Question:
Well, there are tons of posts that regard how to get started in trucking. There is just as many on how to perform the job. This post will be on how to quit a job.
I gave my notice to Roehl last week. I told my FM that I was giving my 2 week notice. He told me that only 1 week was required. He said that he would work on getting me through the house to clean out my personal items and then get me to Gary to turn the truck in. The week was not with out its frustrations. I sat in Pearl, MS for close to 20 hours waiting on a load. I just stayed there, as I was not wanting to give the company any reason what so ever to change my resignation to grounds for termination. Once I got the load, I was routed through the house and cleaned out the truck. I got up to Gary yesterday, turned in the equipment, washed the truck, and turned it into my FM. It ended with a handshake and being told that the door would be open for me back at Roehl if things did not work out for me where I was going.
The thing that everyone needs to remember, there is a right way and a wrong way to quit a company. If you are in the heat of the moment and think about just leaving the truck on the side of the road under dispatch, you can guarantee yourself that you will not get a job with another reputable company again.
As for the reasons I left Roehl. One just has to do a search of posts made by me regarding Roehl. It was the culmination(sp) of everything that finally did it. I was fortunate to have probally one of the best fleet managers in the company. To this day, I would not hesitate one minute to recommend Roehl to any new driver that is wanting to get into trucking. They are probally THE BEST company for a driver with out any experience.
I have an interview with the owner of a company next wedsday. It is a smaller company, only 300 power units. They are closer to home, Anderson, IN. If everything works out, it will be home every weekend. They run midwest, no more I-95 corridor!!! The milage pay is quite a bit less then what Roehl paid. But I have learned a few things, if you only base your decisions on what milage pay is, you can still end up not happy. I have been wanting to try to get into a smaller company. For me it will hopefully off less beurocratic policies. Just the fact that my interview is with the owner says alot to me. My mother lives next to one of their drivers, so I have been able to get first hand knowlege on their operation.
I will keep everyone updated on how it turns out, and what the details are if I get the official hire on with them.

Answer:
Great post!
Don't know if you included this... I'd put the resignation in writing so there are no misunderstandings later.

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Buzzdog, you did it the right way! Way to go.
The only thing that I would tell others is;
Take pictures of your truck when they assign it to you. Go over it with an authorized member of the staff, pointing out things that you find wrong with it. i.e.....body damage, etc........ MAKE SURE ANY DAMAGE GETS WRITTEN DOWN ON THE INSPECTION SHEET!!!!
Then do the same thing when you turn the truck back in to them!!!!
If there is any difference of opinion (fair wear & tear or actual damage), get it cleared up in writing BEFORE you leave their facility.
That way, you should get your last 1-3 paychecks! (depending on how many weeks behind their pay periods run)

Answer:
At Roehl, when you are assigned a truck, you have a sheet that you fill out. On it you show where any damage, scratches, etc that are pre-existing prior to you being assigned the unit. A similar process of turning in the equipment when you leave. My fleet manager came out and inspected the tractor and signed off on it, giving me a copy for my personal records. I also got a copy of the reciept for the locks assigned to me, I had to put a $100 deposit down on them, so I will be getting that back as well.
As far as putting the resignation in writing, another option would be to use the qualcom I guess. I did not do either, it was just through converstation on the phone with my fleet manager. Everything was kept amiable.

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i like the way you did this i here of so many stories of trucks being left somewhere. thanks buzz for this post it is always good to leave with the door still open and bridge still standing good luck on next job
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Buzzdog, you did everything correct! Good Job. Have you been with Rohel a year? I can't remember when you finished school with me. Anyway I assume from your post that your going to Carter Express, It is a good company, I have many students that work for them and they love it there.
They do haul alot of automotive though, so remember that just in time inventory system. I hope your interview is with Barb Joy, she is down to earth and treats all of the employees like family. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Your former Instructor;
Catch you on the flip!

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I agree that it is important to give proper notice, 2 weeks. However be aware that some companies may jerk you around on the last days.
I gave my 2 weeks notice. I asked that my days end in Auburn, my home terminal. My DM said that was okay. 2 days before my last day I took a load to LA. It was two days from home, so that was fine. I got to LA and the local planners told me that there were no loads going north and the only thing they had was a load to Salt Lake City.
I said I would pull the load to SLC provided they agreed that I would be routed home loaded or empty. A little miffed I got my load to SLC in the morning. I kept calling the planner all morning and afternoon to see when I should start heading to Auburn. Late in the afternoon she told me that they had no loads going to Auburn. I pointed out that I agreed to take the load to LA contingent that they would send me home immediately with or without a load. She told me no way they were going to send me anywhere without a load.
I finally told them that they committed to allowing me to drive the truck to Auburn loaded or empty and they needed to honor their commitment. And that if they didn't want to honor their commitment where did they want the truck keys (it was at the SLC terminal) and I was taking the train home.
I did not get home in time; I missed my start date and had to wait an extra month for my benefits, of which I paid for out of my own pocket.
I have thought that in light of the way I was treated after I gave my notice, I may have been better to finish my last trip, put myself down for home time and simply turn the truck in at the terminal.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

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Buzz, I'm very glad to hear that you saw the light. I hope everything works out for you. 14 months later and I think everyone from our class is gone now.you define the moment or the moment defines you.

