Going with Roehl

Well finally took my final test. Come to find out I have to do 4 mor days of evo for because I only did 16 thinking i did 20. All went well past both test easily in Marshfield. Going back to the sloppy shifters in the training trucks was a adventure. Any way I am very dissapointed in my truck assignment. Its a International with 320k and I hate every aspect of that vehicle. The "west coast" mirrors are short and they dont adjust to the up or down positions which makes it hard to get that perfect adjustment. The bubble mirror is prehistoric and doesnt adjust good. Seems like my vision in the truck looking around to the outside is not as good as the freightliners i was trained in. When I up shift, while taking my foot off the clutch, the truck bog down like the engine brake is on. When i have a load it doesnt seem to have the power the freightliner has on take off and the shifts are not as smooth neither. Down shifting into 8th it seems to hit a brick wall when trying to go into that slot. I HATE with a passion the way the clutch, brake, and gas pedals are made a real pain when driving. The steering wheel is horrible and it takes twice as many turns of the well to get it turing vs the freightliner. And im sure many more will come up as I continue down the road. I give this truck a big fat 0 and i dont know why Roehl even buys them. I am greatful to God for the opportunity but I cant stand my starter vehicle. Hows everyone else doing?

 

You're adventure has only begun. I assure you that you will have more problems than the truck before you're tenure with Roehl ends. Good luck. You will need it.

 

Im sure I will have some issues. But you know what, im cut from a different cloth than a majority of the people in the work force today. I was raised that the world isnt built around me and that everything doesnt go the way I would like it to. I was raised to take the good with the bad. I was raised that a lot of times YOU create problems for yourself.

I had a trainer who was with Roehl for a few years now who was making good money. We get messages in the truck letting you know how much your check will be when deposited which showed mine and his. Mine was low due to training but his was $950 take home... As we traveled he complained about how much the pay wasnt that great, among other things, and then a day or so later he told me he was heavy in debt.. So i just did the simple math of 1. he screwed his life up with bad choices with credit + 2. almost a thousand dollars a week cant fix it = 3 Roehl has bad pay rates. He gets the same amount of miles per week he stated BTW.

I see all the post about bad trucking companies and how they screw people over, and im sure they do, but do you believe that a lot of the stories you read about are not contributed to pure foolishness on the employee? Example:

I know of a trucker who complains about not getting miles. This same trucker refuses to go to parts of the east coast. Now this trucker will complain on how Roehl dont give miles but he will not mention that he refueses a lot of loads. I was also raised that people dont tell the whole truth they only tell enough to make them look justified. Im sure I will have more pot holes with this company but I have been a hustler all my life and hustlers all ways pull through tough times.

 

I agree. I think its interesting how lots of people complain about pay and such when to me...making 40-50-60k+ a year is good pay. As a teacher last year, I made 33k. Eh...it works. But lots of trucking salaries for newbies start off at 34-36k and thats just the lower figure of the average starting newbie pay. I found out how to live with that and my wifes salary and all and if I was living on my own, I could make it just fine on 33 or a bit less and still have some goodies.

 

Well look at it like this. A nice sized majority of truckers are divorced so a nice portion is going towards their ex wives and probably children they had in that marriage. Im just saying there are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many different issues why people complain about any job. Lets supposed you were single with no kids and no bills and were in trucking? Would would you have the same complaints???? I think some of the extra stress you have make you complain more about your current job..

 

midwestroller, I drove both trucks for Roehl,the Binders and the Freightshakers,and I really didnt notice that much difference.I have driven much worse trucks at other companies.Especially the rundown Volvos at Swift.Hang in there you will probably get a Freightshaker soon.

 

Midwestroller, hang in there. Give you alot of credit. I've thought about driving for the past few months but havent made the final decision yet. Part of my hesitation is due to reading numerous posts from drivers saying that the industry sucks, pay sucks, etc. But I do agree with you, alot of people tend to point fingers strictly at the companies and not themselves. Problem with that is, it makes it very difficult to know what to believe about driving for a living.

Best of luck to you...be safe.

 

people have to realize that if you love to do something you would do it for free. People get into trucking because they love driving and if you get into it because you "heard" it pays well then you are setting yourself up for failure. I think that goes with any job dont you think?

 

Any way I am very dissapointed in my truck assignment. Its a International with 320k and I hate every aspect of that vehicle.

Midwestroller,

I can so relate to your disappointment with the International. All 5 trainees from my orientation class got assigned one of those after spending roughly 3 weeks training in a Freightliner. I personally felt disadvantaged, and my confidence was shaken by them putting me into an unfamiliar vehicle. As a new driver ,I wanted every advantage possible. It is what it is, but I think it's a huge mistake to launch a greenie into Evo 3, in a truck so different from what he/she trained in. From my point of view, these trucks are only the same in that they are both 10 speed.

If you haven't found "Roehl News Network" cd's yet, find a copy of 2006 4th quarter or '07 1st and 2nd quarter. One of those contains a segment on the development of Roehl's safety program in conjunction with their insurer. The program is for ALL employees, drivers and non-drivers alike.
Listen very closely to to it. It's ALL about SAFETY. If you are uncomfortable with your International, have a few discissions with your DM about your appreciation and concern for "Safety". Be firm but fair with him/her about your feelings. I think the company and the insurer really missed the boat on this issue.

Think long and hard on one of the Safe 7, 'prepare to drive'. To me, that encompasses ALL matters pertaining to driver AND equipment. I launched 90 minutes after road testing in a strange vehicle, and looking back, must say that I wasn't 'prepared to drive'. Needless to say, I didn't spend much time driving the International. Safety is # 1 to the company, and should be to you and ALL drivers. If you aren't comfortable with the truck, you aren't 'prepared to drive', and need to let your driver manager know.

Best wishes.

 

Maybe you should tell Roehl that you are willing to drive for free. I'll bet you get PLENTY of miles. (Sorry, couldn't resist)