Starting over with Western Express
 

Okay...I've been out of trucking since Dec. 2008. I'm going back. And I have to start over.

This is why I have applied at Western Express. Sure as heck not for the pay. All kinds of red flags within this adventure, and a very good chance I won't even work for them. The bus ride to Nashville, TN would have been 18 hr ride. Screw that, caught a flight with Southwest. With one layover, max time 4 hours, not including boarding. I was reassured I would get my ticket reimbursed. We'll see.

So far, I've just talked to the recruiter. And ofcourse, he promised the world. I'm suppose to go to 2 days of orientation (non-paid), and 3 days of load securement. (paid $50 per day). I'm suppose to go into the flatbed division. After this, I'm suppose to go out with a driver for 1-2 weeks just so the company know I can still drive. This is paid at $375 per week. Big bonus here--only have to pay taxes on half. (My recruiter thought this might be a positive thing with me...) So, with not even been there, I'm already on per diem pay. (Kinda made this clear to my lovely recruiter that would be a deal breaker) I'm hoping I can get them to just use straight milage pay.

After all of that, I get into a rig, and start earning all the way up to .75/mile......well, This is what it really is:

1. 0 - 200 miles = .75/mile
2. 200 - 400 miles = .45/mile
3. 400 + = .33/mile

Okay. If you gotta start over, and don't have the money for a refresher course, here is a start. And the standard promise of 2500 - 2800 miles per week. Sure.

As you read this, the question comes to mind. Why?
The answer is simple. My business is going broke, and I need to get back to work.

So I will keep everyone informed on what happens. Worse case.....My rants will be short.:confused::confused:

At least you're not sitting on your a** collecting welfare.

I became a driver in 2005 after trucking school. Then, I worked for Werner completed training and made .29 a mile loaded. The recruiters promise you the world and that is usually a lie. I didn't make any money at Werner so, I went home and got me a job at McDonalds.

Good luck, Cluggy. There is a lot of oil rig work in your area. Have you check with any of them? There are also some trucking companies around Burleson that usually have signs on their lot about needing drivers.

Why do people feel compelled to only seek out the megas when they return to the industry.

The only ones who told me I had to take a stupid refresher course were the megas. It's bogus.

I found a local smaller carrier with 25 trucks and was in my own truck within the first week of driving.

Yes, I have check with the local companies dealing with energy corporations..and we get back to insurance requiring time behind the wheel within the last 3 years....at least 6 months to 2 years. I've been to a few to apply, but never got the job..

Thanks for the luck.;)

if you take the time to look, you can find almost anything you want. So let's see what I wanted.

1. A job that pays. Requires time behind the wheel. Going with the mega is easier than waiting for other to call back.
2. I wanted to drive flatbed.
3. In the future, get a rig and flatbed trailer. This is more for myself than required. It takes time to save the cash to buy a rig. I will NOT be leasing.

Where you are right about mega's not being the only answer, it is one that fits for this moment.

Thanks for your responce.

Megas want to start you at what pay scale? 29 CPM? 30 cpm.?

There is a company in MN that will start you above that and actually take you on vacation to mexico every year.

If you want to buy your truck, they'll help you there too.


Had I known of them before I bought my truck, I'd probably still be a company driver.

Mexico sucks...plus there is a boycott against Mexico.

Really? Is this the best info you got? Why are you posting this here?

There are many with higher payscales. And I might look into them. You got to remember, I'm not hired yet. Just because they bring you to orientation doesn't mean your hired, and on the flip side of that, doesn't mean I'll accept their offer.

Only when they accually hire me will I be committed. Until then, I'll enjoy the free trip and hotel stay...on them of course.;)

You kinda surprised me Cluggy, I thought you were done with driving. But ya gotta do something and you already know how to drive.
Since ya don't really need the 'standard noob advice' I'll just wish ya BEST A LUCK!

Thanks for the luck....the more I read about Western Express, the more I wished I nevered bought the plane ticket. A lot of very negitive things, from complaints of checks as low as $159 per week, to the out of route fee of $1/mile, to the $2500 driver refresher that I never knew about.

And these are complaints spanding just 3 years, after the CEO/Owner died, and his wife(?)/mistriss of the dark took over the company....now, if your a lying, no good for nothing, POS dispatcher, this company seems for you....with lots of benifits.

