Question:
If you live out side a heavy freight lane you will lose miles if they can't get you a load going to the city where you live.
If you live in Wichita,KS and deliver to Kansas City,KS. you will drive appx 188mi to get home.
When your days off are over they find a load for you out of Mcpherson,KS 50mi away. They will pay you 50mi. But to get home you just gave them 188mi for free. It used to be you drop in KCK go to Wichita and if you picked up out of Mcpherson they payed you from KCK to Mcpherson.
Also they swear by their computers, my friend had a bad qualcomm unit and it took months to get them to replace it; they almost wrote him up because they thought he was BSing them on overspeed and idle time. They finally apologized and gave him his bonus 3mos late.
No company is perfect. Roehl is good to get your first year in, but they do micro manage you a bit. IMHO.

Answer:
It could be worse Cruiser; they could have made you park your truck in the KC drop yard, and drive back and forth 188 mi. (Naw--you would'nt do that ) It's a tradeoff. Micromanage? I suppose it depends on your D/M. Once it's established that they can rely on you to be on time, not have on time problems, or starting problems, they will back off. But, there's a lot of rookies out there that "need " micromanaging. Any carrier will have a problem if you are'nt in a good freight corridor. But we do haul quite a bit from McPherson/Wichita, so I don't see why your D/M did'nt have a load for you from there, so you'd get paid. Guess we all suffer from this dreaded disease known as "HEADINTHEASSITIS" from time to time.
Better to have it and not need it as need it and not have it!Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
Hmmm...That sounds a little off. I've been consistantly paid for the miles deadheading home as many as 250+. It usually shows up on the dispatch when you leave the house. It does only account for HHG miles like always. The odd part if you pay attention to it is the Qualcom routing for Optistop doesn't always match the HHG miles sometimes it's more sometimes its less.
Micro-management is very true if you haven't proven yourself to your dispatcher. (Late deliverys, frequent requests to change eta's etc) If you consistantly exceed the expectations of your DM he/she will allow you a little breathing room.
As the past becomes the future unfolds
Answer:
Actually Wiz I have too. Generally, I have a load on board that I go by the house with. I had a family emergency that I had to get home for, and they deadheaded me home from the Twin Cities. Hey, at least I got home when I wanted to be. That's one thing I never had a problem with.
Better to have it and not need it as need it and not have it!Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
I think the old way was better, I guess you better make sure they can get you a load to the home area. I don't see driving 31/2 hrs for free is a trade off. I don't expect to get paid to go home but if I drop in KC and go home and pickup in Mcpherson I should get paid from KC to Mcpherson.
You are managed on overspeed, idle time, routing and fueling . That qualcomm beeps to let you know your over 66, beeps to let you know you idling; and though not written that stuff affects your bonuses and raises. Thats not a problem unless your running where its cold and you don't have an ICON or heater in your truck and its Nov. You don't have to follow those guidelines but if you want that extra cash you may have to be hot or cold a few days.
Isn't it a pain to stop and put 25gal in the tank just to get you a couple 100 miles dwn the road to fuel where they really want you to?
They are also putting more pressure on you to follow optistop routing ever since that driver made a wrong turn someplace and tore up a trailer.
I used to work for Roehl. Left the company on excellent terms. My best friend still does and he is not a new driver with them, so I know what is going on with him and his experiences.
I think new drivers need to be aware of some of the things they may encounter. I think overall Roehl is a good company. They also have one of the best training programs out there. Just know you will have to put up with some minor annoyances if you hire on with them.

Answer:
Actually, everything is spelled out in the reference guide you're given on day 1 of orientation.
As far as the optiplan for fuel and routing is concerned, I have talked to several drivers including an O/O or two who rely on it. One former O/O even stated that the route he normally drove was more expensive in a 30 day period than following the optiplan route.
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I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Information is power!! The question not asked is the opportunity missed!!
My other vehicle is a '99 Electra Glide!!!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
Optistop without a doubt, saves them a lot of $$$!
I've had fuel stops where the pump price is $140/gal, and they got it for $1.20 or less. This times 1500-1600 trucks is a lot of cabbage. They try to run you down to no less than 40 gals, but I've had times where I send in #16 and get a stop somewhere.
Better to have it and not need it as need it and not have it!Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
Speaking of orientation, what should i expect when i start mine? I go next week at Gary, Ind. What do they do with you for 3 days??
I'm not looking forward to the bus ride. 500 miles......yuk......lol.....

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You will be introduced to all of their company policies, etc........
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Edited to satisfy that sorry POS Chicken Hauler from Canada that likes me sooooooo much.
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Thats it?? Don't they make you take a road test to see if you can drive?? Is there anything besides failing a drug test that would compel them to send you home?? Or are you pretty much hired once you make it to orientation??
The way to go about getting a trucking job is pretty unique.....lol....this is all new to me......

