Profile For Dre B.

Hi all, thanks so much for the advice! I just finished up training at WE but unfortunately they had no flat bed trainers so i was forced to train dryvan. SET ME UP FOR FAILURE!

I’m on my 2nd load now, 1st load took me about 6-7hrs to strap correctly once i finally got the high dropped trainer out. 2nd load took me about 5-6hrs to tarp for the first time and strap. (first load was pre tarped)

Anywho the load was 81k so i had to unsecure, remove an item and secure again. fixed the overweight issue but had no idea i was 2k over the limit on my tandem axles (thanks WE for the dryvan trainer) and got my FIRST Overweight ticket! YAY!

But all jokes aside im really struggling and it’s only my 2nd load, i’ve ran out of my 14 each day i had to secure. If ANYONE has any tips or tricks, or is just available to answer my dumb questions about flatbed i’d greatly appreciate it. Videos are not doing me justice when i don’t know exactly what i’ll be picking up before i arrive

Exactly what i needed to hear from peers in this profession with more experience than me. Thank you Davy, Moe, Suicide Jockey, PJ, Brett, & BK. Someone stated it’s been a rough patch in my life and yes it 100% has been. Ive realized when i started here at WE I gave myself probably some unrealistic time frames to meet my new goals with my current predicament (ex. Only staying here for 3months then trying to move on) I’ve seen alot of you recommend a year minimum, i’m not against it if i can adopt some of those frugal instincts @BK mentioned, and get on the North East regional account for flatbed where i can be home weekly. (Someone asked what division, it’s hard to scroll and find who on mobile) But currently in the flatbed division OTR. I’d really wanna get on with XPO or Fedex Freight as they’re both hiring in my area but yk you can’t contact their recruiters, do any of you know if they’d hire me with say the year or so of experience with the accident? I know i can’t be picky or etc rn but the main thing that’ll keep me going is knowing opportunities will continue to open up closer than say 3-5years. As far as the accident i went ahead and pulled my MVR from my local dmv and it’s not even listed there? It happened 2 months ago in Washington DC but i’m licensed and live in MD. I know it’s in insurance databases though as mine covered the total cost of both vehicles involved.

Also @Brett if it’s not too much of a hassle i’d love to have someone to talk to personally. Thank you all again greatly!

Little background about me before i get started, I’m a 22 year old male born & raised on the east coast by a rather low income family. I also have 1 son who’s coming up on 3 years old ina few months.

I’m making this post to document my experience thus far, to seek advice, and to just let out a lot of built up frustration i have. I don’t have anyone in my life to confide in so hopefully just laying it all out here will help me in someway.

Man where do i even start… I graduated 2020 and instantly went to work in warehouses, saves up and got my first set of wheels. Instantly feel in love with being behind the wheel and driving, it was my “me time”. Fast forward to April 2023, Was working a decent paying warehouse gig bringing in about $800 after taxes weekly as a 21 y/o and got caught up in some workplace mess that got me fired. Told myself i’d never work ina warehouse again and started researching how to obtain a CDL.

While researching and being on unemployment i met a female whom i feel in love with (1st mistake) i put my research on the back burner like an idiot for about 5 months. August i finally get back on track with it and obtain my permit, attend a private paid school ($3500 i had saved from warehouse work) and get my license.

I was SO stuck on staying local i made a list of companies who offered to hire me that i would never attend. every single local job denied me, no clue why cause my record was spotless. I run my unemployment benefits out in december and realize i won’t get what i want so i jump on with a regional flatbed company called PGT January 2nd.

Their “Training” was so all over the place. I got sent with a new guy every week for 3 weeks who wanted me to do things his way and not the way i was shown the week prior. My last trainer tells the company that i basically don’t know what im doing at all and im not focused on learning (blatant lies) the guy ran like a dog and wouldn’t even let me stop to shower or grab some food. Didn’t shower for a week straight with him.

Training finishes and the company lets me go because of the remarks from my last trainer. They fly me back home and i start calling jobs on the same day, stupidly telling them i got “Fired” while in training, nobody even gave me the chance to explain what happened, instead they just slammed doors in my face. So i get home and i tell myself I’ll take a week to just relax before i start job hunting again as i was away from home for a month already. (Second mistake)

The LAST day of this week i gave myself literally sunday night i get into a bad at fault accident driving my Audi like a retard. That whole week i was making bad decisions just because of how angry i was with myself, but this took the cake. That car was my happy place, my home outside of home.

I spiral into a spiral into a bad depression that i’m honestly nowhere near over yet, but i pull myself together once i realize i only have $300 to my name and once again start my job search.

The only place willing to hire me was western express, where i’m at right now. I’ve been here for a month and i’m making less than i was making at any of my previous warehouse jobs and i can’t take it. I have goals, priorities, and a child to care for but the way i went about a career change ruined everything.

I’m sitting in this truck with $500 in my account and anger in my soul. What advice would you give me? I’m honestly thinking about totally dropping this CDL stuff but have no clue what other career path i could take. Any kind words are appreciated also. Thank you for reading.