I heard that rumor over 6 months ago that they bought WH. They bought out Blume Refrigation out of Dorchester, WI. What was Blume is now known as Roehl Refrigation and is dark blue trucks. Lack of freight is just the time of year and economy.

 

It was only a few years ago Roehl was considered one of the best starter companies out there for newbies. Swift was considered among one of the worst. Seems it is switching but really no surprise I guess.

 

This explains a few things, but why are they keeping their guys away from home so long. Some guys have been away from home 2-3 weeks. These guys have families and they need to see them. This can't be good for the drivers moral. Understandable when these guys took OTR jobs they knew getting home would be hard, but this is crazy. Does WH like unhappy drivers or should they want their drivers to be happy and rested to do the best job for them.

 

WH like Roehl main offices are in central Wisconsin. Having lived in the Marshfield area for 25 years and only 50 miles from Wausau where WH is out of may I can shed some light on the area. I ran out of the Marshfield area for 1.5 years. I saw changes in how far I was being dead headed to get loads that would get me out of Wisconsin over the last year. In fact, I moved to Texas hoping to get in a better situation and more job opportunity than there was in central Wisconsin.

Central Wisconsin is heavy farm community. Dairy to be exact. There is not much freight coming in or going out of the area. Getting drivers based in that area loads is becoming increasingly harder with the economy depressing. WH real name is Wisconsin Homes. They supply building supplies and prefab homes. With the home industry in the slumps there just isn't the freight. Therefore, getting freight to get trucks/drivers back home to the Wausau area is also in the equation of the recession.

 

Of course they want them happy but as you noted before. They went OTR driving and that means lengthy time away. If anyone can't handle long periods away from home then quit being OTR and go local. It will pay less but they will home. All the years I have been out here and it has always been the big whine about hometime.

Can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

 

Companies should respect their OTR drivers, they shouldn't make them sit at their yard for days on end. People in the office need to really respect their drivers. The office people go home to a nice warm bed and a decent meal, yet their guys sit around with nothing to do and they won't even give them coffee. Like I said they knew what was up when they took the OTR job.If it weren't for OTR drivers most of us would be complaining cause store shelves would be empty. These people should really try to find freight and at least let them make some money if they aren't going to make sure they get home. My friend is at her wit's end, she has kids that have games to go to, dealing with car trouble, things in the house breaking down. Her husband hasn't been home in over 3 weeks. So WH is really a sorry company they need to help get these guys home to deal with some of the things the woman deal with. I am so upset watching my friend try to work and deal with her kids and the problems at home. It takes a lot on everyone to provide a happy home. WH is always telling the guys "WE'LL HAVE FREIGHT TOMORROW" WELL tomorrow comes and they are still sitting there. Some don't even get to get back to the yard, they're still stuck in another state....COME WH LEARN TO QUIT LYING, IT COMES BACK TO BITE YA