The Good, The Bad, The Honest Truth of a New Roehl Lease Operator

You don't know how many times I have wanted to ask them that... You are right it is a one way street, they expect 110% from all of us, but if they only give you 50% that is okay. The way I was raised was you give everything to do your best, but you cannot expect that in our line of work anymore. I have been off work hurt now for about 12 weeks, and I'm not sure I even want to come back to driving, something I have been doing for the last 10 years.

 

You should see what my doctor wrote. He checked the box that I qualify for two years, then made it for one year with the comment that patient qualifies for two years, but employer will only accept a one year certification due to medication. A man after my own heart.

When they tell me they don't have a load my reply is why not? You have known for x days when and where I would be empty, you should have been looking already and not wait till I'm empty. I'm sorry, but I'm not here to be liked. I'm here to make money. If you don't want to deal with me, then just keep me rolling. I have found in life, pain motivates greater than pleasure. I'm a real easy pain to get rid of, just give me a load.

 

it makes even less sense then you are giving them credit for. From my point of view it seems like they are afraid to overbook an area. Sounds like it makes sense except for the fact that you could use Roehl Logistics to broker the overbooked freight. It should be much easier to keep everyone moving but they are so afraid of missing a quota for a customer that they under utilize the fleet.

I have no problem with bringing in 30 plus drivers a week if the plan is to actively pursue new accounts. That sounds great, but if you want to keep your current drivers happy you need to be aggressive in booking freight and stack preplans. My thought was that if we could keep the drivers busy enough they wouldn't have time to call and complain about something stupid. That would have made me very happy.

 

On the bright side, not my problem any more. Best of luck to you guys. If anyone knows how Dan B is doing let me know.

 

I don't have specifics but I heard its not looking good.

 

5100 dollars to fix 929 back, I guess they made it into a golden peterbilt, now I gotta sign a dang promissory note.

 

That is the problem with turning a truck back in. Every company will hold you responsible for any repairs that they find that need to be done. If I decide to make a change I plan on having my shop go through it with a fine tooth comb. That way I have a defense against any repairs that they say need done.

 

Well this is my greatest fear realized. After watching my miles disappear, combined with an unexpected repair I was already looking at one negative week. Now the best load they could find out of the house is a 300+ run that picks up Wed. but doesn't deliver till Thur am. From there they don't have much after that. JT told me freight is weak in the entire Midwest. Roehl has always been week on miles, if they can't get the freight I could be forced to make changes up to and including carriers. I liked Roehl's lease on the truck, but not their weak freight. I'm not panicking, just watching the red flags going up.