Comments By Don

I never understood the reasoning behind not telling a driver they are having a random drug test done when they return to a terminal. If a driver has used illegal substances, it isn't possible to hide it. Our company always called us to tell us "you have to go get a random drug screen done when you get back." "Okay, will do." Then we go get it done.

How much experience do you have in the trucking industry, again? The OP is more than welcome to not heed the advice of those with experience (some many years) and have gone through the same aggravating situations that pop up as a driver. Based on what the OP has told us, he has ZERO (as in NONE) chance of getting out of a contract that he signed. Roehl has broken no part of their contract. Just because a new grad is having a hissy fit because he has to adjust to changes in situations, doesn't give him grounds. Now, go back to your hair follicle studies.

You shouldn't take the advice of people on a this forum about whether you have grounds to break your contract or not. You can get a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in that area for $100, maybe less. I know there are lots of them on upwork

"If for some reason things continue to not work out I'm going to request that my contract be rendered null and void due to the fact that Roehl is not enabling me to fulfill the terms of said contract and I will refuse to pay $7,000 for my GYCDL debt obligation."

Yeah, good luck with that. Go ahead and "refuse to pay your $7,000 obligation. Roehl will then refuse to give you your CDL school certificate, and good luck getting a job anywhere else without it. CDL or not, you have no experience and very unlikely that companies are going to hire you without that school/cdl training certificate. As Packrat stated, go to Dallas and get your truck. Roehl will no doubt route you back to get your other possession's.

Is this sarcasm? If not, sunny weather or not, maybe they are driving 64.7 mph in a 70mph Maximum speed zone because they don't want to drive the maximum speed. 70 is the maximum, not the minimum. Just because fools want to be a danger out on the highways, doesn't mean everyone does. I assume you drive in the States? Are they supposed to drive faster than they are comfortable doing so in the RIGHT lane, just because you're impatient? No

What I find as bad is a car, which for no discernible reason, is going about 64.7 in the right lane when the limit is 70. Just enough it takes me forever goverened at 65 to pass them.

Why are you doing 64.7 on a sunny day, no mountains nor curves interstate? 🤔👎

One thing I have learned here is to be professional and courteous on the road. There are so many drivers that don’t have a clue as to what that means.

For example, I often come up to a truck going slower than me. When it’s safe, I will pull out and start to pass. Then I see that the other truck has increased speed and is matching my speed. What are my choices? I can stay in the passing lane and irritate everybody who has come up behind me, or I can slow down to fall into the slow lane, further irritating those behind me who don’t realize what is going on. This is really no choice at all, I have to slow down and get into the right lane so as to not impede traffic. More often than not this type of situation is caused by what I call a “yo-yo driver”. This is a driver who has inconsistent speed for no reason at all. They seem to delight in going slow to require other trucks to pass and then speeding up to play some sort of stupid, sadistic game.

When I encounter this, I slow down so as to get away from such an unprofessional driver. Unfortunately, I might encounter him again up the road.

What’s my point? New drivers, learn to avoid bad habits like this. We, as drivers, have a responsibility to control traffic within our area of travel. Have situational awareness. Don’t get into turtle races. If there is another truck trying to pass you and they are just 1 MPH faster than you and there are vehicles behind them, reduce your speed enough to let the log jam clear. This is called profession courtesy. It seems like there are more and more drivers on the road who have no concept of this issue.

"ps: DON? Cali bound, or WST ?"

Hey Anne

I will be going with WST. I'll give it a whirl and see how it goes.

How about Tom?

Yes, Fentanyl usually passes through in 24 -72 hours for a urine drug screen. The other 7 medications I received also should be cleared through by now. As I mentioned, I should be fine. I just always think worst case scenarios.

I had my surgery with anesthesia and Percocet. Safety told me it only stays in the system 24 to 48 hours and wouldn't show anyway. It didn't for my return to work physical/drug test

According to American Addiction Centers, Fentanyl shows up 24 to 72 hours in urine.. 3 months for hair and 5 to 72 hours in blood. (I think...double check the site).

Don't get hair tested 😂

Addiction Centers

I had a surgical procedure done August 24. During the procedure, I received Fentanyl and 7 other medications. For my next employer, I am required to take a pre-employment urine drug screen. I asked the surgeon who performed my procedure to send me documentation of all medications I received during the procedure, and his office did so. I notified the Safety Dept at the new company about my surgery and medications received that day, plus I had documentation from the surgeon. Safety basically stated, "if the test comes back failed due to the Fentanyl, then send that letter from the surgeon to the MRO."

