Profile For 9Ether

I've been on this account for 8 months now. Realistically speaking, most of your loads will not be pretarped USG drywall loads, you'll only pull those loads of you happen to be in the vicinity of a USG plant. They will indeed be poorly tarped/strapped, however, all the other companies tarps are perfectly tarped/strapped. I inquired about this with the USG guys, they hate western express lol....Those loads are super heavy, and aren't going anywhere, even while undertightened, unless you drive like a fool.

You will hardly ever make that 1500 miles a week, or 5 loads. You'll make 4 loads, but to get you home, that 5 load you'll take home and deliver on Monday so it won't be on the next weeks check. When you get close to 1500 miles, they'll slow you down, as to not have to start giving you 51 cent a mile. You really really have to get in good with your DM to make your minimum.

My DM got fired along with a few others that had a pool of names of drivers they didn't care for, in which they had an ongoing bet to see how quickly they can make those drivers quit. The flip side to this, is if you don't complain, don't refuse loads, don't be late on delivery, never ever call him unless the Qualcomm is down, and start the days the very second your clock resets; you'll soon be a top priority and consistently make your minimum and on occasion a little over.

I opted to do the above and grin and bare, and bust ass and it's ok, but definitely not where you want to stay long term if you know you're worth. Starting out expect checks between 600-750 a week. Once you're in a groove, about 850. If you have a DM with integrity, about 950.

Do not...I repeat, do not, come out the gate questioning your DM, or being a high maintenance driver. You're going to get very little sleep, especially when hauling dryway to HD's as that appt is between 1am-4am. You're going to miss meals and showers, you're going to run out of time and not be able to make it home on Friday and your Monday appt will be at 6am while you live 6 hours away so you'll have to leave Sunday evening. It's no cakewalk but it builds character and toughens your skin. Learn northeast traffic patterns, don't be afraid to sleep at the consignee, don't hang at truck stops any longer than necessary, pack your truck with snacks. If your DM asks for a favor IE recovering a trailer, DO IT!

This isn't a rant, just an honest 1st person CURRENT perspective. I came out the gate bustin ass regardless if I was ****ed or not, and you will be ****ed lol....You're a POS to a DM until you prove otherwise and your checks will reflect that, don't be discouraged. He will notice your hard work eventually. Once you meet your 6th month mark, go seek your worth. Other companies are averaging 2400 miles a week in the northeast, getting paid for empty miles, and respect their drivers.

I was wondering if we had any prime drivers from the tanker division in the northeast region here:

I'd like a little insight if so. I'm curious of approximate weekly miles, they say home weekly (is that weekends or whenever), are you consitanrlt taking home 1000+ weekly after taxes? Are you happy in general? Thanks guys.

I'm actually a recent grad, starting orientation tomorrow for NE flatbed with WE. My preference is north east regional because I like to be well versed in everything I do, and what better time to do NE than with a trainer. I can't imagine EVER being on any JOB and tasked to do something and "I'm not comfortable" for ME that's unacceptable. Then again, im originally from NYC, im right at home when it comes to challenges, especially behind a wheel. How can you hone your skill if you just drive straight and flat all day is my logic.

I talked to a WE driver recently. He said you start out at .36 cpm then bumped to .40 after a year. He was otr so idk how close that is to regional pay. Just some info I came across.

Thanks for sharing!

I don't know what they are paying during training, but it has increased from when I was there. You really should try to have a little bit set aside just in case you need it during the training time - that's what I did, the training pay was ridiculously low when I went through it.

I'm sorry, I forgot to answer your question about the time frame to get a trainer. Here's what I did... I put in a request for a non-smoking trainer, but also stated that I would accept a smoker if there was not a non-smoker available. Here's what happened: I got a trainer on the first day after orientation. He did smoke, but not all that much. I just wanted to get started, and was willing to do whatever it took to get that ball rolling. Look, trucks have windows, and as much as I don't like cigarette smoke, I just figured I could roll down the window and get through it.

You have to realize that training is temporary, and you will have to keep that foremost in your mind. My trainer could have been clearly described as a PITA, but every time I was tempted to quit because of his ways, I would just assure myself that this was temporary, and I am going to prove to them ,and to myself, that I can handle whatever comes my way to get this done.

