Western Express?

It is funny...this thread actually made me sign up for TTR. I have lurked on here as a reader for 3 years, my time driving so far. Posts here actually had a big influence on the start of my driving career.

Anyway, to get on with it, for the OP. This is a bit of a read, but the back story will explain why joining to chime in. I had my dream job in trucking and blew it back in Feb. Local delivery for a mom and pop gas/welding supply down in Havasu. Hourly pay, home every night, easy work. The owner, a pretty good guy, sold to Praxair. It was completely unannounced, and we were quite surprised. Processing into Prax began almost immediately. Needless to say, that was all new physical, background checks and UA's. At this point, I am crapping a purple twinkie because back around last Christmas, I smoked some ultra high grade weed. Did again during Jan around the Super Bowl as well. Peeing green is a big concern. Couple days pass and waiting for it, sweating balls and they announce that we can't fill any medical gas shut down the racks. We have to fill medical gas in Vegas until the transition completes. I get lost in the shuffle for nearly 3 weeks driving the truck to refill O2 in Prax's plant in Vegas. When my day finally comes, I go in, get the full physical and pee in the cup. Don't think there's anything to worry about, its been 3 weeks.

Wrong... I failed. Wow, okay. Well this sucks. It went down kinda weird. The owner didn't want to fire me, but Praxair wouldn't hire me. Technically was laid off as the company I worked for was ceasing to exist. None the less, get the letter about failing a DOT UA and notice I may no longer operate a CMV until consulting an SAP.

This is where it gets fun. So get a job at a temp agency for $10/hr, in #### working conditions. Look up the SAPs for my area and there is one. He is cool and tells me it is $400 to go through his portion. "There will be an additional class to attend with someone else, at additional cost", he informed me. The length of class and cost were dependent on his recommendation.

Ended up getting an 8 hr class (minimum), at an additional $90. When I get there, it is a class more focused on DUI and alcoholism. Oh well, had to do it. Took it back to the SAP and got signed off with recommendation of 6 drug tests within the next year at any future employer. Was told that was the minimum recommendation too.

The point of this story was to give you an idea where you may be at. You can find a job, but most top shelf companies won't touch you for three years. Was very fortunate to find a job next to my town for a family run hay hauling outfit. Was up front with them about it and they hired me. Love it here, but slowing down big time and will die soon.

Coming back to the original purpose of this thread, which is how I ended up here in the first place. Why is Western Express so bad? Not trying to hijack the thread, but considering a short Quality Lease with them to get a down saved for a Lone Mountain Truck. I am sure @MOGLAR will want to poo poo on this some. Why not try them?

 

What no JJ here ???

 

@MOGLAR isn't the only one, but if you've been on here for 3 yrs you should have an idea why you don't do LP......shouldn't you? Especially with Western Express. I haven't driven a truck in 7 yrs and if I was starving I wouldn't do one. I'd rather be starving without money, stress, ulcers and headaches than starving with all that, except the money, and having to worry about loads and a truck payment too! There is a success story once in a blue moon but they are few and far between, and even some that were success stories are not so much anymore with all the regulations, rates, and nobody at any particular company giving a crap whether you make it or not.

Besides, if your smoking "ultra high grade weed" and driving a CMV hauling oxygen and acetylene and lord know what other hazmat stuff, maybe trucking isn't for you anyway. Just imagine what would have happened if you had gotten into an accident! You put not only yourself in legal jeopardy but the "Mom and Pop" business probably wouldn't make through all of the lawsuits that would surely have come so Mom and Pop would be looking for another source of income.

So that's my answer as to "why not try them" I'm sure you'll say something about how you don't need lectured from a stranger or whatever but as I tell people.......if you don't want to hear an answer to a question......don't ask! Just sayin.

Oh yeah......HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

What you would do? Find another line of work? I don't plan on trying to complete a lease. Using the lease for a few months (probably the minimum 90 days) until I get a decent down saved for a truck at Lone Mountain. Then, move on to another carrier if I don't like Western Express. The initial lease from Quality Co is walk away. This gives me a chance to "try it before I buy it".

As far as your comments regarding my marijuana usage, you are completely correct regarding the consequences of such action. I learned a humbling, important lesson that day. Not looking to make that same mistake again, thanks for your concern about driving being the right choice for me.

You didn't answer much in the way of why not try them specifically.

 

Even with a walk away lease, there are expenses. If you're committed to try Western, go for it, but as a company driver. Better to get screwed that way, as opposed to a L/P driver. Most of the post's here say you barely cover the truck note, where is this money coming from that you're going to save?

 

I don't know what you can do but yes, I might try another line of work, maybe somewhere else? As in another part of the country? Sometimes it's just not meant to be, what you want to do for a living. I drove for a while off and on from '91 to '02 and there is nothing more I would like to be doing than driving a truck but it just wasn't meant to be, I despise where I work now but it's what I have to do and I'm really to old to do anything else.

I am a FIRM believer in that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Maybe the weed incident happened and is opening another chapter in your life. Maybe you don't want to move and are perfectly content where you are, only you can decide. Start your own business doing whatever your good at, art? music? uber? landscaping? computer stuff? Lots of options if you would just sit down and think about it.

Good luck to ya!

 

I was going to get involved with this whole thing, but changed my mind. I have nothing to add that would help the OP and a few others.

One thing though, the 2 biggest no no's are truck abandonment and failing a drug test. Take it for what it's worth.

 

Probably better to just let this thread die a nice quiet death, in it's sleep. I only joined/chipped in because I mean c'mon read my story, just had to. Wanted to share my experience for the O.P. as well.

 

I don't want you to think I was bashing you. Quite the opposite. If I posted all the wrong and stupid things I've done in my life on here I'd be banned. Don't give up, something will pan out and I would really like to know what happens next in your life, how you make out with a new job if you feel like sharing.

 

This isn't my thread. Maybe I'll start one when I switch jobs. For now, there is still hay and compost to be hauled. Just getting to the end.