Roehl Transport, Inc. - Marshfield, Wi.

One of the biggest reasons I don't intend to drive truck for life is fear of becoming anything like tinwhistle. He was new once, but anyone starting out where he one was is some sort of low-life. Those are the true disgraces of the trucking industry, not the newbies who are trying to get the hang of things. I'm not interested in paying my dues--pretty sure I didn't sign up for some sort of club with a membership fee. I drive truck to pay the bills. I'm not interested in embracing the lifestyle or having some million mile sticker on the side of my truck. Congratulations on your 30 years, but with an attitude like that, you certainly haven't earned my respect.

 

AMEN! It's just a job. One I do with professionalism, and pride. I have other things I love to do and don't rely on my ability to spend every waking hour in a truck on the road to give me a sense of satisfaction.
It's not a lifestyle, it's just something I do.

 

WOW 30 years experince could be a wealth of knowledge for those of us just starting out in this business. You could answer many questions and give advise based on you real world experince. Instead you spend your time telling us what you have learned from a few visits to this site. (1) All you guys are young. I'm 57 if thats young you must be really old. (2)Hardly any of us has "paid our dues". I read this site because I want to learn from others who have "paid ther dues" or at least have experinced things about trucking that may be helpful to me. (3) Anyone who has more time than I do has had more experince which I and can learn from. You are rightfully proud of your awards and achievements earned over a 30 year career, but what value do they have if you don't share that knowledge with others. You just come off sounding like a pompous old driver when you could be a real help to all.I guess the choice is yours

 

I just applied online as i am an old experienced trucker from the late 70's-80's and took a refresher course to get my CDL-A back after not using it since then so I am finding it VERY hard to get into anywhere! I am waiting for Swift to get me an opening for orientation since I have no recent OTR experience. Thanks for the heads up and hope to hear from Roehl and GET BACK TO WORK!

Birdeye

 

O.K. Old Guy, you got it right. I probably did come off a bit coarse. But the point I want to make is that nothing comes easy and nothing positive comes from sitting around the computer whining. The trucking industry is like most industries in that there are loosers and there are the consumate professionals. The enormous difference between trucking and most other professions is that much more dedication from you and your family is required if you are to be succesful. Drivers like CMOORE will never be sucessful and never find satisfaction in trucking. As far as me being a discrace to the profession, it's obvious that he has no clue what it means to put in a million safe driving miles and he certainly has no idea of what the Wisconsin Road Team is or what they do. It's been a little over 11 years since I drove for Roehl so I don't know if any one from "safety" is still there, or if Bill or Kevin are still around, but if they are, ask them to tell you about Chris from Portage who was on the Road Team in '95-96. One last word of advice to you all: if you want to be a success, in anything you do, associate with the winners; run hard and fast from the loosers.

 

Well, thinwhistle, I have to agree with all you said. I do not know how I gor here on this site but after reading many posts I can say that I am very dissapointed: I expected to find some usefull advices for us, begginers, instead all bad words! I am in my 54 goin to change carrier, I liked driving always, I know it is not easy job, so I was looking for some guidance, I worked for over 30 years in warehouses, as warehouse worker ending as inventory control manager and then laidoff, so not having other choice for some money I decided to drive truck. Passed exam in first try, did not have problem, my problem started here, reading this crap! People if you do not want to help at least stop this- what is the benefit? Who does not like trucking should not be here!

 

For those of you out there that are thinking in terms of making trucking your profession, rather than just a job, I do have some advice. Don't hang around those guys who tell you that they'll drive for a few years, maybe 5, get caught up, put a little money away then move on. They will never make it, certainly not 5 years. The long haul profession is a life style, you have to buy into it and your wife and family have to buy into it. Each and every one of you out there volunteered for this job, nobody chained you to that school or that truck. To be successful you have to BE a trucker. I found it very rewarding: I saw scenery that few people ever see, I talked with people of all backgrounds; trucking is an education in and of itself. I did not have a lot of long layovers, but when I did I made the best of it. I visited the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oky City, I took in the Elvis Estate in Memphis, I took in several museums all over the country, I walked over the bridge and bought souvenirs from Mexico. I can't tell you how many antiques stores I walked through. One thing I never allowed myself to do was to sit in front of a TV or sit for hours in the truck stop theater. I simply would not allow myself to do those mind numbing things. I always carried a camera, you will be suprised of all there is to photograph! So come on boys and girls, get up, get going and be a professional!!

 

Trucking is no more a lifestyle than being a Paramedic or a pilot, both of which I have done. All require the wife and family to buy into it and require a lot of time away from home.
If you want to buy into the whole "being a trucker" idea, then we will agree to disagree.
As for me, I will rely more on professionalism than a "lifestyle" to get the job done.

 

Slow your roll there fella. You sound like some crotchety old fart at the nursing home. Roehl is a totally different company from when you left over ten years ago. That is about when I started there. Kevin L. is probably the only name that you mentioned that is still there. The only dispatchers (now called DSRs) that are still around are Rick L, John W, and Jim S. There might be more but that is all I can think of. Some have been promoted but most are gone. If you think Roehl went big 10 years ago, you should see them now. Some of it is good and some not. I think the "hometime" fleets are one of the good changes in the last ten years. See, I am one of the "loosers" you are talking about. Guys that only want to drive a for a couple of years then get out. Thats what I thought anyways until they came out with the 7/7 program. This is what saved trucking for me. I can go out for seven days, drive around, see the sights, make some money, then go home and do what ever I want for a week. I too have gone on to win various plaques and awards and am closing in on a million miles. Not to nitpick but try "loser" next time. "Looser" is like slots and lot lizards.

 

All I can say is wow, the trainers, safety as a value, all so helpful, the knowledge, tommorrow back to the range for more driving and right turns, lets go.... and I'll be home for Xmas....thank god for webcams and mics, this awesome hotle has wifi so I see the family every nite.