starting roehl on Feb 25th

Haha. Sound just like my truck. It just turned to 420,000 and shifts like complete horse crap. I was lucky enough to test and get my truck the same day. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. See you out there.

 

Update: 23 APR 08

CDL-A Permit (Gen Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combo Veh, Tank Veh, HazMat endorsements)

RDTC start date - 5 APR 08 (probably head up 4 APR 08 about midday)
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Well I learned that Foomangoo was right about Indiana BMV and the CDL process. Upon completion of RDTC, as Evolution explained, I must transfer my CDL-A back to Indiana. I will pay a small fee and have to retake: Operator (regular auto), Gen Knowledge, and HazMat exams again. I asked the gal at the License Branch, if it mattered that I have a dated document of the completed tests. The results do not expire until SEP 09. She said I'd still be required to retake the above mentioned tests. ~grumbles~ Oh well... I guess it will give me something to read while I sit in my room at (The Keys Apartments).

I'm still debating actually joining Roehl Transport after RDTC. I'm pretty sure I'm going to; I just have a few concerns. When I first started the search process for a trucking company, I wanted to find one that ran close to home. I knew for a fact that both Schneider and Werner run through Southern Indiana. In fact, with Super Wal-Mart here in Vincennes and one in Washington (15mins away), Schneider was starting to sound like the best option. Werner has many loads that terminate or start in Terre Haute and Evansville. Both are roughly 50 miles North and South of Vincennes, on HWY 41.

I've not yet been assigned a fleet manager or I'd field this question with them. Does anyone know how much freight Roehl has, that runs through Southern IN? I just want to limit my deadhead time. I am also still debating National vs Regional. I know that National pays a lot better and a lot sooner. Does anyone know how much use I will get out of my Tanker and HazMat endorsements with Roehl? I took them under the assumption that more options mean more money, and less time sitting and waiting on loads. I know Werner and Schneider run van, tank, and flat. I am willing to run anything (except doubles & triples).

Ok...I think I've laid out enough questions for now.

(in the words of Columbo) Just one more thing... Does anyone know if Roehl Transport has in-cab Wi-Fi access? I'm debating buying SatCom or Air Card for my laptop.

 

I have run through Souther Indiana more times than I can remember the past couple weeks. I have picked up a couple loads there too. Indiana is a pretty heavily traveled area for us, from what I've seen. Our Gary yard is always busy. As for endorsements, I asked the same questions and the answer I got was you won't use your tanker unless you work in the yard in Marshfield and haul fuel from the supplier to the yard, and HazMat is about the same. There are very few HazMat loads and even fewer Roehl drivers with the endorsement. So when one comes up, guess who is getting dispatched... Yup, you. You don't get paid extra to have them or to run loads with them, so IMHO they seem like a waste of money to get at this company. If you are looking for extra money, I would try and go flatbed, they make a little more than us van drivers. Even on the honor program, flats are making about $400 a month more in salary. I wouldn't worry about deadheading either, as long as they are dispatched miles you are getting paid, plus it's not like you're paying for fuel. I think the most I deadheaded so far was 175 miles. And no, we don't have in cab WiFi, so this message is being brought to you via my Verizon card.

 

Heh...thanks for the info Evolution, as well as the commercial plug. I hope you're getting some sort of discount on your service contract for that.

 

I'd say our Gary yard is the busiest of all of them, but Marshfield is the one they upkeep, probably because the higher-ups have to see it every day. I really don't recommend anyone goes flatbed for the extra money--unless they're on the honors program. You will waste a lot of your 14 and 70 strapping and tarping. I was deadheaded 359 miles a few weeks back for what must have been a somewhat important load. All paid, no big deal.

Edit: And this was brought to you via my Sprint connection, because Sprint doesn't have a 5GB/month limit and has more roaming agreements. The other drivers have enjoyed it, too, since I share it via WiFi for other drivers while I'm at truck stops.

 

So you are there? How goes it?

I have been kicking the bushes about that Olney, Wal-Mart DC job, sounds like something I would like to pursue so far. I dont think I would go w/ SNI for another position tho. I havent called SNI yet to talk to them about it.

For what its worth, there is a retired fireman from Viny that runs for Werner. I heard (secondhand) that he really likes it so far. As for flatbedding, I dont know, you may do better with a flatbed company off the bat. I may be wrong, maybe those guys will chime in for some insight.

Good Luck bro!

 

If you are wasting a lot of your time on strapping & tarping, you aren't doing it right.


Another thing to keep in mind - Yes, Roehl pays deadhead, but not if you are headed home empty. One of the reasons it's better to get home with a load.

 

Roehl pays me everytime they send me home empty. Just have your DSR send you a HH#. I am on a Hometime Fleet. Maybe it is different on Regional and National Fleets.

 

Are you actually taking the truck HOME or to a terminal (seeing as you're on a hometime fleet)? I always have a HH# if I don't have a load, and those aren't paid if you take your truck home. I asked. It wouldn't bother me, but it got me closer to the next load. Only happened once or twice, so no biggy.