Profile For Breezie

I feel for you driver. I have trouble waiting for 10 minutes for a load. Honestly I would be calling everyone at your company that will listen to you and ask them what’s going on. Find out if it’s you or if it’s them or if it’s your dispatcher or what. Western drivers i know on the flatbed side typically make between 900 to 1500 dollars a week.

Your story about the speeding ticket had me worried about my own. I recently got pulled over for going 68 in a 45. 23 over. The cop told me he would knock it down to 5 over and I was so happy I could of kissed that officer right on the lips. Well after reading your post I got pretty worried. I just got back from paying the 11 bucks to the PA department of transportation to get a copy of my MVR. Sure enough that cop was a man of his word and it says I was doing 50 in a 45. No mention of the 68. Get after your people. There’s money to be made at western. You just got to make it happen.

I'm really glad the officer kept his word and sorry for worrying you about it. I think my case is unique and I fell for the okie doke with the attorney. My husband used to drive for western several years ago and he said they gave him more miles than he can handle. But he's also a flatbed driver. I've done flatbed but only when teaming with him. I cannot climb on top of loads to tarp if needed. I've had reconstructive surgery on my ankle...... otherwise I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Anyway, the problem is getting someone to listen, or even answer the phone. I really hate changing companies and I honestly get along with my dm. I have a decent truck and i like what I'm running. I just need more of it. I'm very patient as far as waiting goes but I'm not being compensated for my time. I think I am going to start making a little more noise and see what I can get accomplished because I want to stay here if I can. I have started looking for other companies though but I'm afraid they won't be much better with my limited options right now.

Ok, I've been a driver for almost 15 years. In that time I've skated by with only one dot violation on an inspection for a fuel cap, a parking ticket in VA and an over weight ticket in GA. Until last year a state trooper popped me doing 55 in a 35 in AL. Yeah yeah I know....... technically the speed limit was 55 but on this particular highway they have a little hill and about half way down that hill there is a sign that says truck speed limit 35 because they have a run away truck ramp. As if I needed to use the ramp, I'd have to slow to 35 mph before hitting it....... ( smh) if I could slow to 35 mph I wouldn't need the ramp. But this was the state trooper's reasoning for the truck speed. Yet I digress. At any rate, I was speeding and got a big ticket for it. So I contacted cdl consultants paid the fee for the attorney, the attorney went to court and stated he got the ticket dropped to 5 mph over. I was fired from my employer at the time for getting the ticket and was in search of a new job. After filling out applications on driver pulse I started getting hits and soon found out the ticket is still on my mvr for 20 miles over the limit. Now I'm stuck at Western Express and literally thinking about going to work in a soup kitchen just so I can eat. I have no idea what I can do from here. I'm reduced to me, my dog and what little we own living in this truck eating hot dogs every day of the week just to survive. I've lost everything trying to get this ticket off my mvr and I'm struggling to get out of this rut. If anyone has any suggestions, ideas or advice it would be greatly appreciated. Please no sarcastic or rude comments. I know the mistakes I made and I accept responsibility for them. I'm just trying to figure out how I can get back on my feet. Thanks in advance.

In regards to my OP I apologize for the way I wrote it. I'm a little frustrated, angry and disappointed. I'm trying to get myself out of my screw up I just keep hitting brick walls. I want to thank everyone for their input, you all have at least helped me look at things differently and reminded me that I still have options. Things do tend to get heavy and stressful on the road at times. Thankfully this site exists and in the future I'll try to be a more active and helpful member.

Reading this, and looking at it from both sides (yours and the company's), I'll say that I'd be at the same frustration point myself. Waiting this long to me is ridiculous, too.

If I were you, with all this unwanted, extra time on your hands, I would be calling recruiters. Tell them all the facts and see what happens.

Obviously, be prepared for the inevitable "NO", but you won't know until you try.

"I know it sucks", "Hang in there", and "It will get better" are not what I'm going to offer you, because that's not what you need to hear right now.

I understand, I've started filling out applications and speaking with recruiters today. I've really tried to make it work here. In general it's not that bad of a company it's just obviously not for me. I drove for Werner for seven years so I have no issues with the big "starter" companies. But after driving for smaller companies and owner ops I've kinda out grown all of this. I'm trying to avoid the Russians at all costs (lol) and I'm totally prepared for the "no". I'm ok with it and understand it, I screwed up and it's going to take a while to fix. Just trying to figure out where to start and even if it can be fixed at this point.

