USA truck vs Roehl

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TomN, Sep 21, 2006.

  1. ic40oz

    ic40oz Light Load Member

    95
    10
    Apr 4, 2008
    SA
    0
    I understand that. I'm not here to give you a bashing session, and if you coming back with a quick reply in defense of yourself makes you happy then good for you. I wasn't expressing personal complaints about yourself, I was expressing the situation as a whole. Yes it was wrong for you to get dropped off that far away from your personal vehicle, and yes I would be pissed too, but is it worth quitting over JUST WHEN YOU STARTED? I read on this forum alot when I get the time. I hear all about newbie drivers/trainees complaining how they are getting shafted. This isn't girl scouts though. Take everything with a grain of salt, rationalize the situation, and drive on. Sorry if my opinion offended you.
    Justin
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Skilligan

    Skilligan Light Load Member

    68
    7
    Sep 14, 2007
    Bucyrus,Ohio
    0
    Im not sure I understand your motive here.? If you havent been out on the road for 11 days with another person, I not sure you can possible understand what Im talking about.
    All the truck drivers I meet where and are some of the smartest people I ever worked with in my life. Its not an easy job either. So If what I say on here about a particular company helps the next guy out then I have actually accomplished something for the next guy maybe.
    I havent lost a thing, I still hold a class A cdl, and can go to work for other companys which might be better then Roehl. Just because they are number 1 in safety, doesnt mean they are no.1 in treating there employess with respect. I went to Roehl because they offered training for about 1/3 the cost of all the other companys around. So I consider my mission accomplished. Now all I have to do is deciede which company I would rather work for, which I already have a good idea which one it will be. So I will have to start over, big deal, the only thing I have lost was 11 days, but in my previous 11 days of otr, I have gained so much experience that I should shine in my next position.
    One few more questions: Have you every driven a big rig ? Have you ever backed a big rig.? Have you ever shift a 10 speed , or down shifted a 10 speed ? Have you ever driven a big rig otr all day long for several days at a time ? If not the Criticism you are offering is very offensive.
     
  4. ic40oz

    ic40oz Light Load Member

    95
    10
    Apr 4, 2008
    SA
    0
    I am sorry that my criticism is or was offensive. To answer your questions. No, no, no, no. I don't doubt one bit that driving a truck is hard work. I don't doubt that truckers are some of the smartest people in their field. I know that every profession has a certain amount of stress involved. From what I have been through in life though, my opinion about new drivers complaining about "little things" still stands. I am very happy that you can go to another job and proceed in this industry. Continue on doing what you love to do. Drive. This is my opinion only. Sorry I have ruffled your feathers. Now back to the forum, USA vs. ROEHL. good luck
    Justin
     
  5. CMoore2004

    CMoore2004 Road Train Member

    1,119
    110
    Nov 2, 2007
    OTR
    0
    Just out of curiosity, did you call the fleet manager (elevate to operations, if needed) and ask him if another driver going through the area was headed to the Dayton yard? I don't doubt that your situation sucked (btw, I was out 21 days to do Evo 1 and 2 at the same time), just that there could have been a better outcome. Roehl stuck me in a hotel twice in Iron Mountain and I stayed in the bunk room another night (even though my trainer was there, just wanted to give him some privacy). I will say that Evo 1, 2, and 3 were the best times I've had so far. Now that I'm out of Evo 3, I'm not doing quite as well with my miles, but this is my first time out with my new DSR so I'll just see what comes of it. I'm still a little exhausted from the 150 mile lumber tarp run that got me closer to my destination in Canada--which I won't discuss, as I'm tired and still a little irritated by it.

    (And just FYI, I think I can answer yes to most of your questions.)

    Also, TomN, I'm pretty sure that first raise is after 90 days, starting at .30/mile then to .32/mile after the 90 days. It shows it on the web...somewhere.
     
  6. Skilligan

    Skilligan Light Load Member

    68
    7
    Sep 14, 2007
    Bucyrus,Ohio
    0
    No I didnt have time to find the information to talk with my fleet manager, I was under dispatch and driving. I drove 491 miles the day before I was dropped off. Not counting the 198 miles the trainer drove. Only got to speak with DSR for a very very short time. But I did call the fleet mangager once I did get home and he didnt seem to hear a word I said. I told him it would take me a few days to retrieve my car from the dayton yard, and Ill be ###### if he didnt call me the very next day and had me set up with another trainer all ready to go the very next day.?? I knew then if they wasnt hearing what I was saying , they never would. So what was the sense to continue. I have my CDL and there are plenty of other good companys out there. Just waiting for a guy I know to contact me about his company, which is a good company, so he can get the referal bonus.
     
