Western Express...NEVER work there!!!

[Trudger]

Ok, I started working for Western Express June 3rd, 2011. The company has had its ups and downs (more downs than ups,) and issues like any other trucking company out there. However, I have stuck with them now for over 10 months hoping things would get better. They have only gotten progressively worse.

If you call a recruiter at Western Express, you will be told about how you can get all the miles you want, about 2500-3000 per week (is what I was told when I called last year)...however, I've only broken 3000 miles in a week only about 4 or 5 times in 10 months!!! The average seems to be about 1200-2000 depending on the way the runs come together.

Now, I'm a hard worker and like to run 3-5 weeks out mostly. When I'm gone I expect to be paid well for the time I'm away from family. Well, the excuses are tremendous here, everything from slow freight to no freight to "Nashville" is being too picky about the freight. It keeps you SITTING. Oh, and your layover? You as a professional driver are only worth $35.00 per day! Now...there IS a quarterly bonus you can earn 1 cent per mile x 3 different types of bonuses. 1st one is averaging 2500 miles a week or more...most drivers can forget that one! The second one is your service bonus, and the third your fuel bonus. Oh...did I forget to mention that the company and its owners are so greedy that they'll try everything under the sun to make sure you don't get those bonuses? Yup! I just found out that since I pulled a groin muscle last quarter (and kept working, didn't go on worker's comp), I was diqualified!!! My family needed that bonus so bad with the crappy loads they've been giving lately.

Also...the CSR and planners don't do their job very well. For example...the load I was needed an appointment reschedule due to the late time of the evening it was picked up. I waited all day...waited...and finally called the customer myself...all in about 2 minutes I had an appointment! Well, CSR didn't like the way I did their job for her so she re-set my appointment for way early in the a.m. I had this load set to t-call in the yard because the appointment was set for Friday at 10 a.m. She changed it for 7 a.m. Thursday! (tomorrow!) Now I have to sit on this **** load and deliver it without being able to head out on my next one!!

Oh...and the company STEALS money from each and every driver to under the weekly "driver services" $2.50 FEE each week. Yes, the company CHARGES you for use of the pre-pass/ez pass and the transflow. Those are COMPANY expenses...not employee expenses. Now if we were contractors that would be one thing, but we are not. Oh...and D.O.T., due to the company's POOR safety rating, has forbidden the use of pre-pass! Yet...we are still charged each and every week!!!

In a nut shell, my family has faced eviction a few times, has had to go to food banks, is always wondering what the next week will bring, has been having marital issues, and has had daddy away for several weeks at a time...but without much to show for it, except on a few occasions where its a decent week.

Ever since the founder or owner passed away, the ones who have taken the reigns have run this company into the ground! They are the most greedy sob's I've ever heard of. Oh, and Don't believe those cool looking recruiting ads you see in the trucking publications...you know "Roll with the Black and the White!" They are holding orientation most weeks, due to the fact the company wants bodies in the trucks, regardless of whether they have the freight or not. That's right...new drivers each week means sharing your miles. Instead of 2500-3000 miles...about 1200-2000 each. LOW pay, regardless of years of experience.

RUN RUN as fast as you can...work for Western Express and your *** will be in the frying pan!!!

[bungafoo]

Sorry for your plight Trudger.

Many among us have experienced similar circumstances.

[blacksheepdawg]

Originally Posted by Trudger

Ok, I started working for Western Express June 3rd, 2011. The company has had its ups and downs (more downs than ups,) and issues like any other trucking company out there. However, I have stuck with them now for over 10 months hoping things would get better. They have only gotten progressively worse.

You've "stuck with them now for over 10 months"?
That might be the problem if Western Express is a training company.

Just curious here, but how much Big truck truckin' experience do you have, all totaled?

If you call a recruiter at Western Express, you will be told about how you can get all the miles you want, about 2500-3000 per week (is what I was told when I called last year)...however, I've only broken 3000 miles in a week only about 4 or 5 times in 10 months!!! The average seems to be about 1200-2000 depending on the way the runs come together.

Are you sure the recruiter didn't say you can have all the miles you can get?

Now, I'm a hard worker and like to run 3-5 weeks out mostly. When I'm gone I expect to be paid well for the time I'm away from family.

How's that workin' out for you?

Well, the excuses are tremendous here, everything from slow freight to no freight to "Nashville" is being too picky about the freight.

Nashville again?
Gee Wilikers.
Is Nashville still actin' picky?
What are they? Musicians?
Somebody oughta tell Nashville to confine their picky-ness to
stringed instruments.

It keeps you SITTING. Oh, and your layover? You as a professional driver are only worth $35.00 per day!

