Western Express Inc. - Nashville, Tn.

When I was based out of Nashville all of their drivers I talked with said just the opposite. They told me the equipment was junk and that DOT hit them hard at all inspections.

 

And for good reason. Their OOS rate for logbook violations is running 13.1%, almost double the national average, and their current ISS-D number stands at 99. Yep...the road inspectors will be asking them to go around back for a little look-see....

 

Now forgive me if I am wrong, but is not OOS rate for logbook violations a problem with drivers, and not the company.

 

Well, it can mean one of two things: 1)Yes, their drivers simply don't know how to log and run legally, so they are getting so many OOS violations, or 2) they are being pushed so hard by dispatch (and unfortunately are pushing it) that they are constantly running out of hours.

I would bet on option 2...

 

It could be that, or it could also be that the company tends to push drivers to make up for time lost. Either way, the company shares blame for an OOS rating that high, because they are supposed to be keeping tabs on logs and looking for instances of falsification than would be possible at the road inspector level. The FMCSA views it as a company not controlling the situation satisfactorily.

I tend to agree with that premise as well. For it to rise to that level, the company condones it on some level.

 

I was starting to think I was crazy. I drove for these jokers and every WestX driver I met was perfectly content. In orientation it was me and former WestX drivers returning for more! I was starting to think "Stepford" drivers or mind control over the Qualcom. I'm relieved to hear that in fact there are other drivers with negative experiences (that probably sounds ugly?).

Two major problems (that I experienced);
#1. Load dispatch. P/U window is past when you receive load. Confirm with travel agent. A few calculations later and you may also be sending a Qualcom message notifying need for ammended delivery schedule. Just doing my job, keeping you in the loop, being a good driver, covering my backside in writing. And there I go thinking I'm slick... Come to find out that I was charged with late loads because my load mangler either chose not to update load info, didn't know how to make changes or heaven only knows what else. I was listed as driver of record - I became the one with the dull, throbbing pain between my back pockets.

#2. Nashville Night Management. (It took everything I have not to mention the PM Ops Mgr's name in this post but it would probably just be deleted before long.) I was advised by night ops that they didn't need to read my Qualcom messaging, rather I needed to read and act on their messages. Did WestX not pay their Qualcom bill? Was this some sort of abbreviated service? This type of attitude surfaced like a bad flush on several occasions - pretty much confirming what I had begun to suspect;

Hey, this grass isn't greener! It's painted!!!!

 

All he has to do is tell them the obc went out.THen if they don't like that.Tell them to stick that truck,where the sun don't shine.

 

I actually considered Western Express until I realized how bad their pay is. They offered me MUCH less than any other carrier. .30/mile or so, I can't really remember. All I know is the recruiter was like the used car salesman on Family Guy...Very pushy...