Profile For Rookie D

Brett, thank you for your input. This conversation went way off topic from where I originally intended it to be. But I think I have gotten my answer. Thanks.

Old School, first and foremost, thank you for the honesty in your response. I think you kinda misunderstood exactly what I meant about taking care of me. No matter what the job is, or career, there is alaways some aspect of a team. Period. However, what I was getting at is if I'm not taking care of me, I'm in no position to be of any value to anybody else. At the end of the day, I am the only person I can count on to look out for me. I get the idea of putting the company ahead of you, to an extent. But if drivers truly always put the company ahead of themselves, there would be a whole lot more safety issues I believe. There needs to really be a balance, and I don't mean 50/50. I expect it will always be more favorable to the company, as they are the ones who sign the checks. But regardless of the job, if you don't take time to look out for yourself, I can't see any scenario where it ends well.

As far as my medical "issues", like I said, I'm able to perform the tasks. And I didn't go "lawyer up" just because I wasn't happy with the way things are going. I did so because I was unlawfully discriminated against. With that being said I pose this question, how many companies are going to hold onto drivers who are doing something illegal that puts the company in jeopardy? I imagine not very many, and they would protect themselves. Well, that's what I did. I protected myself against something that was unlawful. But there has to be a mutual respect between both parties, as with any other successful relationship. I am not one of these typical "young kids" that expect everything to be handed to them, far from it. But I do expect an opportunity to prove myself if an offer to do so has been extended. Which was the case before it was retracted. Like I said in the previous post, when the "issue" arose, and what I was told would have been factual, I would have been more than happy to wait and see. I would have been open to options that were presented, if they had been, which I why I'm still considering the job offer which was most recently extended. But this was just not the case. And after having a start date given, and having already left my previous employer, to have my start date pushed back a week, and then my job offer taken from me, is what lead me to make the decision I made. I agree with what you're saying about any perception of me by management if I were to accept the job, and that's the biggest obstacle I'm weighing.

The idea of the career being performance based is one of the main things that drew me to it. Being on my own, doing my thing as long the job is getting done, is exactly what I was looking for. I can't stand the style of supervision that makes me feel like a marionette.

I do respect your opinion, and your input. I know, not even being in this career yet, that I have a lot to learn. And I believe the day I quit learning is the day I die. I understand everything you're saying is probably coming from either first hand experience or what you have actually observed. And with those experiences comes invaluable knowledge. And I honestly can't thank you enough for the input you have provided.

Ok, here is the sequence of events. As far as a physically demanding job, I have been a full time cop and firefighter for the past 8 years, and help one of my buddies when deer season hits with nagging corn and skinning deer. So I am really not all concerned about the physical demands of the job, I can perform them. But you did hit the nail in the head as far as me being a Type A personality, I can't argue that. But there was no bullying tactics. I got to a point where I had to look out for priority number one, me. And I will continue to do so. If whatever I am dealing with ever gets to the point that I don't feel it is in my best interest, I'm going to find a way to fix it.

I fully disclosed EVERYTHING that is on my medical card, or issues I may have period. I have been diagnosed with depression in the past, I have sleep apnea, I have a herniated disc with sciatica, and after I got my medical card I was pinned between a utility trailer and vehicle door which resulted in a sprained wrist (for which I still wear a wrist brace). This was all upfront knowledge, and I was completely honest about EVERYTHING. I never tried to hide anything. Roehl actually requested a copy of my medical card to proceed with the hiring process. I had obtained documentation from ALL required doctors having to do with any of the above issues. I knew the flatbed division was going to be more physical going in, and that's why I selected it. After being pushed back to the VA multiple times in a very short period (and my fellow vets can understand how difficult that can be sometimes) I had all documentation that was requested. Where I was told the issue was, was in the fact I would occasionally wear a removable back brace for my back. My recuiter actually maintained better contact with me than the safety department. I regularly tried to speak with the representative in the safety department for clarification, but I never could. I was never notified about any other options, just flat out "no". I was consistently calling my recruiter, because the representative with safety kept dodging phone calls, to try and have an update to when I would be starting. I was told why I was disqualified on a phone call I made. I was then told on a return phone call from my recruiter, that the medical directors decision was not being accepted, and they would be in contact with me. Both of those phone calls took place on a Friday. The next phone call I got was from HR approximately 3 weeks later after everything with my attorney had transpired. By this point, I had already quit my job, expecting to have this job (and now I know better). Now, my mindset is, if I had been through the "exercises" the company had expected me to complete, and not been able to do so effectively, then by all means take away the job offer. However, I was never even given that opportunity. That is what set the whole scenario in motion.

