Western Express: My Experience So Far

Good evening all,

The last time I chronicled my experience, I was trying to get in the door at National Carriers. To my dismay, we just could not come to an agreement on a few things.

To bridge the gap of time and to keep my skills up, I went to work at a local company in my area of Dallas-Fort Worth and I did okay, but decided with the help of my wife, to get back to what I really love, which is OTR driving.

I applied at many carriers, some of what has been called bottom feeders and some that are above that and here is where I was met with resistance. I have been of a OTR truck for almost two years and many companies will not take into consideration local driving, because many companies do not require local drivers to maintain a log book, so it is viewed as said local company, does not require a driver to be in compliance with DOT rules.

After talking to many companies, I decided to go with Western Express. Laugh if you want, call me dumb, tell me I won't make money, tell me I will drive a old beater truck, get no miles, etc.

I dealt with a recruiter named Heather. Of all the companies I visited with, she was the most truthful, accurate in everything she said. How do I know this? because I talked to five different Western Express Drivers at a truck stop or two and they all said positive things. One even showed me his paystubs and we sat down and ate a meal together at the Petro in Weatherford, Texas. He was very informative and had great things to say about this recruiter and her reputation for being a straight shooter.

I am 50 years old and am not new to this and certainly not dumb and I have had family in this industry for years. My grandfather was one of the very first drivers ever hired by JB Hunt. I don't get all goo goo eyes over what is told to me and I don't believe anything until I verify it.

I was going to go company but quickly learned that my income could be limited because my wife has some health challenges and I need to be near home. I was offered the lease purchase program.

I was informed that the company did away with trucks older than 2016. I was informed that the trucks are all automatics and are either Freightliner Cascadias or Volvo's. I will be driving flatbed because the opportunities are better for me and it keeps me near Texas, in a regional position.

I was told upfront that I may get 2800 miles a week and the freight rates are either $1.05, $1.85 or $3.00 a mile. I can live on either of these because my wife is retired and has a nice monthly check from General Motors.

Truck payments are $980.00 a week and this is all inclusive. One payment for everything but fuel. I was told upfront that I would need to buy fuel at either Pilot of Flying J to get the at the pump fuel discount. I like both of these truck stops, so I can live with this.

I head to orientation second Sunday in January and for me, this program works. My father in law is a CPA and has already shown me how to make this work financially. The truck payments are a write off. Fuel is a write off, there are over 105 authorized write off's for OTR drivers that once applied, can actually increase your income.

I will post more later...

 

I cannot speak for others. I am a firm believer that I can make this work. I learned long ago, that just because others have failed, doesn't mean I will.

I will give you an example. I have a friend who has been a lease driver for CR England, been there 26 years, leased for 17 of the 26. He has been very successful. His son who leases with Anderson and does heavy haul has been a lease driver 10 years and has been very successful.

As it was recently pointed out to me, there are thousands of lease drivers in this industry and many have been in this capacity for years.

It was also pointed out that there are thousands of McDonalds restaurant owners in this country, some in cities with five or more already established units and new owners invest over a million dollars, taking a leap of faith and they become very successful, some wildly successful.

 

Thank you Bear and I will post the bad too because it's just me. Nothing ever goes smooth all the time. If I can help just one or two people, I will feel like my time is well spent here.

 

I have already done that. My mother in law is an Attorney and is willing to go with me to Nashville and look at the lease before I sign it with Western. Of the five drivers I came across, 4 were L/P's and they said they make great money. They did say that I need to be prepared to work hard, as I am going to Flatbeds.

One guy said that even with his high child support debt, he still takes home over $1900.00 a week average and showed me. Now I am not stupid to believe that I will be able to do that. He may have been there a long time and gets better loads, designed for those who are proven.

Just because I am a L/P or I should say going to be, I don't expect to have it easier than anyone else. I expect to work for everything I earn.