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Hey Buzz! Good luck on your next adventure! Sorry to see you leave! Guess I can scratch your truck # from my list of trucks to look for in the terminals, along with Razz!
Leaving on good grounds is always the way to go! You never know.....
As far as a notice goes, it would depend on the situation. When I quit the first time, all I gave was a days notice, and got the truck back where "they" wanted it! Six months later when I came back was no problem, they even got me a rental car, no bus ticket here. They just looked at my past work history with them, and here I am, four weeks short of a year!
One week, two weeks, what difference does it make, if they decide to get rid of you they will!
Stay in touch! Give me a call sometime, I have a question for you!

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Carter Express will be my new home!!!
I had my interview on Wedsday. Got to meet the owner of the company and the safety director. They are based out of Anderson IN. Their primary customer base is automotive parts to factories, JIT. They run midwest, southeast, Canada, and some runs to OK and TX. That means no more I-95!! They have 2 options available now, you can run the board and bid for dedicated routes paid on milage, or you can go with a $950 a week guaranteed pay. The $950 will be for in house expedited runs. I will have to be on call for Mon-Fri, and 1 weekend a month. If I run more then I would have made on milage then I get paid the difference. I am going to give this a try, I realize that there are pitfalls with being on call but going to test it out. I was told by everyone that I interviewed with that I could switch at any time. Finally going to get to see if the Volvo's really do ride as well as I have heard. Another great thing is that I dont have to deal with any lumpers.
On a side note, I have to share this story. While I was having my interview another driver was having theirs. They were doing the interviews in the corporate break room. The other driver showed up wearing old worn out blue jean shorts, dirty tennis shoes, and an old tank top. I was wearing some khaki dockers, a pull over shirt with a collar, and dress shoes. I was taught that when making first contact with a potential employer for an interview you need to make a good first impression. You only get ONE chance at a first impression. I can honestly say that this helped when I met and spoke with the owner of the company. He asked me about my personal history. I told him about my time in the USMC and the other jobs that I have had over the years. The owner then told me that his first impression before I had told him anything was that I had been in the USMC. He said that he has several drivers that are former Marines and that they seem to stand out from others. I am not trying to make this out that Marines are better, but I am sure that this would apply to most of all prior millitary personel. When you go for an interview, maintain eye contact when you are speaking or being spoken to. When some one approaches you to shake your hand, stand to greet them and shake their hand. This is just common sense things, but it is scarry how many people do not even make an effort. Also as a disclaimer dont get me wrong, I do not wear dockers when I drive. I wear blue jeans or short and a t-shirt. But I dress appropriately for the job that I have to perform. If my job for the day is to make a good impression, then I dress accordingly.

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Yes personal apperance is everything,i see guys come in to interview with walmart and they are in blue jeans,ball caps and t-shirts.This is not the image you want to pocess if you are trying to work for the largest employer in the nation.I really believe it helped me out also,i wore a tie,nice pants to both interviews and i know there are many other drivers with much more drive time than i have that don't get hired.Well good luck at your new home.

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Buzz: Congrats on gettting on with Carter! I was wondering how long you were going to stay on with Roehl. After exactly a year of vans I gave them notice also!! I was then offered curtainsides. I have seen Carter trucks a lot back when I worked for Tandem Transport. (now JDC). Automotive is'nt a bad gig, I just got sooooooo sick of fighting my way thru Chicago/NE Ind and Detroit every day. Plus, at the time, I was offered local work with another co.
Want to hear another good one?? Roehl sent me a recruiting package in the mail the other day. My wife personally put it thru the shredder!!
Like you, for a newbie driver, I also would reccomend Roehl for training and gaining a little experience. But their safety dept., in a word SUCKS!!!!!
Had no problem at all with F/M or customer service--they were top notch, and Roehl is damned lucky to have them. I'm still looking for local or regional work in my area. Got laid off from my fertilizer hauling gig last week. Filling out resumes, and have an interview for a charter bus driving job Tues. (Don't know if that is the job for me yet, or not ) Good luck at Carter. Regards/RazzJust 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!!!!!!!!!!