Final Recap And Impressions Of Roehl And Their Get Your CDL Program

Hrmmm...

Seems I went too far into the nuance of what I experienced, and should have just kept it simple. Especially since some of the audience seems to have really missed my point.

Yes, I signed a contract understanding there would be consequences for early termination. Yes, I plan on honoring the part of leaving early, paying back every penny owed (with a smile on my face). No, I was not under ANY delusion that paying back $7,000 was optional. No, I am not complaining at all about the money I owe, or will owe. However... Yes, I am very upset that a company would leave someone with the equivalent of minimum wage on their final check. Yes, it was a consequence in the verbiage of the contract, and I accept it (begrudgingly). No, I did not remember that part (about the final check), and that is my fault.

As for Roehl as a whole: I have no problems with them. Still don't. I would still highly recommend their program to anyone. Rather, the point of the original post(s) being that they practice taking that large of a portion (would be even more, had I made more that week) is what left me distraught. I am not attempting to give anyone the impression that Roehl is bad. They're not. Their program, as I have mentioned tirelessly through all of my postings, may be difficult, but it is excellent. Were some of the instructors *******s? Yup. Were some of the dispatchers and management rude? Yup. Not changing my opinion there.

For myself, I am in no way looking to make trucking a long-term career (pretty sure I have mentioned this in previous threads, but if not... well, now you know ^,^). I know many come into this business with the opposite in mind. Maybe doing what I did is not the best move for others. However, after going over the details of my new position exhaustively for about 6 weeks, I came to the conclusion that the payoff was far better for me to switch. I have always kept in mind that I would owe Roehl $7,000 (possibly more, due to legal fees).

As an aside, if my posts are enough to derail and affect in any way, "What we are trying to do here", then what you are doing is shaky and fragile, at best. I do not see it that way, and instead, my contributions, I feel, can help others make better decisions for themselves:

Maybe NOT switching companies is a better idea. Maybe there ARE better offers which can work to a driver's favor. Maybe foraging their own path, branching off of the paths others, is what will be their story. Maybe not EVERYONE has the same goal, but can relate to a small minority. Maybe the whole Roehl training experience, as well as staying with the company, is the best thing that will ever happen for someone.

Again, no company - or person, for that matter - is perfect. They have some things they can work on, so do I... and clearly, so do many of those who responded with such ire and disdain to my posts.

It is truly dissuading yet funny to see the snowflakes in here melt from this one post, where I shared my experience; shared my feelings about the process; and left it for others to make their own decision. Had I known this would have lit such a fire under so many behinds in here, I would have been more sensitive (I guess), and really pulled back on the details. What I listed earlier in this response is the gist of the message I tried to convey, but I seemed to have failed some of you with it.

As for attacking my professional background, and educational background. Cool! Doesn't change what I have earned, nor what I have accomplished ^,^ Keep on flaming, if that helps you sleep easy ^,^

Finally, I make no apologies for my disgust towards those who tailgate; those who brake check with 40 tons of rolling death; those who fail to yield right of way; those who fail to use turn signals; those who leave the rest of the public to think that, just because they had a horrible experience with a ****ty trucker, all of us are.

Trucking is supposed to be a profession represented by professionals (at least that's what I hear). Good luck to all, new and old. My decision to switch has been truly rewarding, I enjoy my new position and schedule. I will try to remember to check back in three years on this post... Just in case ^,^

-Professor X

Good luck to you, but you should drop the sour attitude. It won't do much for you in your new position.

You have provided proof of Brett’s point,... “you absolutely believe you are the smartest person in the room”.

Including this one, the TT forum and it’s moderators. Snowflakes?

You reap what you sow PX.

You’ll have trouble at JBH,...your pompous attitude is a magnet for it. I told you a long time ago that you’ll need to learn how-to “fit in”, keeping your Ego in check and adapt to the trucking culture. You never acknowledged my comment. It’s doubtful you ever will.

It's funny that an English teacher thinks he's a hardass and we're snowflakes. So you're saying we're soft because we disagree with your hardass way of doing things, is that your argument? Well, that about as illogical as the rest of your flawed ideas.

It's also interesting you think we're snowflakes, because tomorrow, in fact, I'm flying to the Canadian Rockies to spend a week climbing thousands of feet of vertical ice in some of the most difficult and dangerous mountains in the world. I would love nothing more than to attach you to the end of our rope to see how much of a hardass you really are. Because contrary to modern beliefs, real men don't test their mettle typing insults on a keyboard from their mom's basement.

Good luck to you. You're gonna need it. I don't see much else you have going for you.

It wasnt the nuances you shared, it was the attitude and expectation.

Do you realize we think YOU are the snowflake???? lol That is the irony of your last post. You expected to walk away and just not pay or abide by the contract. I think you need to re read your posts. I knew from your very first postings that you wouldn't last. And while you were praising their program, you were bashing them for upholding the contract.

"i felt like a friend kicked me in the gut" "i can't believe they are so ferocious wanting their money".

Dude, you should do stand up comedy. The more you talk, the more I laugh.

I did pick up on the pay the balance plus "legal fees" portion. SMH.

Sounds like you would have a better opportunity changing careers yet again to politics. You have it all figured out for the masses. Glad you could stop by and help we little people out.

Professor X, you will soon be Trucker X, or to be more blunt, Ex Trucker. You really showed us why you've struggled with success in your life. You think way too highly of yourself. It's like a cancer on your psyche. The day you recognize it, and make some serious changes in your pompous attitude, you just might figure a few things out about being successful. So far, all you've really accomplished is to get an education, and of course the taxpayers had to fund that for you. Unfortunately that accomplishment didn't springboard you into success, and you still seem to be scratching your really big head with no clue as to why things are always going South for you.

