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

First you can't make an egr truck into a non-egr. That is like trying to remove the catalytic converter from your car. You can do it, but don't let dot catch you. If you could do that there are a lot of drivers that would be buying up the 04-08 trucks and dropping older rebuilt engines in them.

I have never been behind the door that a company sponsored is the absolutely worst way to get a truck. I consider it on the same level as starting a business with credit cards. It can be done, but there is no margin for error. During the lease you are indeed renting a truck and taking on the responsibility for all maintenance, repairs, and taxes. The best way is to buy a truck outright for cash even if you need to do a rebuild. The second best option is a truck through an outside lender. The next best after that would be a third party lease from someplace like Lone Mountain.

I went into this with a business plan, lots of research and knowing what I needed in a truck and payment. I am now into the balloon buyout and my original business plan is still intact. I know what I need to be profitable and I only accept loads that don't meet my business needs if there is a more important reason than profits. It has been a long, hard and frustrating road, but I can see the four lane road ahead. As this thread demonstrates most people who start the process will never see the full fruits of their labor. There are many reasons this happens. Sometimes life gets in the way of our dream and we have to move in a different direction. For others the equipment just overwhelms our resources. Then there are those who don't have the business sense that you need to make something like this work. These are just some of the reasons, but if you have the resolve and the business acumen you can make it work with a lot of hard work, a little luck and a willingness to be 10-20% jerk.

 

When I get home, I so have to read this thread from the beginning. Im thinking about this option, have done some basic research--enough to know theres no way id rent the truck I have, and have a college background in business and accounting.

 

Please re-evaluate your decision to go O/O with Roehl. The program has deteriorated over the last 2 years. There are no bonuses or incentives to lease on. The cents per mile is too low at average .93 (loads 601-1200) which seems to be the bulk of loads. Miles are up and down with most weeks being in the 2200-2500. Yes, there are a few weeks you can get in the 3000 but it is not consistent. I am not very happy with current conditions. My sure my future is subject to change as I am finding no reasons to stay. Planners are not doing well with assigning miles for making a profitable week. 2 weeks ago I found myself sitting with only 1300 miles on a Wed morning due to poor planning and even worse trying to get my newly assigned FM to see that 300-400 mile loads with 1.5 days to deliver was not in a O/O best interest. Answer "it's all we have to offer". Use your business/accounting background to your advantage.

 

Im evaluating constantly. Im sure as heck not renting from them. Just a 2 second calculation told me it would be structured in anticipation of me failing. Negative margin. I need a good margin, just in case. I posted a little description of the vehicle idea in driver check in. Am I thinking in the right direction age wise of tractor. Aiming for 500k mile range and proven vehicles.

 

If you're FM isn't going to fight for better miles for you as an O/O you are going to fail. It's one thing for a company drivers FM to accept what they're given, they need to pick and choose their battles for home time. But an O/O (L/P) drivers FM needs to help you to be successful, that's going to mean not accepting whatever is given to them. Asking for more, communicating with planners to get specific loads to areas where there are strong back hauls, and trying to minimize dwell time. Don't forget them should also advise you when they think you're about to do something stupid as well. It should be like have an adviser that is always look out for your best interest.

 

Please remember that the FM works for the company as an employee. He/She will only fight for their drivers as they feel they can. While a FM is called your "business partner" most don't have a clue what it really takes to be successful with a truck. Oh how I wish we had the ability to choose loads. However, program has changed in the last few months. Right now the FMs that we have to work with are more of "this is all we have". I was told last fall by a person in mid management that O/O were going to be limited to one load at a time. You can ask for another load but chances are you are told that is what is being offered. If you want choices you go to Schneider's Choice board. Recently, I have been sitting longer between loads, having loads with longer delivery times and being sent into "dead areas" (no freight).

 

I've been an employee in that system, they're not doing you or the company any favors by taking what they're given. The need to be building relationships with customer service and know what is best for you. Keeping the wheels turning is usually a win/win. Long dwell on and between loads is poor management. There is no reason why they aren't keeping constant communication with the planners and asking for better. As far as that goes there should be no reason the planner isn't willing to work with you if you deliver on time. If you flake out and beg for relays on a load you said you'd deliver, show up late, or are difficult to work with you shouldn't expect good hauls. You should expect your FM to help you get back in line.

The bottom line is if they're giving you the "that's all we got", either they're terrible communicators or they're terrible dispatchers. I'd be asking for a sit down meeting with them and they're manager to figure out how to get more. If you get the same old song and dance it's time to look for other options. You're out there to make money, not to be a glorified company driver.

 

Just my opinion of course but if I were going to lease a truck, it would deffently only be with SNI choice. I've heard so many good things about that whole program that the bad that comes with it is hardly visible. It makes ZERO since to me to lease a truck through any company and still have little freedom on the loads you get.

 

I am starting to get the impression that Roehl wants to move true independent o/o's out the door. If we aren't beggars at the feast then they don't want us. I'm sure they would love to see me long gone. My new fm is Marg and she has just about fit the bill of what driver harassment is all about. She is another one that has bounced from position to position with Roehl. The latest is that she is harassing me about my quarterly inspection. I know the drill, every 90 days the truck needs to be inspected. What she fails to take responsibility for is getting the truck through a terminal with enough time on the load to do an inspection. Don't jump my case because you haven't done your job.

It makes no sense to treat contract carriers like garbage, or only offer us junk loads. We haul the cheapest freight for these companies and they have little, or no risk. In effect they become freight brokers, not managers. They are making at least $.65-$.70 cents a mile to find loads that allow us to be profitable and perform clerical functions on our behalf. Company trucks are the most costly since they are responsible for everything including all driver costs. Someone in operations isn't very good at profit analysis.

By the way, I am not one of those who is jealous of the profits companies make. I used to be a professional photographer and another photographer once pointed out everyone pays the same for an 8x10. Yet the retail on that 8x10 could vary widely from studio to studio. The photo lab charged what they needed to be profitable and could care less what we charged our customers. The same in trucking for me. Roehl offers a certain rate per mile and I tell them what loads I will accept at that rate. I don't care what their profit margin is and they should understand that this is my business and my responsibility to run it at a profit.

 

if you are under forced dispatch, you are not an o/o. You're just kidding yourself if you think you are. True o/o never have to see Jersey again if they don't want to.

I run into so many drivers who think there is some glory in being an o/o. They can hardly have a conversation without bringing it up.

I truly believe many drivers jump into a lease because they long for said glory without thinking about the consequences. Once they figure out the truth it's too late.