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

I'm sure they are going to be looking into cause other than driver error. Not so much as to place blame on the company, but to decide if it can be safely hauled and figure out how to solve the issues. This is by no means a new commodity, time to figure out what the issues are.

 

Just left Gary and I saw the latest rollover. I had a fascinating conversation with one of the flat trainers yesterday (actually I listened and he talked.) He was talking about what the military does and felt Roehl should do the same thing. One of the first things is they have a stand down until they identify the causes of the accident. When you have the same problem more than once it indicates a problem with the culture that has been allowed or cultivated by management. Outside of trucking upper management has a high turnover-move up or move out. The idea is to get fresh perspective and new ideas. He also said that their needs to be a driver review board that looks at every accident. There was a lot more to what he said, but this was just some of it. What I find amazing is that we got a message about using the phone while driving as if that was the cause of these accidents. If you don't ask the right questions, you will never get the right answer.

One more thing, I have noticed is that Roehl cultivates a nature of fear and I have noticed it since I started, this was something this trainer mentioned. Too often there is a big stick if you do wrong, but not much of a carrot for doing good. We are also put in a position of fearing other drivers and motorists. In short the culture is driving so that we don't get in trouble as opposed to just do your best to drive safe and learn from your mistakes. This in itself makes for dangerous drivers.

 

that sucks....

 

IF my CO (Company Commander) was running this operation, the stand down would have happened after the second accident. All driver reports pulled and looked at, and the drivers that had issues on there DOT inspections or previous issues while driving all would have been pulled in for some type of remedial training. Understandably not all accidents are preventable. As far as all the DUI's that wouldn't have been tolerated at all and they would have been told to leave immediately. **I seen a great E-7 SFC get busted in Iraq for drinking and he is no longer in a leadership position...after it was all done he was an E-3**

 

It's simple these drivers need more experience before pulling flatbed. Any body with less than 1 year exp shouldn't pull anything but van or reefer. Problem solved

 

The culture needs to be addressed, it cannot be about fear of failure of needs to change to having a reason to succeed. Reinforce the good and focus on how to change the bad.I had several great drivers with less than 1 year of experience

 

It's not just Roehl, trucking companies need to see the investment they have made in drivers even if they don't treat them as people. When you understand the time and financial investment in getting a driver behind the wheel you will be less likely to get rid of them. Let's say a driver has a couple of call ins on the 800 number. Which is cheaper, bring the driver in to a terminal to spend a day or two with a trainer for retraining or fire him and then have to try to find a new driver to fill his seat?

When you see drivers as an investment, you will want to take care of that investment. The problem with trucking companies in general is that they see drivers as an interchangeable, disposable commodity.

 

With this in mind Preacher Man, do you recommend Roehl as an employer to either an experienced or inexperienced driver?

We are in a instant potato, throw away society now. It may be cheaper to keep new drivers coming and going instead of rewarding the experience. I don't know just listing a possibility. I am on the outside looking in on the trucker perspective.

 

I would recommend Roehl as a good place to get your driving career started and build up some experience. The day will come that you may want to move somewhere else with better pay, more miles and a bit less anal about tracking your every move. On the other hand there are a number of drivers who have been here their entire career and have no intention of leaving. Many drivers really like the home-time fleet since it has three options for getting miles and guaranteed time at home. I was on the 7/4-7/3 until I went with the lease/purchase route.

 

I'd agree with that,its a great place to start and if you find something that work for you its not a bad home.