Question:
First off I am not talking about your hooters or schlong!!!!!!
I have narrowed my choices to 2 companies. One has a reputation of being a good carrier and the other company is smaller and from my talks with them in person seem to be pretty nice.
I have talked to some of the drivers at the small company and they seem pretty happy there and like the size of the company.
So the real question is: Would you pick a company that is bigger and has a reputation as a good carrier (Roehl) or would you go to a smaller company that has impressed you so far in face to face conversation.(Riechmann)
I just would like your $.02 on this and hopefully some will put in experience with any of the 2.
Thanks,
TimThis is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
Just my two cents worth. Smaller is not always better. I left Schneider and went to Knight Transportantion in Phoenix. I thought that smaller meant smarter, since they had less and had to make the most of it. Not always true. There is a web site, I believe, called Real driver.com. They have a whole list of companies that drivers can leave comments about, both good and bad. I suggest that you check both companies out to help you make up your mind.

Answer:
It depends on the individual driver more than anything else sometimes. One will simply love the company they're working ofr -- another will hate the &$#@*'s, and their complaints may be well founded. Everyone has a different experience, depending on their dispatcher, their truck, when they came on board and a variety of other factors.
However, if it's really this close a toss-up, I would probably suggest the smaller company IF:
You're a resiliant, self-starter kind of guy. There may be more personality interraction and azz-kissing than at a larger company (where you mostly interract with computers and larger management teams). Whether they "like" you will be a bigger factor at a smaller company. (larger company's don't have as much ability to evaluate or form an opinion about their more anonymous drivers' personality traits, appearance, etc).
If you want a safer environment with a more predictable outcome, go big. You get lost in the bigger companys. They don't know who you are and they don't really care as long as you stay out of trouble and get the job done.
Smaller companys can feel more like a family, a "team", and some folks need that personal attitude and attention more than others. But it's harder to survive in a small company if they take a disliking to you, for whatever reason. At a smaller company, you'll probably have to be someone they like working with, to fit in and be treated well -vs- a large company where you're a smaller anonymous cog in a bigger machine.
(my apologies for this rambling answer, hope something in here helps, I know nothing about the two companies you mentioned)
I'd like to tie your opening to how us Werner driver are wometimes called "Weiner" or "your big Weiner....truck", but I can't think of anything.... ...but man, between a forward steer axel Classic and a 53' or 57' trailer --- mine's HUGE!
[This message was edited by Shuffler on July 22, 2003 at 19:00.]

Answer:
Good job summingit it Shuffler. It comes down to what you feel is right for you.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
I forgot to add they they will both pay the nearly the same. Roehl at .29 and Riechmann at .30. The one thing that I like about Riechmann is that they are recognizing my 110,000 miles of tractor-trailer experience.
If Roehl did I would be there the day I get out of the Air Force.
TimThis is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
to me the smaller the better
I did talk with a reichman driver the other day that was happy

Answer:
At www.Roehl.Net you have the opportunity to get skid pad training. But if you already have experience driving tractor trailers this may not be as big a concern for you as it would be for others.

Answer:
Do you see alot of them and if you do what areas do primarily drive?
TimThis is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
Seems Rhoel has some better programs with lots more options. Not to mention a good home time package. Home time may not be important to some at the beginning. With time it becomes of greater importance. Their trucks look nicer and the maintenance doesn't look bad.
It would be a tough decision. But, I would probably go with Rhoel. Small companies seem to push their drivers a little harder. Where the bigger ones have a set plan and schedule.
"Caution: Door May Open"

Answer:
Shuffler pretty much summed it all up--You might take a look at which one has the best benefit package ie;health insurance(hmo vs.ppo)401,etc,etc.Being former military you have all those concerns decided for you.Bottom line you have to find the company that works best for you be it big or small.This may not be of any consequence but I believe Rhoel's 11 day orientation is un-paid.
Answer:
Roehls orientation is NOT 11 days, it's more like 2-3 days. Check out the other roehl thread going right now, Bandit58 is going to orientation on monday and will probably be on the road wed. or thurs.
Schneider has an unpaid 11 day training program then orientation if that's what you got confused with. Also it will take you working 4-5 years at schneider to make what a 1 year driver makes at roehl.

Answer:
4-5 years at schneider to make what a 1 year driver makes at roehl
It may take that long to get the same cents per mile pay rate. But this is frequently balanced by a difference in miles the driver can expect. Most entry-level companies want to land you around $30,000 your first year. The ones that don't run as effeciently - fewer miles per truck - have to pay more per mile to stay competative keeping new drivers.

Answer:
"The ones that don't run as effeciently - fewer miles per truck - have to pay more per mile to stay competative keeping new drivers." I would really doubt that applies to Rhoel. Their not a new company and have been around a while.
Sometimes the pay per mile is higher because the freight base is better. Also because they want to keep their drivers. Stop the revolving door or slow it down so to speak. Some companies just don't care and pay a low wage with no regrets if you leave or not.
"Caution: Door May Open"

Answer:
Some companies just don't care and pay a low wage with no regrets if you leave or not
That's true I think -- to a degree. Companys like Werner/Swift and others have certainly geared themselves up for heavy entry-level turnover. But they still have to get folks in the door and get them to run loads before they lose them. 30k first year is generally as low as they go, it seems. At least, if you take all their numbers and run a prospective income estimate, it usually comes out to at least 30k for a first year driver, whether it's 22cpm or 29cpm.
At least, that's how it looks to me. I'm not as familiar with the smaller employers...

Answer:
I would much rather run 2200 miles at .29cpm than I would run 2900 at .22cpm. Same money and lots less work. For every hundred miles more the higher pay per mile takes home more and more.
It doesn't make much sense to take less pay in expectation of more miles. Working harder for less is a little crazy.
"Caution: Door May Open"