My Western Experience

Discussion in 'Western Express' started by realfasho, Apr 4, 2013.

  1. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2013
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    I started orientation on 3/25/13 and was in the truck with my trainer on 3/27/13. The days aren't bad at all. Day one was pretty much signing paperwork, physical (if needed) bring your long form and medical card if current, drug test, road test (if not a student), and simulator reaction test. Breakfast was provided at the hotel. It was the typical continental breakfast. They also provide lunch. Me personally I don't complain about free food so it was fine with me. It was pulled pork sandwiches and chips but there is a pilot with a subway just across the parking lot if you don't want the free food. Day two was conducted at the hotel and it was basically a run down of how WXI conduct their business. The facilitator talked about FMCSRs, CSA 2010, logbooks, etc. Free lunch was provided again, this time it was hamburgers and chips. One note you have to provide your own drink. Class was from 0700-1600 with several 20 min breaks. Day three I went and picked up my fuel and comdata cards and then went to see Ken who assigns trucks and trainers. I am brand new to the industry so I had to be assigned a trainer. I spoke with Ken at 0930 and by 1100 he had a trainer assigned and I was off on my way. If I can offer any words of encouragement it would be to make the best out of any situation. The hotel isn't the best but it most definitely isn't the worst I've seen. This is the third company that I've attempted to go with and after speaking with guys I met in other orientations it isn't a bad choice. There will be good and bad anywhere you go just depends on your outlook that makes the difference. I will update more as my 30 day training run goes along. Any questions feel free to ask and if I can answer I most definitely will.
     
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  3. d o g

    d o g Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Texas
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    Good write-up! Thanks for sharing.
     
  4. sharp.dressed.man

    sharp.dressed.man Heavy Load Member

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    Good luck man. I hope you have a good experience at Western.
     
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  5. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    Thanks to you both.
     
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  6. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2013
    Mooresville, NC
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    Well here is my first update. Everything that my recruiter told me would happen has. I truly appreciate her assistance. She is the best. If you are thinking of going with Western Express send me a message and I will gladly give you her name. Anyway like I stated earlier I got in the truck with my trainer on the 27th. He has been nothing but professional and truly put me at ease behind the wheel. We started in Nashville where orientation occurred. He drove from there to Carol Stream, IL. Students do not drive on day one. After he dropped that load we shut down for the evening.

    The next morning he drove over to Aurora, IL and picked up a load going to Cheyenne, WY. After we got loaded he asked me if I was ready to drive. He stayed up with me my whole drive time to ensure that I was comfortable. I drove from Aurora to Grand Island, NE. He took over there and I went to sleep. When I woke up the next morning we were at the Pilot truck stop in Cheyenne. We sat there for a couple of hours and received our next order out of Cheyenne going to Denver, CO. to pick up 40+ thousand pounds of dog or car food. Lol. This is when I learned the true job of the professional driver...waiting around because of the receiver. We arrived around 1300 and were told that we wouldn't be loaded until 2300. Around 2100 we went back to check in the progress and was told that something in the factory broke and we wouldn't be loaded til 1100 the next morning. So we went over to the Pilot and slept til about 0800 then we headed back over to Nestlé Purina factory and were told that it would be 0800 the next day before we were loaded. They were loading our trailer so we no tailed it over to the mall. I got my first taste of city driving. Which was an awesome experience especially since I didn't have the added 53 feet to worry about but it was still pretty demanding on such congested roads with a big tractor. I accomplished that mission without hitting anything and was truly relieved to exit the truck in the parking lot in one piece. After we left the mall, we went and got something to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. We decided to head back to the Pilot but my trainer stopped by the factory and to our pleasure we found out from the guard that our load was ready. We were so ready to finally leave the we hooked up and headed for Flagstaff, AZ.

    This is a pretty long read so I will finish this later.
     
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  7. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2013
    Mooresville, NC
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    My trainer and I delivered our load to the Purina plant in AZ on Saturday. This is when I learned another valuable lesson in this industry...PATIENCE. The weekend dispatcher told us that there were no loads that we could take so we sat at a Pilot in AZ for Easter. The next morning when my trainer's regular DM came in we immediately received a load out of the same plant going to Strater Bros in Cali. This is the same weekend warrior that told us our appointment time in Denver was 1500 even though they were informed that the load wouldn't be ready until 0800 the next day. Anyway I'm just happy that I got a chance to see the west coast. In four days I've been completely across the United States and the best part about it is I got paid to do it. Other than those what I consider minor mishaps I've had nothing but fun. Even the ride out west on boring I-40 was worth it to me. My only other places to see would be the north west and north east and I guess the Midwest as in OH, PA etc. I can't wait. I'm trying to see all 48 states by the end of the year. LOL. In 20 more days I will be assigned my own truck to start my new career. I'm truly looking forward to it.
     
  8. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    After dropping the load of pet food in Cali we picked up a load of Levi's heading to Mississippi. Who knew that Levi's were a high value load. It was pretty cool to find that out though. Makes me feel kind of important. Lol. We thought that we would be hanging out running the east coast but we received a load send us back to Cheyenne with a follow on to New Mexico. Who knows where we will end up next only time will tell. Stay tuned
     
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  9. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    Had my first run in with a DOT officer this morning. I learned a valuable lesson too. They are not all that bad. I pulled into the weigh station just after crossing into New Mexico and treated it like every other one that I've ever been thru, slowed down to 15 MPH and kept it moving. Just as I crossed the scale I saw the light say PARK AND COME IN. I immediately got nervous. Well unbeknownst (is that a word?) to me I was supposed to stop each axle on the scale. He could've been a jerk about it but when I told him that I was new to this he explained the whole single axle scale deal and told me to have a good evening. So now I know and knowing is half the battle...lol
     
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  10. Bigdubber

    Bigdubber Light Load Member

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    Realfasho... thanks for the thread/posts... :biggrin_25514: this company is "on my list" so your sharing of your experience (good and bad) are and will be of a great help in my decision making.

    God bless and be safe out there! ~Bigdubber
     
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  11. realfasho

    realfasho Light Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2013
    Mooresville, NC
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    Thank you sir. I searched high and low and couldn't find anything positive so I decided to be the first. It seems like there is rarely anything positive said about any of the trucking companies out there. I've come to the realization that people don't write reviews unless they don't like something. So I want to change that.
     
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