New Cdl Holder Choosing Western Express . Flatbed OTR Or Regional

Hey how's everyone? My name is Jay and I'm a young man trying to figure out the best fit for me. I've been in the shadows on this site and I want to say this is a wonderful site first and for most. It help me all the way up to the point of getting my license and I know it's going to help me in the future. I Just got my cdl class A yesterday now time to start career. I'm having a little difficult right now. I talk to the recruiter at western express and he said he think NE region would be a good fit for me. There is a 900$ guarantee if I do 1500 miles. It don't sound bad to me. Now the other thing is I would love to see the country and otr sounds like a good fit for me also but I can't do that if I'm doing the the ne region. I'm willing to stay out more weeks then two to get my miles in. The recruiter also told me if I decided to change to otr I can. I guess I'm here to hear you guys opinions on if I should give the NE region a shot straight out of school or otr. I'm willing to run the miles I need, I'm here to get the job done and make my deliverys on time and safe. I can put up with the bs. I'm just worried the NE region might not give me a lot of miles. I've read a lot of post here and know if you give 109% your dispatch will give it back and my goal is to be a top tier driver. lol I'm just venting and looking to figure out the right path...hope to hear from you guys thanks for reading

Hello and welcome, always nice to see another flatbedder. Where do you live? who else have you applied for?

Hey, thanks C.T. I live in the D.C. Maryland region. I applied to Boyd bros, comcar, and western express. So far W.E. is ready to get me shipped out next Monday to start. I just checked drive pulse app and Boyd bros have my application process at 95% so if no call in the morning I might just call them. Nothing on comcar

Hey Jay-B. Good luck landing a job. Since you’ve been a member for 3 months I’m hoping you’ve heard this already. I’m repeating it just in case you haven’t. Most of the advise given on this subject is to go OTR as a rookie driver. The regional & local driving jobs require lots of backing in not very ideal conditions. Add to that the fact that it’s the NE region? The constant traffic will also play a role depending on what areas those companies service.

I live in NYC and take my hat off to the big rig drivers that maneuver up, down & around the roads here. I would love to have lots of practice before attempting to do that myself.

That said, there are quite a few regulars on here that did it, overcame all the obstacles & are thriving in their jobs. Again, hats off to each of them. Only you know what your needs & wishes are. Hope you can find a good fit that all your criteria. Wish I knew more about those prospective companies you mentioned. Maybe some others can shine a light for you.

Again, good luck & stay safe.

Hello Jay-B!

I started my career at Western Express as a flat bed driver. That recruiter gets an incentive for getting you into that regional position. There's no way for him to know what's right for you. Personally, based on what you've told us, I'd recommend you go OTR. That regional position isn't going away. They had it way back when I was there. If you decide you want to do that l later on, all it would take is a simple phone call from you and they'd put you right on it.

If you're interested in seeing this great country, the OTR position will do that, and they will keep you out on the road as long as you want to be there.

Thanks Reyn and thanks for your input. Yeah I figured the tight maneuvers and congested areas of the NE could be a challenge all in it self let alone being a rookie driver.

Hey Old School! Thanks for your insight. I've read a lot of your post, and your experience with western express is one of the reasons I'm thinking of choosing them, regardless of the negative people say. Yes I asked if I could switch from otr to regional later down the road he said yes. So I don't see the rush to really get into regional. I figured he was just doing his job to get me in it.