Western Express And NYC

Well, I have been offered the chance to come down to Nashville on Monday and begin the refresher course on Tuesday. Have to admit being nervous about this, and getting the chance came about last minute and quickly. My concerns with Western now are with the mixed signals of refresher and on one hand the website says there will be 30 days with a trainer and then I am on my own, and the other statement from the recruiter is, first I go out on the road with a trainer and then 3-4 weeks team with another refresher grad at 15 CPM. I am also wondering about the realities of delivering to NYC. Bad/Good/difficult?

The decision to enter this world of trucking had been hard. I have doubts and then I have moments where I think, I can do this and it will be great. Am I alone with these thoughts...or is this one of those careers that keep you guessing?

Thanks! Safe trucking..

Jeff, you seem like you're waffling back and forth a little. Let me start out by saying this: I think if you start your career not sure whether you really want this or not your career may be short lived. You really need to go into this with a firm commitment to seeing it through. The reason I say that is because the trucking gods will throw everything they can at you to get you to throw in the towel before you've even made a good start. Trucking companies actually want to see how you can handle difficult situations during your training time as a way of evaluating whether you're worth the trouble of investing time and money into. The people who just give up and declare "I don't have to put up with this ****!" will not make it.

I'm not just talking theory here, I went through getting sent home from orientations three different times before I landed my first job at Western Express. If you'll take the time to read my story of getting on at Western Express it may give you an idea of what you can expect. Everyone's experience will differ, but you've got to be prepared for an arduous journey at the beginning.

Old School lands a job

Here's the deal: You've got to be willing to be run through the ringer at the beginning. Everything gets better after that. There was several times while I was with my trainer that I just wanted to get out of the truck and walk away with out ever looking back. Yes, that's perfectly normal to have those experiences during training - just don't let it rattle you. I was so happy once I got into my own truck and got to call my own shots. I think you will find the same holds true for you. We're here to give you a heads up so that you know what to expect, if it turns out better than expected then that's great, but be prepared for a difficult introduction to truck driving.

I am completely unfamiliar with that teaming experience the recruiter mentioned to you - I don't know if that's true or not, but sometimes these recruiters do not have all the correct information. In my experience you will be with the trainer for somewhere between 2 and 4 weeks. When the trainer decides you are ready then they will get you back to Nashville and sign off on you. You are then assigned your own truck and given a dispatcher. Don't let all that worry about New York city bother you, if you do go, at least you will be with somebody that knows their way around it already. Later on if you get dispatched to the Big Apple you'll be getting extra pay for your trouble! Not everyday is pure fun and excitement in this business, but put them all together and you will have some great stories to tell to your friends and family and or whoever will listen to you. Western Express doesn't have an exclusive on New York City - I doubt you will go there very often if any.

The main thing is that you've got to make up your mind if you want to pursue this or not, get that settled before you start, because if that is not settled the training period will certainly settle it for you.

Old School,

Thanks for your honest candor and reply. I do not want a sugar coated answer but one like yours as you are there now and have been through it.

I will read your story in a bit. Sunday I have to start weeding through my things and figuring out where to store and what to do. Yes...waffling is a apt word. I admit it. But this is why I ask and read the forum and Trucking Truth.

I am not sure the recruiter does know..but there is a page on the site with that about teaming after refresher and at that rate. But....seems to me you know the reality and I will take that as advice.

Take care and have a good night out there.

Jeff

One more thing Jeff. I started out with flat-bed and it might be a little different for the dry-van division. That teaming with another beginner at the start might be something they do over there in that part of the company. I see the dry van trucks all over the place when I'm out on the road, but I'm just not that familiar with how their orientation and training goes. Even if you have to go through it just prepare yourself ahead of time and know that it doesn't last forever. It's always possible that you end up with someone who will be a real help to you at the beginning, but I would still be prepared for the worst possible scenario. It's a short journey that opens up a door to a much better destination. You can handle it.

Jeff, Old School nailed it about being committed to this. Getting your career started in trucking is brutal for everyone. There are a lot of ups and downs, plenty of stress, you're being tested at every turn, and it's a complete change of lifestyle in every way. So you've gotta really want it. If you're going to take a shot at it, commit yourself to getting one year of safe driving under your belt with the company you choose no matter what. And I say "no matter what" because of the warnings - there will be times you're going to want to quit. You'll think you've chosen the wrong company or you don't belong in trucking at all. Everyone goes through this. But if you push through and settle for nothing less than getting one year under your belt you'll know your job and the industry well enough to make your way through it with far less stress and struggle. It's never easy, but it's never more difficult than it is those first few months. So be prepared for that in your mind.

Also, don't make decisions about which company you're going to work for based on little things like how long you'll be out with a trainer. No matter which company you choose you'll have to go through training. Some will be a little longer than others, but in the grand scheme of things the length of training and the pay you make during training means almost nothing. The time you spend running solo will be the overwhelming majority of your time on the road. So you don't want to make the mistake of choosing a company that doesn't suit you well just for the perceived benefit of a more friendly training schedule and then be stuck with that company once you go solo. Endure whatever training they throw at you, get through it, and then you're all set.

Old School,

Thank you again. I will have to take a look at flatbed when I get there as there is something about it that I like. I know it is more labor intensive and that is presents many challenges that you do not find running a dry van...but it goes both ways. I know each has its unique challenges and rewards. I do agree that there are those necessary obstacles like additional training and it is all part of the process and leads to the end result, me running in my own truck. I know..take a breath and remember all those who have been there and made through.

The road is just beginning and like all things, the reality and my perception will only happen when I am sitting in the truck.

Take care and have a safe day. J

Hey Brett,

Thanks for taking the time and the encouragement. I appreciate it very much. You are right, of course, and I have to say that what has greatly helped me with all this has been reading the articles on Trucking Truth. I have found answers to the misconceptions I have had(like that a recruiter represents the company)and now know not to take to heart all the negative reviews out there online.

I never expected this adventure to be easy and I have always had the common sense knowing that trucking is a unique life and not for everyone. That it is hard, presents challenges, risks and contrary to what some people think, is not simply driving another vehicle down the road. I remember watching one of those special reports that came out years ago when trucks were being used to attack military bases. The correspondent was shown driving a truck in a parking lot, in a straight line, and as he slowly went through one gear, said to the effect, "As you can see, driving a truck is easy."

And I thought, well yes, if you are in a parking lot, and all you have learned is how to shift into first, and all you have to do is go straight for about 15 seconds while the camera rolls. It was such a misleading report, and made by someone who had no idea about trucking.

Have a great day and thanks again. Jeff