The ONLY reason I spoke with an attorney about it, is because I felt I was discriminated against (which the way things transpired is a violation of the ADA). If I had been given an alternative after I was told the medical director's decision was rejected, I would have listened with open ears. I am a person who understands loyalty, and if the conversation would have been "our medical director has concerns about the flatbed division, but we would still like to offer you a job here", I would have felt like that company was trying to work with me, and I would have done everything I could to repay the favor. But there was zero communication after I was told there would be some. I am fully capable of doing the job, and I just want a chance to prove myself. I understand what you're saying in that top performers get taken care of, and I understand that. I also understand from day 1 it will be an uphill battle of proving my abilities, reliability, and worth to whatever company I am working for but how can you get to be one of those top tier drivers without ever being given the opportunity to start? I know I'm starting back over and have to start at the bottom. When I spoke with my attorney originally, I had written off working for Roehl altogether. However, here I am.

The purpose for my post wasn't to necessarily get into all of that, but I don't mind, it helps paint a better overall picture. I was really looking into whether or not it would even be worth it to go with Roehl, or am I just setting myself up for failure. I was overly excited to begin my career with them. But I can say I don't have the same warm fuzzies anymore. Regardless of which company I end up working for, my work ethic and desire to succeed will not change. With a type A personality comes a certain level of pride in being the best possible. And you can't achieve that without hard work and dedication.

Well, after what I thought would be my last reply, I ran into some issues. I was "medically disqualified" b cause of having to wear a back brace at times due to my VA disability. And of course after 3 weeks of silence and a letter from my attorney, they want to offer me a job in the van division now and get me out of flatbed. And of course they are insisting I was never discriminated against and there was just a "lack of communication". I call bull, but that whole issue isn't what this comment is about. Because of the above paragraph, I am genuinely concerned about fair treatment if I decide to take the job with Roehl still. I am concerned about getting miles to be able to pay bills. I do understand that this industry is performance based, and the only guarantee is "stuff happens". But I am worried that if I go to Roehl, I won't get good miles as punishment, and it will force me to quit, which would only put me in a deeper hole to pay them back for violating the contract.

So I'm looking for a current Roehl driver, who can vouch for actual miles, and actual treatment. I also have a standing offer with Western Express, but I have heard a lot of bad about that company, both online reviews and from friends I know in the business. And of course, any input is appreciated.

So, this may be my final update to this topic. First and foremost, thank you to all who commented and gave input. It was greatly appreciated. I got my CDL and Certificate this past week, and also turned in my 2 week notice from my current job. I decided to go with Roehl. What I didn't like was the lack of a program to match the 401k, but hey do have a profit sharing program. So that helps make up for it. Right now I am slated to check in with them at Gary, IN on January 3rd to start my orientation and flatbed school.

So it's time for another update. Been online, searching and reading, texting and talking with recruiters, and filling out applications. All while going to work and school, finding time to sleep, and I'm currently in the woods hunting.

But I think I have found a company I am now leaning toward. Spoke with a recruiter at Roehl today, and I like what I heard. I was told training is only 3 weeks, as compared to almost 6 months with some companies. Decent pay to start, I believe he quoted .38 per mile to start, and this is with a flat bed. And said 10-14 days out with 3-4 days home.

Can anybody give me some first hand knowledge of this company?

Before I go off to any orientation I will have a packet and I will have a sheet that spells out exactly what my job offer is. As a veteran, I understand the importance of having something in black and white.

Thanks for the advice. The money they were talking sounded great!!!!!! Told me I would average $1550 a week. No pit bull, so that is a downfall. Again, I'm still weighing options and a lot can happen between now and when I get done with school.

Beware if that dedicated route is a dollar store. That is one tough gig for a rookie.

It is. What's so tough about it? I was told probably 3 loads a week. 2-3 stop per load.

Been filling out applications, a lot of them. Have a few standing offers too. One possibility is a dedicated route with US Xpress that's supposed to get me home every week for my 34 hour reset. Any input?