Start School Monday. Have A Family And Need Lots Of Home Time. Roehl?

I was reading some posts and someone mentioned Roehl has a flexible home schedule: 7 days on 3-4 days off. Is this a realistic scenario for a new driver? I start school on Monday and the school has been getting me pre-hired with companies with hellacious reviews.

I checked out Roehl and Roehl has like 90% great reviews and 10% bad reviews. It's the opposite of what my pre-hires show.

I have a 5 year old and a wife and I want to be around the next year to see my daughter grow up. I'd also like to stay with my first company for more than 6-12 months. I hope I can stick with the first company for over a year and then look for a dedicated or local gig. Anyway, is this a realistic "out of school" goal? Money, while important, isn't everything for me. I can wait a year or two to start making $40-60k/year.

Thanks

I was reading some posts and someone mentioned Roehl has a flexible home schedule: 7 days on 3-4 days off. Is this a realistic scenario for a new driver? I start school on Monday and the school has been getting me pre-hired with companies with hellacious reviews.

I checked out Roehl and Roehl has like 90% great reviews and 10% bad reviews. It's the opposite of what my pre-hires show.

I have a 5 year old and a wife and I want to be around the next year to see my daughter grow up. I'd also like to stay with my first company for more than 6-12 months. I hope I can stick with the first company for over a year and then look for a dedicated or local gig. Anyway, is this a realistic "out of school" goal? Money, while important, isn't everything for me. I can wait a year or two to start making $40-60k/year.

Thanks

From what I understand, it's possible but not probable. I don't know anything about Roehl but if they can guarantee that, it sounds awesome.

Something you probably don't want to think about but is worth considering: your daughter is 5. In a year she'll be 6. In the grand scheme of things, missing some time with her at this age will suck for you, but it won't be that big a deal. In fact, when she gets older she'll most likely barely remember it. But the opportunities you will open up for her in the future start here, at the beginning of your career. Making the right investment now will pay off big time down the line. So ask yourself if the reason you want to be around as much as possible for the next year is more for her sake, or for yours?

I was reading some posts and someone mentioned Roehl has a flexible home schedule: 7 days on 3-4 days off. Is this a realistic scenario for a new driver? I start school on Monday and the school has been getting me pre-hired with companies with hellacious reviews.

I checked out Roehl and Roehl has like 90% great reviews and 10% bad reviews. It's the opposite of what my pre-hires show.

I have a 5 year old and a wife and I want to be around the next year to see my daughter grow up. I'd also like to stay with my first company for more than 6-12 months. I hope I can stick with the first company for over a year and then look for a dedicated or local gig. Anyway, is this a realistic "out of school" goal? Money, while important, isn't everything for me. I can wait a year or two to start making $40-60k/year.

Thanks

From what I understand, it's possible but not probable. I don't know anything about Roehl but if they can guarantee that, it sounds awesome.

Something you probably don't want to think about but is worth considering: your daughter is 5. In a year she'll be 6. In the grand scheme of things, missing some time with her at this age will suck for you, but it won't be that big a deal. In fact, when she gets older she'll most likely barely remember it. But the opportunities you will open up for her in the future start here, at the beginning of your career. Making the right investment now will pay off big time down the line. So ask yourself if the reason you want to be around as much as possible for the next year is more for her sake, or for yours?

Hey, thanks for the insight.

You pretty much tipped on what I've been playing in my head over and over.

My pop was in Vietnam (3 tours) and my mom took the family to Germany to be closer to him. I was born over there and came to the states when I was 4. I remember some of it, but not enough to matter. I appreciate your insight and I needed to hear that from someone other than myself. Thanks a ton.

I put in an application with Roehl and had a candid talk with the recruiter. She said that the only thing available in my state with them was 14 days on and 3 days off. That will 100% work. I feel better after talking to her because the jobs the school is setting up look like 2-3 months away jobs. Those jobs are probably great for some single guys but with a family, 3 weeks out is probably the most my wife can handle. Not to mention that she just immigrated here and has zero friends. Her support is my family. I know it will suck for her and we've talked about it. I lived in her country for 9 long years without family. She says she can do it here and tough out the away time.

Anyway, I don't dare mention it to my wife, but I'm excited about this chapter of my life. I like to drive. I love work. I understand that sometimes **** has to get done. And, I've seen the world, but now I want to see the U.S.A. I can't wait to wake up in Gary, Indiana, take pictures and send them to my wife and wake up the next day in NYC and do the same.

Anyway, thanks for the pep talk.