How much do you figure a professional truck driver is worth, per day, while laid-over, ..... sitting?

Now...there IS a quarterly bonus you can earn 1 cent per mile x 3 different types of bonuses. 1st one is averaging 2500 miles a week or more...most drivers can forget that one! The second one is your service bonus, and the third your fuel bonus.

A bonus is good.

Oh...did I forget to mention that the company and its owners are so greedy that they'll try everything under the sun to make sure you don't get those bonuses?

YuP.

Yup! I just found out that since I pulled a groin muscle last quarter (and kept working, didn't go on worker's comp), I was diqualified!!!

Pullin' a groin muscle disqualifies you for receiving a bonus?
Even if you didn't go on Worker's Comp?

My family needed that bonus so bad with the crappy loads they've been giving lately.

Y'all shouldn't count your chicks
before they hatch.

Also...the CSR and planners don't do their job very well.

How many times have you brought that to the attention of the CSR and planners?

For example...the load I was needed an appointment reschedule due to the late time of the evening it was picked up. I waited all day...waited...and finally called the customer myself...all in about 2 minutes I had an appointment!

Atta-BoY!
Git-er-dun!
If the CSR doesn't holler HoW HigH --- half way up when y'all command 'em to jump, just go around 'em or, better yet, go over their head. Straight to the top if necessary. That's bound to impress 'em.
They'll know exactly how to treat ya next time.

Well, CSR didn't like the way I did their job for her

Well ShuX HowdY.
Who could see THAT comin'?
Let me guess, ....... she probably had an excuse like, how what you did messed up her scheduling for ten other drivers as well as you. Addin' how, If you had asked her if it was cool for you to reschedule the load yourself, .... she would have said no.
Be prepared to receive your reward.
Are you familiar with downtown Chicago and New York City?

so she re-set my appointment for way early in the a.m. I had this load set to t-call in the yard because the appointment was set for Friday at 10 a.m.

YOU had it set to t-call in the yard?At what point in time did you inform your CSR of the plans that you changed?

So, ...... how "way early" did your CSR schedule the appointment for?
One or two am?

She changed it for 7 a.m. Thursday! (tomorrow!) Now I have to sit on this **** load and deliver it without being able to head out on my next one!!

SaY WHAT?!
Seven AM?
That's "way early"?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm ------

Perhaps it is for you.
But, from the way you're describing the chain of events and their repercussions, I'd say there's a good chance you've made the top of the CSR's list of drivers to do something for that they won't forget.
Are all your insurance policies up to date?

Oh...and the company STEALS money from each and every driver to under the weekly "driver services" $2.50 FEE each week. Yes, the company CHARGES you for use of the pre-pass/ez pass and the transflow. Those are COMPANY expenses...not employee expenses. Now if we were contractors that would be one thing, but we are not. Oh...and D.O.T., due to the company's POOR safety rating, has forbidden the use of pre-pass! Yet...we are still charged each and every week!!!

And each and every week what do you do?
Refuse to pay it?
Have you asked for an explanation?

In a nut shell, my family has faced eviction a few times, has had to go to food banks, is always wondering what the next week will bring, has been having marital issues, and has had daddy away for several weeks at a time...but without much to show for it, except on a few occasions where its a decent week.

It sounds like you're blaming the truckin' company for your financial dilemma, and expect them to bail you out.

I'm thinkin' you had pre-existing financial problems that you brought with you.

Ever since the founder or owner passed away, the ones who have taken the reigns have run this company into the ground!

Have you examined their financial statements?
How long ago did the founder of the company pass away?

They are the most greedy sob's I've ever heard of.

How do they look?
Have you ever seen the most greedy sob?

Oh, and Don't believe those cool looking recruiting ads you see in the trucking publications...you know "Roll with the Black and the White!"

I can't believe what some folks will believe, --- and believing I believe what they want me to believe.
Unbelievable!

They are holding orientation most weeks, due to the fact the company wants bodies in the trucks, regardless of whether they have the freight or not.

Say it ain't so. Uhhhhh, ----- you're talkin' 'bout warm bodies that can still fog a mirror held under their nose, ...... right?
'Cause when a body assumes room temperature, (cold), it's highly unlikely there'll be a heartbeat. Y'all know what that means.

That's right...new drivers each week means sharing your miles. Instead of 2500-3000 miles...about 1200-2000 each. LOW pay, regardless of years of experience.

Hmmmmmmm ------
Followin' that thought to a logical conclusion, .... seems to suggest that when you were hired, the other drivers already there had to share their miles with you, --- or am I missin' sumthin' here?
Maybe they should quit so you'll get more miles.
Then again, they'll probably just hire more newBees. There are plenty more comin' through the revolvin' doors every day.

