Beginning Roehl Flatbed Trucking Phoenix

Hello,

I'll be heading out west from the northeast in a few days to start a new life as a flatbed trucker. I'm 27 years old and 5' 10". I love to drive, and I'd rather be outside than in. My biggest concern is that I can't hate being cold, but hope to find overcoming that distaste rewarding. Currently I work at a desk job, but I'm looking for to a full time position outside and where I can work hard and be appreciated for doing good work. I was on night shift at a warehouse for a year before I fell into the position I'm leaving so I am excited to get back on my feet in a completely new environment that I believe I will love.

I look forward to taking on this industry, meeting new people, and paying off my student loans. I will keep you guys posted about training and everything for my first few months as time allows.

I feel like this post sounds like an online dating ad, haha. I loved reading a little about people's backgrounds with their stories when I was looking into this field.

Welcome! Congratulations on the new career move! I'm currently in the process of making that transition myself. My background is as a litigation paralegal for most of my 20s and early 30s, then working as a lighting technician/stage manager for various opera/dance/theatre companies, then a heavy metal concert venue manager, then touring with heavy metal bands as a merchandiser and crew member. I'm going into trucking because I want to still be on the move and not at home all the time, and I'm lucky to have a super supportive husband that really "gets" me and my need to out and about.

From everything I've read this is an excellent job to be in. I'm sure there are a ton of ups and downs, but that's any job. Good luck with everything!

I love that you are going for flatbed! I really admire women that can do it. Please keep us informed of your progress. Both the ups and downs.

I was a bus driver for a city transit system. I loved my job, it was a great fit for someone who enjoyed driving. Unfortunately, the company was a nightmare to work for. The female manager ran it like it was a high school. I spent 6 years there, watching her systematically going after the women who were better looking or more popular than her. Only 1 male driver was disciplined and eventually fired, while at least 30 women were going through disciplinary stuff on a regular basis. About my fifth year there, she pulled me into a disciplinary hearing along with my union rep, and informed me that I would be required to get alcohol management therapy to keep my job. I was stunned. Why? Because I hadn't drank since I was 22 years old and I was then 48. She said that two of my co-workers smelled alcohol on my breath. My union rep didn't even put up a fight for me. I was furious that I was suspended until my therapy was completed. During the suspension I approached the Teamsters Union to take over the bus drivers union. Through this long process I returned to work and continued driving. About the same time the Teamsters took over I was fired. I hit my brakes hard to stop at a red light and a little girl bumped her head on the bus wall and cried.

The great thing is that my co-workers are getting great representation now. The women are no longer in fear of losing their jobs. The manager is being pushed out of the company due to all her poor choices. It has been four years since I was fired. Now that my kids are grown I will be going back to what I love, driving.

So keep working towards your goal. I hope you know that what you chose won't be easy, but so very worth it in the end. And really quick in the grand scheme of things to set you up for life.

Good luck to all the ladies on this sight at starting your trucking careers. I'm 58 and retired from one career last July 2014. Now starting my second career. Just arrived in Atlanta, Ga. To start my orientation with Roehl transportation tomorrow morning. Yes I'm nervous and scared but starting another career at my age is not easy. I'm confident and strong and .independent and I know I can do it!! Mother of 2 daughters and grandmother of 5. If I can do it you can to. If the going gets tough you just reach within yourselves and muster up more strength and guts. Good Luck to All. :)

Wow, this has been an encouraging thread! You each rock!

I finished CDL school last week, but don't have anything lined up. I still have a bookkeeping business with a couple of clients, and I need to finish out the year with them ("year"=March!). Even if a company has a regional opening, the orientation is longer than I should be gone. Oh well, that's my muddle.

I'm looking a TMC, but have gotten slothful in middle-age. They require one be able to "lift 80 pounds overhead." Hum, gotta find a bag of horse grain and try it.

Roehl really looks great to work for, but Vermont's like a dead end street and they don't have much around here.

I have had a couple jobs driving tow trucks...and Becca, the thought of working in the cold is much worse than doing it. Once you're there, you're focused on the task. Get good coveralls, and make sure you can reach up without giving yourself a wedgie! Don't run your cab heater at 90 and go back and forth to 10 degrees. Have a strong bladder, because even if there is a bathroom, it's a major effort! (This is a women's forum, right?)

Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing more about one's progress and experience.