Has anyone taken a drug screen soon after having surgery that included analgesics being given? If so, what were you required to provide to the company?

I am certain all will be fine; just my thinking too much and being the Devil's advocate.

I do the OD creep all the time, but only in our yard, drop lot or at Consigness. But, when I do, I make sure I am out of the way of others with plenty of space for them to go around. Saves big time on having to burn my drive time and getting my 30 min DOT break before that 8 hour drive time is gone. Keeps me moving in the day cab world.

I am confused. Since when does IP Mt. Vernon make boxes for Big Lots? Did IP Mt. Vernon get a contract to start making boxes for Big Lots?

If you can, feel free to send that WST hub pay pdf. to me @ dongoho624@outlook.com

"There's also chatter that FAB is going to PULL all offers, and stay to 'play another day.' Trying to weed 'in' they loyals"

Anne, I don't see that happening. I assume IP has already signed contracts with WST, Truck One, etc., so how can FAB "pull all offers"?

Hey Don;

In following up, that's the voices of Kendra and Jim, so take that with a grain, but .. hard telling. I'm thinking something is already in the 'falling through' end, down our way; I just haven't figured out what. Kendra thinks that FAB may hold on to some of the stuff for a bit longer; yet I'm not sure how that'd be possible, either. It's NOT Tom's destination.Truck One is a HOT MESS. For S's and G's, look at their website! vBulletin or something from the 80's, the Mark guy I spoke with even agreed; additionally, he had no clue WST was getting ANY 'I/P' accounts.

Further, have you spoken to Kris (Gordon, maybe?) at WST? I have; he sent me the .pdf re: their 'HUB' package, relevant to the FAB guys. It really doesn't look that bad!! Perhaps you were looking at the spotter's pay? I'm crunching some numbers with some paystubs/logs and would be happy to share the results. They indeed are extending reciprocity to the FAB drivers,re: vacation & benefits. Truck One (not!) on the other hand; unless I'm talking to the wrong person, has no clue, and is not. WST HUGELY extended their offer to Tom, and I thank you for letting me know, on that!

Again, we've got Karen at JRayl, and Cassie at Pitt Ohio, and of course (your) Kris at WST in the works; so many more. I'll sure share with you , as we research further.

Karen and Cassie have both run a prelim on Tom, and are extremely accommodating; Pitt Ohio has NO copay on insurance, and MACK TRUCKS, ATTRACTIVE! *haha!* but is STILL more of the LTL model, yet no pups & pintles for the ole'guy, haha!

HOPING our LTL guys will stick around, keep contributing, as we are NOT done... we've got a couple months...! JRayl is more regional/mini OTR but still home daily/off weekends; probably less work for the old guy, too! Great people, Don. I've got Karen's # straight away, too.

BACK to Crossett ~ We DO have a phocon set up with those folks on Thursday (Andhe78!) ... to confirm a few things; including the pretty great pay, haha...!~because Tom's flipping out looking at the NY tri axles w/a tag, and.. well, I guess it's more MELLOW here in Ohio, haha! Nothing that eccentric. We shall let you know. Andhe78!... I forgot.. for Don's benefit, do we need TWIC? Tom does need to re'up his HazMat tho; Pitt Ohio said that, too.

Don, if you have your tanker endorsement, and want some adventure; I'd say you DO have enough experience to 'go for it!' The pay IS better than FAB, I'll give ya that.

I'm so grateful to ALL that are inputting to this thread, and elsewhere. Again, email in profile; and I'm NOT the best on getting back in 5 mins; just ask me for my (or Tom's) ph# in email...for faster transfer of info. Thanks TONS, y'all.

Don....I still wish this really WOULD go away. Truck One, I could see THAT happen. WST, doubt it; they're making out great. Something is still under the rug, I've not found yet. (And, I will~!)

~ Anne ~

ps: I've got the 'hub pay' .pdf to email if you like, Don, as well as the shuttle.

pps: No, I've not slept much. Sorry.

Anne:

No,the pay sheet I am referring to is for the Wooster drivers and not spotters pay. I spoke to Brian in Columbus about their pay scale for Wooster drivers. I have calculated the pay differences between FAB and WST and if based on mileage rate and range pay only, WST comes out ahead. But, when FAB's Daily pay, and bobtail to D&S pay is added, not to.mention unload pay, FAB is definitely better.

Who is Kendra? Agaon, I have serious doubts that FAB can just change theirvminds and wsltz right back into the game at IP. Again, IP has (I would assume) signed contracts with WST, Truck One, etc., so it would be too late fir FAB to return. But, if Jim B is telling you something different, then definitely keep me advised.