Western Express As A Company?
Topic 31323 | Page 1
Hey everybody,
So I'm an in experienced CDL-A holder. I've decided I'd like to do regional flatbed. I want to be home every weekend and I like the idea of flatbed being more "physical", so I can move the body more.
That being said, I'm looking at Western Express because they offer regional. Melton seemed way more professional to me, but they ONLY OFFER OTR.
Anyway, just wanted to pick all of your brains about Western Express. I don't know if I'll be there the next 30 years, but I'm a firm believer in "its what you make of it", so I think its a decent starting point. I just don't know what to believe with everything you read online and the you tube reviews and such. I've seen some unhappy people and some happy people! Anyway, any advice, tips, or feedback would be much appreciated!
Thank you
Bobby
Hi, Bobby!
Put Western Express in the search bar above; it's site specific. Also, in the main screen (well, the one where you clicked for General that got you here, click "Search by Tags.")
Additionally, read ALL posts by Old School, especially the older ones, where he was just getting started. He drives for Knight on the Hydro dedicated account now, but got his 'initial' start with Western. They're a great starter company!
Also, look into Maverick; they are a 'home weekly' operation, for the most part. Not sure if they hire in Cali, though.
Wish you luck; welcome to Trucking Truth!
~ Anne ~
ps: If you hit the enter/return key TWICE, it will space your paragraphs...thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Western Express is a decent company. They do seem to get negative reviews. Although I have not seen a lot of derogatory comments on the flatbed division. Where are you located? Nc and Sc have smaller flatbed companies that offer every weekend home? You do have to live within a few hrs of their home terminals though.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
lj rogers I had to look it up. Good company. Carolina Southern is part of LJ now also.
Thanks everyone I live in NJ
Thanks everyone I live in NJ
Hay Bobby;
Most welcome, on 'my' end! Knight may be another company to look into, considering your location. Seems they are always 'pining' for drivers in the New England area.
Have you applied here? : Apply For Paid CDL Training! You should!
Best wishes, good sir. Stick around!
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Hello Bobby, as for Western Express, they are a solid company that takes great care of their equipment. The only downside to them IMHO is their pay is on the low end. Flatbed pays more than dry van. They will however give a second or third chance to drivers with accidents, felonies or other issues. They are more lenient with new drivers for newbie mistakes as well.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.
Ok great thanks so much!
You may want to check out TMC.
Knight may be another company to look into, considering your location.
I do not recommend you go to Knight for flatbed as an inexperienced CDL-A holder. I am also an inexperienced driver, 2 months in. I'm currently there now for flatbed at the Carlisle pa terminal. I'm not trashing the company but Knight is brand new to flatbed and will not offer you the proper training you will need. All inexperienced drivers should avoid Knight flatbed division!!
I was thinking about calling Western Express also. Along with Maverick and P&S.
You may want to check out TMC.
I agree. TMC is strictly flatbed and the training is A plus. They are very strict and it is an interview process with them. They are looking for the best of the best. I was sent home from orientation back in October but will apply again with them in the future.
Good luck in your search...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Knight Transport TMC Transportation Western Express Choosing A Trucking Company Driver Responsibilities Flatbed Photos Recruiter Issues
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Hey everybody,
So I'm an in experienced CDL-A holder. I've decided I'd like to do regional flatbed. I want to be home every weekend and I like the idea of flatbed being more "physical", so I can move the body more. That being said, I'm looking at Western Express because they offer regional. Melton seemed way more professional to me, but they ONLY OFFER OTR. Anyway, just wanted to pick all of your brains about Western Express. I don't know if I'll be there the next 30 years, but I'm a firm believer in "its what you make of it", so I think its a decent starting point. I just don't know what to believe with everything you read online and the you tube reviews and such. I've seen some unhappy people and some happy people! Anyway, any advice, tips, or feedback would be much appreciated!
Thank you Bobby
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.