Remember my rants about JB? Remember me saying that angry drivers are angry for a reason? These drivers I have read from ALOT of different sources, found by bing.com, just search "Western Express Inc. Complaints", well, kinda have me thinking of just taking a lost on the plane ticket.......

It seems like I'll come out further ahead. Anyways, I got some time to think about it.

Because the MNdriver thinks going to Mexico is a selling point. BTW...you'd make $500 per week tax free using your Occupational accident policy.

The mexico trip isn't the selling point.


The company y makes it a point that the drivers are just as important as the office staff and both go there for a team building event.


And I'd consider it a gimmick if it weren't for the other things the owner of the company does.

But hey, you both know better without knowing the full facts.

He's unhappy about being told he has to start over since he's been out since 2008. I left in 97 and came back in 2012. Megas were the only ones telling me I had to take refresher courses and their pay was crap compared to finding a local company that's smaller and paid better.


Hmmm. Makes sense to me. Smaller company, better pay and less hassle coming back.

Yop, I'll go to a mega company where its just the opposite.

Well, after reading the complaints for this company, alot of information has come up...

It seems that the "free" refresher course may come with a 9 month/$2500 fee. This has NOT been verified, but has been reported. This is a deal breaker - I don't the time to waste with a company like this, should this be the case. Nothing was told from the recruitor or company to make me aware of this deal before they set me up for orientation. I leave tomorrow, with orientation on tuesday.

I'm not a nice person. However, I do need to find out by being there, not from listening to a lying recruitor. I'll be sure to let you all know what happens.

You might want to check out Crete, I know it sounds like I'm head hunting but I'm not. I HATE to see people screwed over! Crete has a refresher course (FREE) I went thru it and was told it would be 6 weeks but then once they saw I could not only drive a straight line but back up too! They gave me a truck in just less than 3 weeks (i did need that 3 weeks). All in all they've been pretty good to me and they have a flat bed division HUNT Transport. If your interested check with Hunt if they do the refresher course too cause drivers can't just 'switch' from Crete to Hunt like they can from Crete to Shaffer. I guess it's cause of load securement.

Hey, Repete............

You think they'll require him to do any crossdocking?? :cool:

Ok......and hello from Nashville, TN.

Decided to come out, and see wht it is. The hotel not so bad. It's underconstruction, but my room is ok. Talked to a couple of new drivers....

They are not to thrilled to be here..... haven't met my roommate yet -- yes, you will have a roommate. McDonalds is next door, so dinner will be nuggets.

Hotel serves breakfast in the morning in the lobby @ 5:30 am? Then you must go to meet shuttle bus in the meeting area off the 3rd floor by the pool @ 6 am.

However, I'm glad to say that I don't need a refresher course, so my recruiter said. So after orientation and seccurement class, I'm getting straight into a truck.

So that's good. Anyways, more to say tomorrow.;)

Hope not, I think that might be a deal breaker.

"However, I'm glad to say that I don't need a refresher course, so my recruiter said. So after orientation and seccurement class, I'm getting straight into a truck. "

That is good news, your gonna be shocked at how rusty you are!

My thought's too, from experience. :)

I had to just not look in my mirror's for awhile….no matter what I heard….or felt. :p

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...oBallerina.jpg
Sumo Cluggy could own it easily, if he shows up in a Tutu.

it's more about attitude, than skill. ;)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...and10/0268.jpg
​(step-thunk…step-thunk…step-Squish) (hog steps in it)

Garrrh, they weren't gonna let me cross dock
sez me attitude ain't big enough for the job…

Aye, that's when aye put me wooden leg down…(squish) …….Arrrrrh!

Quote Originally Posted by Useless:

Hey, Repete............

You think they'll require him to do any crossdocking??

Well, he said he's decided to come out!! And, you caught the bit about him taking a class in "securement"??

No comment

the look on your face, said it all :)

Hello my very gay friends...( just kidding for a few of you).

Well, orientation and load securement class is over. I'm hired, and suppose to get my truck on Monday.

To be honest, any company can behave for a few days. JB Hunt wasn't bad during orientation either.

