Rookie No Longer - One Year Under My Belt With Roehl

Now thats funny right there!

 

What you posted was the drivers with 30 plus years experience have forgotten more than most of these upstarts will ever know. That pretty much insinuates that drivers with years of experience know what everyone needs to know. Which is far from the truth. The whole comment of "keep your trap shut and your eyes and ears open" is a classic. To bad it's outdated to the caveman days. In that statement if a person has a question then they shouldn't ask why just follow along. Too bad they may have a different perspective on it a more efficient way to do a job. Being closed minded isn't a good way to be. I'm also well aware of the new hires who can be a pain to deal with. I can see patience running low on those types. Trust me that's in any job not just trucking.

I don't drive which I freely admit. I come here and read the various posts to gather information. I may at some point decide to take the plunge. If I do I'd prefer to get a driver with a few years of experience who is willing to teach and has the patience to do it. What I don't want is a blowhard who thinks anyone new is ruining their way of life and the way they did the job 20 years ago is the only way. A lot of things have changed over time and will continue to do so. By reading your post you do seem to have a hate on for new people entering this industry. You aren't going to stop it from happening. From what I've read most don't make it but some do and turn out to be an asset to the industry.

Roehl is a consideration and I may wind up with a trainer that's only got a year in. As I said a lot depends on the person and how they carry themselves. I'm sure some people are good trainers, some are not. I'd like to find out what they did before becoming a driver. Was it something that they assisted in training in their previous job? Were they in a supervisory or leadership role? I've read quite a bit on here of the nightmare trainers and would do everything I could to avoid that situation.

Not everyone entering this industry is a 20 something kid that's looking for an easy job and has coasted through life so far. Some have retired from other places or are looking to for a change. Some are very reliable and looking to make more income. Some have had jobs where they dealt with the public face to face everyday and want a change or are driving because of a job elimination. You do seem to want to lump newbies or
potentials together, don't do that. As you know a lot of people in their 40's or 50's try this occupation.

From your profile 46 YO & 25 years a driver. Congratulations on that. It's a an accomplishment most don't achieve.

Drive careful

 

Follow your own advice and don't make assumptions about someone you don't know. I had a chauffeur's license before the CDL ever came into effect, so you're incorrect in that assumption.

You really think the new HOS makes the roads safer? Do you really believe that the 14 hour rule makes things better? How about the 34 hour reset rules? The 168 hour rule? Explain to me how those particular rules have made things safer.

Of the other laws you listed you listed, yes, they have made some things better, but one of those agencies have made things worse in regards to trucking.

What I meant by my statement is that many of them refuse to learn. They learned it in their "schools" (and by that I'm not picking on true schools, but the driver-mill schools run by the mega-carriers) and all but refuse to listen to anyone with experience. And, as I stated in that post, the good ones DON'T know everything there is to know. Perhaps I should clarify what causes my ire vis a vis trainers and trainees. Most here understand who I am referring to, but, since you have no experience in real worl trucking, I'll try to explain.

I have no problem with most drivers that come from independent schools. Hell, I went to one in '88. What I have a problem with are these mega carriers that churn out untrained drivers in droves for no other reason than to claim their government subsidies and fill their seats to keep massive amounts of freight moving, no matter how it effects others, whether it be other companies, the public, other drivers or even their own cannon fodder. You say you have been coming here and gathering information. Have you missed the gazillions of other posts that verify what I'm saying? They are everywhere. These companies throw these desperate people to the wolves without any regard to their safety or welfare. They stick noobs with noobs or with "trainers" that treat the noobs like garbage. I have witnessed events myself that prove to me what a joke these places are. That being said, not all products of these mills are garbage drivers, but I tend to paint them all with the same brush, even if it isn't fair.

As far as my issue with a 20-something kid; truth be told, I probably have more issues with a lot of those in their 40s and 50s breaking into this profession, because a great many of those don't care to learn. A lot of drivers are out here because they lost their jobs in their original careers for whatever reason and jumping into a truck is their only option to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. These are the ones with the horribly bad attitudes because they don't want to be out here, but have no choice. Most of the 20-somethings aren't getting into this because they have to, they are getting into this because, like I was at that age, they have a passion for trucks and trucking.

I love what I do. I've been doing it a long time and, even though I do have other options, I choose to do this because, after all these years, even with all the garbage I deal with every single day, I still get a charge out of looking in my mirrors and seeing that big ol' trailer following along behind me. When I walk away from my truck to go into the restaurant, I will still turn around and take a look at my truck because it's mine. It's more than just a tool to me. Too many will NEVER understand that and to throw the old adage out there, If I have to explain, you'll never understand.







