Any info on western express orientation

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Lou3, Apr 16, 2016.

  1. Lou3

    Lou3 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 16, 2016
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    I wanted to see if anyone can give me any information on western expresses orientation. I'm going next week and wanted to know what to expect. If I was going to be with a trainer for 4 weeks,or going home on weekends
     
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  3. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    My impression was they used pretty much the same info from CR England, yet it was an abridged version with alot of holes. Western wont teach you about how to fall asleep, left out things like figuring out if you have the time for a load. Dont get me wrong. They are a good company to get your feet wet. For the most part they treat you well. You are forced dispatch tho, so dont be surprised if you have one hour left on your 70 and they expect you to drive for a hour and a quarter to get another load. Yeah, dispatch was interesting that way.
     
    Lou3 Thanks this.
  4. Lou3

    Lou3 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 16, 2016
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    Yeah I heard some things too.but I'm coming straight out of school with hardly any experience and they offered me a spot,so I'll do it till I can bring something else to the table somewhere better..thanks a lot for taking the time and respond..
     
  5. MrEd

    MrEd Road Train Member

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    I know I would not work for a company that feels the need to pay someone good money to spam up craigslist with 8-10 ads every single day in probably every single region on the website. A good company isn't that desperate for drivers.
     
    GenericUserName and Bean Jr. Thank this.
  6. MrEd

    MrEd Road Train Member

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    Where is home Lou3? Unless you have a crummy driving record before school, or a criminal history, there are better options. Unless you live somewhere way off the beaten path like northern Maine, southern Florida or the U.P.
     
  7. Sux2beu

    Sux2beu Light Load Member

    Lou, it looks like you are in the take what you can get position. If you are happy with your choice in companies. Then it doesn't matter what any one else says. Some key things to remember. Don't take anything with you that is expensive, such as computers, mp3,gameboys,psp with you on the trainer truck. Bring 7 days clothes, personal hygiene kit, pillow twin fitted sheet. Cover/comforter. Learn everything you can from the trainer. Even a bad trainer will teach you. Once you are on your own. Focus on working with Disbatch. And not against them. And learn to stay away from other drivers. Good reason. They may be in a bad mood. And will just simply be running there mouth. That happens a lot in trucking. Learn that fatigue is a very power force. And it's hard to notice when have fatigue. By the time you do notice. Its pretty much too late. And yes some hurtful things can be said or done while fatigued. Another key thing.9 times outta 10 when a driver is running there mouth. Or acting in a way that seems off. It is fatigue causing it.
     
  8. Sux2beu

    Sux2beu Light Load Member

    The other part is to trucking. What you put into it. Is what you get out of it. A job hopper is the defining difference in a long career or a short. And the difference between 70k a year. And 30k a year. No body will treat you very well or pay you very well if you hop jobs ever 6 months to a year. So be prepared to stay with western for at least 3 years.
     
  9. sam2017

    sam2017 Bobtail Member

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  10. 426yankee

    426yankee Light Load Member

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    Western Express is definitely a company that you need to be pro-active with. I started there after a lay off from trucking for awhile (about 4 years ago). Orientation in Nashville, if you are going vans, is 2 or 3 days. If you're going F/B it is an additional 4 days for securement. The hotel is pretty plain, and you will share a room. I found out at the end that I could've had a private room for an extra $20.00 a night, it would've been worth it, so if you want, you could see if that is still an option. Another thing to consider, is every truck is keyed the same. A good thing if you accidentally lock yourself out, a bad thing when you're not in your truck and everyone has a key to it. You definitely need to establish a good relationship with your DM by working hard. I got a lot of miles while there. They control everything while you're on the road. Trucks have on-board navigation and you must follow the routing they give, or else. I here they have trucks with DirecTV in them, a definite plus, because you will find yourself in some weird places sometimes. I didn't stay there for very long, and few drivers do. You get your one year experience and move on. Western is one of those companies that has a wide variety of people that work there. Most are starting over for whatever reason and they all have an opinion on how screwed up things are. Keep your head down, run your own loads, with your own goals always in focus, and you can survive there
     
  11. Pete379EXHD

    Pete379EXHD Bobtail Member

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    There's no need to stay with ANY bottom feeder company for 3 years. Bad advice!
    People jump ship in this profession all the time to better Companies!
    And maybe the drivers running their mouths are doing so for good reason. Most likely the case when it comes to said bottom feeders.
    Sux2beu is the one to ignore.
     
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