informed and educated about the seriousness of your work and the potential dangers of you being distracted. This can be a great, prosperous, fulfilling career if done the right way.

Stay Safe! Cowboy

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Roehl GYCDL Training

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That is Awesome!!! Congrats and welcome to Team Roehl. Look forward to meeting you sometime out on the road.

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

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Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

Thanks to all.

You got it BigShow, just stay out of your head and drive the truck. Good luck!

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

Go Chiefs!!!

Posted:  4 years, 10 months ago

View Topic:

Preparing for a Trucking Career with Roehl

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