Getting Hired With A 15+ Over The Limit Ticket.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have read through this morning. I am glad to read some of your answers It shows you do get it. I know the type of dispatch problems you describe. First of all getting along with your dispatcher is a great thing, however you need them to step up. I don’t know how WE’s system works specifically. However no matter the system, everyone has a boss. The wait times your describing would drive me up a wall.

You have been there 4 months. I would imagine they are still getting to know you, so to speak. But if your record so far is showing you can handle the schedule, they need to step up with better timed loads. You already know sometimes things just happen, but not every load.

I would start by having a candid proffessional conversation with the dispatcher. Express your concerns and responses and ask how things are suppossed to run there. You can find out alot of good information by simply asking. How much control in that company does dispatch have? Are the planners controling things pretty heavily? How experienced is your dispatcher? Who is approving the money requests when you submit them?? Why has it taken so long??

These are the basic questions you need the answers too in my opinion at this stage. I understand 2 other issues at play right now also you may want to keep in mind. First is freight has been whacky since you started there. Just a fact of life. Second is with getting hit by the tornado WE has had a really hard time with their infrastructure.

Just a starting point, but this is a cycial business and this year politically is going to be a pain in the rear.

I’ll share an experience I had and maybe it can help you.

I had a dispatcher I liked and we got along great. Then he promoted within the company. I was assigned to a new dispatcher. I found out when he called me to introduce himself. Not the best way, but it happens.

He told me he had reviewed my records and was very happy to work with me. I told him thank you, and asked what his expectations are of me. After a period of silence I told him what my expectations were of him and the company. We had a very pleasant conversation. The one question I never asked. How experienced are you?

My miles started dropping. Each week we would discuss the issue and I gave him a month to step it up. He had one phrase I will never forget. “That is all they have”. After the first month I told him it was nothing personal, but I was going to contact the terminal manager about the lack of miles, and he had me running alot more empty miles.

I had the conversation with the terminal manager. He listened, said he understood and would help mointor the situation. The miles picked up a bit, but no where near expectations.

After several conversations and no change to speak of I asked for a different dispatcher. I had found out the guy was new to the company, and was learning as he went. He was a really nice person, just not experienced enough to keep me as busy as I wanted, and knew I could be.

I got reassigned to another dispatcher that was more experienced to deal with a hard running driver, and things immediately improved.

My situation is much different than yours in many aspects, but it worked for me.

I wish you the best

Breezie, being that you have been driving for 15-plus years, I would assume you have experienced dry spells in the past and learned how to deal with dispatch and/or management on how to rectify them. Is there a slow down in the demand for what WE ships? Are other WE drivers in your region experiencing the same lack of miles? Maybe there are issues occurring at WE that you are not aware of, that are contributing to why your loads and/or miles are low? If none of the above, then you need to find out why you are not getting loads. PJ's replies make complete sense, both in general, and in particular to the driver/management relationship. I am sure with your experience, you already know that your condition may not change until you have a heart to heart with management and/or your driver manager. Having not done so due to being with Western Express for such a short time and "not wanting to rock the boat", could certainly be understandable. Yet, you will be the one that suffers If you do not discuss your concerns with them. Consider PJ's suggestions. If not, your current situation may not change.