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

Yea, I know she's an ex driver, but I don't know that she was ever an o/o. She was good as a hometime manager tailoring priorities to the individual driver. I needed home on time and would sacrifice miles to do so. Other drivers didn't care when they got home and so she wasn't as worried about getting them home. The problem is that as a business owner my needs can literally change from load to load. I don't have the luxury of a hometime schedule anymore. I still have to balance being home at certain times against the need to run a profitable business, but both of those have changed over the last 5 years since Marj was my dispatcher. When my daughter was in grade school I needed to have a regular schedule at home. My wife and she would actually put my days at home on the calendar. It was a big deal for the 2 of them to take me to the truck and then come back to pick me up. Now my daughter starts high school in the fall and she has certain events that I need to be home for. The problem is that these events come at irregular intervals.

I'm curious about how many of you have taken and completed the CABS course that Roehl offers new lease drivers? There is one whole chapter on load selection and the conflict between the carrier/broker and you, the small business owner? There will always be a tug of war over loads, sometimes I do take less than favorable loads, but there has to be a reason and "that's all we've got" isn't a good reason.

 

Just start throwing emotional bank account at her when you get that's all we got. Ramble on about how you feel like Roehl is overdrawn and they need to make an investment in you.

 

Agree. I rejected two in a row today. No problems, went from a 400 mile run through the mountains to a 1000+ mile run to the midwest.

 

Preach,
You know if you jump on the SNI choice program you can be home by your choice for all your daughters events. Like I told you before you are in a good area for excessive hometime with a great income.

 

Etch- Have you ever heard of the word patience? It's going to happen, just not right this second. My business plan has always called for leaving Roehl either this fall, or at latest just after Christmas. Let's just let the process happen.

 

Have not wanted to say anything until this morning. I was accepted by Schneider for Choice board 3 weeks ago. Gave my notice yesterday that I was terminating the lease. Getting lettering off this morning and QC out this afternoon. Will be in Green Bay Sunday night starting orientation on Monday.

I am going to miss talking with drivers I have gotten to know floating in and out of terminals. My FM John, who is opposite Marg, I hate to give up. He is one great guy to work with. However business needs take priority.

Reasons for leaving: 1) most loads are in the 93cpm range. equals to 1.40cpm. Much better pay on Choice. 2) miles are averaging 2200/week. Can't operate a truck on that and still take something home. Gave them a chance to step up the miles for 6 months now. 3) too much time on loads and sitting. 1.5 days on a less than 400 mile run is a total waste of time. 4) there is no O/O program any more. It is a lease program. There are no reasons to come or stay. The only thing they offer now is a pennies on the gallon fuel discount. We use to get a nice fuel discount program based on Roehl's fuel purchase. Gave us $500-700 a month toward our fuel purchase. Taken away 2 years ago. Safety bonus is paid out at one year interval not quarterly like company is. Greater chance of loosing it over some minor incident. 4) Just getting tired of working with a planners period and FMs that don't have the foggiest idea of just how much it takes to run a profitable truck and business.

Time to step up the program. Roehl has been a good teacher for the last 3.5 years as an O/O. A total of 5 years with Roehl counting company time. Looking forward to the challenge of really being my own boss again 100% (previous business owner in another line of work) and steering my ship to my star again.

Best of luck to everyone.

 

Texas, good luck with your new adventure! And thanks for offering up your experiences and advice to us new o/o's.

 

I heard she's an ex driver of 10 years something like that. My trainer had her and he didn't say too much bad about her, I wouldn't know forsure because I don't have her, and by the sound of her I'm glad. My FM is awesome, if I leased a truck would I get a different fm or keep the one I have?

 

I had Marg. She was on the road for dang near 20 yrs I believe. I loved her. Had great miles and she always had me planned before I was empty.

 

I had Marj for about a month or so she did right by me. Sounds like she might of just got frustrated.