Mike, In the scheme of your life and the lives of your family, I'd say every second you have with your baby is a treasure. Your personal conflict is between the call of the trucker's open road, and your desire to hang out with the fam as much as you can. Been there, Done that.

I have no idea how Roehl's traffic lanes go, but within your company, I know of two areas you may want to look into: dedicated and shuttle. (I've done both, and then again, I've only been driving for about 6 months now). Many dedicated accounts will get you home on the weekend because that's how the contracting company wants if. Shuttle is driving the same road every day or whatever the schedule is. I drive a shuttle route right now. I'm home every day, and use a day cab , so any over nights are rare.

(PS: I can think of better places to wake up than Gary, Indiana!)

(PS: I can think of better places to wake up than Gary, Indiana)

Or wake up the next day... NYC.....:).

Congratulations on the career, bud. Me, I'm sort of in the same boat and my mind is in the same place. I threw in an application with Prime Inc this week, then talked to a recruiter the next day and I was in. This was yesterday. I've yet to give her a leave date for orientation, simply because I'm not sure that my mind is 100% completely committed yet for the same reasons as yourself. I asked her to give me a few days to mull it over and I'll get back with her. I've got a woman of about 2 years, whom has three boys, and I'll be honest.. if it wasn't for her, I'd be leaving Sunday.

She swears up and down she can handle it, that she's not worried and knows that OTR won't last forever (she knows I want to try to land a local LTL gig later on down the line for some more home time). She's crazy supportive, but not to excited about it. She knows I hate being in an office all day and everyday like I am currently, and she knows I've always wanted to be behind the wheel. But it's like I mentioned in another thread, I'm giving up a very good for-sure career, for an unknown. I've got no idea what this chapter will bring if I pull the trigger and call the recruiter. I'll be giving up a lot.

There's not much else to my post other than to let you know, you're not the only one, bud. I'm sure there's plenty of other people considering the very things that we are now. I suppose the way I look at it is much like others, a little sacrifice now, for a better life later. *Shrug*

Mike, In the scheme of your life and the lives of your family, I'd say every second you have with your baby is a treasure. Your personal conflict is between the call of the trucker's open road, and your desire to hang out with the fam as much as you can. Been there, Done that.

I have no idea how Roehl's traffic lanes go, but within your company, I know of two areas you may want to look into: dedicated and shuttle. (I've done both, and then again, I've only been driving for about 6 months now). Many dedicated accounts will get you home on the weekend because that's how the contracting company wants if. Shuttle is driving the same road every day or whatever the schedule is. I drive a shuttle route right now. I'm home every day, and use a day cab , so any over nights are rare.

(PS: I can think of better places to wake up than Gary, Indiana!)

Shuttle or dedicated sound like exactly what I want.

I've never seen any advertising for them though. The local stuff all requires one to two years of experience.

How did you go about finding dedicated and shuttle runs?

Thanks for the info.

Congratulations on the career, bud. Me, I'm sort of in the same boat and my mind is in the same place. I threw in an application with Prime Inc this week, then talked to a recruiter the next day and I was in. This was yesterday. I've yet to give her a leave date for orientation, simply because I'm not sure that my mind is 100% completely committed yet for the same reasons as yourself. I asked her to give me a few days to mull it over and I'll get back with her. I've got a woman of about 2 years, whom has three boys, and I'll be honest.. if it wasn't for her, I'd be leaving Sunday.

She swears up and down she can handle it, that she's not worried and knows that OTR won't last forever (she knows I want to try to land a local LTL gig later on down the line for some more home time). She's crazy supportive, but not to excited about it. She knows I hate being in an office all day and everyday like I am currently, and she knows I've always wanted to be behind the wheel. But it's like I mentioned in another thread, I'm giving up a very good for-sure career, for an unknown. I've got no idea what this chapter will bring if I pull the trigger and call the recruiter. I'll be giving up a lot.

As a rookie's wife, I can commiserate with her. It is hard. It is a huge adjustment. My guy has been gone since June 22nd other than a 12 hr visit on the 8th. I can say it has been getting easier. Joining this forum has been a huge help to me. Best of luck to you guys!!

Stephanie, my hat is off to you! Your dedication and support for your guy is amazing! I'll just say "Thank you!"

Michael M asks,

How did you go about finding dedicated and shuttle runs?

Companies don't advertise driving this way, they'll talk about "Home Time" arrangements. Regional driving can get you home, too, depending. But the better home-time things rarely go to newbies. Gotta get those hands dirty first. Check with your Driver Manager.