Now, to the both of you, you may have your opinions of me and many may be because I wasn't clear, but, when it all comes down to brass tacks, experience is the best teacher. I got the best training available when I started because I was driving with and for men that had and have been in this industry since the 50s and 60s. I've learned a great many things from these drivers, some good, some bad, but I am good at what I do and I love doing it. SO, say what you will, I really couldn't care less. I know my accomplishments and experience and the people that do know me know those things as well. Go ahead and discount what the experienced drivers say in favor of what the trainer with 6 months tell you and get back to me on how that works out for you.

 

Joetro some things we'll agree on and some not. Opinions vary and it's probably better that way. If everyone thought the same and liked the same stuff it sure would be boring.
That being said congratulations to ATX on the first complete year, and the other Roehl drivers for posting their experiences here in the Roehl section. I'm sure ATX didn't expect a mini pissing match opening up in his thread but it kinda turned out that way. I unfortunately also contributed to that.

 

Joetro,

I really don't understand what the problem is between us. I admit I did make an assumption about you, the same way you did about me. Just like you went through a "true trucking school" in 1988. I went through a "true" school in 1985. I left the industry because as it usually does with many people life gets in the way. Now that I have the opportunity I'm finally returning to finish what I started all those years ago. Since I have been out of it for so long, I am willing to listen and ask questions of anyone I can learn from.

You've been fortunate to have spent all these years doing what you love, and I don't doubt for a minute that you are very good at what you do. Because of all the years you have been doing it.

The point I was trying to make was that regulation of any industry is meant to make it safer and bringing politics into the equation as the op did in the post I originally replied to did was, in my opinion, ran counter to the discussion. Yes, I do believe the new HOS rules, 70 hour 8 day, 34 hour reset 2 consecutive 1am-5am periods off, and 168 hour rule 1 34 hour reset in 1 168 hour period. As far as I can tell, on their face, by making drivers take a breath and some time off can't help but make things safer. Of course, not having actually worked them you would be a better judge of them than me.

It's obvious you don't agree so would you explain to me why these rules don't make things safer? Take care and STAY SAFE!

 

Honestly, there is no real problem between us, aside from having differing viewpoints. I certainly don't have a problem with you on a personal level. How could I? I don't know you, so it would be unfair to judge you on that level.

As far as the HOS regs go, here are the problems as I and others see them and, believe me, I've had many lengthy discussions with a lot of people about them:

70 hr 8 day - This has always been there, at least as long as I've been in the business, so I don't have a problem with it.

34 hour reset - It was a great idea until they screwed with it in July. It did away with having to wait for hours to drop off the recap so we could go to work. The two 1AM to 5AM periods are a joke. Their only basis for coming up with this is their lab studies that apparently showed the average person gets the best rest during those periods. There is nothing average about truck drivers and what we do, so this doesn't work. Let's say you were planning on doing a 34 in, say, Denver, after delivering at King Sooper. You have an appointment for 10 PM on Saturday, but King Sooper being King Sooper, you don't get finished until 0130 Sunday morning. Well, now, your 34 won't start until the next night, so, instead of taking your planned 34 reset Saturday, you are now taking it Sunday and can't go to work until Monday morning, adding almost a full day to your off time that you weren't planning on. The two 1AM to 5AM periods don't benefit anyone out here in the real world. In fact, it really screws with the drivers that like to run nights. Also, what sense does it make to have the 168 hour rule? If driver fatigue is their concern, then why would they limit us to one reset a week. They say drivers were abusing the reset. How can that be if they are taking two resets a week, isn't that more rest for the driver? The logic escapes me.

14 hour rule - This one really chaps my hide. Have you ever started your day and 3 or 4 hours into it, you just felt drowsy? Maybe the neighbor's dog barked all night, or, in our case, maybe there were a couple drivers BSing in the lane next to your truck, whatever. It used to be, we could lay down for a few hours and get up feeling a whole lot better and continue on. Now, with the 14 hour rule, that is no longer an option. Now, you have drivers pushing through that fatigue because they CAN'T take a nap that would make them more alert. Tired, sick, whatever, we have 14 hours from the start of our day to get miles down the road, where, before, we could split it up if we needed to. It's a ridiculous "solution" thought up by those that have zero experience in our industry after performing "studies" in "labs".

It isn't safety, it's politics and revenue.