I am probably not the best person to respond to this, however I will give you my best general advice. You have way more experience than I do, but I’m sure we do not share the same perspective.

The way you phrase some of your comments seem as though even though you say you take responsibility for your actions, you may not actually be. The ticket was not the troopers fault. The attorney you hired should be taking care of that situation that you paid a fee for them to do.

That really isn’t your main issue.

Your perspective during a stressful period in your life may be.

You say your working at Western Express. Your statements regarding that leads me to think you are unhappy there, and I am guessing everyone you work with knows it also.

IF your unhappy attitude is getting in the way with your dispatcher and others there they will be less concerned to be helpfull. That could be part of the problem with your earning potential.

You have been apart of this site for over 4 years. You already know that the main reason people tend to struggle is directly related to attitude. Stress effects everyone differently and often leads to very bad situations because we don’t think as clearly and often times will say or do things we otherwise would not.

Your employed and available to dispatch. Discuss your struggles with your dispatcher and work with them to improve your miles, which will give you more earning capacity. If your dispatcher isn’t working for you, try and change dispatchers. Sometimes personalities just don’t mix well.

I’m sorry if I sound harsh, but you provided very general information, I’m sure there are many more details. I’m basically attempting to get you to think about your situation and honestly look inward and see if you develop some answers.

I wish you the best with your situation.

No, you don't sound harsh at all. It's a great answer and I totally agree. The trooper was actually a nice guy I was implying the 35 limit was ridiculous but I'm sure it's there for a reason. Also I've addressed my concerns with dispatch several times in a polite manner but some of the issues I'm experiencing is for example, currently I'm on a load that delivers at a port and I do not have a twic card. I need an advance for the escort fee and I've been waiting for that since Friday. I've made several calls, messages and advance requests. I picked this load up on Thursday afternoon 800 miles away from the con signee, the appointment was set on Saturday but when I called to confirm I was informed they only receive M-F. So I've been stuck on this load for 4 days now and it's only 800 miles. I'm used to driving around 600-700 in a day. They won't let me drop the load to let another driver with a twic card deliver it and when i ask about paying for the escort the only answer i get is that they are working on it. I'm pretty laid back and understanding but this has gotten to be too much to handle. I've asked for different runs and more miles and even another dispatcher even though I like mine. I've never fussed, argued or been rude. I just feel as though I've fallen through the cracks at times. As far as my ticket and the attorney goes, I'm up s it creek without a paddle. I'm hoping I can get another attorney and try again at some point but I have to make a check over $150 first. I apologize for the generalization but it is a long drawn out story and I figured the details were unimportant. Basically I have a ticket and I'm wanting to know if there are any other options available to me where I can at least make the money to afford to attempt to get it fixed. And yes my perspective is screwed at this point. My outlook is bleak to say the least. But I am happy I'm employed and I'm trying to explore every option I have here at Western before quitting but they are not very helpful. I'm in the truck and do about three loads a week, that's all they care about. It's not as bad of a company as some make it out to be, I've definitely worked for worse and pretty much everyone I've dealt with is personable but they lack follow through.

If WE gave you a second chance, be grateful. Be extra safe and work towards being their best driver ever. Sure you have a steep hill to climb now. This is what paying for your screw up is. Most of us, me for sure, have made huge mistakes in life that we have paid dearly for. Our lives are what we make of them. I wish you the best.

I understand what you are saying and I am thankful I'm still able to drive. But I'm literally making pennies. In the past month I've only made $400. I usually end up having to sit and wait and wait and wait. It's like no matter how many times I call and message them I don't exist. I wait days for answers and issues to be resolved.

Thanks for the clarification. Only going off your initial post, I’m just wondering if you could detail out the struggles you are having with Western. This site has so many knowledgeable and experienced drivers who may be able to assist in turning your struggles around to make you more successful.

