Profile For RI Red

RI Red, you have to admit that your participation in this conversation has become an epic in the irony department.

You started by posting a complaint about how this conversation keeps popping up at the top, thus putting it back at the top yourself. Then you said it's not relevant and basically beneath us as a website to host such a conversation, but then you started launching personal attacks against other members thus dragging this further into the gutter. Then you started entering your own thoughts into the discussion after asking if it could be removed.

So you're not going to win any awards today for your efforts but thanks anyways for giving me more to clean up. Way to become part of the problem.

Hehe- true! delete me outta here. I've become part of the problem!

RI Red ... here is a thought, you don't have to read this thread! No one is forcing you to. And you are right, driver pay has nothing to do with trucking, silly me.

Hey Rob,

I don't think that's a "thought". Based on your past posts, I've yet to see you expend the calories to have an original thought. I see you're considering a career. How about you line up a few cogent arguments in your posts before you file the internet with your drivel?

Eh?

RI Red stamps his foot down:

As someone who visits this site for information on trucking, I find this thread the most useless eyesore on the site. it's got absolutely nothing to do with trucking, offers nothing but personal political opinion, and has zero benefit to Trucking Truth.

....

The original question "Are unions good or bad?" was ambiguous and unanswerable too. Do you really think there's a black and white answer to that question?

Red, this topic has become what we call "Popcorn". The rest of us just watch as the continuing Participants just beat each other up. Actually, the original question does have something to do with trucking. Until freight deregulation in 1979, the Teamsters union was a powerful force not only in truck transport but in national politics overall. Trade unions do have a history of improving conditions and pay for the working person. The debate now is whether unions are really necessary. I'm not rehashing any of the history here, but to say there are still transportation unions, as well as non-union companies.

Tyler Durden's original question, "Unions .... good or bad?" is a great question for this forum. Gee - 22 pages of discussion. However, as with most topics that can get almost emotional, we have people getting "personal" now. That's not so good.

Does anyone have cheddar popcorn?

I like my popcorn buttered, and maybe a little salt. I think this thread however is salty enough. I also like facts in my posts. Not sure I saw any on those in this thread. even in the beginning regarding unions, with the exception of Brett's graphs/etc. which while informative, could never have answered Tyler's original post, which could only have been answered by himself (he posted no information on the union dues, an benefits he'd have secured from whatever company he was interested in.) The history of unions in trucking would be of much value at this point- only whether the union that Tyler was interested in signing on with had the ability to be a strong voice for workers at thart particular company, provided an advantage in regards to pay in relation to the dues he'd be putting up. Since this varies across the entire industry, do you think a clear cut answer was going to be reached?

pass the salt....

As someone who visits this site for information on trucking, I find this thread the most useless eyesore on the site. it's got absolutely nothing to do with trucking, offers nothing but personal political opinion, and has zero benefit to Trucking Truth. I really wish Brett would delete this thread so it wouldn't keep popping up at the top of the forum. Those of you keeping it going are doing yourselves a disservice.

Honestly folks, do you really think you're going to convert others on this site to your politics or point of view?

The original question "Are unions good or bad?" was ambiguous and unanswerable too. Do you really think there's a black and white answer to that question?

What's next here?

1. The best flavored ice cream! Chocolate or Vanilla?

2. Boxers or Briefs?

3 Apple or Mac?

Jeez.....

Hey everyone. I am just excited to finally start my new career. I graduated school in the beginning of October and got my CDL A. I tried and tried to get a local position but it is not easy with no experience lol. So I finally decided to go regional and after looking at all sorts of companies I chose Schneider. I hear good things about there training and it is not that long as long as I do not need more time. I have my 2 year old daughter, and being away will be hard. But I will get through it so I can get some experience. I am probably going to get in my one year and try again for local. Other than that I am set to go for orientation on December 8th. Wish me luck.

See you there- I graduated at the end of Oct. and discovered the same. NE regional for me assuming all goes well in Carslisle.

2005 Road King is what I'm riding now, bought new, but had a few before that. When I started, I remember my motorcycle instructor telling us that a motorcycle was no more dangerous than a car. It was entirely dependent on the rider. If you generally make bad judgement decisions, it would carry over into your riding, and you're bound to end up with the rubber side up.

When I was being taught the Smith system, the philosophy was that all accidents are preventable, but that's a tough line to walk, eh?

