New Guy Going With Western Express

Hey everyone, new to the forum, and the Trucking world. My name is Ryan, and I leave to head out to Pa this coming Sunday. After doing research, I’ve decided to go with Western Express. I’m not a felon, nor do I have other bad things against me, I am going with them, mainly because I want to do flatbed. Yes I realize there are other companies, but for the time being I feel like this is where I want to go. I’ve read plenty of reviews about the company, which I haven’t found one good one yet, but to be honest, I haven’t found a good review about any of the mega carriers. I’m more of a half glass full kind of guy, and I believe that experiences in life, are what you make of them, so I will do my best to keep an open mind etc. I plan on updating this, so other people considering Western Express, can have some fresh insight into the company etc. thanks to anyone who reads this, any and all comments welcome.

Congrats. I don't think there is a current diary for Western Express, but man o man, do I see a lot of there trucks in New England.

Have you been studying the link for the pretrip and CLP prep?

Best of Luck Chris

Old School started his flatbed career with them. He liked it there and is doing very well now.

This is a refreshing change to the norm, a positive thinker seeing opportunity instead of the more common "woe is me I'm out of companies to apply to except X Y,Z ."

Good on ya Ryan. If you keep seeing the silver lining, not only will other folks (important folks like dispatchers) enjoy working with your positive attitude, but the lifestyle itself will be more an adventure than a lot of people fail to see.

Thanks for the reply’s guys. I actually have my class A, I’m not sure how it is in other states, but in Iowa, I just had to get my clp , then wait 14 days, and in that 14 days, a buddy of mine let me drive his truck and get used to it, and on the 15th day, I went to the dot , and used his truck as well, to take my testing. From my research, I’ve realized, that the first year at least, is going to be rough, and I totally expect that. I’m not going into this, thinking I’m gonna be making huge amounts of money off the bat, and I will be the first to admit, I am a total Trucking newbie, but I needed a change in my life, and I feel that, if I put everything I have into this, I can be successful. I am just looking to learn everything I can, about the trucking industry, operating a tractor and trailer, safely and to the best of my ability, and getting the experience I need, to move forward in my Trucking career. Thanks everyone.

Biggest thing the first year is this:

Do your best every task, every mile, every time!

Don't hit anything!

Have a plan. Then have a Plan B.

Set realistic goals.

Whatever you did yesterday, do it better today!

Don't quit!

Have fun and enjoy this adventure.

Yes I realize there are other companies, but for the time being I feel like this is where I want to go.

What drew you more towards Western Express than some of the other flatbed companies on here, like Maverick or TMC? Better pay, newer equipment, access to certain dedicated accounts, "corporate culture"?