Profile For Hawk

Back when I was out with my trainer three years ago, he taught me something that I still use to this day “when you take your 30 min break, take a few minutes to plan where you’re going to stay the night, and should something go wrong (it’s trucking after all) have a back up plan” he also taught me to start looking for parking with an hour to an hour and a half left on my clock. My company pays for parking, so if I know it’s going to be late when I stop, I call ahead and reserve my spot for the night, that gives me piece of mind knowing that I’ll have a safe and legal place to park for the evening.

Personally for me it all depends on the loads. If I have a tight load, and I have to max out my hours, I’ll do it and if I am lucky enough to have extra hours, I’ll try to sneak in a 34 hour reset. It all depends on the freight and the needs of the customers. My FM keeps me running so 99% of the time I am running on recaps. Other than hometime I think I’ve taken two 34 hour resets in the two months that I’ve been back running OTR.

When I was with Roehl while going to school I rode the bus to orientation/School but once I passed they rented me a car to go home and get my license registered (ie hard copy) and take some home time. They also rented me a car to go down and meet my trainer in Gary Indiana (I’m from Northern Michigan). After doing local for a few years I decided to go back OTR and my current company Pride Transport flew me out to Salt Lake City from Northern MI for orientation. I guess it all depends on the company, where you live and how far you are from the terminal.

I’ve been doing local beverage delivery for almost two years and even I won’t do a dollar account! I was offered one when I decided to go back OTR and while the money sounds good, it’s too much like I am doing now (only a week left there before I go back OTR!). Keep in mind I make around 50 a year and drive about 600 miles a week, but I earn every penny of that money and to me the money I currently make isn’t worth anymore. Those stores are very difficult for a day cab and 40 foot trailer to get into, I can’t imagine trying to get a sleeper with a 53 foot trailer into some of those stores. Good luck to anyone who does those accounts!

*Updated*

Just confirmed my date for orientation with PRIDE, I will fly out to Salt Lake City on Christmas Day to begin orientation on December 26.

Why not go back to Roehl? Might be the path of least resistance.

They are only hiring Flatbed in my area and I have no desire to go back to flatbed.

Well, it’s been a while! Almost two years since I’ve been on here, I’ve been lurking this entire time but haven’t said anything. I guess a brief introduction is in order before I go into detail.

I started with Roehl back in 2016 doing flatbed but had to quit due to my now ex wife leaving me and not being able to handle life as a truckers wife. I was able to get a local job with a beverage distributor driving truck, but now that my divorce is final (she left me with a ton of debt) I’ve been thinking about going back over the road with the goal of staying out 4-5 weeks at a time. I’m looking at Forward Air and Pride but am open to any and all suggestions. Like I said I want to be out 4-5 weeks at a time and hopefully get home for 5-7 days straight once a month. My girlfriend wants to come out with me occasionally, so a rider policy is a must.

Thanks for reading

So, I have been away from here for a while as I have been very busy and learning this new career. But I wanted to give you all an update on my experience with Roehl's flatbed division. After I completed their "Get your CDL program" I was picked up by a trainer and was put with him for 10 days. The training last a minimum of 10 day and will go until the trainer and your fleet manager feel you're ready to run solo. After I tested out, I was given my own truck (a 2013 international, 10 speed) and was dispatched home with a load. Things have been going alright and I have been home twice since I went out with my trainer (Roehl is really good at getting you home when they say they will, I even got 5 days off for 4th of July). Flatbedding is tough work and I have learned something new everyday. I am usually putting in the full 14 and having to do resets each week because it takes longer to secure and tarp loads. All and all I am having a blast out here!

Thanks for the info, I've been considering going this Route to get my CDL One question, what happens if your a bit slower to catch on ? Will they work with you a little longer, or are you more likely to be " let go"

Thanks in advance

It depends, most catch on, and they give you goals for the end of each week. We had a few struggle and they worked with them. If you fail the skills test, they work with you and hold you over until you can retest.

Do any/many others do this? I've seen ads for CRST, Celadon, and Roehl seeking CDL trainees lately. I'll double check the ads, as I don't like TDI presently fishing for students deceptively.

BTW, I've checked with Prime, Knight, and CREngland for sponsored training already. Closed doors there, and not all due to location.

I know that if Roehl is hiring in FL then they will train and pay you to get your CDL. Fill out an app with Roehl and then give them a call, you will talk to someone directly with Roehl and they will fill you in on the Get your cdl program.

A month back I did contact Roehl, specifically since they are up near Illinois (up north). I asked if they were hiring out of FL, she said yes, and said they'd fly me down (every 3-4 weeks) for hometime. I discounted it initially, but realized they took care of drivers. I replied to her email, but she didn't respond.

Hawk, do you work for Roehl? If so I'd like to ask you questions about them. I clicked on your name, but didn't see a link to PM you. I'd like to hear more, specifically about flatbeds, their specialty. I'd not been aware of it, yet I'm game.

I do work for Roehl, just finished school and am waiting to go out with my trainer.