As a motorcyclist in a cell phone world, all I can say is when on the road, trust no one- assume every driver is not paying attention and protect yourself accordingly....

I'm in the same boat - had a bunch of pre-hires but narrowed it down to Roehl (wife's pick) and TMC (my pick) - but now I can't decide which way to go!

You're from RI - are you going to NETTTS? That's where I am, I should've finished up this past Wednesday but I have to go in this weekend to make up some hours that I missed due to work.

I was at International CDL- finished up in the last week of October. i like Roehl too, but will try my luck with Schneider at the end of the month.

I was in your shoes 1 year ago, I looked into Knight, Schneider, Swift, etc. I chose Werner because I was able to get onto a dedicated account with weekly home time, and 95% drop and hook. I have enjoyed my experience, and have made decent money. Any company you chose will have multiple opportunities, it's what you do with them that will make, or break your experience. I soon found out that being home weekly didn't pay the bills, so I now stay out 10-14 days, then go home for 2 days I will be looking for something different soon, as I have learned that your not going to make your full earning potential with the mega carriers. But it's critical to spend a full year at your 1st driving job to show future employers your commitment to the job.

Thanks for the message and insight, it's appreciated!

Just a few of the companies I have pre-hire letters from. I've done some research and yeah, I know they're all about the same according to forum posters. However, if you drive for any of these carriers here's a chance to root for your team, and wave the their flag....your opinion counts.

I'm new to this forum and especially new to the trucking industry. I'm also a brand new driver for Roehl. I just finished up with my trainer and have been issued my own truck. Haven't received any loads just yet but I will be after my military reserve duty is done. I've done a lot of research through here and other areas. Some of the main reasons I chose Roehl is because they are still family owned, ( yes the family name is Roehl) and they have a great home time options. I don't need the home time right now but in the future if I ever do need it, it'd be nice to have. They have a great training system. I went out with two trainers because my first trainer was on the 7 to 7 home time. Working with two different trainers has helped me to get two different perspectives on things. I still have contact with both trainers and they have encouraged me to stay in touch and contact them when I have questions arise when I'm out solo. I also had a preview from Werner and they are not a bad company. But they didn't seem to fit what I was looking for like the way Roehl does. I've also been told from more than one driver that when you've been with Roehl a year or more, you start getting what all the drivers get every year. I forget the exact words but basically there is a percentage of what the company made that year, almost like a bonus is given out. Then tje other reason why I chose Roehl is because I love the color of Red. It has been my family's color from my grandfather to my dad for ages. And the trucks are pretty too. Hahah

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions about Roehl, I'll be happy to answer what I can. There are a few great forms on here about drivin for them.

Thanks for the reply. It's a toss up between Schneider and Roehl. If you get the chance, let me know how things go with Roehl, good luck!

Congrats! I too went with a private school. I was laid off from my last job and I took advantage of the One Stop program so my tuition was covered by the state. Anyway, I am looking forward to the test. Did they test you like the following:

Step 1: In Cab, Air Brakes & tug tests Step 2: Pretrip Coupling Step 3: Pretrip on 1 of 3 sections of the combo vehicle Step 4: Straight line back Step 5: Off set to the right OR left Step 6: Parallel park left, parallel park right OR 90 degree alley dock Step 7: 15 mile road test.

It's that way in NJ, I made it all the way to step 7 and I failed for stalling 20+ times. *sigh*

This past July NJ changed the test from what it used to be:

Step 1: Pre trip exterior of combination vehicle Step 2: In cab Pre Trip Strp 3: Air Brakes & Tug Test Step 4: drive 1/4 mile to the yard skills area Step 5: Straight line back Step 6: 45 degree alley dock Step 7: measured right turn Step 8: drive 1/4 mile back to DMV test area.

In RI, you perform your Airbrake tests first and four point brake test (tug tests) Miss any part of the sequence, auto fail. In-cab is next, and a complete pretrip of the tractor and trailer, pretty much as written in the CDL manual, A-Z Straight Back, Parallel (sight side was what I was asked to perform), and an offset. (Again, it was a sight side)

Off to the road 15 mi. or so, including emergency stop, highway driving, ( on off ramps,) some multi lane intersections, secondary roads and railroad crossings simulating carrying hazmat.