The Good, The Bad, The Honest Truth of a New Roehl Lease Operator

LOL!! 146 MT for 1 LD.

 

I have gone 238 bob tail to pick up mt trailer to go 150 mt to pick up a load lol great fuel mileage though

 

Unka D, I agree, there have been alot of changes at Roehl in the last few years, and the perception from both sides is the same (company and L/O or I/O) they really don't care a whole lot for the drivers anymore. It almost seems that they go out of their way to make things harder than they have to be. I get all the rules, its a training company and the new drivers need alot of structure, I get that. Most days I feel like the only decision I have left to make for myself is where to use the bathroom. Most of us in this job like it because of the freedom, the independence, and somewhere along the line the company management has lost sight of that. Thanks for listening... I mean reading.

 

You'll get your restrooms stops with your dispatch from this point forward. think of the savings. Every stop costs something like 15-30 minutes off of your day. If that was eliminated/controlled you could deliver you load sooner. Then since you can't idle during your dwell time, you might as well be sleeping. Deliver your load, then 10 hours later we'll have you move another one. doesn't matter day your night, it's all good. We can make this work. Thanks for the idea PA!

 

LOL!!! Anyone remember "1984" or "A Clockwork Orange?" They're heeeerrrreeee!

 

I don't want to say this too loud. The arctic switch went bad at the end of the last trip, so I cut the wire. This trip the truck has behaved itself, but we still have six days to go.

I realize that some loads show up at the last minute, but take a look at the lead time on any public load board on any given load. Talk to Etch about the lead time on Schneider's board. I've talked to shippers who told me they book loads at least a week in advance. I have talked to more than one driver who has the same set of concerns. The high number of live loads and unloads, combined with so much freight being booked last minute gives a person pause when they know how this industry works. I am wondering if they are using an increasing number of brokers for their loads.

The other problem is that fleet managers don't understand what it takes on our part to be successful. They see a load with 470 miles on it and can't understand why we don't want it. Just as I may not have Roehl's bigger picture, they don't have mine. That load leaves me with three hours of down time today and then since it doesn't deliver till 19:00 tomorrow, my daily average won't be 470 it will be half of that. I need 390 just to break even. That 470 mile load just became a loser. I'm sorry, but the idea of o/o fms only working from 7 to 5 with an hour lunch is absolutely ridiculous.

 

PAOLDSCHOOL-You're right as far as ROEHL being a training company, but let's consider this as well.

Serious rant mode switch - ON

Any driver willing to take up the responsibility and commitment to become either an L/O or O/O has already proven to a large extent, both to themselves and others that they are more than able to function without some REMF constantly nagging them about the non-essentials. To many of the cyclic DSR's, FM's or whatever they are called now, haven't got a clue that L/O, O/O, I/C's don't need or want to be nagged at on a constant basis just to fill some square that doesn't matter to the final result.

What is our tasking as independents? To deliver the freight we're giving as safely and as legally as possible. Our trucks, either leased from ROEHL or purchased independently are OUR business. ROEHL is responsible for ensuring that we are afforded the opportunity to make the best decisions for OUR business possible. The end goal is to help ROEHL grow at the same time as we are able to grow. This means that the L/O, O/O should be involved in making the final decisions concerning the dispostion of loads. Often times, loads are relayed because the planners or managers perceive a problem for the driver, which is good, BUT what if I am willing to deliver the load, even if it means waiting a day or two to deliver because I would like to take some time off in that area? As I say, a partnership.. Communication is a two way street.

I recently had a friend relate that they were called in to discuss the "Safe Seven" as a routine counseling to raise awareness.... Bull!!!!! This friend has driven for other companies and came back to ROEHL as an O/O because of a desire to drive for a company that doesn't pressure you to be unsafe in order to deliver a load. This so-called counselling session was nothing more than some know-nothing deciding to abitrally flex their own ego.

This type of behaviour on the part of management, when they don't even have the capability to ensure that all drivers are able to legally and safely attend their mandated quarterly safety meeting, I personally find offensive. The safety program at ROEHL, while well intended, is far from what it could be. Over the years, it's gone from a guide and help, to a club that always assumes the driver is guilty regardless of circumstances. In other words, it's a club that is constantly held over your head and used as a way to "keep score."

General George C. Marshall, General of the Army (Retired) said it best.. "Regulations are for the guidance of wise men, and for the strict adherence of fools."

The growing tendency of ROEHL to enter the realm of Uber-Micromanagement is driving away just the sort of can-do attitude people they used to try and recruit. I have stated many times, here and up at Marshfield, that all they have to do is give me a load, the correct information concerning that load and leave me alone. I will get the load there and I don't need to be babysat every step of the way. My momma weaned me a long time before most of the kids in the office were even a figment of their parents imagination.

At one time I was more than happy to just coast along and let the chips fall wherever, but I personnally feel that I have invested too much of my blood, sweat and, yes, even tears in this company to let any number cruncher try to tell me how to deport myself on my highway when he or she hasn't ever lived out here as I (we) do. As Richard Pryor says (edited) "Don't mess with the monkey ******, he lives here, you don't."

Ahh feel better now...

Serious rant mode switch - OFF

 

I understand the feeling of commitment to Roehl... I have only been here a few years, but I have friends here. The problem is, it hurts me when I see the managment do stupid things, and when you ask them about it, they feel they have no reason to explain themselves to you... I just want to work, do my job to the best of my ability, and be left alone. I have been trying to train new drivers, and trying to stay possitive, for the benefit of the student, and they keep making it harder and harder. Maybe it is because red is my favorite color on a truck, I don't know, maybe I just hate to see people make stupid mistakes...