Roehl Driver Check In

Ok thanks, he seemed to be straight forward with me. I will wait and see what happens until March and call back.

 

Depends on the contract with the customer.

 

I totally agree with you. But I'm speaking of layover pay when you are sitting for days at a time versus hours for only 1 65 dollar pay, no matter how long to sit of over 24 hours.

 

I haven't had layover pay but one time and I agree that $65 for a day sitting is just as bad as $10 for detention time.

 

Got a motel. Or Inn. Whatever you want to call it.


Joe

 

I can't really say about the difference between vans and flatbeds because I only pulled vans for about a month. But having come from the refrigerated division my pay has increased and I run about the same if not a little less in miles. Flatbedding, in my opinion, isn't really that physical. I mean, sure the lumber tarps can be heavy and you can work up a good sweat chaining down coils, but honestly I think anyone who says it's hard work is exaggerating. You'll get some loads that you'll have no idea how to secure until you sit there staring at it for an hour. Tarping is an art form. You'll probably suck at it at first, but maybe, eventually, you'll get it down and have nice tight tarps that won't balloon rolling down the road. Rolling up frozen straps sucks. Instead of rolling up nice and round they'll be shaped like a stop sign. Folding up frozen tarps sucks more. Especially when you're outside on the ground in the snow and the tarp is sliding all over the ground. Or when gusts of wind pick it up and fling it all over the place then you have to get it straight again. Chains are cold when they're frozen. Carry lots of wd40 for your chain binders. The upside to flatbedding is the hours are usually better. I typically like starting my day around 0300-0400 and being shut down by 1700-1800. I can normally stay on that schedule the whole 11 or 12 days I stay out. Downtime is hit or miss. Lately I've been getting preplans while getting emptied. Other times, I may sit for a few hours waiting. Flatbedding is one of those things that you're either going to love or hate. At times as much as I hate it, as much as I may complain, I really do love what I do. Quite a few of us won't ever pull a van again unless we're forced to. Others, will try it and decide it's not for them. In the end, you'll never know until you try it.

 

Your reply was what I was looking for. Driving van is ok for the most part. It gave me the driving experience. I really can't complain as for waiting for preplans. I average 3k mi per week. It's hard to maintain a good schedule. So it's good to hear that it's a steady schedule. Thanks for your input.

 

I agree with Quiet Mike, I run during the day, sleep at night, and I did try going back to vans, I hated it. I think all in all the pay is about the same no matter which fleet your in, less CPM get more miles per week. Pulling a flat is something you either love of hate.

 

The way I see it, I get a few bucks and a reset on a weekend sometimes so I have no problem with getting $60 to watch tv. I also know that Roehl pays more than some of the other carriers do. Now I agree $60 isn't alot of money, I use to make more than that an hour, but then again, I had to work for it.

 

Some would say flatbedding is better than pulling vans. Having the experience of pulling vans 3 months last summer, I say, flatbed rocks. It's not for everyone though.


Joe