the facts about western express orientation. this is what to expect.

Discussion in 'Western Express' started by bubbaray30, Feb 16, 2014.

  1. bubbaray30

    bubbaray30 Light Load Member

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    Jan 13, 2014
    crossville tn
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    ive been through this and am leaving with my trainer on monday. this is for new students who want to know about the orientation at western express.
    sorry but been away from my computer. i was in orientation for 4 days. western does go to california, according to what they say, not sure about northern cali as they didnt specify that. here is what you can be prepared for before you come all the way here. the refresher course costs $2500 unless you stay with them for 9 months, $200 weekly while with a trainer will be taken out of your check but is a maximum of $600 altogether. the instructors are friendly but very strict. their exact words are be back from break and in your seats for class at a specified time or dont come back. no cell phone is to be on while in classes. they do provide breakfast and lunch, aint much but will keep you from going too hungry. no smoking in the motel room. no alcohol in the motel. shuttle van leaves motel at 6 am. 1st day is drugscreen,reaction test( in a simulator like thing) , physical, tax forms , computer forms, and initial paperwork. 2nd day is mainly fuel management and paper logbooks and csa. next is 3rd day with e log and qualcom training , pretrip,and also safety training and videos. 4rth day is the road test and you get your health card, fuel card, driver id password, and possibly a trainer. one man left with one just after class. keep in mind this is the van class, and flatbed is a 5 day orientation, which the rest of the orientation consists of load securement among other things . i think i covered everything . good luck
     
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  3. bubbaray30

    bubbaray30 Light Load Member

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    Jan 13, 2014
    crossville tn
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    ok guys , gotta go. this is my wifes computer and she wont let me take it with me. so dont think im being rude if i dont answer my inbox or other posts, i just dont know how long it will be before i get back here again. will post more as soon as i can. you all be safe and thanks to everyone for your help, i couldnt have made it this far without you guys.
     
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  4. zoekatya

    zoekatya Medium Load Member

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    Mar 15, 2013
    Baltimore, MD
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    I was told for the refresher coarse you drive with a trainer again for a month at 18 cents per mile then that's it.
     
  5. Lycan56

    Lycan56 Light Load Member

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    Feb 22, 2014
    Rocky Mount NC
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    So do they charge for the refresher course or not?
     
  6. superpet39

    superpet39 Road Train Member

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    Jan 27, 2013
    Bay Area California
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    They do not charge for the refresher if you stay 9 months with them....... If you bolt before then: you owe them $2500....... The refresher works like this:

    you out will go out with ANOTHER REFRESHER for 30,000 miles and in that time you are expected to team- meaning you might get a load going from Chicago to Sacramento Ca needing to me there in 30 hours...... (I personally couldn't sleep while the guy I was with was driving which became an issue for western) the refresher pays $0.30/mile to the truck ($0.15/mile each) this is how they make there money off you, and this is why they have so many rollovers, and fatal accidents...... When you guys get to Nashville - go in the back of the yard to the left of the guard shack and look at the damaged tractors that have the tarps on them (tarps signify a fatality)

    understand that they do a real "nice" presentation on day 2 regarding safety and they want you to be safe "regardless of what your DM says"........... But it really is just a "show"...........

    if you "have to" go to western: do everything in your power to stay SAFE and LEGAL, and get out when you can...... It helps a great deal if you can go there with a little bit of spending money so you aren't forced to do anything that might risk your CDL
     
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  7. bubbaray30

    bubbaray30 Light Load Member

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    Jan 13, 2014
    crossville tn
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    update. they dont charge the $200 per week fee tor trainer anymore. i guess they need drivers pretty bad now. but you still only get $53 per day when you go with a trainer. the 18 cents a mile rule has never applied. but there is money to be made once you get out on your own. hang in there trainees. it will get better. just be careful and check your truck very good when you get it. mine was in the shop 4 times before the bugs were worked out of it. it does fine now finally and is ready to make me some money and check all parts of the trailers before pulling one. the empty they gave me had a recap that was coming apart. CHECK EVERYTHING OVER TWICE IF NECESSARY UNTIL YOU FEEL THAT IT IS SAFE TO USE.
     
  8. Dfish83

    Dfish83 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 16, 2017
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    Do they still have a pre screen assessment test?
     
  9. Red man

    Red man Bobtail Member

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    Jun 11, 2017
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    Are the drug test an physical done at the terminal
     
  10. Red man

    Red man Bobtail Member

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    Jun 11, 2017
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    Do they give your physical and drug test at the terminal? Just courious
     
  11. Red man

    Red man Bobtail Member

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    Jun 11, 2017
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    Also "do they except.a dot physical from your.home state or do they give you anothet in there's "
     
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