Awesome. Thanks a lot old school, you've been great. I intend to get there and take the crooked with the straights. Seems going with the right mindset is key.

Here we offer encouragement. At the same time we pull no punches. We put the drivers feet to the fire first, lol. We tell it like it is. All of that Glassdoor and Truckers Report whining don't fly in here. People have tried, they usually get upset when everything they say is dissected, analyzed, then shot full of holes.

Anyways, Old School is the man to talk to about Western Express. I personally don't know much about them other than they are based out of Nashville, TN.

Good! Sounds like my type of forum!

Also, I know it's been a while since you were hired with them but do you know their current weekly training salary?

9Ether, I was very successful at Western Express. Don't let all those negative comments from drivers bother you. Some things never change, and whining, complaining truck drivers is one of those dynamics that seems to be a self fulfilling prophecy. I ran over the road flat-bed for them and as long as I was doing my part, they kept me running just as much as I possibly could. In trucking you are the critical component to your success. It is not the company you work for. They are doing everything they can to make money and be profitable, and one of the big parts of that puzzle is having drivers who understand that they need to be safe productive top performers.

I can't answer your questions about exactly which states that regional run involves, but I did know some drivers who ran in that program and they seemed to do well, and enjoyed the fact that their minimum pay was guaranteed. It doesn't mean going home Friday, and leave out Monday morning. Here's what it means, and this is critical to your success. It means that you learn how to manage things on this account so that you are getting the most accomplished - remember this whole industry is based on performance, and that means moving the most freight safely and efficiently. You are going to want to make sure that you go home on Friday under a load, so that you can deliver it Monday morning. Now, that may mean that you work late Friday night, or even stay out until Saturday morning so that you can get loaded before you go home. You may have to leave Sunday afternoon so that you can get to your consignee and sleep there so that you can get unloaded first thing Monday morning. That is not going to happen every week, but I am showing you how you do this stuff so that you are efficient and productive.

Do not expect to just get by and count on that minimum pay coming your way each week. They expect you to earn more than the minimum pay. If you are continually receiving the minimum pay, you are proving to be an under achiever and you will not last long on that account. The point of offering the minimum pay is to provide a cushion for the driver just in case the business from the customers they are serving in that region falls off for a week or two, which occasionally may happen. The customers have contracted with the carrier so that they will have drivers available when needed. It is a bit of a give and take on each parties side of the deal. The driver will benefit if it slows down a little, and he is expected to really "hump it" during those times that freight is heavy.

This was really informative and encouraging, as I like to be the best at what I do whatever it is I do. I'll definitely be trying to run as hard as possible and even through some weekends for an extra buck and in hopes to become a "fonto guy" to my DM. I'm going to put my best foot forward and hit the ground running.

Does is typically take long to get into a trucknwith a trainer after load securement training?

Here we offer encouragement. At the same time we pull no punches. We put the drivers feet to the fire first, lol. We tell it like it is. All of that Glassdoor and Truckers Report whining don't fly in here. People have tried, they usually get upset when everything they say is dissected, analyzed, then shot full of holes.

Anyways, Old School is the man to talk to about Western Express. I personally don't know much about them other than they are based out of Nashville, TN.

Good! Sounds like my type of forum!

You really don't need to worry about hearing the company sucks here. I believe Old School started with Western and was quite happy with them.

Ok cool. Those guys over at truckers-report.com are horrible.

hey guys,

I've done my research and All the posts are old and I hear a lot has changed. Also, I'm aware what the recruiter told me but I'd love some info from recent/current employees who know a thing or two about their northeast regional flatbed division, as they lie to get you there.

1.) I'm curious as to how many states in the NE regional does flatbed service if not all of them, which states does it frequent more than others... 2.) What are realistic miles per week for ne regional, all I was told was $900 minimum a week. 3.) They say home weekends, and it's "priority" for ne flatbed drivers. Does that mean home Friday and out Monday morning? Or home Friday evening and out Sunday? 4.) How long would I be waiting for a trainer after orientation in flatbed as a non smoker?

Thanks in advance. (Please don't tell me how much the company sucks, I'm a recent grad with a 15 over. I'm simply curious of the questions I've asked).