WSE Opinion

Discussion in 'Willis' started by LostinMS, Feb 14, 2012.

  1. LostinMS

    LostinMS Bobtail Member

    32
    1
    Sep 10, 2010
    Abilene, TX
    0
    I will start out by saying that I am a rookie driver, this is a my first trucking job so I can not compare it to another company, but I will also say that I am retired from my first career so I am not new to the usual employment B/S that go with any job.

    I got my CDL by paying my way thru a school that was local and not the company school. I have been with them since 9/2011, did the required 10,000 miles training with my trainer where I did all the driving backing, and parking. My trainer never team drove me, I believe some trainers do that not sure. Once I completed trainining I was issued a 2006 international with an APU, at the moment though most of the older trucks do not have a APU and if you want an inverter you have to supply your own. They are in the process of getting new International Pro Stars but from what I have been hearing its been put on hold until International fixes some of the probs we have been gettting with the new one( airlines to short, something with the DEF, and 5th wheel). The new trucks are coming with an APU and I believe an inverter as well, as for wattage I do not know. Now, my truck while it does have an apu I still had to supply my own inverter, they prefer 1500 watts or less, I did put in a 2500 watt prior to knowing thier restriction, and they prefer that you let one of thier yards put it in, again, I did my own prior to knowing this.

    Since working with them I have come across a few scenarious that truly pissed me off, but not so bad as to say they are messed up, actually I find them to be pretty good. I average about 2300 to 2500 miles a week, and last month, 1/2012 I did 10,300 miles which I didnt know until my F/M congratulated me. They pay every week, never been shorted, and they have paid up for any incidentals that I may have paid cash for, (coolant, scales, ect,). I have spoken to some of the others that I went to school with and work with other companies and I do know I dont have some of the probs they have, but, I am sure they dont have some of the probs I have had either. Is this company perfect, not by far, but its a decent place in my opinion.
     
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  3. RedDirtDriver

    RedDirtDriver Light Load Member

    142
    56
    Jun 8, 2010
    Oklahoma City, OK
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    Thanks for the informative post. I enjoy seeing posts like this that give a fair, clear picture of what is going on. Most appreciated...
     
    LostinMS Thanks this.
  4. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

    14,726
    31,343
    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
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    WSE overall is OK. If you are a runner you will get some great miles. I've got some awesome paychecks over the last few months. The primary problem I have is their equipment. I advise anybody that drives for them to get a large hammer, you're going to need it at some point. Detention pay is non existent, and you will average anywhere from 2 to 6 hours getting unloaded. Also their driver facilities are in serious need of improvement. I'm just spitballing here, but I think the parent company Comcar is the problem.
     
  5. lowblaze07

    lowblaze07 Light Load Member

    89
    13
    May 9, 2010
    Bainbridge, GA
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    when i was there late 2010 I ran and the only time they heard from me is if I had a major prob. Got pretty decent miles, wonder if it will be the same when I come back next month
     
  6. jack_hammer

    jack_hammer Bobtail Member

    47
    2
    Aug 19, 2011
    Minnesota
    0
    I also started with them in sept 2011 as my first driving job. I quit in sept 2012 after sitting without a load for 3 weekends then getting a load on friday that picked up monday and delivered friday 1200 miles away. If their planners had half a clue what their doing that place would be a lot better to work for. Sue is the only one that has a clear understanding of how to keep trucks rolling, unfortunatly she only works 2 days a week

    After a month running dry van ill never run refers again in my life
    My average load/unload time went from 6 hrs to 60 minutes lol
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

    14,726
    31,343
    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
    0
    As of today I am about to start my 2nd week of a 2 week notice. I am being brought in to Elm to speak with them about my (problem). Not sure if anything constructive will come of it, but I will go with an open mind. Things at WSE are not going good right now. If I do quit I will leave the reefer business as well, unless I get with a company that actually pays detention. As I see it the load planners are only part of the problem. WSE has lost some business. I have spoke to drivers that tell me they have problems getting good loads out of the Atlanta area since the people in Auburndale fired the operations people in Atlanta. Company equipment not being where it's required to be. Theft of tires etc etc at the Atlanta shop. Dee and Steve made sure empty trailers got to places like Atlanta Bonded now since they are gone and things are being handled out of Elm now we seem to have lost both Atlanta Bonded accounts. I have lost count of the drivers that have told me WSE used to be a good place to drive that now tell me to run. I really wish the powers to be in both Auburndale as well as Elm would listen to us drivers. The first thing that's needed is to restore operations at Atlanta, then somebody needs to go and beg to get lost business back. All in all a rather pathetic situation overall if you ask me.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2012
  8. justcruzin1

    justcruzin1 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 30, 2012
    Sunrise Beach, MO
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    I am looking into WSE, getting back behind the wheel after 5 years off the road. Are the miles there? Can they keep you busy enough to make a good paycheck?
     
  9. bigpapa7272

    bigpapa7272 Light Load Member

    224
    35
    Sep 9, 2007
    Baltimore
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    I dont know I applied to them after seeing a lot of career builder ads in the baltimore area for them. I want to get on the road, tired of retail. got my cdl a few years ago and got out of school when the economy turned south. Had hard time finding a new driver job except at few places. im interested in hearing some recent WSE experiences also.
     
  10. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

    14,726
    31,343
    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
    0
    Right now the miles are on average a bit down. Still most drivers are averaging 1800 - 2500 miles a week. WSE now has a new president. I spent several days at Elm Springs getting some warranty work done on my new Prostar and had the chance to meet him. He fired the operations manager several weeks ago and since my overall miles have improved. A lot of our reefer trailers are in bad shape primarily because they are simply wore out, and I have no idea if there are any plans to replace them. I'm not sure what the new year will bring but people have to eat, so the reefer business should weather a possible economic recession OK.
     
  11. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

    14,726
    31,343
    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
    0

    As I type this I am in the Atlanta yard getting ready to clean my tractor out. Soon after quoted post was made I had a conversation with the new Company President. I decided to give WSE another chance. Changing jobs actually is a pain in the butt and while .35 a mile is a bit low I had every intention of staying with WSE. I was broke down in Elm Springs starting on the 29th of November and was stuck in Elm Springs till late into the afternoon of December the 3rd because of no freight. Then I busted my butt and had a great week going till Friday when I was in Little Rock and was told no weekend freight. This is two weeks in a roll of around 1200 miles. I have been told the reason WSE is losing this business is because Werner and Marten are undercutting WSE and this new President won't lower rates. About 45 days ago I put an application in with another company, as chance would have it they called me Monday afternoon. I gave it a lot of thought and decided to quit. WSE is a good starter company, most of the Fleet Managers are decent people, but there is a culture of driver disrespect at WSE you can see it in the way the Terminals are equipped. For the most part my first 5 months at WSE I made some great checks, and was run hard, but after the CCC company lost the Budweiser account, and Operations was closed out in Atlanta this changed. I begged and pleaded for miles, I made it clear to my FM that this was unacceptable and I would have to leave if it did not change. Then for maybe 3 weeks I would get around 2200 miles, then right back. So Tuesday I sent this Q-com message to mt FM (Andy, I'm leaving WSE effective as soon as I get to Atl). He called me and we briefly spoke, the conversation ended OK.

    At this point I have no idea how all of this will end for WSE. I do know that Werner and Marten is eating WSE alive. I understand WSE is on the verge of losing General Mills, Mars and Americold accounts. I've heard that Tyson might drop them over bad CSA scores. All of this is just rumor, but if true the future does not look good for WSE.
     
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