Sure, I apologize for the way I wrote it. I was trying to quickly sum everything up. The struggles I'm having at western is I'm not getting enough miles to make any money. Every Monday I send my dm a message letting him know I'm ready to roll after taking an involuntary 34 hour reset. Every week I ask for longer runs and more miles and he says he will work on keeping me planned up but the plans always fall through. I'm always polite and understanding. I'm never late for pick ups and deliveries. I'm usually early, as in last Monday they gave me a run that was 400 miles that delivered on Wednesday. I delivered on Monday. Because I was early I waited all day Tuesday for another load. When I got another load it picked up on Wednesday 300 miles away and delivery set for Friday. I delivered it on Thursday morning and luckily was assigned another load right away. I picked that load up on Thursday afternoon it was a little over 800 miles away and was set for delivery on Saturday. Unfortunately, they do not receive on the weekends and I've been stuck on this load all weekend. Also, it delivers at a port and I need an escort because i don't have a twic card. At 0700 this morning i asked for the money to pay the escort and it's now 1030 at night with no luck. I don't have the money to pay for it myself or i would just so I could deliver and I would let them reimburse me. They are aware of the situation and have been since Friday but my dm is unbothered. So I've ran a total of 700 miles that I will get paid for Friday and most weeks are like this. I've only had one week where I ran 2400 miles.

Breezie - sorry for my confusion, but are you currently driving for Western Express?

Yes, I started at western in November.

Ok, I've been a driver for almost 15 years. In that time I've skated by with only one dot violation on an inspection for a fuel cap, a parking ticket in VA and an over weight ticket in GA. Until last year a state trooper popped me doing 55 in a 35 in AL. Yeah yeah I know....... technically the speed limit was 55 but on this particular highway they have a little hill and about half way down that hill there is a sign that says truck speed limit 35 because they have a run away truck ramp. As if I needed to use the ramp, I'd have to slow to 35 mph before hitting it....... ( smh) if I could slow to 35 mph I wouldn't need the ramp. But this was the state trooper's reasoning for the truck speed. Yet I digress. At any rate, I was speeding and got a big ticket for it. So I contacted cdl consultants paid the fee for the attorney, the attorney went to court and stated he got the ticket dropped to 5 mph over. I was fired from my employer at the time for getting the ticket and was in search of a new job. After filling out applications on driver pulse I started getting hits and soon found out the ticket is still on my mvr for 20 miles over the limit. Now I'm stuck at Western Express and literally thinking about going to work in a soup kitchen just so I can eat. I have no idea what I can do from here. I'm reduced to me, my dog and what little we own living in this truck eating hot dogs every day of the week just to survive. I've lost everything trying to get this ticket off my mvr and I'm struggling to get out of this rut. If anyone has any suggestions, ideas or advice it would be greatly appreciated. Please no sarcastic or rude comments. I know the mistakes I made and I accept responsibility for them. I'm just trying to figure out how I can get back on my feet. Thanks in advance.

Thanks Cristy. I was hoping for a little more privacy than changing a tampon in the truck during training but I guess that might not be possible. Oh well, it's not the end of the world.

You're welcome anytime. You'll get the hang of it and it'll work out for you. Just make having to change in the sleeper a last resort. Tell your trainer you have lady business to handle and they should be accommodating.

So we are all ladies. We have periods. I am looking into team driving, which means there are definitely fewer stops. You're almost running the entire time. If you needed to change your feminine products, what do you do? Or should I just try to use birth control the entire time, which has stopped my periods entirely when I remember to take the pill?

Even in team driving you have to stop for fuel, food, showers, rest room brakes. The truck is not constantly rolling for hours on end. There are different situations where you may have several stops on a run or some random reason as to why you can't just roll all day. Take advantage of the stops when you get them and take care of your personal business. Learn to get in and out in 5 minutes or less and you'll find it doesn't really make a difference as far as making your destination on time as long as you're not stopping every hour. Unless that time of the month is really heavy for you, you can go up to 3 or 4 hours without stopping. Any safe driver will tell you that you should be stopping that often anyway to check your cargo or general trip inspections. But just in case you are on a timed load or had been stuck in traffic there is rest areas all over the interstate. And, as a last resort, as long as you are comfortable with it, you can take care of your business in the sleeper. Personally I've never had to do that. I've driven team and solo OTR and trained students on a dedicated run with 100% JIT (just in time- which means you cannot be late......EVER!) loads. I've always found time to maintain every aspect of my hygiene. Just learn to plan your trips well, plan ahead, plan for the unexpected, and you'll do fine.

~~Cristy