Roehl Driver Check In Continued

Staying out for longer periods of time is the key.
I pull flatbed and average similar miles each week as the 2 previous posts. But I stay out several weeks at a time.

 

That didn't work for me pulling curtains when I was there. Stayed out 3 to 4 weeks at a time and couldn't make enough money to use the hometime I had earned. Loads on time or early with no refused loads. Got along well with FM.

 

It varies from driver to driver, but staying out is obviously a major factor to get more miles than staying out for shorter periods. Simply gives planners more options for you.
Some of my best loads have been curtain. Picked up 2 different times at Marshfield doors and delivered out in LA California area and another down to San Diego.
Don't care for the older sliding tandem rust wagons, but the newer spread axle curtains are nice and about 2000lbs lighter to boot.
I think many of ROEHLs team drivers are Curtain as well. There are 2 husband Wife teams that I know.

 

Just out of Gary, get a call from FMs about load I relayed.
A light was shorting on clearance row.
Didn't discover on any of VCIs or PTs.
Caught at fuel island.
Other driver was whinning about waiting since last night for load.
My PP had me at Gary this morning.
I show on time.
I left a note about light as Gary didn't impound trlr.
I left other driver OPTIONS!!
What option do they take.
Cry to FM about my note trying to burn me!!!
For freaks sake, its daytime and I gave you a heads up!!!

Stop crying, leave Gary and call breakdown!!!!!!!!
What the heck is wrong with you!?!

I mean, am I wrong??? In the practical sense?
Gary backlog for repairs is like the back up on the Dan Ryan.
So am I wrong about my courtesy?
Should I have put it out of service if a light was all that was wrong atm?
I knew at fuel island, not whole ###### time!!!
I knew driver was starting out with it this afternoon, not midnight.
I wasn't trying to screw them, just bringing a load I got saddled with.

 

Apparently this is the relay that just keeps giving.
Got another call, this one to say...was there a scale ticket on load.
No, wasn't left for me either.
Drive pressure weight was good.
Scaled in Gary fine.
Told it was over gross on rookie's truck.
Yelled at for that too.

Didn't get details on weights from FM.
I've just about had it.

 

ounds like the driver that picked it up just likes to complain and make issues about anything.

 

At cons for break as 15 min left to drive and no good places close in Dover DE. Crossed the Chesapeake bridge/tunnel ($39) from Virginia. Strange to see ocean going ships from the bridge then drop down and travel under them. Back to Winchester then Ohio and home for weeks vacation. Two 'interviews' lined up while off. $20+/hr + overtime and home every night Or terminal to terminal OTR, home twice weekly with a raise and can use my own truck (when/if I buy one) Or stay...

 

TA I-35 New Bruns, TX. Deliver to San Marcos in the AM, then off to Laredo.

 

This just my observation concerning flatbed, and curtain side. Lately there have been a number of driver's calling it quits, each of them have been flatbed/curtain side drivers.

I have also noticed each time I am in Gary, Appleton and Marshfield there are an awful lot of flatbed and curtain side trailers sitting idle.

I am speculating here that Roehls flatbed business is falling off or they are being underbid by other carriers leaving all them drivers with no loads.

I can tell you this, there is ample opportunity in Dry Van. The dedicated fleet I am in has recently put on 10 additional drivers bringing the total up to around 50 trucks. So, YES, I believe if you stay out longer and pull a dry van you will make better than average money. But really, it is all up to you, your attitude and willingness to push.

JMHO

 

well ,for my self , I am out for 2 weeks at a time.