Good luck to you. Next time you think you want to tell a bunch of "snowflake" truckers about your next venture into banging your head against the wall, we'll still be here, but with a lot less respect for what you have to say.

The only reason we keep allowing your comments is because you absolutely keep affirming the important truths about the wrong ways to get started in trucking that we labor over in here. Your attitude is illustrative of everything we teach newcomers to be on guard against as they enter this profession. You've really helped us have a new poster child to present to the thousands of newbies coming in here. You are our new "Go To Guy" when we need to tell someone, "Don't Be That Guy!"

Just another entitled member of our country's population that cries and moans when blaming someone or something else for their decisions. Roehl could have taken the entire amount of Professor X-Driver's last check to apply towards his tuition payment, but they did not. When I left CFI, my entire last check went to my tuition balance as it should have. Who is at fault for having a $100,000 college debt anyways? How long did "X" put his degree into use being an English professor/teacher, before deciding to go to CDL training? What, he could not deal with working in a classroom, yet he calls the experienced drivers "snowflakes"? That is laughable and just a projection of his own insecurities. His entire post sounds like a bunch of "boo hoo'ing."

I keep thinking some clarification is needed in here for the new folks who may come across this conversation in later days. It could appear that we insist there's one way to do this stuff, and if you don't do things our way then we're going to flame ya!

What we want people to learn in here is that a rookie driver's primary concern needs to be establishing themselves in their careers. The "best" way to do that is to stick with your first employer for one full year. We see this same scenario so many times that the outcome is very predictable. We teach "best practices," because they yield the "best results."

So many people get that shiny new CDL in their pocket and all of a sudden think they are a hot commodity who should be able to command higher pay and better opportunities. The truth is they have no experience, very little value as a driver, and bring a heavy load of liability with them as baggage when they start a new job.

It's obvious Professor X is in straits. He really needs money, or else he wouldn't be living in his personal vehicle. This is neither Roehl's fault or problem. That issue lies squarely on the professor's shoulders and he certainly could have alleviated it by keeping his commitments. He makes this conflicted statement...

Yes, I am very upset that a company would leave someone with the equivalent of minimum wage on their final check.

It's a bizarre statement since he signed a contract agreeing to uphold a commitment to them in return for them footing his bills for meals, housing, schooling, and training to obtain his CDL. They did everything they promised, he did none of what he promised. He's a quitter - he demonstrated no commitment. He thought he saw a chance to make a few extra dollars at Roehl's expense and he jumped at that opportunity. Now he's working for someone who has no vested interest in him. That's a very precarious situation for a rookie, but he doesn't seem to know or care. He saw a few more CPM and justified his foolish behavior hoping to alleviate his needs for more money.

It's strange that someone with average intelligence can't see how they are repeating past behaviors which have repeatedly only put them into more debt. He's demonstrating all the tendencies we warn against in here. He's one of the few members in here who really joined us just to give himself a platform to talk about himself. Most people come here to learn, and typically they are rewarded well. A few think they are here to teach even though they know nothing!

His future as a successful truck driver is precarious at best, but he will figure that out on his own. It's pretty obvious he wasn't interested in the things we teach here. He was more interested in being heard.

As my current job status is "unemployed" and not "driver", I really can't add a whole lot to this. I would like to say a few things, though. Hear me out.

I hope that Prof. X still checks in from time to time. I enjoyed reading his posts. As I am getting ready to go to Roehl, I followed Prof's training diary intently! I was happy to see someone complete the training that i was about to undergo. It gave me courage and a bit of camaraderie. I had a peer. Someone roughly my age who started at roughly the same time. NEAT!

Were there parts of it that didn't "sit well"? Yes. You can certainly tell he's used to training. Yes, that "ego" shows through. I think we all know people like that. Heck, I've BEEN that guy. I'd like to think that as I've grown older, I've passed that. Too many drill instructors. Too many times it's bit me in the butt. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it."

Still, it was nice to hear of his time with Roehl. I had the chance to live vicariously for just a bit. I liked that. I was hoping to hear more of his training and solo trips, but never really heard much. I suppose that's because he was unhappy at Roehl and was looking for greener pastures. That's understandable. It's means to an end. Professor X has bills and debts like many who start in trucking. I'm no Rockefeller. I'm not going into trucking to stay poor, ya know?

However, I guess I just don't get it. I know he taught at Ohio State, but he surely isn't THAT stupid... (go Michigan!) To be frank, I think of Trucking Truth as a "school" of sorts for those starting out in trucking. A place where people can go and learn the answers to all the questions we newbs have. I think of it this way: Brett's the principal. Nice guy, but don't get in trouble!!! The mods are teachers. The have spent time learning and are now teaching (while still DOING). they hand out the lessons and we, the students, learn at our own paces. Make sense? k.

WHY NOT LISTEN TO THE TEACHER AND FOLLOW THE LESSONS!?!?!? Do the grades here matter? Not really, no. I don't care if Brett, Old's Cool (heh heh), G-Town or any of the rest LIKE me. I'm probably never going to see you guys. If I do, I'll buy the first round, but we're not likely to form a deep friendship in the Love's lobby... BUT, we SHOULD respect these guys. They've been doing it longer and have seen a thing or two that I definitely haven't. Is their advice foolproof? NO. There's only one guy ever who's advice I blindly follow, and he got murdered about 2000 years ago. But when a group of people with a collective century plus of experience all tell us the SAME THING, I tend to perk my ears a bit.

I guess in the end what I'm trying to say is

"'bye, Felicia..."