Western Express Change Of Policy Or....?

So, I reached out to Western Express for possible re-hire. And I was told that because of my disqualification from my previous employer for safety they are not able to re-hire me at this time.

And they repeated that same familiar phrase " get six months of safe driving with another company & then give us a call".

Was thier policy changed because there wasn't a issue before, now there seems to be one.

Anyone know or is it something else on thier part?

Was thier policy changed because there wasn't a issue before, now there seems to be one.

Anyone know or is it something else on thier part?

JA, I'm afraid you've made a bit of a mess for yourself. You were very fortunate when you got hired by Western Express, and then you didn't even give it much time at all before you quit. You said this in another conversation...

I wasn't completely sure if staying with the second chance company was a fair decision for my best interest. I care about my license & didn't want to compromise the integrity of my license.

That makes no sense! That company gave you some grace and hired you! You basically flipped them off and decided to quit.

There's something critical in trucking. Your decisions, and your ability to make good choices are very critical to success in trucking. There's absolutely no way that you can compromise the integrity of your license by working for someone willing to hire you when you've had safety issues.

Here's what will hurt you. Taking someone's willingness to give you a shot at this and then not even giving the job a chance. I don't really know what you were thinking. You say you needed time to think it through. C'mon man, you can think it through while you're driving and earning money!

I'm sure folks will think I'm being hard on you, and I am being a little tough. I think you need it. I just don't get your thinking. I worked really hard to get into this industry. Western Express was the only company willing to take me on. I gave them everything I could until I had maximized my potential there. I built a solid foundation for my trucking career there.

They didn't change any policy. You changed your mind. That's what is barring you from their good graces. They know you are likely to do it again. That's the last thing they want - someone who is not committed to the job.

Your best bet is to have an honest discussion with their recruiting department. Explain yourself and offer to sign a one year labor contract with them. That might show some commitment on your part.

I don't know if that would work, but it's a long shot that just might put you in the driver's seat. Don't back out again. This may be your last shot at it.

Yeah I guess I have made some mistakes, live & learn I suppose. Here's what I was thinking when I left western express, a lot disappointment not with them but with me, my life in general & that disappointment quickly turned into the same pattern of depression, no motivation, no interest. It wasn't fair for western express nor was it fair for me.

And yeah, I wasn't comfortable with compromising the integrity of my license. I didn't appreciate falsification of DOT logs or having them take money out my check & other little things. Perhaps things were different when you were there but that was my experience. And even with those discrepancies with that company, I still have nothing negative to say even now. I hold no ill feelings against them.

Safety issues yeah right.... Its all internal no DOT citations, no accidents, no speeding or reckless, no DUI , zero points, no drug or alcohol use, clean criminal background, clean driving record I am not an insurance liability. Not to mention that I'm in really great shape for someone my age! I look better than 99%! But then again I always have been in great shape physically! Mentally? I'm not so sure it's a very serious matter that no one will understand.

It's all internal, I guess you probably feel what that DM felt? That once a person has obtained a CDL all trucking know how is bestowed magically on that person, no need for instruction or proper hands on training just watch some YouTube videos like the DM suggested & send links through txt & you should be just fine! But what else can I expect from someone who was just a voice through the phone & ego driven? Seriously, the logs dept did a much better job & possessed fantastic managerial skills! They were so helpful every time! Emphasis on safety is placed on a driver & those trucks but that logic is some how is lost on people left in charge of someone's life!

Commonsense, yeah I don't drive like a jerk I can say that from what I saw out there, I was more worried about other drivers than driving in snow or down a steep mountain incline! I'm just thankful I wasn't a candidate for an example lesson so that other may learn from. I don't drive like a jerk!

I had placed so much emphasis on trucking & at driving for cr england who had been the only company that hired me at the time & really wanted to make it work. Perhaps none of this makes any sense for you, I don't expect it too, you're not me & you'll never get it & I'm not proselytizing nor will I expend effort into trying to convince you of anything. And you're not aware of anything personal about me except of what I want you to know & that's ok.

I don't really care if people think you're being hard me, I never cared for what people think. That's choice is for me to make you're entitled to your opinion & as far as I'm concerned. My feelings dont hurt so easily.... But I also won't beg, if western express said no, then no it is. My CDL License, I'm not going to give that it up. Hopefully I'll hear from some towing companies.

