Profile For Hitch

Hello fellas,

This is Firecracker. I'm Hikingcole's (who has decided to change his handle to Hitch) wife. I just wanted to say thanks for all the information and advice we've found on this site. He was all set to go with Swift but because of this site, we learned about APU's, HHG miles and so much more. Although I drove a big rig back in the day, there were things I didn't know. When I drove, it was actual miles and I never heard of APU's. When H was making the arrangements with the recruiter to head out for orientation, he asked about APU's and what type of miles they pay. The recruiter said they do not allow APU's and use HHG rather than practical miles. He said they allow the drivers to "idle sometimes."

While H was reluctant to sign a contract for fear of not being successful at this new career and being indebted to Roehl, we discussed things and we both agree that their agreement/contract is certainly understandable with all they put into training their new drivers and the chance they take on them. From what we've learned about Roehl (even with a few negative comments from former drivers), we think they are a very reputable company and provide top notch training. It stands to reason they will keep their drivers rolling because if the drivers are sitting still, Roehl is not making money.

Anyway, he signed the contract and is starting his orientation with them Monday, August 15. It's going to be a very difficult time for us as a married couple having to be apart, but we are ready for the challenge and look forward to my husband having a career in trucking that he can be proud of.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for starting this website and for all the wonderful information we have both found here. This has been the best forum we found for honest, insightful information. We will be keeping in touch and let you know how it goes.

THANKS AGAIN! Firecracker.

Somewhere along the line I read where you talked about the job you were in for quite some time. I would think that experience in itself would have taught you to READ THE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT. I read the contract in its entirety and felt it was reasonable. Many companies I've researched do not require a contract or commitment nor did those who do require a commitment hold a gun to my head and make me sign. The decision to sign or move on to another company was up to me and my wife. That being said, why didn't you read the contract since you have so much business savvy?

Hitch

I can't stress this enough.....be humble, especially in the beginning. You don't know how difficult this job or lifestyle is until you've lived it. Just trust us when we tell you that. We're saying it for your own good. If you want things to go smoothly you need to get along well with people, listen and learn, be tolerant, and be humble.

My wife has warned me about the many miles on the road, the night driving, the hypnotic effect of the "zipper," having to use a bucket (portable toilet) in the truck lined with multiple trash bags, not allowing yourself to start hallucinating from exhaustion before pulling off to sleep and so on. She told me the great things about trucking but then brought me back to reality with the bad things. The difficulty in parking in places you'd think no tractor trailer can fit, feeling so isolated when you're running through TX for hours and hours with no one else on the road. Yeah, she painted a pretty picture and then splattered it with black paint trying to help me have a realistic view. She said that I may not get the home time "promised" because sometimes they simply cannot get you home on Wednesday for those three days and to not blow a gasket when that happens. She stressed the importance of being flexible with scheduling even when we have plans because stuff happens.

I think it's going to be a GOOD thing to have such an understanding wife from the things she's told me and the things I've been reading. I know I have a lot to learn in the industry and I'm finding myself feeling quite thankful that there are companies out there willing to take a chance on someone who's never driven a rig and putting me behind the wheel of their $200,000.00 truck filled with who know how much inventory (expense wise). I'd think that asking for something in return from a driver is certainly reasonable. I just want to be able to eat, sleep and use the bathroom occasionally and have safe equipment and become a safe driver. I hope I can make it in this new career because I plan to retire as truck driver in about 20 years.

So don't go to orientation.

You have other options.

I was reluctant to sign the contract also but decided Roehl was the best fit for me of all the companies I talked too. So 75,000 miles seems fair since another company will want to see at least a year of driving anyways.

I go solo Monday and very happy with my choice.

So Nate, I saw your post that you had just started with Roehl when you posted on here six months ago. How are you liking it now, six months later? Are you getting the miles and income you expected when you signed on with them?

Hitch

Hikingcole is looking for dedication:

I live in Kentucky, right off I-75 half way down the state, near Lexington. Can brand new drivers get dedicated routes?

The general rule is school ➡ orientation ➡ OTR. My mentor tried to get me into a Swift dedicated account, but it was no dice.

However, That Being Said, a company can put you where they need you. Don't get your hopes up. Start asking after 3 months.

Sounds like almost everyone agrees with the things my wife has told me. She also said OTR would be best fresh out of the gate. She thought six months before even trying for dedicated.

