Life After Roehl

Well I turned my truck in today and I'm sitting on a bus going to St. Louis. Hopefully all works out well

 

It's tight for sure. You basically have 18 hrs to do 400+ miles, Chicago traffic, a fuel stop, and a 10 hr break. That's assuming you even get loaded by 1300. Add construction basically everywhere, and I'd be uncomfortable with it also. If it were my run, I'd tell them I'll do the best I can, but in no way can I guarantee the eta.

 

Just an update on what Chicago was like that day. It took an hour on 55 to go from Bolingbrook to the 294 junction. It took another half hour to drive 290 from the 294 junction to Central Ave which was my exit. If I had taken the preplan that they wanted me to take I would have had to drive the Kennedy to the loop, then south on the Ford to Stoney Island. There is a detour because they are replacing the 57 bridge so you have to go south then cross over and come back north. Once loaded I would have then had to either go north on 94 all the way through Chicago, or they may have routed me 94 to 290 to 90. Keep in mind that through all of this I have been rolling my hours over so we have to juggle that problem as well. Take out Chicago and the preplan was workable, but with Chicago there was no way. One more thing, the delivery had to be made in Eagen MN no later than 7:00 a.m. the next morning.

 

At my final delivery in Fort Worth. Turning the truck in today and starting my new job in the morning.

 

Best of luck to ya!

 

My new job is great, what a difference in how I've been treated hear so far!
so far NO regrets about leaving Roehl!

 

I am an Independent Contractor. Key work is Independent. Sure they have all the requirements but it is still my truck. I work for myself using their program. If they want me to do certain things...ok but I still own my own business and as a such I work for myself in a business agreement with Schneider. I do not work for them. If I did I would be an employee. They don't take taxes out, give me benefits, etc. It is a mutual agreement until one or both side decide not to continue a business arrangement. Quarterly training and the inspection is to be expected. Making sure that everyone knows new info and are on the same page is the training. Inspection is to make sure we are keeping our trucks up to DOT standards. I pay for those plates every week only because I don't want to run my own plates. I have an option to use theirs or my own. If you want to believe that you are working for Schneider then I guess that is your right. However, I don't see it that way. If you work for some one then it is their responsibility to pay the bills and keep their truck you drive repaired. I don't see them paying my repairs and maintenance. Therefore, I don't work for them. I working in an agreement only.

 

Let me start by saying I hate and always have hated driving a truck. I went into this industry because it satisfied the need to provide for my family. I do love running my own business and understand small business. In short I am a small business owner that drives a truck. When I read comments such as ETCH's it makes me want to bang my head on my computer. What I see are truck drivers who happen to be business owners, that is part of the reason so many don't understand that real success comes when you work yourself out of a job. Yet this opportunity is available at Schneider, Roehl, Landstar and a host of other companies.

While the terms are lessor and lessee, we are actually franchise operators. Every franchise has required ongoing training programs, quality control programs, store inspections and a list of other requirements that franchisees must adhere to in order to continue with KFC, Pappa John's, Chevrolet, or whatever other franchise they chose to be a part of. There is a huge benefit-marketing. The hardest thing for any business is to get the customers through the door and a good franchise does just that. Trucking is nothing more than a package delivery service and the truck is the tool we use to perform our business.

 

Seriously considering outside opportunities back home in Michigan.
Got done with the CQT/PIP today. Found out im on strike 2.
No forward violations. Just two for backing and damaging truck.
Yes, im at fault.
Yes, im beating myself up.

NTB made a soft offer. What I made with safety bonus, regional, and 48 hours off on weekend.
Seriously thinking about it. Ive not had a performance raise since started. Best I got was flat in winter.
:/
Have to put family first in decision.

 

That's right sir. The company, the truck, and even you come second to family. You do everything and anything you need to to take care of them just like any of the rest of us would. Weekends home for the same money is worth it if you aren't on thin ice.