Rather then makeing a string of posts, I will continue to edit just this one. If something is fixed I will remove it. If there is an error I will remove it. They will be posted in a random order. Just because something is #1 doesn't mean that is on the top of my list. This posting does not mean I do not like working for Roehl, this is just a way for me to point out some of the things that get under my skin and with any luck someone in management will take notice.

#1 Prepass costs $1.00 per week. (seems like a weak #1.. lol).. But lets test how weak this really is. First of it's a voluntary system you can opt to not have it activated in your truck and the EZ pass will still work. In my opinion you would be foolish to not have it activated for many reasons. Time wasted waiting for your turn to scale, but probably most important to me is less of a chance of getting pulled around back for a full DOT inspection. Not saying I wouldn't pass it's just a hassle. All of this for a bargain of $1.00 a week. But wait $1.00 per week seems kind of strange to me. So off to PrePass dot com. lets see what our company pays for this service. I figure it must be a ton of cash for this great service.

OMG the transponder is free according to this site
OMG It costs our company 16.00 per MONTH for this service for this service

Ok hold on Company pays 16 per month X 12 months = 192.00
I pay $1.00 per week x 52 weeks = 52.00

So the company pays the difference of $140.00 for my truck for the year, but what does the company save by me not haveing to wait to go thru the scale line. Lets say I have 12 successful bypasses in a month X 5 minutes saved per bypass. That is 1 hours worth of fuel or approximately 5 gallons of fuel at a cost of $4.00 per gallon.

5 galllons of fuel X 4.00 per gal = $20.00 x 12 months= $240.00 savings

Whoa $240.00 savings and the true cost is only $192.00 per year for service and they still charge me $1.00 per week.

Why?

Let's see $1.00 per week per driver X (think Roehl is up to 1300 tractors) but lets say 1,000 tractors = $1000.00 per week to the company x 12 months = $52,000 per year to the company free and clear.

Wonder why I have to contact my Fleet manager if I want to opt out of this program? It's clear to me is it clear to you too?

Final math: $240.00 Fuel savings + $52.00 Driver fund = $292.00 Income - 192.00 (cost of service) =$100.00 profit x 1,000 tractors = A cool $100,000.00 yearly profit. Not to bad.

#2 comming soon

Do my favorite roehl scam, the per diem plan. The fuel filter wrenches stick in my craw as well

Interesting.

How long would the company tolerate drivers that didn't drive. Why do they tolerate planners that don't plan?

Like most large companies, Im sure the poor planning is an "oversight". We can easily see that poor planners are what really cost a company. But you know that they dont lose their bonuses. Oh, it was the drivers fault. Poor planners cost the company good drivers as well as lost time. But you hav e to remember that these are usually the people who have their tv financed and are sitting there licking the ketchup off their fingers while trying to figure out what state the abbreviation NH is for. Or they are watching soaps in the breakroom.

Rums Rants #2 Dirctions

This mainly applies to the Van and Refer divisions since flatbedders mostly go to job sites or mudholes .. lol.

You get the directions for abc company, Chicago,Il. You follow the directions percisely and end up on a dead end street in a residential neighborhood. Oh boy here we go 73' vehicle with no where to go, Great thanks a lot. You finally get out of there find your delivery spot and do what?

A good driver will send in the correct directions to the consignee thinking that your DSR will change them so the next driver does not face the same issues you have just faced.

Six months later you get an assignment going to abc company Chicago,Il. Follow the directions percisely and end up on that same dead end street you were on 6 months ago.

Sounds silly doesn't it. You know that you sent in a correction that was never updated. Well maybe this was a one time incident, I mean after all after you sent in the correction your DSR sent you a note saying "Thanks for the change".

So lets try a little test. Direction are wrong for JJ shipping Carlisle,Pa. Send in the correct directions.Keep a copy of them in your notepad. Then wait 7 days. Ask for the directions to JJ shipping Carlisle,Pa. Not one thing has changed has it?

The truth of the matter: Your DSR can not make changes to the data base. Your DSR forwards your directions to customer service. Customer service does not see the need to take the matter any further.

So the next time you are lost with horrific directions, please dont blame the last driver who was just there yesterday. He tried to do the right thing but was ignored.

My complaint: is not the bad directions, But Roehls inability and lack of resolve to make the corrections.

Also keep this in mind when you are getting the ticket for being on the wrong road.

Driver: I followed the directions to ABC company. They were wrong and I am getting an overweight ticket.

DSR: Why didn't you call the company for directions?

Nothing like pouring salt on an open wound.

So to all you rookies I personally apologize becuse I have done everything I can to improve this situation. I have failed.

"Piss poor planning on your part does not mean an emergency on mine"......I'd really love to say it now and again. Gotta love it



As far as the directions in the QC - You should always call for directions, then compare them to the QC, and get a map if necessary. You are the one driving the truck, it's your butt on the line if you drive it into an area you shouldn't.

Hey rummy lets see you put that analytical mind to work comparing the premium and the premium plus pay plans.

NO, NO, NO...If you are not going to ensure the directions provided are correct then don't provide the damn things. We all have heard the lecture on the expense of the qual comm messages, if we need to just call locations then why have the directions?

I was speaking to my dispatcher yesterday reguarding a snit that we are currently in. He summed it up well by saying nowadays he feels like he works in a complait dept for the rest of the company. On some levels I pity him for all the grief he has to listen to. On another hand however he brings it on himself. He waste more time defending the indefensable ie piss poor planning from the load planners, and incomplete info from cust service etc. I think if he allowed this storm of human frustration to roll uphill too land at the feet of the deserving parties his job would become easier. In some ways he is luckier than most in that his board is comprised of experience people that may not ruffle as easy as some.