WSE - from my point of view

Oh yeah...I have already learned that it is Martha who holds the keys to the kingdom. Frankly, my trainer's FM is a great guy too and does everything he can to get us taken care of. He's done a good job thus far. I intend to request him or Becky Jones? (I think that's her name)...I know that she is supposed to be one of, if not the, best FM in Elm.

Trunch...thanks again for all the advice...please keep it coming...

 

WSE Transportation LLC just announced this morning on a 7AM CST conference call, that effective January 1, 2010, the pay of its company drivers is being cut by another $0.015/mile.

A few months ago, they experienced a $0.0175/mile cut...so, this brings the total to $0.0325/mile reduction in the past several months.

Not sure yet if this is across the board...thereby affecting newbies...I am sure that it does... If so, it means that I will start at $0.026/mile versus $0.0275/mile as promised just 5 weeks ago. I have asked for that confirmation.

The bonus programs are still in place and unchanged. Shall I say the "previously neutered bonus programs" are still in place and unchanged. They reduced them to an already laughable level in the last reduction. The amounts were so low...I didn't even inquire about them when I came on board. I will not drive any different with a bonus dangled in front of me than I will without one. I figure I will do what I am given charge to do and if that results in a bonus for me then yahoo for me.

It was somewhat comical (for me...heck I've been working for $50/day) to listen to the call...on the one hand, they bemoaned the fact that freight and the associated rates were both way down. Ok, no one will likely contend that fact as it is pretty common knowledge. HOWEVER, just prior to ending the call, we were told almost verbatim, that "refrigerated freight was still strong". Huh? Which way is it? Is freight weak or strong? Isn't refrigerated freight what we specialize in? That is the point where he lost me. What my discerning ears and mind told me was that this whole reduction was brought on by the fact that WSE Transportation needed to contribute more to the Comcar Conglomerate bottom line.

Hey, but they did dangle a carrot...they turned on IdleAire for us as a way to reduce idle time and save money (for the company). I guess there are other benefits for the drivers there but none more important than compensation.

My question for the experienced viewing audience, how much fuel does the typical semi tractor consume during each hour it idles?

I think IdleAire's base cost is $1.85/hour.

Anyway, that's all the news that is news for today. Currently stuck in Lodi, CA awaiting a load plan to get out of here...hopefully to the Pacific NW.

Have a great day.

 

Smoke, I am fortunate in many ways not the least of which is that my wife works in state government and has great benefits for my family not to mention I don't have to be the primary breadwinner any more...at least not for now.

My biggest goal in doing this (at this horrible time) is the fact that 1) I could afford to because of wife working, 2) I have always wanted to do it so this helps satisfy that curiosity and 3) I think it's a great time to learn the business in case I decide I want to put 3-4 trucks on the road.

I have a lot more to learn though. If I buy trucks, do i lease them under a larger company, do I run them under my own authority, how do I get loads, do I work with a good broker or is there some other way to do that? (contract with a company to haul their stuff dedicated, etc.).

So, like I said, I have a long way to go.

And on the brightside, it is a terrible way for me to look at it, but maybe this cut in pay will drive some vets to other companies and I will land a really sweet ride for my very own.

Volvo with an APU is what I am hoping for. I really don't want a Mack, i hear the turning radius sucks big time and it's difficult to get them into the easiest of places.

 

Thanks, even if I get a truck with an APU, I may still use IdleAire (I guess they allow that?...but then again, on second thought, that wouldn't make much sense, would it?)

Doesnt IdleAire have other things, hi speed internet, tv, etc.? Are these things included in the $1.85/hour charge?