Contract With Western Express

So I got my cdl through a private school. I just recently got hired at western express. While I was out with my trainer I notice a couple red flags that prompted me to start looking for works else where. I decided to go and call my dm about my situation because I wanted to be honest and upfront he then told me I was on a contract. I asked him how since I got my cdl on my own. I went over the paper work I signed before being hired and noticed that I was in a training program. I was then told by my recruiter that if I get a hold of my school and get my transcript my contract could be canceled out. I was wondering if anyone has has this ever happened to them. If I don't finish the contract (6 months) I would have to pay 2500. I feel very unsafe with this company driving there trucks and trailers. My trainer makes me feel unsafe the way he drives and the type of decisions he makes when finding a trailer. ( take trailers with bad breaks and bald tires with out mentioning it to our dm or dispatchers. Not once I seen him do pre trip or post trip that made me feel unsafe as well. When I mentioned it to him he just ignores it and does what he does. Someone tell me what could I possibly do to get out this contract.

Ask for a new trainer and do the 6 months easy. Time will fly by fast....Especially IF you signed a contract. Others here can chime in later, that KNOW how WE works

This is on you for not reading what you signed. Now your options are pay them or follow through with the commitment. There is no out. Nobody will hire you until this commitment is satisfied because they don't want to get sued.

If you're not happy with your trainer or you feel the situation isn't safe, request a new trainer. If the equipment isn't roadworthy, don't drive it. Those are you only options at this point.

I hate to tell you, you need to finish the contract you signed. I worked for WE for two years. They take great care of their equipment so I call BS over your claim of not feeling safe driving their trucks and trailers. In this industry you will come across trailers with bald or flat tires and some needing brakes redone but to claim your trainer is purposely chosing bad trailers? I don't believe it. There are however plenty of drivers with every company that doesn't do a pretrip or repair equipment when its needed. What is the REAL reason you want out?

This is on you for not reading what you signed. Now your options are pay them or follow through with the commitment. There is no out. Nobody will hire you until this commitment is satisfied because they don't want to get sued.

If you're not happy with your trainer or you feel the situation isn't safe, request a new trainer. If the equipment isn't roadworthy, don't drive it. Those are you only options at this point.

Do the contracts come with a non-compete clause? I thought that breaking a contract only meant owing the company money.

You can't work for another company without satisfying the terms of the contract. I think CRST is the pioneer in suing (and winning) other companies for hiring drivers they trained without satisfying the terms of the contract.

I haven't read any of these contracts, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some noncompete verbage in there with all the job hopping that happens.

I guess I'll be paying them the 2500 money ain't a problem if my safety is my main concern. As for the one that worked there for 2 years things might have changed since the time you left western. Like I said in my post I told my dm I wanted out because I got an offer for a job working locally near my home. I was with the idea that I needed otr experience to get hired else where for local work but once I got the call from the local company I mentioned it to my dm out of being honest. He told me about the contract. It is my fault for not throughly reading the agreement. Tbh I thought it was for the bonus they was giving out which was 1500 not a binding commitment to the company for 6 months of work and it broken it would be 2500 cost. I was told by western that they just need my transcript from school so the contract can be changed which will be the first thing I will do on Monday morning.

Courtesy of JRod . . . (Where's he been?)

~ Anne ~

Thank you, Anne!

Sounds like buyers remorse to me. You went with Western and then another opportunity came along and all of a sudden, there's a laundry list of problems.

If another opportunity that fits you better came along, that's fine. Don't blame Western, though. They gave you a shot and it's not for you. Saying all of their equipment is bad and it's not safe is looking for an out that doesn't exist. You made an agreement, honor it.

I guess I'll be paying them the 2500 money ain't a problem if my safety is my main concern. As for the one that worked there for 2 years things might have changed since the time you left western. Like I said in my post I told my dm I wanted out because I got an offer for a job working locally near my home. I was with the idea that I needed otr experience to get hired else where for local work but once I got the call from the local company I mentioned it to my dm out of being honest. He told me about the contract. It is my fault for not throughly reading the agreement. Tbh I thought it was for the bonus they was giving out which was 1500 not a binding commitment to the company for 6 months of work and it broken it would be 2500 cost. I was told by western that they just need my transcript from school so the contract can be changed which will be the first thing I will do on Monday morning.

No sir, they haven't changed that much in 8 months. Their pay is on the low end but they take very good care of their equipment.