I live in SE Minnesota, just North of I90 and next to US52. I've talked to Schneider about a regional job (they're telling me out 10 and back 3) and Roehl about their hometime fleet (14 out 7 back). Both Companies have their positives and negatives. At this point I don't want to be out for long periods. I know the paycheck will suffer for it and I'm OK with that to a degree, whowever I do want to maximize the pay as much as possible. I don't know much about Schneiders miles on their regional fleet out of this area...if anyone knows how it is I'd appreciate the input. Also, Schneider seems to have a lot more options available after 6 months with them. I don't really want to take the recruiters word for this but that's what I was told. If anyone knows please let me know. I'm also wondering how the miles are on Roehls 14/7 program and how often I'd have to run the major NE cities. I'll post on the schneider and roehl sites too. Thanks
have you looked into any flatbed companies or US Xpress they get good hometime on their dedicated runs just about every weekend
14/7 you'll run close or over depending on loads 2500 per week. Thats what I did recently I'm on 4/7 fleet. They tend to keep you moving and maximize everything while your out. Long runs and short runs depending on the hours available. North east I ran to upstate NY, Penn, OH. I'd say mostly midwest really depends on frieght. Pays decent and if you need more you can switch to getting your own truck and running more. Options are always there Schneider seems to me as well as good company as well with hometime options as well so cant go wrong with either
Thanks for the info Coopnp. Miz, really don't care to do the flatbed stuff and after looking a long time, schneider and Roehl are the two best fits for me.
I can give you insight on Schneider from experience. Pro's... They do have a lot of freight compared to a lot of the starter companies, so you can keep moving more. Their pay is pretty good for starting out They have a lot of options of scheduling like 4 on 4 off, 14 on 7 off (both slip seat), or full OTR where you get 1.5 days off per week of driving. So out 3 weeks home 4 days etc (this schedule you keep the same truck) They have a lot of dedicated accounts that you can join right off the bat with no exp, however depending on which one you go on it could be worse then just doing OTR because you'll work 70+ hours a week still but make less then OTR, just depends which account it is. Training usually is only one week in the truck with your trainer, unlike other companies who make you sit in a truck with some clown for over a month. You do your week of classroom orientation and then 1 week in truck with your trainer, SOMETIMES a 2nd week is needed if the student is having trouble but its not common. They are very accurate with pay and prompt about having it on each weeks paycheck. Their equipment is ugly yes (they are getting new trucks in weekly but its a big fleet so its taking a while), but they have some of the best mechanics in the industry for a mega fleet. The trucks are taken good care of in terms of safety/reliability and comfort, but they dont give a #### how the outside looks (like cracks on the body theyll just plaster etc). Cons... TERRIBLE 2nd and 3rd shift operations simply because you will ALWAYS have to wait at least 30+ minutes on hold just to speak to someone. If you need dispatch help between the hours of 5pm - 9am then you will be sitting on a phone waiting FOREVER. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you have a wrong BL # and arrive at a shipper for a scheduled live load, but you have to get the correct BL# but sit on the phone for an hour waiting, then theyll shuffle you back and instead of waiting 2 hours you'll be sitting all night at a shipper, and everything compounds for into a ball of #### because now youll be behind for your next load if its already assigned. Absolutely horribly slow trucks (but Rhoel is in the same boat here). 60, maybe 61mph if you luck out and get a truck that lets you get that extra 1mph. Not only do you become a moving road block (which i do believe makes it more dangerous for all the traffic behind you that you bottleneck into having to pass you), but it cuts into your pay more then you'd think. Each 1 mph can mean about 15 more bucks a week on your check, so the difference between 60 and 67 is nearing 100$ a week difference in pay, simply so they can save fuel at the drivers expense of lost time. (dont let them say its for safety, thats a load of BS they feed you to not admit it is simply to cut cost on fuel at driver expense. They have done research on this and it shows trucks going more then 5 mph under the speed limit are more hazardous trucks going with the flow of traffic). Not only is your speed governed, but your RPM's too, you will lug hills slower then you can walk as other trucks pass you uphill like your moving backwards. If you are in a hilly region you can easily spend 2 hours driving 50 miles, and that puts you at about minimum wage per hour average, not fun.
Roehl trucks are at 63...if that helps any. lol. I pass the pumpkin all the time. Might take a minute though.
pumpkin is governed at 60 mph I think. Either way you cant go wrong. I only thing I'd question is how the trucks are maintained. I'm sure theyre ok but the run alot of FL centurys. I mean Roehl has alot of late model equipment as well, both of my trucks I slip into are Columbias which both have high miles. Centurys are good trucks too but Roehl has more newer equipment that Ive seen.