RUN RUN as fast as you can...work for Western Express and your *** will be in the frying pan!!!

Sounds like a swell deal to me.
What can I say?
I'm sorta partial to fried ****
But I ain't really up to runnin' as fast as I can.

The experiences you're goin' through right now aren't unusual.
It seems to be the norm now-a-daze. You aren't the only one who's frustrated and aggravated. Most newBees go through the same emotions that you're goin' through.

Some will throw in the towel and hang up their slightly used drivin' shoes, and get outta the Big truck truckin' industry all together, --- and never look back. Whether or not they got out because they realized that they just ain't cut out to be a trucker, or for other reasons, what's important is that they didn't ignore the tell-tale signs. They had the courage to see those signs and recognize 'em for what they are. Warning signs.

There's no shame in not bein' cut out to drive a Big truck Over-The-Road.
Knowin' that, and not admittin' it to yourself might be considered a shame though.

If you diligently researched the various truckin' companies, as well as researchin' the entire industry to get as clear a picture as possible what makes the wheels go 'round, --- you should have known what to expect. That bein' what you're experiencing now.
I've heard worse, and I've heard better. But Big truck truck drivin' is what it is, and has been , or headed for, for years. Sure! There have been changes made along the way, but those changes don't always seem to change anything, and if they do, too often it's a change in the wrong direction.
Rest assured, ..... the industry ain't gonna change. So, if a change is deemed important, it's you who will be required to make it/them. If that truism don't set too well, --- Oh well.

Good luck, Trudger.

[bungafoo]

Mr Trudger..you have just been cross examined by the honorable b.s.dawg, a venerable master of all things on high and many that apply down here on low.

In the event you decide to challenge him in this court of public opinion, I suggest you plead the 5th Amendment.

It is hard to tell, sometimes, if you have been to a asseatinmeetin with him or just received some of the best advice you will ever get....or both.

good luck

[bigjoe]

Yes, my friend BSD/Aftershock has the gift of admonishing yet giving good compassionate advice all at once.

Any advice from the honorable BSD/Aftershock should be heeded for it is golden.

[ghostof99]

I don't recall seeing a single “?” in Trudger's post, so I suspect venting, not advice, was his goal. Either way, he certainly got his money's worth.

When I had a regional flatbed gig, the company I worked for picked up and delivered to many of the same places Western Express did. I don't know this to be true, but a couple of their drivers told me that W.E. Was started by some former big shots at Swift (ever heard of them?) and their business model was patterned after them. One guy told me that they were known, by many of their drivers, as “Mini Swift.” Also, and I don't have the time or the interest to research it, but when I Googled Western Express, the first “hit” I got was Western Express/J.B. Hunt. Again, I don't know if they are affiliated with in any way with Hunt, but I think we all know their rep.

Anyway, I never spoke with any of their drivers who weren't looking for another job, and many of their complaints were of a similar nature to trudger's. He certainly isn't the “lone ranger” in that regard.

On the other hand, he isn't a "newb" either,so he probably should have known better than to go to work for them, and... he is a classic job-hopper.

[juno_hoo]

Wow, 8 companies in 7 years but Trudger is dissatisfied with his current company? I'm shocked, shocked!

Trudger, as mentioned above, pick another occupation. Seriously, man, truckin' isn't your cup of tea. I don't think you'll find a company that suits you anywhere in trucking.

I'm assuming that you've job-hopped again and are no longer with Western Express. That's a good thing because Western Express isn't going to get better. They are one of the many carriers engaged in the race to the bottom but this tells me that they're winning the race. They are hurting for certain, over-leveraged and can't pay more to retain quality drivers. I wonder if we'll see another Arrow type meltdown with stranded/unpaid drivers?

[blacksheepdawg]

Originally Posted by juno_hoo

[FONT=Comic Sans MS].......I'm assuming that you've job-hopped again and are no longer with Western Express. That's a good thing because Western Express isn't going to get better. They are one of the many carriers engaged in the race to the bottom but this tells me that they're winning the race. They are hurting for certain, over-leveraged and can't pay more to retain quality drivers. I wonder if we'll see another Arrow type meltdown with stranded/unpaid drivers?

What the

HaiL MarY?!

S&P's outlook for Western Express is that it expects the company to "face rising and higher labor expenses due to the shortage of qualified drivers".

Hmmmmmm -------
Interesting.

