Interested In Roehl And Swift Paid CDL Training

Call the recruiting number and ask for her

Errol V:

I appreciate all your assistance also these last couple of weeks, especially in regards to answering my questions about SWIFT in general and their flatbed division. Deciding between Roehl and SWIFT is like playing "eenie-meanie-minie-moe".

Glenn, you have some very good questions here. Another potential Roehl driver may also be interested in how the company handles these things. By using the search box (upper right of this page) they could enter "Roehl", and find your questions and the answers. Also, other drivers who know may also chime in with their experiences.

If you really do and to contact another member, say to arrange a meet-up, you need to post an email or phone number on the forum. Don't just post it like: "867-5309", but spell it out to avoid web scraping. I'd use "ate s!x sebben five tree oh nine"

Don't know about Eenie, Meanie and Minie; but Moe definitely works for Swift, along with his two brothers Curly and Larry...

You need to weigh what Chris has said about Swift Flatbed and what PJ contributed about his experience with Roehl. Although I am biased towards Swift, I think either company is capable of supporting you as a rookie driver and beyond.

I think alot of potential drivers get caught in this situation where you have 2 very similar companies that you've narrowed down to, and just can't pull the trigger on which one you want to commit to. I know I was in the same situation.

My advice, is that you personally are a bigger influence on how smoothly your career gets started, than any company could ever be. There are horror stories, and success stories on every single company that has a truck on the road.

So with that being said, narrow your your decision making process down to one single aspect of your choosing. That could be something as trivial as what truck manufacturers make up the majority of those fleets (Roehl runs mostly International trucks and Swift runs mostly Freightliners), it could be the pet policies, it could be whether you like a red truck or a white truck. Just pick one particular comparison, which you have solid information on, and make your decision based on that. Then once you've made that decision, commit everything in your mind to that decision and know that you and your attitude can drive your success in ways that will be vastly more beneficial than anything that another employee of either company can do for you.

Chris:

I think a lot of potential drivers get caught in this situation where you have 2 very similar companies that you've narrowed down to, and just can't pull the trigger on which one you want to commit to. I know I was in the same situation

What you stated I have found very true!

So with that being said, narrow your your decision making process down to one single aspect of your choosing. That could be something as trivial as what truck manufacturers make up the majority of those fleets (Roehl runs mostly International trucks and Swift runs mostly Freightliners), it could be the pet policies, it could be whether you like a red truck or a white truck. Just pick one particular comparison, which you have solid information on, and make your decision based on that. Then once you've made that decision, commit everything in your mind to that decision and know that you and your attitude can drive your success in ways that will be vastly more beneficial than anything that another employee of either company can do for you.

They both Roehl and SWIFT have aspects that I favor. Too bad they don't both have the same aspects, lol.

1. Roehl supposedly has a very good CDL training program that last 4 weeks and you are paid while attending. SWIFT's CDL training is 3 weeks. On the outside looking in, advantage Roehl 2. I have a small dog that I would like to take with me, which is VERY important to me. They both have a pet policy. Roehl, you have to wait at least 3 months after going solo; SWIFT - I have been told - is right after a mentor's truck? So advantage is unknown. 3. SWIFT flatbed division seems to operate over a larger geographical area. Roehl's National Flatbed division looks basically like their Great Lakes Region. I would like the opportunities to go out West and Southwest (West of I-35) a few times a year, just to see the country. A plus for Swift? 4. Swift has many more terminals than Roehl. Not really an advantage unless I have to need to go to one. 5. The lack of Flatbed mentors at SWIFT is my biggest concern. I do not want to have to start training with a Dry Van mentor, and wait until that someday arrives (6 months later) where I get transferred to a flatbed mentor. With Roehl, I would go with a flatbed mentor straight from training. Advantage Roehl.

SO! As you most certainly know, there are pro's and cons of both. The pet policy may sound very trivial to others, but considering I have had my dog for a number of years, it is important. If it was not, I would be honest in stating I would be looking at other companies not listed in the TruckingTruth list of companies that allow pets. If I listen to what my intuition is telling me, I would go with SWIFT because of the better(?) pet policy and larger operational area. But, then I worry about getting to flatbed right away with SWIFT, plus the shorter CDL class training time/ Yhis is waht is causing me to waffle...waffle..waffle.... in pulling the trigger.

Thanks again.

I think alot of potential drivers get caught in this situation where you have 2 very similar companies that you've narrowed down to, and just can't pull the trigger on which one you want to commit to. I know I was in the same situation.

My advice, is that you personally are a bigger influence on how smoothly your career gets started, than any company could ever be. There are horror stories, and success stories on every single company that has a truck on the road.

So with that being said, narrow your your decision making process down to one single aspect of your choosing. That could be something as trivial as what truck manufacturers make up the majority of those fleets (Roehl runs mostly International trucks and Swift runs mostly Freightliners), it could be the pet policies, it could be whether you like a red truck or a white truck. Just pick one particular comparison, which you have solid information on, and make your decision based on that. Then once you've made that decision, commit everything in your mind to that decision and know that you and your attitude can drive your success in ways that will be vastly more beneficial than anything that another employee of either company can do for you.

Glenn...

A couple of points to think about;

The initial schooling of 3 weeks vs 4 is inconsequential. The goal of the Schools is to teach you just enough to pass the CDL tests, that's it, nothing more. The real Training occurs while Mentoring for 200 hours of driving (Swift policy). 3 vs 4 weeks of schooling is a "nitt" that wil have no impact on your future skills or career.

Another point is that Swift will allow you to come back for additional training if passing the CDL tests becomes a problem. I know at least two people when I attended, that returned for additional backing instruction and practice. They both eventually passed because both were Walmart Dedicated for a year, assigned to the same D.C. as me.

It's possible that both Roehl and Swift may have a shortage of flatbed trainers-mentors. Not sure. Swift I believe (check with Chris) has additional training they require for anyone going into the flatbed division (2-3 days?) with no experience. They used to do this in Greer SC, not sure if that's the case anymore.

You're right G-town that they do have additional training for flatbed. The training can be done at Greer, Gary, or Phoenix.

The way the flatbed training works, is its a total of 5 days. If you go through Swift CDL school, and immediately go to flatbed, then they send you to the flatbed training class as soon as you pass your tests and receive your CDL, before you go with your mentor. You do 2-3 days of the flatbed class, in which you get your safety equipment, your flatbed drivers manual, watch a few videos, and do some securement training. They'll also have you carry a tarp on your shoulder, and climb up the back of a flatbed trailer, as an agility test.

After the 2-3 days, (they call that phase 1), you'll go out with your mentor. Once you complete your training with your mentor, you will return to the same terminal , and do your upgrade test, finish out the remaining 2-3 days of flatbed training (you'll do a written test, and a coil tie-down test), and then you'll be upgraded to solo.

I completely understand about the pet policy. I have my dog with me, and it really does make a difference in my opinion. Just having that companion with you is really nice!

Also there are fewer flatbed mentors due to it being a smaller fleet in general, but during my time in the flatbed training class, there were 3 students that left with trainers after phase 1, and 2 that came in for phase 2. None of them had to wait any extended time for a flatbed mentor, but I don't know if that was the norm, or an exception.

Really great information Chris! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Thanks again, G-Town and Chris!!