Starting training on 4/23/2009

Just my $.02 as far as miles are concerned, I've been averaging about 1300 (yes I said 1300) over the past 1.5 months. Also, I've noticed my average LOH is down the tubes, to something like 400 miles. I haven't gotten a 1000+ mile load in almost two months, and I run national!

 

Well, how long have you been here? Are you having lots of problems with your runs? Are you spending a lot of time stuck at the Gary terminal?

 

Nope no problems, always on time if not early. Been with Roehl approx 6 mo. Also do not spend a whole lot of time in Gary, usually just pass thru on my way to deliveries and spend the night. I don't really sit around waiting for loads a lot, just the loads I do get are really short. Am at home right now and just got my 340 mile PP for when I leave

 

You wonder why anyone would want to pull flats? I feel like I'm being punished when Roehl makes me pull boxes...I absolutly HATE to pull a van/reefer. At least on a flat, when I get done strapping & tarping, I stand back &look at what I've done and admire what I've done. I have accomplished something! When I pull vans, all I do is close the door...that doesn't make me feel like I've done anything. Maybe it's just the way I was brought up that you need to do an honest days work for honest pay.

 

That's why we call it "the penalty box".

 

Amen!!!

 

When things get slow those flatbedders don't mind pulling vans or anything else that pays the bills. I was in Wisconsin on a cold morning this winter emptying out with two other Roehl trucks, as we were closing up the doors I noticed his side boxes and stated "sometimes vans are a good thing" to which he just smiled and nodded his head. Of course neither of us felt the satisfaction of standing in the frigid cold wind doing load securement and tarping. In all fairness I trained for a week with a flatbedder and found it very interesting. I just didn't think Roehl would let me wait for good weather to do my load securement and tarping, to each his own I guess.

 

I am new to this message board. I was interested in how your training went. I am retiring from a career I have had for 30 years and I am considering trucking and Roehl Transport as my next career move. Any suggestion or comments are welcome.

 

Uncle I was in the same boat as you about 2.5 years ago when I started driving. I was put into early retirement after 37 years with the same company. I would go to a CDL school, not one run by a trucking company, to get your CDL. If you go with Roehl they will train you very good. Get through the training and things will get a lot better when you get your own truck.

I was on the 7/7 which was great for me. I have another income so hometime was more important to me.

Good luck with your new career. It's about like any other job, you have your good days and your bad..

 

Do a search on Roehl using the forum search . But didn't you read enough here ? Over 30% rejected just on the agility test . Drivers getting less than 2,000 miles a week . Other threads tell of other reasons school graduates get rejected at orientation . Once one company rejects you the others won't touch you . Rimshot says he WAS on the 7/7 and had other income . He didn't depend on the income from Roehl to survive on .