So, let's see what goes on from here. I did get a chance to talk to some drivers. I also got to redo loads that drivers screwed up on straping/chaining down. I can say this. If you are going to a terminal, make sure that your load is secured properly. There are no slaps on the hands for lazy drivers, and that includes if you are moving someone else's load. They record everything, and you will get fired, sooner or later. Had one driver told me he would tell on me if I did something wrong after I get my truck. Says alot obout a company. I also have to get a anti-theaf device of somekind, as all keys to trucks in the fleet are the same. This bring up a security problem. I don't need my stuff getting stolen because of a company stupidy. I'll have to talk to them about that.

Anyways, I'll keep you all informed on my progress.;)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...nd10/simon.gif

​…………..yer such a brute big fella ;) heh heh

Well, Cluggy.......... You were the one who said that you'd decided it was time to "come out"!!.....

.......But don't worry; your secret is safe with us!! :cool:

Hello everybody.

Got my truck yesterday.....broke. A engine light came on, so I went to the shop to see what's wrong. Something about a sencer over the tranmission. (I was going to put "tranny"......:confused:) Lost my load going to MO, and waiting for the shop to fix it. They had the wire harness taking out checking for damaged wires...nope. So I'm waiting in a motel until it's fixed. But at least I got my truck, a 2011 freightshaker.

I'm going back in a couple of hours to see if they got it fixed. I'm currently in the Super 8 motel that the company deals with. The other motel I stayed in is called the Magnuson Hotel. My personal preference will be the super 8. I'm not a fan of the magnuson.

Anyways, I go to meet my "Drivers Manager" (dispatcher) today. Hopefully, he's a good one that will keep me rollin.

Updates will follow. :cool:

Luv this pic. I'm going to use it for dating sites when other ask for a pic of myself. ;)

One last thing about orientation. The meals suck. A sandwitch and bag of chips. That's it. That's lunch and dinner. This company is way too cheap to buy their drivers a decent meal during orientation. It's a sad thing.

Bring money for your meals if you want to eat good. Just sayin.;)

You're missing the big picture, Bigmon. Here's how it works:

1.) Take you're family on a company paid vacation to Mexico.

2.) Sneak you and your family back across the border, into the United States.

3.) By doing this, you and your family will be wetbacks....... ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.......
.........Which means you'll qualify for welfare, food stamps, free housing, free medical care, and free education!! :p

Ok. First week. I'm pissed off already. From the lies about staying in the south to them just lying about getting me home so I can get my meds. Low miles, under 2000 for this week. Not a happy camper. As of Monday morning, I will run out of my diabetic meds. I'm really close to just saying the hell with it, catch a plane, and go home. Anyways, after my meds run out, I'm not sure if I can drive until I get some more. My insurance already paid for this month supply, and they are in Texas. No good for me in south bend, IN. I guess I'll have to wait and see what going to happen.

So the mileage sucks. How 'bout the pay? (I ask this mostly because I never run much for mileage, but I rarely gross less than $1k weekly.)
Also, do you have one of the automatic trucks? I ran across a Western van driver two nights ago who had one and he hated it.

Most of it was $.33/mile. Around $550, if my math is correct.I think I had some layover pay, and tarp pay ($15). But we knew this going in.....No, I have a 10 speed. The company is buying new Volvos with automatics. I drove one awhile last year hauling frac sand...I kinda like them.

Okay. Just made it to the yard, and talked to management. And of course, the DM tried to say I didn't mention the problems with the low meds. Funny thing about quailcomm's. They tend to remember all messages sent and received. Needless to say, I'm getting a new DM. Right now going to catch some sleep, and in the morning I'm getting a load heading towards Mississippi, then to Texas. I gonna ask for some home time.

So I guess the lesson today is if you got a quailcomm, use it instead of a phone call. Other than that, I guess all is ok. But boy, was I pissed off yesterday. I came really close to just going to the airport in Chicago, and flying home. Money for a flight home is easier to get than what my meds would have costed. From here in Nashville, TN, I can get home on Southwest for $139. My meds are over $400. Texas medicaid pays for those. Thank-you Obamacare.

So begins week 3 (if you count orientation) of my adventure with Western Express. I hope I'm covering everything, good and bad. My goal is to show a honest attempt at working here. I'm sure we don't want yet another "JB Hunt" rant for the next umpteen years......:roll3:

Thanks Cluggy
 

I almost went to western express Glad I didn't !!!!