Answer:
Company Policies
Drug test/Physical(if you take prescription meds, make sure you take them with you to the docs in the Original container....if you wear glasses/contacts make sure you have them with you)
Road Test
BackGround/Criminal Check(good idea to take along the names, addresses & phone numbers of 3-5 people NOT related to you)
Past Employment review(must have past 10 yrs of your life documented...NO Gaps...list ALL periods of UNemployment, medical leave,incarceration, etc.)
MVR check
Issue Employee I.D.(some carriers take photos to put on ID)
Get copy of CDL, SSC, birth-cert, etc.(to put in personell file)
Get copy of Medical card & Long form(to put in personell file)
Get set up with Payroll(if you're getting Direct Deposit, make sure you take a blank Deposit slip or Voided blank check)
Cash Advance procedures, getting P.O.#s, reimbursments,tolls,trk washes,etc.
Fill out Insurance paperwork(health, life, company...make sure you take ALL of your Beneficiary's info.)
Haz-Mat Test(Haz-Mat videos, procedures, placarding,safety, etc.)
Listen to Safety dept.(do's & don'ts, safety videos, O.S.& D claims & procedures,etc.)
Go over permits in Permit book
Load Securement
Qualcomm Training
Listen to Maint Dept(brake adjustments,breakdown procedures, PM services, national tire accounts,etc.)
After you get assigned a trk ask Maint if they'll give you Extra...
oil,anti-freeze,headlights,fuses/breakers,marker/clearance lights,belts, hoses, filters,windshield washer fluid,pig-tail,etc.
***After you get assigned your trk....
You may want to buy a filter wrench, set of good Heavy Duty Jumper Cables, 9/16th wrench, WD-40,electrical tape,water for radiator,good tire gauge,phillips & flathead screwdrvrs,bungee cords(all sizes),tire thumper, 5th wheel puller.
Lumper Pay(usually 8 out of 10 times whatever the lumper ask) vs Drvr Unload(usually $1.50 for every 1,000lbs...Teams SPLIT the $1.50)
Reefer Carriers.......
Go over Reefer Operation
Reefer Fueling Procedures
Pallet Exchange procedures
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are you pretty much hired once you make it to orientation??
No.
Orientation just proves that you are indeed a "real" person.
Same goes with being "Pre-Hired"....Unfortunately, it does NOT mean anything.(think of it like when you get those "pre-approved" credit card offers in the mail)
[This message was edited by choclit snda on February 10, 2004 at 17:29.]

Answer:
I was running kind of close today. I re-did my route, saved about 90 miles vs. the way opti has me routed. Was planning on making the fuel stop but was running tight on time, been fighting a cold for the last week. Well, I did some quick figuring, I was going to end up with 60gal of fuel still on the truck when I sent my mt in TN. So I kept on trucking. Well it was not 2 minutes after I got my new load assignement that I got a msg to call dispatch regarding my non-compliance. The new dispatch I was on called for me to go and FU at a Petro, just one fueling for the entire trip. Well, I was told a new fuel info was being sent, the new one had me go 40 miles in the opposite direction to get 56 gal, then go get loaded, then back down to Knoxville to FU. So now I get to burn 30 min in the log book instead of just 15. I can give other examples of this kind of crap. It is just frustrating that I am the one driving. With the all knowing Opti, all they seem to want is someone to hold the wheel, keep it between the lines, and not hit anything. I realize this is kind of petty, but the way I look at it I have 2 options. Find a company that is not so controlling or go Independent with my own tractor. It honestly seems that part of the equation with Opti is to burn up time in your log book as much as it is to "save" on fuel. In the past month I have been getting awsome fuel milage, lucky with alot of light loads. There has been too many useless fuel stops. I have called and told the FM that I was getting over 7.5mpg and I would only end up putting on 40gal at the fuel stop, but he told me to do it anyway, so I waste 15 min in the book, which to me is like taking away $4.50 earning potential, and I dont even get a shower out of the deal.
I am just wondering if every company is getting this anal that they will rely on some program that has no idea of the your weight/weather conditions/terain/current mpg, to tell you where and when to fuel, even if it means driving more miles to get the fuel. It would be one thing if they paid me to go out of my way to fuel, but this will never happen. Just aggravating, I have been busting my rump trying to get that stuipd MPG jacket, got 7.3mpg for the month of January, just to be scolded at because I kept on driving down the road. It was not like I ran out of fuel, or was heading up to the NE where fuel prices are insane.
Ok rant off, I need to get me some nyquil and hit the sack this cold is kicking my arse right now.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
just to buy fuel and not paying me for it.....was the PRIMARY reason i quit working for my first outfit(micromanagement was the secondary)
Plenty of outfits that let YOU decide where to get your fuel and how much to get
Ranting is OK .....I do it on a daily basis
CD
If you think education is hard......try ignorance recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
Idaho Falls to Mountain Home ID...
not via the I 15 and I 84 (set cruise at 65 and steer); but via one Hwy 20 that runs through defense facility, lava beds, some tricky twisty mountain driving, some stop and go through small towns. All to save 20 miles
I've been more fortunate the last couple co's I've run with. One let me run Spokane to Blaine then Vancouver BC via I 90 / 405 / 5.
A more "anal" driving order would have been via Highway 2 from Spokane through to Everett. Because it is shorter.
Don't forget to sample the schitzel at Leavenworth, and look over your jewelry, you might need it through Stevens Pass
The current one leave it to me to plan fuel stops (we do have an A list and a last-resort B list where it comes to fuel suppliers), and perhaps detour around a short route getting stomped on by winter. It's a matter of discussing things with the office if need be.
Last winter I drove Mission BC to Valley WA.
Dispatcher L was wanting me to run via Hope - Princeton - Osoyoos BC, cross line at Oroville WA, then go Omak - Republic - Kettle Falls - Valley. In the face of a few snowfall warnings.
I had a chit chat with Mrs Name-on-the-door.
Explained that under the conditions, I'd run via Bellevue and Spokane if it was my capital equip't.
She concurred.
Bottom line being, as co driver, you run, and fuel, where owner / manager of your truck stipulates. That said, it is good when "they" are prepared to give you some leeway, discuss on-road situations, and allow a longer, but safer routing.
JB
Answer:
aint always faster.....or better roads
I have discovered the "smaller" outfits let the driver have more of the fueling/routing decisions
CD
If you think education is hard......try ignorance recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division