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

The economy is slowing down again...

 

That seems to be what works to get miles . I run Midwest regional and most of my runs are the 400-600 range and when I get pinballed around i get more miles.

 

my miles have been steadily increasing....If I get this trip scanned b4 tuesday I should have over 3200...but I have run some really long loads (ie florida to maine, maine to arkansas and arkansas back to florida)

 

my FM has been saying that we are overbooked for the most part too...but here might be a cause its the end of the Fiscal Year and the new year starts beginning of October so companies are figuring budgest out for FY12... and they want to wait til the end of the quarter this month to see where they stand before they go ordering stuff...the economy is in a really tough spot right now...it should start picking up over the holiday season with stuff moving for christmas...but if black friday after thanksgiving is a bust who knows what will happen..

 

I have been reading this thread for a couple days now, I think it is one of the best. Here is my situation. I have been looking at Roehl for schooling and a career. I went to driving school once before but was 10 yrs ago and I quit 1 week before getting my actual cdl. I have researhed about 8 different companies. I wanted to find a company that offered the lease/purchase option for down the road. I am an Independent contractor doing expeding and courier work now, and love the fact that I work for myself. roehl seems to be one of the best companies I have researched. I know I will hear bad with every company, but was wondering how the mileage is going (getting good mileage)? Thanks for any responses. I live outside of Cincinnati OH, but in KY right across river, 10 mins from Cincinnati.

 

Well I won't be able to comment on the lease program for some time. I'm getting started in a few weeks. The miles seem to have slowed down, but as these guys all seem to agree, it's the economy, and I'm sure the whole industry is feeling it to some extent.

I've got some stuff to ask, but I'm pooped and gotta get some food and give my eyeballs a break. Despite a relatively slow couple of weeks, this weekend has been very busy for me.

 

You will not be considered for a lease through Roehl until you have 6 months in with the company as a company driver. Now if you want to be your own boss then finance your equipment outside of Roehl, if you can, and lease it on like I did. However, I would recommend the 6 months to learn all you can about how Roehl works. I spent 2 years as a company driver then returned as an O/O. Used the knowledge gained in those 2 years about how things are done @ Roehl which has made it easier to become a business partner with Roehl. Having to work as a company driver first has advantages. One main advantage is finding out do you really like working for Roehl. Finding out that you don't like the company after you sign a lease for a truck is not the recommended way to start your own business.

 

Thanks for the insight. I knew I would have to be with Roehl 6 months, and Im ok with that, gives me time to get a lil more know how of the business. I gues I was thinking also that by leasing my own truck and taking on the expenses would give me the right to turn down any load I want and to also be home when ever I want, but I guess this isnt true? Im probably just caught up with the idea of having those options in the work I am doing now.

 

If you want to make money at it you need to be in the truck with the wheels turning. You can only turn down a couple of loads before your FM and planning will just not worry about getting you loads anymore. So you get to take on all the expense, and all the work, and only a tiny percentage of the profit. There are only a few L/O that are really making more than a company driver after expenses, and they run a really tight ship. I used to own my own trucks, it is alot of work, and can be a nightmare when things go wrong. Good luck at Roehl.

 

Would anyone object if I just put up my net monthly avgs for this year. Seems that would be a simple way to show ppl what to expect........btw looks like American trucker got banned anyone know why?