I am a former Western Express Recruiter for anyone who has questions

I disagree. When I started at Western, I knew what I was getting into. I didn't need a anyone to tell me that Western had an awful CSA score. I also knew their pay was well below most companies. When got to orientation, I wasn't surprised to find that some of my fellow drivers looking like they belonged at a homeless shelter. Thirty minutes of research informed me of what to expect.

To Advice123's credit, their office isn't at the terminal. He didn't have the driver interaction that you'd think he had.

Anyways, after two years of no accidents, no tickets, and a #### good CSA score a top tier company hired me. It's funny, when I turned my truck in, Western called numerous time saying they'd give me a 5 CPM raise to stay. The sad part, it still wasn't half what I'd make at my new company. A month earlier, they wouldn't give me a penny raise.

Insurance at Western is a joke. Pray that you get no major illness. Luckily I do my research and knew that their insurance was a joke so I didn't waste the money. You know it's #### insurance if it would bankrupt you if got seriously ill. There's enough info out there that drivers can make informed decision without being lied to by the company. The internet is a valuable resource, use it. At some point, you have to look in the mirror.

For me, Western was a stepping stone that I used to better my life. With all of that being said, I didn't appreciate just how bad Western was until I got to a new company where you're treated well. Getting me home is a priority now. payroll problems get fixed immediately. APU's, and big inverters in every truck. Small things that add up to big things.

 

The primary purpose of WE is to give drivers a second chance to improve and succeed. It's like bankruptcy; there is often a heavy price to pay for second chances. Whether a driver makes the most of it is up to the driver. You did and cudos to you! Many don't or won't, but it's not the company's fault; they don't guarantee success. They just give you a second chance.

 

Agree. I used a similar analogy is another thread. Trucking companies are like credit card companies. If you screw over the first CC company, only a low tier CC company will extend you credit, and for an annual fee and ridiculous interest. Screw over the second, and you're screwed. Take advantage of the second, and you'll have an American Express in no time. It's sill though to ##### about the sub-prime lender since you're the one that put yourself in that position.

Same with Western. You likely messed up at some point, hence working for Western. Take advantage, and move on to better things.

 

Although I've said it in different threads:

Ex Con Trucker, and DenaliDad really described Western Express to a tea (for anyone that is considering going to them)

I truly think that ANYONE with a screen name on this message board (meaning at SOME POINT they had internet access) that decides to go to WE shouldn't be surprised at anything that they encounter: because with just a little Research they could have seen (in great detail sometimes) what to expect.

ive said it a dozen times:Western serves a purpose:take advantage,be professional, and move on!

(absolutely LOVED the credit card analogy!!!!!!!)

 

greetings,

I am considering WE's flatbed lease purchase. I am actually schedules to attend orientation this sunday in Nashville.. to give you some background on myself: I have only had my CDL for six months, been on my own for the last 5 with a car hauling company. I have no problems on my license or background. I mainly run a regional route from the buffalo, ny area west to Iowa, south to texas and Florida and back up the east coast. Anyway, I have been searching for a decent lease purchase program and found that they all have pro's and cons and it really comes down to what you make of the situation. Kim, my recruiter at WE has been super helpful in answering any questions or providing me information along the way with anything ive asked. So i guess my question to you is this, from your experience, is this program any good of is it designed with the company in mind and ultimately you will fail.. thanks in advance for any input!

 

I suggest reading all you can on TTR - there are good, informative threads on several other trucking companies like Prime - and not sharing your desire to lease too much. You probably know how unpopular it is with many people. You open yourself up to all kinds of scorn, derision, and personal attacks...and very little good input.

I wish you well.

 

Nice post I just hope you were prepared... I currently drive for Western Express. I was straight out of driving school when I first started and hated every bit of it. I didn't know what to make of it I was thing it's a bad company. Now that I have a little more knowledge about the trucking industry (especially big companies) they are all about the same. No such thing as team work or not do they have any values.


Some of you might wonder why I'm still with Western Express? We'll I learned to ADAPT N OVERCOME. I don't think Western Express is a bad company or a good company. I think it starts with management. First of, those DM's needs to take managerial courses because they do not know how to talk to people or treat others. I mean there's certain way to say or approach situation and getting the results you need with both parties being satisfied.

I could go on and on about the company but who's doesn't have any complains about the company they work for? SIGN ME UP...!

Adapt n Overcome

 

You are right. And I don't work for Western, but this is a good overall observation of the industry, especially the larger companies. Not to say small companies are all that great either. But it has been my experience that a lot of DM's do have the necessary people skills to be more diplomatic and able to resolve issues with drivers.

And they, like drivers, are often given nearly impossible deadlines and quotas to meet. Yet, in many cases I think a lot of DM's simply resent drivers. It is an unusual situation where they really are not your boss, but they want to feel that way. Maybe a simple case of power hungry for many.

I have literally been in situations where I feel like a DM is outright purposefully trying to break me, trying to get me upset, or ask for his almighty help or mercy in a given situation. When I've been stuck for two days on a bad load and another day waiting on another, and I say to my DM on Friday, "have a good weekend," I can almost feel the rage on the other end. And I have done nothing. He is simply outraged that I am not upset or broken.

Of course, too many days or weeks like this and I'd have to go work somewhere else. But I'm not going to kiss up to a DM or beg for better days. I'll just go work somewhere else. My YTD earnings after 6 months or the year, tells the story;not daily or weekly ups and downs.

 

I wish I had listened to people's advice on here. I will tell you first hand... I am turning in my truck this week after being there a month. I have several years experience driving and only went to WE for the lease purchase program. I have a good driving record and have no concerns with getting hired elsewhere. You will be sorry if you do go with them. It will start with you being put up in a crappy motel. They do feed you, barely. They will lie to you time and time again and the VP of the lease purchase program(his initials are DM) will sit there and lie through his teeth to you about how they want you to succeed, and man does he sound sincere. He will give you a cell number that he claims is his and for you to call him anytime, but it will never be answered nor your call returned. If you have a mechanical issue and need to take the truck to the garage, you will sit for days while they keep telling you to check back in a few hours only to be told the same crap. 2510 miles and I still owe them? Advances are limited to $45 per load so it isn't that I'm taking too much in advances. I only get the fuel I need and get 6.7 to 7 mpg. I have basically been paying to make them money. I have even talked to other drivers with the same issues. You will also spend a lot of time sitting. 3 days to drive 734 miles and the consigned will almost always say no to an early delivery or most are closed on weekends. Obviously do whatever you must, but I would say listen to what people say. I wish I had. Good luck.

 

I'm not really familiar with the lease purchase program but the issues with 700mi sitting for 3days has never happened to me. I guess I learned a lot with my time with WE. I did however spoke to 4 other lease operators and they claim is the best in the country except for 1 but his complains was just crap loads that he kept turning down. Good luck to you and I'm still with them just trucking along...