Roehl – Bad News for Veterans; Part 2

i am thinking hard about it. I like the thought of having a steady salary that no mattter what my miles are i still get the same amount of money but wonder if the miles are good enough to make more?

What are you miles like with the economy? You said that you run flats? that is what i am leaning toward.

 

The salary is a nice safety net, no doubt there. Miles will always slow down around the holidays, especially for flats since our freight is so dependent on the construction industry; which has been slow anyway. As a flatbedder though, I have more freight available to me. I can run flats, curtains, or vans. Also, the more flexible you are, the more likely you are to run miles. Having your HAZMAT endorsement is one way of doing that, as is getting your TWIC card so you can get into ports.

 

So when they have you pick up frieght it could be any kind? What are you pulling most right now?

I would think that being military the TWIC should be pretty easy to get since i already have the secret clearance. The HAZMAT is something that i will get when i get my CDL.

Did you get your CDL with Roehl?

 

Usually you will pull you own division's freight. But, if they don't have flat loads to get you rolling they may offer you a van load. This usually only happened to me when I was at a terminal and trying to get home.

For example, if I was going to Gary empty and close to home time I could almost bet I was getting a curtain load going to Marshfield. Once in Marshfield, I'd get a flat load going to Florida. It's just nice having the flexibility to keep you rolling.

As for TWIC, I would get your CDL and HAZMAT first. If you have that endorsement, TSA won't charge you for the background check. The enrollment process is fast and painless, especially if you pre-enroll online.

And yes, I did take Roehl's free training offer.

 

thanks for the gret info. I have been talking with the HP recruiter and am going to make the move in Jan while i am on terminal/permissive leave.

what extra training in required for flats? I heard that you have to do something in Gary. Do you do your EVO I/II wiht a flatbed driver?

 

What recruiter are you working with?

Flats require a three-day load securement course in Gary. Basically two days of classroom and a day of hands on. Most people do EVO I, then take two days of LS before going into EVO II. Once you are done with EVO II you finish up your last day of LS. Sometimes you can do all three days strait through.

If you are going to be a flatbedder they usually try and get you at least EVO II with a flatbed trainer. EVO I may be with a van driver, depending on what they have available. My EVO I was with a van trainer, and EVO II with a flatbed trainer.

 

working with Wade H.

So how long have you been with Roehl?

 

I started with Roehl in February and left in August. I accepted a pre-hire for a local company that ended up falling through. I wish I hadn't. Ｉjust came back to Roehl this month.

 

are you on the National fleet?

How often do you get home? I assume that you are from Florida by one of your previous posts.

Do you get paid for dead head miles?

 

I'm National. When you get home is up to you. I usually go out for 11 and come in for 3. All dispatched miles are paid, deadhead and loaded. The routing Roehl uses is fairly accurate.