  7. Skilligan

    Skilligan Light Load Member

    68
    7
    Sep 14, 2007
    Bucyrus,Ohio
    0
    I do understand you motive, but Im 58 years old and this isnt my first career. So you are not telling me anything I dont already know.. Trust me I have been around long enough to know the difference between a mistake and a screwing.

    I didnt start this career because I have to or need the money, I started this career to see the country. So its not a matter of survial for me.

    Now when you deciede to go to school and get your cdl then I will listen to your critism, but if you havent walked in my shoes how can you possibly tell how I should act ??? Same goes for the rest of the people who post their experiences in this forum. If you dont actually know, how can you tell them what is right for them. Its only your opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.. Everyone got one, and they all stink.
    If you think its so easy, go sign and get you some.
     
  8. milestogo

    milestogo Light Load Member

    125
    9
    Dec 13, 2006
    Downeast
    0
    Roehl offers very good training, they never asked to me to run illegal, and they are admirably safety oriented. I have no knowledge of USA Truck.

    As an older retiree wanting to drive part time, Roehl appealed to me with their 7/7 schedule. Unfortunately, Groveton, NH, was hurt by the closure of Wausau Paper, and nearby Gorham, NH's Frazer Paper mothballed 2 machines. Those two accounts adversely affected the launch and home loads, so I chose to look for something else. I found a great little part-time (ideal) job with a local company. I work 2-5 days a week for an hourly wage, and am only away overnight once every other week. (motel)

    The unfortunate occurence of being dropped off by a trainer away from home or vehicle happens, and is not specific to Roehl. As I recall, they (Roehl) in their training materials discuss those matters. When I was in training, between EVO's, I was dropped off 105 miles from home and I arranged for a ride. It wasn't convenient, but I/we got through it.

    Regardless of who you go with, always remember that (the load) dictates your day and week. You should expect that you will be inconvenienced.
     
  9. Skilligan

    Skilligan Light Load Member

    68
    7
    Sep 14, 2007
    Bucyrus,Ohio
    0
    I dont remember hearing anything in traingin classes about being dropped off miles from you home or car..? Somebody also said it was in the DSR. but after searching every page there was nothing in the DSR either.?

    No big deal, they are not the only trucking company in operation that also has a good reputation for safety. No biggie, they dont have the market cornored on trucking.
     
  10. milestogo

    milestogo Light Load Member

    125
    9
    Dec 13, 2006
    Downeast
    0
    " I dont remember hearing anything in traingin classes about being dropped off miles from you home or car..? Somebody also said it was in the DSR. but after searching every page there was nothing in the DSR either.? "

    I'm not sure if it was discussed in orientation, or whether it was in the Driver Reference Guide (DRG). However, my recollection is that this issue was covered.

    "No big deal, they are not the only trucking company in operation that also has a good reputation for safety. No biggie, they dont have the market cornored on trucking."

    You are right, there are many companies that operate safely, and Roehl doesn't have any market cornered within the trucking industry. I would point out that Roehl enjoys an excellent ISIS safety rating. If you research that, you'll find they really shine when compared to most carriers. Inasmuch they are a training company, their rating is doubly impressive. I merely gave my opinion based on my 8 months with the company.

    As an aside, I spoke to a Roehl driver yesterday at a Maine Turnpike plaza. He told me that the Groveton terminal was recently closed. I was sorry to hear that, but not surprised. Steve, Laurie and Kathy were very nice helpful, people.
     
  11. jasonb

    jasonb Light Load Member

    108
    12
    Dec 23, 2007
    SE PA
    0
    Just have to chime in. Trained at Roehl's RDTC in Marshfield class of 12/14/07 with a great bunch of students and trainers and good equipment. I would do it all over again and recommend them to a friend. It was a great 3 week experience. I did not like the away from family thing, so I am back in the real estate biz. I get a local run now and then part time when the local companies that are in a pinch. If you speak against Roehl's training to anyone who has been through it, well, those are fighting words. It was a great place to start. (Your mileage may vary. Not responsible for lost articles or children.)
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.