Profile For Jeff H.

My story is that I really wanted to join Roehl, I was bummed out when I did not get in. I started looking around and was not pleased with the pay rates and the fact that every trucking company want to send newbie on the road for 1-3 years for helping them get their CDL. I REALLY did not want to go away from my family for so long but I was going to do what I needed to do. I even tried to find an Owner Operator to lease me their truck so I could take the test (could not find anyone).

I google mapped every trucking company terminal in my county and started calling their corporate offices to find out if they offered a CDL training course. I ended up speaking with New England Motor Freight HQ and they told me that they do in face offer CDL training.

It is not like your typical company paid CDL training set up. The deal works like this. You work their docks for 3 months or so then you can request that your terminal manager send you for CDL training. (I think that they want to see you come to work and are a good employee and not a goof up) You then get trained get your CDL and work as a driver for them. then they being to take $25 per week out of your pay. if you stay 3 years they give you back the $3,600 in full. you are free to work Local, Regional, P&D, Line Haul, OTR whatever they need at that time!

So their HQ put me in touch with the Terminal Manager, I explained that I wanted to get involved in the program so I could drive for them. They had a dock opening and I got hired right there! Once I am done I will be doing Line Haul, home every day .41 cents per mile to start and union benefits too. the per mile pay is WAY better than any OTR opportunity that I found with the any other company paid CDL program.

I am sure that there are many more companies doing internal training for newbies many are very small hyper local outfits but many are fairly established regional operators like NEMF but they just don't advertise their programs. So while this may not be an ideal solution for everyone I would encourage those of you who got iced out by your first choice company as I did to continue looking and calling all the trucking companies around you don't give up you get a lot of 'no' but all you need is one yes and you could end up with a situation that works for you much as I did.

I am very please to start out at .41 per mile in a stable company. it will look great on my resume and If I don't want to stay in 3 years I will have $3,600 and a solid pay/driving history to shop for a new job with if I choose. As it stands now I am very happy with the way things worked out.

Jeff I'm going to Joplin for orientation. Where are they sending you? I start waiting for a trainer Friday the 20th. Might still be waiting Monday the 22!

Well I got an unexpected lucky break! A local company agreed to take me on with my permit and train me and give me an LineHaul job so I am going to get to stay home and be home every day and still drive! I will start a new post with the details may give some other folks and idea. Good Luck in training Bucket

Jeff i just got my cdl. Failed first three times. I was contacted by XPO and was offered sponsorship. I had already committed to a start time. I'm starting orientation on Monday the 15th.

That is great news Bucket, Congrats! I am waiting for XPO to give me the final approval. They are running background checks on me she said it could take a couple days. the class on the 15th was full so if I pass the background check I can start on the 22nd. Maybe I will see you there!

Roehl has a policy of no 'loss of control' accidents in the last 3 years. if you have one you cannot be hire either full time or as a student in their CDL training program.

Roehl (my #1 pick) rejected me for some unknown reason Oh well. Back to the drawing board... I am now looking at XPO and CRST both are recruiting in my area. XPO vs. CRST ... What are your thoughts?

The biggest difference, is that CRST is purely a Team Company, and XPO, you can go solo, or team, and they also have regional, intermodal, dedicated, and ltl options. (CRST might, but I am unaware of it.)

With the recent acquisition of Con-Way, you will probably have access to a broader base of support, as well. (my opinion)

What it basically boils down to, is if you want to be Team Driver, or Solo. With XPO, you can always switch if you find that Team is not for you. At CRST, you are bound to their contact, before you can find a new company to drive solo for.

I had no idea CRST was team. No I am not interested in team. I will try to get XPO application in. Hopefully they will take me in there program. I will see what happens.

Thanks everyone for your insight!

Roehl (my #1 pick) rejected me for some unknown reason Oh well. Back to the drawing board... I am now looking at XPO and CRST both are recruiting in my area. XPO vs. CRST ... What are your thoughts?

Get some pressure stockings. You should find them in the pharmacy area. I got started with these by prescription from my Doc. I think there's some non-prescription ones out there.

Thorlos is a GREAT brand best socks I have ever owned. good luck.

Wow, so I am squeaky clean and Roehl rejected me which is curious. I read a post somewhere that they will do that if they are not actively recruiting in your area. Oh well.

Roehl is my first choice for CDL school. I put in my application and I am good except in 2015 due to the stupid traction control system braking in a turn on ice I put my car into a ditch. The problem was the NYS Trooper have desecration if there is less than a $1,000 damage to NOT write a police report at all. it was not a big deal after I got my wheels back on the road I drove away (no other cars involved). Trooper was really nice and professional they always are in my experience. No ticket, nothing.

So as a candidate I am squared away, meaning I have No DUI, DWI, Arrests, Drugs etc. not an alcoholic, no issues what so ever of that type. My recruiter is Jessica (very nice girl). I filled out the app and Jessica said that all she needed was the police report of the accident. I told her about the accident as I don't think that there is any record of it but I wanted to be 100% transparent.

I thought maybe the Troopers would have an internal report or something, I called them they have nothing and said it is normal for them not to produce one. I called my insurance company who said it was no big deal and wrote me an email which I forwarded to Jessica:

"To whom it may concern, This letter serves as a summary of the accident our Liberty Mutual policyholder, Jeff was involved on 1-12-15. This loss was a single vehicle accident as result of hydroplaning and driving into ditch. The police came to the scene but did not find it necessary to file police report. "

Jessica said she sent it somewhere to see if it was sufficient or not and that they would let her know in about a week and she would be in touch afterwards.

I am going to get my permit Monday morning I was hopeful that I could travel to the school next week and start on nextMonday. The challenge for me is that I cannot really wait another 2-3 weeks to get going with the process. (Why can't I just wait? Long story but I just need to get working ASAP) Does anyone know the name of a person at Roehl I can call to fast track their decision on this minor accident documentation?

Any help is greatly appreciated. If I can't get them to pull the trigger I can go elsewhere but I would much rather be at Roehl.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jeff_

Everything Amanda told me has been spot on. I also liked the fact once you get your permit at home, you'll not be asked for any money once you get there. They even pay Missouri the fee for your CDL, and you'll get food and lodging. If for some reason a student doesn't make it, even if they fail the drug test or they quit, the company will still pay for the bus ride home, and not be forced to just figure it out.

I would also like to add that if you choose to go to XPO, I won't get a single cent. I'm just someone who is happy with the company I chose, and I'm spreading the word.

I appreciate the info Sam. Amanda seems very knowledgeable and straight forward. So I have to decide Roehl or XPO.