Going With Western Express

Discussion in 'Western Express' started by twiceretired, Sep 12, 2014.

  1. twiceretired

    twiceretired Bobtail Member

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    After reading a ton of posts (mostly negative) about a lot of different companies. And receiving letters of pre hire from a lot of companies I decided that I would give Western Express a try. I have driven a truck before, all be it nearly 27 years ago and locally before I was 21. I have no recent experience. I spent the last 24 years in the military. So I had to use my VA VOC Rehab to attend another driving school and get my CDL back. I had my choice narrowed down to a couple companies, Knight, Schneider, and Western Express. All of the companies willing to hire a recent CDL School Graduate seem to be the same. None of them have APU's, they dont allow inverters unless they plug into the 12v socket, and they all have strict idle policies. And they all seem to run solo OTR drivers like they are regional drivers, with teams getting the longer runs. This seems to be the new norm nowadays. The reason I chose WEX is because they offer a sliding pay scale for shorter runs. I know that all of the companies out there like to play the "hide the trailer" game, and give the shorter runs to newer drivers. But at least at WEX, if you can get a few short runs back to back you can still stand a chance of making some money. I have no dilusions that I am going to get rich or probably even get close to what the recruiters say I will make driving a truck my first year. But I do want to try and do everything I can to stack the odds in my favor. I just need to get through the first year with a company so I can move on to a better company that doesn't treat you like a number and tell you that if you dont like it they have plenty of people going through orientation every week that would be glad to get your truck. I also know that large companies will have a lot of people who are unhappy working for them for a lot of different reasons, so I am not going to let other peoples negative comments influence my experience at that company. After all, I can find LOTS of people who will tell you that the Army sucks for many different reasons. But I spent 24 years in the Army and made the best of it. And if I could do it all over again, I wouldnt change a thing. Some of the best times I had in my life were in the Army, and so were some of the worst times. No matter what you do, you will always get back what you put into it. I dont think driving a truck is going to be any different no matter what company you start out with. So I am going to go into this company with an open mind, and deal with whatever comes next. I cant imagine the home time with WEX being any worse than it was in the Army. And after spending 4 out of 6 years deployed to Iraq, 3 or 4 weeks out with 2 or 3 days at home sounds pretty darn good to me! LOL It would be nice to hear more good stories from people who started out with Western Express though. But I guess you hardly ever hear from the people that are happy. I am just waiting on my hard copy of my CDL to arrive in the mail, hopefully by Monday. Then I will be heading to orientation in Nashville I will post my experience here for others who are thinking about going to Western Express as well.
     
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  3. bigmikectn

    bigmikectn Medium Load Member

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    Averitt hires cdl school grads depending on where you live and what school you went to. They have APU's, inverters and weekly home time.
     
  4. robbiecox6

    robbiecox6 Light Load Member

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    God Bless You Sir!!! Thank You for your service....
     
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  5. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    Beyond the personal needs you want (APU, inverter, idle, and hometime) what you'll get out of any starter company is about the same...abuse, neglect, scorn, and not much support. Your fist 12 months will be challenging and difficult, no matter where you go. The key is to stay the full year, at the end of which you will be more 'salable' to a better company.

    You might also look at Stevens Transport. They're a starter company and make no bones about it, but they are a true 48-state carrier, their trucks are KW's and all have APU's and inverters. Their training program is challenging, grueling, and very good. With your experience, as old as it is, you might do well there.
     
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You going flatbed with Western? If so, good choice, better than van division.
     
  7. twiceretired

    twiceretired Bobtail Member

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    I would have preferred to go flatbed. But I have a bad shoulder and I would have trouble tarping. So I am going with the VAN division. I am hoping I can eventually get on the Georgia Pacific account.
     
  8. ThatFlatbedGuy2013

    ThatFlatbedGuy2013 Medium Load Member

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    I was with Western as a flatbedder for a little bit. I never had any beef with them, my DM was pretty good, probably the best out of the rest (Zeke...And if any of y'all know him please tell him Brian from 5512 says hi). I didn't get any good miles, well not as much as I would have liked but meh, my fault so. They'll keep you busy. The one thing that I have NEVER had an issue with is getting home time. Most drivers have told me they have hell getting their home time, going 3 months past their scheduled time off, but I have always been able to get off when I wanted as long as i worked 4 weeks, so your experience will vary from others.

    One thing to keep in mind is that Western Express is a second chance company, and they aren't afraid to rub it your face (metaphorically speaking) if you yell at the wrong person...or even the right person so just be respectful no matter how well your DM is in the wrong.

    So, with that said, welcome to Welfare Express!
     
  9. KenworthGuyNH

    KenworthGuyNH Road Train Member

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    I see a guy with some age and experience post up like this and just shake my head......you all remember the story about the turtle and the scorpion??
     
  10. ThatFlatbedGuy2013

    ThatFlatbedGuy2013 Medium Load Member

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    So says the obvious troll. I'm merely sharing my experience with them. But I guess to make anyone happy on the net I have to be a troll too. I'm starting to figure that out.
     
  11. KenworthGuyNH

    KenworthGuyNH Road Train Member

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    Sorry I should have quoted the OP. That was NOT aimed at you. But rather at the nearly 50 yr. old vet who in my opinion is setting himself up for a major disappointment.
     
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