Looking For Confirmation Of Recriuter Conversation

Ok, here goes, this is my first time, so be gentle with me ;-) After spending the last 30 years in retail management, it’s time for a career change. I’ve always loved travel and driving across the country. I’m not afraid of long hours or hard work or time away from home as I do all those now so, trucking seems like a good opportunity.

I’ve been lurking on the boards for some time and started looking into Roehl paid CDL training. I talked to a recruiter this week and want to get some input from the real world.

So I have a few questions 1) She said the start rate is .405 cpm for the Dairyland Fleet (Home weekly) and .435 cpm for National 14/3. Are those reasonable rates for the current market? 2) She said I could expect $45-50k in the first year in Dairyland and mid $50’s to $60k in the first year national. Thats about where I need to be to make it work. Is that a realistic expectation? 3) I have a week long commitment (cruise) next summer. She said it wouldn’t be a problem to get home for. Is that realistic? 4) Roehl is pretty local for me, Marshfield is 2 hours away. And I’ve read good things about them here and other sites. Am I being stupid to not look at other paid CDL programs as well or am I ok going with Roehl?

I know that’s a long first post and a lot of questions. I appreciate any feedback you can give

Anyone have experience in the Dairyland refrigerated fleet? I see comments about low miles, but they’re all older posts

I would suggest researching as many companies as possible. While Roehl is a very good company, and a lot of their drivers do well, I would also say that like any other company, there are drivers that don't do as well. I had looked at 7 or 8 companies when I was in school, and with the help of the career services people, I narrowed it down to 4, which I applied to. I ended up going with Werner, which is located in Nebraska, while I lived in CT. I was on an account out of central upstate New York, and averaged $45k a year the 18 months I was there, then I was on an account in Vermont where I averaged $53k/yr the 2 1/2 years I was there. Bothe were set up where I usually left late Sunday morning (10 or 11am) and got home around 2pm Friday. From what I understand, and at least at Werner, the OTR drivers get paid a lower cpm rate because of the higher miles, and dedicated drivers get paid more because of the lower mileage. At my last account, I saw drivers average a few as 1800 miles, and most of us averaged 2300-3000 miles a week, and after stop pay, safety pay, and assist unload pay, I averaged 60 cpm at 2100 miles a week.

Roehl has a great reputation and one of the best training programs.

No matter which company you choose if you prove yourself you will make money. Remember a truck and trailer can run the company upto 200k it makes no sense to have you set with them.

The pay they are offering is pretty good for a rookie driver but do not get hung up on starting pay or company location, pick one that will meet your needs

Thanks for the replies. I’ll broaden the search. I filled out the form on this site and got some immediate replies. I’ll see what those recruiters say and will be back for more input.

Being new to the business, I’m not sure what my needs really are other than financial (getting lots of miles) and being home for a few days every couple weeks.

Being new to the business, I’m not sure what my needs really are other than financial (getting lots of miles) and being home for a few days every couple weeks.

Maybe these can help you figure things out:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Hey Wild Bill...thought I’d add my two cents. I went through Roehl’s CDL program in 2014. I dealt with a recruiter, Kim Calhoun. She was specific to the GYCDL program. Everything she said and “promised” came true.

I asked for Kraft Dedicated out of school and got it. I started at .35 cpm but quickly rose to .405.

My first full year I made 50k...I was home biweekly some times weekly based on what I chose.

You should take a look around at other programs, but Roehl would be a great choice, IMO.

Good luck!

Hey Wild Bill...thought I’d add my two cents. I went through Roehl’s CDL program in 2014.

I asked for Kraft Dedicated out of school and got it. I started at .35 cpm but quickly rose to .405.

Tim, are you still with Roehl? Still on Kraft dedicated? I noticed they had a posting for that and the Elwood paper route in my area. Not sure if those are better options than the Midwest Region or Dairyland routes.

I have broadened my search, but the more I dig, the more I keep circling back to Roehl. Still not 100% certain about the career move, but it sure sounds good.