Speaking of tow companies, I remember when I started doing that, I made mistakes there too having no experience just like trucking. But I was properly trained & coached & did for seven years I became really good at it. Winchouts, rollovers, battery service, lockouts, long / short haul, impounds, tire changes I did it all! But I guess proper training & coaching isn't a concept recognized in trucking. That mentor was a lousy mentor.... And inspite of it all, I have no ill feelings.

Come on, man. Old School gave you very, very excellent advice, but I can tell from your response that you are still rationalizing your personal responsibility. In other words, you are not really “getting it”. Go back and read what Old School said and then read your response again. See if you can re-evaluate your thinking so you can move ahead without repeating the same mistakes and keeping the same attitude.

On another note, being a tow truck operator is something to be proud of, so if that’s where you fit in best, go for it. I admire tow truck operators for their skill and knowledge and I think a good, experienced tow truck operator is someone very valuable. They have saved my butt on more than one occasion.

Old School simply gave you the truth about trucking. It isn't that there's little training in this industry, it's that it's given shortly and specifically. No one's going to hold your hand and spend a month of Sundays showing trainees things they need to figure out. The trick is to learn when you need help and to seek ir out.

This is life. It's sink or swim. Learn to swim as Maynard says.

If you are that mentally messed up that no one else who has spend a decade or more could possibly understand... then please stay off the road. You are distracted and will cause an accident. Playing the victim card gets you nowhere.

You are in denial when you said you are not an insurance liability. ALL first year drivers are. And why is it that CR England was the only one willing to hire you???? That is a red flag right there. They are a low paying company, and they themselves, until recently, were known as a second chance company. People have told me that isnt true anymore.

The reason they want to see 6 months is that it takes a lot of money, time and effort just to ready a truck and assign it. To bring you into orientation. Why waste the money when you have not proven you will stay anywhere for more than a few weeks or months.

"Ooohh woooe is me... i wasn't trained. The horrible evil company that has been around for 104 years doesn't know what they are doing.... even though i dont have 104 days experience."

I really think i need a break from people and training. I can no longer take this drivel from all the new drivers about how they are all victimized and perfect and the evil trucking industry is holding them back.

I am a 50 year old woman who has been getting it done out here for almost a decade NaeNae is a woman getting it done out here for for half a decade... Laura is a "mature" woman who got it done for several decades.

And new drivers cannot last a few months. We need some gender surgery to start attaching testicles back. This is getting ridiculous.

“And new drivers cannot last a few months. We need some gender surgery to start attaching testicles back. This is getting ridiculous.”

Kearsey, don’t be shy, tell us how you really feel.

Hey, my testicular fortitude had to be put on my chest to prevent chafing! Chesticles if you will.....

OP, you may have boned your career, and you have yet to realize it.

BK, I get it what he saying & I'm not dismissing it by no means. I was willing to get back with western express since I was eligible for re-hire & do right with them. It wasn't easy picking up the phone & calling them. I was embarrassed & felt guilty for leaving them in the first place. That's why I'm not upset it's very understandable.

If it's not meant to be with western express, it is what it is. Same thing with cr england (I miss being at that company, I liked cr england).

Now as far towing goes, I hate it! I hate everything about it & it wasn't always that way. And I wasn't the only who felt it, other drivers felt it too. And many were the days I'd come to work in the morning & it wasn't out the ordinary for some drivers to be stoned or drunk & since no cares so no one ever knew, It's how some coped. I'm telling you as long as you have a clean driving record & can pass a criminal background that's all that matters to them. They don't drug test you, they don't check your background employment as long as you're willing to work 15-16 hour days you'll be hired.

No HR dept, supervisors who aren't supervised, mistreatment of drivers, overworked underpaid. I hate AAA (AAA has no trucks or a yard or a dispatch center) & the contract stations. But it's the only thing I can think of, of doing for now & hate knowing that but its out need & desperation. If I can get on with medium / heavy duty that requires a CDL & some training, great now I won't just be limited to light duty flatbed tow truck. Six months of that & maybe I can get with someone else as I was recently told.

Davey, I know that he did & it's greatly appreciated. From reading his story I think it's great what he has done.

Who's Maynard by the way?