WE Flatbed questions

Discussion in 'Western Express' started by csogbk, Jun 17, 2014.

  1. csogbk

    csogbk Light Load Member

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    Nov 20, 2013
    Maryland
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    I've been invited to orientation the first week of July. This will be my first driving job. I chose flatbed for the physical challenge and I hope to gain starting experience then move to bigger and better things. My recruiter stated there is a no idle policy. I know its 99 degrees and 80% humidity in Maryland right now. Dosent make for a comfy 10hr break. Is this correct? I do have a CPAP so my recruiter stated I would have a truck with an APU. Anybody know if this is true? What kind of tractors do flatbed drivers get at WE? Is there still this mysterious $600 fee deducted to cover your training or whatever it's for? Are permits covered? Do they have prepass and turnpike passes? Breakdown pay? Can you upgrade to a single room at orientation? Recruiter said 3 meals a day provided during orientation and securement training? Any current info would be greatly appreciated!
     
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  3. damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2013
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    ok i can anser quite a few of those
    1. no idle is true to a point . it WILL idle at 80+ and 18- between 19 thru 79 your screwed
    2. the only APU is on the Internationals (if they have any left) ad they dont have inverters (400 watt max)
    3. no you cant get a single room
    4. 2 meals a day bfas and lunch are convered
    5. prepass yes it covers tolls but bypassing scales no, there saftey score is lousy so that is turned off
    6. permits are cover
    7. breakdown pay is provided, i forget the rate i know its not much tho.
     
  4. Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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    Aug 2, 2012
    Connecticut
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    What if you're willing to pay for a single room?
     
  5. damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2013
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    if you have the money i guess you could
     
    Puppage Thanks this.
  6. Schism

    Schism Light Load Member

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    Aug 20, 2012
    Northern New Hampshire
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    During orientation and securement training you can get a single room...IF the hotel coordinator at Western
    calls the hotel directly and approves it . This will cost you $ 24 per night out of pocket .

    I was there sun Mon Tues Wed roomed with different drivers trying to get a single room .
    Thur and Fri night I had a single room but only after I raised holy hell .

    Since the Magnuson hotel has 100 room for Western at a discount rate...and they start orientation groups
    sun Mon and Tuesdays they often won't even HAVE a room available for a single....even if you offer
    to pay the entire cost .

    I'm in a mid roof Freightliner Cascadia ...no apu.. It's pretty standard for their flatbed division .
     
  7. Schism

    Schism Light Load Member

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    Aug 20, 2012
    Northern New Hampshire
    0
    Oh..the dreaded $200 a week deduction from your pay for administrative bs was removed .
    you will get $0 for orientation days 1 and 2 . You will get $50 per day for 3 days of load securement and $375
    per week while on a trainer truck until solo.
     
  8. csogbk

    csogbk Light Load Member

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    Nov 20, 2013
    Maryland
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    Thanks Schism! Inverter? Do you idle to run HVAC or have Opti Idle? I'm wondering how I'll power a CPAP if the APU was BS.
     
  9. Schism

    Schism Light Load Member

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    17
    Aug 20, 2012
    Northern New Hampshire
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    They have a few apu's and if ya have to have one for medical...make sure you get one .

    I don't know much about cpap....can they run on a 400w inverter with a 12v plug ? Might not need an apu
     
  10. csogbk

    csogbk Light Load Member

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    Nov 20, 2013
    Maryland
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    There is a 12V adapter to run from a cig plug BUT IDK if that could kill the batteries?
     
  11. Battle Born

    Battle Born Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2014
    Scandia, Mn
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    Why would someone choose western express for anything? Much better companies with better pay, home time, and ownership. Melton, Maverick, TMC, Roehl. Four top companies for rookies. Shoot, even swift flatbed would be better. Western is crooks. Seriously look into other companies before setting your heart on something.
     
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