Does it seem strange to anyone else that with the onslaught of applicants applying for Big truck truck drivin' jobs, often including training, that there's a "shortage of qualified drivers"?
While at the same time there are reports from qualified drivers that their applications are passed over in preference of trainees, -- who pay a tuition to learn how to pass the driving test, then work off the cost of their training by relocating freight at a cheaper cents-per-mile rate than a "qualified" driver.
Hmmmmmm -------

Seems to me the Big truck truckin' industry is creating their own monster in a quest to stay afloat at any cost.
Run 'em in.
Run 'em through.
Run 'em out.
Turning a profit seems to depend on empty driver's seats for the recently graduated to fill. If working conditions were to be better, drivers might stick around awhile and become the "qualified" drivers that the industry claims there is a shortage of. But that doesn't seem to be profitable with their current business plan.

I don't doubt for a minute that there's a shortage of "qualified" drivers, and the reason for the "shortage" is the result of the current business plan.
One truckin' company in particular sets a goal to have a turn-over rate in excess of 200% to successfully stay out of the red ink. Now, there are other truckin' companies utilizing the same approach to profits by turning what has been considered a negative (driver shortage) into a positive situation, --- as long as there's a flow of desperate wannaBees wantin' their turn at the wheel.

I'm thinkin' that if the economy doesn't recover quickly, "qualified" drivers will be declared to be an endangered species, --- rapidly being replaced with inexperienced drivers. It stands to reason that of those green Johnny-come-lately drivers, some will be referred to as "driver trainers". In other words, the blind leading the unsighted. What I fail to see, or understand, is how the current trend can possibly correct and reverse the problem of too few "qualified" drivers. How much can future trainees expect to learn from trainers still tryin' to digest what they might have learned from their trainer who was doin' the same? What it amounts to is throwin' years of fine-tuned experience that "qualified" drivers have achieved, --- right out the window, and replaced by green trainers still wet behind both ears.
The dumbing down of an industry?

S&P mentioned "higher labor costs" as though truckin' companies are attempting to lure potential drivers into applying by offering higher pay. From what I can tell, that just ain't happenin'. Instead, it's more of a take it or leave it, --- there's plenty more out thar who will work for less, and less, and less, attitude from many of the truckin' companies.

At Ben Dover Truckin'
You're not a name.
Y'all are just a number.

If y'all want'cher name remembered,
Go to Cheers, ----
Where EVERYbody knows your name.

.

No small wonder that the current trend being followed by some Big truck truckin' companies inspired Peter, Paul and Mary to sing:

Where have all the qualified drivers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the qualified drivers gone?
Gone to graveyards everyone
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Something else in S&P's report caught my attention; that being,
".......... the top 10 truckload (TL) companies account for less than 5% of the total for-hire truckload market".
I did not know that.
I would have guessed that number to be much higher.

[ghostof99]

I believe “the race to the bottom,” and the shoving of “qualified” drivers out in favor of greenies... is as natural as rain, and as inevitable.

Mamas, don't letcher babies grow up to be truck drivers.

[juno_hoo]

Good comments and I think both of you guys have a grip on industry problems. BTW, I was also surprised about the 5% for the top 10 carriers but after thinking about the sheer number of companies of all sizes, it probably makes sense.

Personally, I've always been amused by the endless whining about the mythical "driver shortage." It doesn't matter if the economy is up, down or sideways, they always seem to have a "shortage." I wonder if a company could solve their "shortage" problem forever with a simple ad that read:

"Wanted, CDL drivers with clean record, 3 years OTR exp. and willingness to work. Starting pay $.50 per HHG book mile, longevity increase of .01 per year up to a max of $.75 per mile. Company paid life, health, dental and vision insurance for employee and family. Company paid retirement at a rate of $100 per month for every year of service, beginning at 25 years. Call xxx-xxx-xxxx."

Something tells me that I'd have more "qualified" applicants than I could handle and turnover would never be a problem. Drivers would leave when they pried the steering wheel from their cold, dead hands.

I realize that I'd have to jack up my rates to cover my cost of labor and my rate-cutting competitors would bury me alive, but I can dream, can't I?

I believe most experienced drivers know that there has never been a shortage of qualified drivers. There has been a shortage of money to pay those qualified driver enough to attract and retain them.

Western Express seems typical of bottom feeders and their slim profit margin makes sit impossible to attract/retain good drivers. They're stuck in an endless churning cycle as drivers like Trudger come and go. Those companies have factored in the cost of idle tractors, lost freight, advertising, recruiting and orientation costs, and will continue to pay not a penny more that what it takes to put meat in the seat. Sooner or later they'll go under or get bought out just like thousands of their predecessors and they'll be replaced by other outfits with the identical business plans.

I agree that it is "inevitable" and believe it won't change until wannabes get a lot smarter with the homework or we have another depression. I don't think a perked up economy will make a difference at all. Too many people enjoy the sedentary trucking "lifestyle."