Question:
I WILL GRADUATE FROM A CDL SCHOOL IN NOV. 2005. I AM CONSIDERING EITHER SWIFT OR ROEHL. I READ ALOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT ROEHL, READ SOME HORROR STORIES ABOUT SWIFT. DOES ANYONE HAVE A REAL TIME EXPERIENCE WITH THEM? I WILL BE LIVING IN ALTOONA, PA. SO IF I GO WITH SWIFT, I'LL MOST LIKELY WORK OUT OF THERE HARRISBURG AREA TERMINAL. ANYONE OUT THERE HADAN EXPERIENCE WITH THEM??

Answer:
I like them. You'll get good training (6 wks w/mentor) then your own truck, probably Volvo. They have always treated me good, I guess cuz I take the loads they give me and always on time. This is my second time w/them by the way. Good luck and safe driving.

Answer:
You also get to stay out for 6 weeks and run like a team?
Being honest, I hate these companies that pull this type of crap. There are much better ones out there.

Answer:

Yeah, it's just a way to get a low-cost team operation going. There isn't much incentive or time for the trainer to stop the truck and teach. It's just miles, miles, miles. Especially when owner-operators are trainers.
We've all seen it out there. Trainee is having problems working the truck into a hole and the trainer gets all upset and hops in the drivers seat and takes over. The guy probably leased his 0-down dream truck from CR England and doesn't want the trainee to scuff his brand-new Goodyear steers.
With Roehl, I went out with 2 different trainers at 10 days each for a grand total of 20 days. At no time was the trainer in the sleeper copping z's while I was driving. The truck was only dispatched as if it were a solo driver and none of that 5-5, 2-8 etc team split-logging BS. SInce there wasn't an incentive to keep the truck moving 24-7, alot of times we'd stop at a truckstop and just work on backing and manuevering. And even some advanced stuff too like blindsiding, jacknifing, tight spaces, etc.
Answer:
I talked to a Swift trainer about a week ago, in person. 'He' was knocking out 5000 miles a week, or so he claimed.
The only way to do that is to run team, with one person sleeping when the other is driving, or one person fudging the dogpoop out of their logbook while the other is driving.
This is not the way to train a new driver.
By the way, I saw and talked to two Swift drivers that day, at the same shipper. Both had been dispatched late, and arrived late, thereby missing their appointments and going to the 'back of the line'.
Being dispatched late is not the way to treat a driver.
Can't give you any firsthand info on Roehl.

Answer:
I can give you some horror stories about Roehl if you would like...you define the moment or the moment defines you.

Answer:
Here is my nickels worth.
I left Swift one year ago for several reasons, medical problems being the number one issue at the time. I had 3 mentors, two I remain in contact with.
The one that I don't, I wish only the best but if I ever see him again in this life, I will not be held responsible for my actions.
I got off the truck with my first good mentor because of problem at home that had to be dealt with asap. Swift was very tolerant and when I was ready to return they hooked me up with a mentor again from Texas, who had at the time seven years with Swift, with the last three being trainer/mentor.
After the first several days of side seat riding, he determined that I could handle the truck fairly well and we began to drive as team when we could. I would drive 9 to 10 hours and then he would drive his 9 or 10. We never pushed up against 11. His rules were fairly simple. The truck would not move unless he was either inside in the side seat or sleeper, or he was acting as a ground guide for me. He was to awakened if we entered a scale, truckstop, or rest area. He was to be awakened when we entered a Swift terminal, shipper or a receiver. I will be doing all of the backing when I am behind the wheel.
I trained with him 28 straight days, and I will be forever greatful for his mentoring on not only driving but he also instructed me in the in's and out's of Swift, how they tend to operate and how to work the Swift system to one's advantage. We never ever ran illegal, and he would constantly check my log to make sure no errors were made.
Yes, Swift trucks are slow. No arguement there. But at least for me, my training and driving for Swift after training was for the most part decent.
Codger"Stop holding me back. I'm going to clown college." Homer Simpson

Answer:
I know i have been saying that i'm going with england but i'm taking a second look at swift now, didnt know they start you a retirement fund even if you dont put into it now that is not a bad deal

Answer:

No!
Now your going out of order!
You first need to tell us all the greatness that Prime has to offer!!

Answer:
No!
Now your going out of order!
You first need to tell us all the greatness that Prime has to offer!! [/quote]
I'm cool on the prime gig, not up for being with a trainer that long

Answer:
I know that one of Roehl's best trainers and a winner of "Driver of the year" award lives in Altonna. I can't remember his name off the top of my head, but will look if you would like to get in touch with him. Last I knew he had a Kenworth T2000, so if you see him feel free to talk to him. If you want, send me a PM and I can send you a whole bunch of stuff that I've sent to other newbies interested in Roehl.