Houston Texas Regional Info

Texas regional is really called East Texas Regional. Area is mostly down the I-35 corridor and east toward and including some of Louisiana. I don't run it but I have talked with several drivers who come into the Grand Prairie, TX terminal. They seem to get their hometime when they want to be home. Of course it can depend on where freight is moving. Some are taking their trucks home as we only have the one terminal in Texas. There is a drop lot in Houston but not sure if trucks are being parked there for hometime. Equipment is a mixture of older trucks (O7's) with newer 2012-2013 trucks. Getting more all the time along with new trailers. Idling is still a no-no. Some older trucks do have working APUs but they are getting scarce. Some of the newer trucks have a battery operated anti-idling technology designed for a 10 hour break. Don't think the new trucks with the battery operated systems will sustain a fridge. Might be able to use a 12 volt cooler but again depends on battery life. Microwaves can be used but again depends on the truck.

 

Hey OSC,

FYI - I just finished my third week in Phase 3 training with Roehl and am in their Texas Regional Fleet. During my first two weeks, I traveled as far away as St. Louis, MO and Memphis, TN. However, this week my dispatches were all here in Texas including Dallas, Houston, Tyler and San Antonio. This week was also a short one in effect of only four days which limited my mileage as well.

As TXPhoenix indicated, much depends upon the freight and where you are located. You are in a good location for getting loads and home time. My being in the Austin area is a bit problematic in that I have to either dead-head home for time off, or dead-head for my first load when going back on duty. Roehl just does not have freight going into or out of Austin at this time. So far, I have been dead-headed to Dallas and Houston for loads (approx. 200 miles each) and dead-headed from San Antonio and Houston for home time. If the dead-head is part of the Dispatch for a load, I get paid, but the dead-head home is not a Dispatch, so no mileage pay for this. However, I do get to drive the truck home at company expense, so that part kind of evens things out.

Now, once I finish my Phase 3 training and am assigned a Fleet Manager in the Texas Regional Fleet, things may change and see an increase in the mileage. Nevertheless, as already mentioned, you being in Houston should definitely work to your advantage. The company has been great so far and very focused upon getting drivers the home time they are promised. The equipment tends to be newer. I drive a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia with super single drive tires. Most of the trailers have also been newer. One in particular was a honey, almost brand new with super single tandems and single handle door locks, stainless rims. I pulled it around of three days and hated to leave it, lol!

The downside with the frequent home-time is, I think, that it tends to limit the amount of miles that you drive. Good luck with your decision!