I'm scheduled to leave home on Sunday and start my orientation with Swift on Monday. I was going to go with Roehl but they said they didn't receive my W-2's that I e-mailed. Then they said they didn't receive the contract that I electronically signed. Then they needed two non-related references to verify my employment status since January of this year (because UK Healthcare charges a fee of $35.00 for employment verification), then... then... then... I got a little tired of the constant hoops they wanted me to jump through just to get started. Even after I sent them the references and phone numbers, the recruiter's assistant e-mailed and asked which should she contact and can she do it through e-mail rather than calling and so on.

Since I was on the fence between Roehl and Swift, that made my decision for me. With Swift, the recruiter tells me what he needs, I send it and that is that. There hasn't been all of the back and forth.

Wish me luck guys and gals. Our new life begins Monday morning. My wife thinks I'm going to love being on the road and she knows me pretty good. I'm looking forward to finding out what that life is all about. She said she loved it but wanted to be a nurse so she came off the big road and got another degree and has loved nursing ever since. She also said in six months if this is too hard on our relationship and I'm doing well with trucking, she will walk away from her career and join me. I think I lucked out when this woman agreed to be my wife.

BTW. You aren't going to make much money with home time every two weeks. You also will not score many points with your DM or company expecting that. You had better plan to run hard 3-5 weeks at a stretch, for at LEAST your first year. Good Luck!

Interesting you say that. I drive for Roehl on a dedicated account. I go home for my reset weekly, I stay out for two weeks SOMETIMES...they work with me...but my first year in the account(also my rookie year driving) I made 50k....now half way through this year I'm on pace to make 55 to 60 ....so I'm not sure what you mean by not making much money going home every two weeks. Hikingcole...I think your making a great decision going with Roehl. You don't say where you live and you don't say what division...van , reefer,,,flatbed. I say that because they have several dedicated accounts both in the Midwest and east coast. I run for the Kraft dedicated out of Winchester va. Good luck!!

I live in Kentucky, right off I-75 half way down the state, near Lexington. Can brand new drivers get dedicated routes?

I forgot to mention, I was advised not to go with flatbed by the instructor where I got my CDL because of my age, 55, stating that it would be hard on the joints and stuff. My wife says refer or van would be a great option for me so I'm open to either.

You will get made fun of more at Swift, but that is another topic all together.

Why do Swift drivers get made fun of?

Big companies make large easy targets.

Then again, how did Swift get so big? By doing all the right things and taking care of all those drivers.

My wife said Schneider and JBHunt get made fun of but she didn't know about Swift.

Does anyone know what Roehl and Swift are governed at? My wife thinks governing is a good thing. Guess being new, I have to agree. lol

H

BTW. You aren't going to make much money with home time every two weeks. You also will not score many points with your DM or company expecting that. You had better plan to run hard 3-5 weeks at a stretch, for at LEAST your first year. Good Luck!

Interesting you say that. I drive for Roehl on a dedicated account. I go home for my reset weekly, I stay out for two weeks SOMETIMES...they work with me...but my first year in the account(also my rookie year driving) I made 50k....now half way through this year I'm on pace to make 55 to 60 ....so I'm not sure what you mean by not making much money going home every two weeks. Hikingcole...I think your making a great decision going with Roehl. You don't say where you live and you don't say what division...van , reefer,,,flatbed. I say that because they have several dedicated accounts both in the Midwest and east coast. I run for the Kraft dedicated out of Winchester va. Good luck!!

I live in Kentucky, right off I-75 half way down the state, near Lexington. Can brand new drivers get dedicated routes?

You will get made fun of more at Swift, but that is another topic all together.

Why do Swift drivers get made fun of?

Prime would train you seperately then have you team together. She can request a female trainer.... but honestly what if she is a lesbian? Same could happen. Prime however will NOT put up with sexual Harassment and the men here know it...which actually scares them cause they are afraid of false allegations.

She's making more.money aND I could see her point... but of you ate paying for a residence for her to work.... versus not paying for a residence for her to drive..it might work out better. However you cannot expect her to give up her career or dreams so you can pursue yours.

good luck

I think she can handle herself pretty well with a female. And you're right, I can ask her to come with me but I can't push her into giving up something she worked so hard at and loves just to drive with me. She said we can try it this way for six months and see where we are, if I still want to be on the road and if she can handle me being away from her.

Thanks for the input.