Western Express...going To Make A Decision By Morning...

Old school, there's nothing more to this story. I'm not sure what terminal you're out of, but my dispatcher was the one responsible for assigning trucks and the truck had issues and he wanted me to just go. He said it would be 3 weeks before I could get a different truck. I have mouths to feed so I came home to my old job. I've been at a very hard job for 10+ years and can assure you I've had to overcome more than a handful of unfavorable circumstances.

Now, that makes things a lot more clear to me. You actually had a dispatcher problem more so than a truck problem. That is precisely what I meant by new drivers not realizing how to get things done. As a newbie you just didn't know how to get up to another level of management to get things taken care of. There are always layers of management people in these trucking operations.

I understand completely about having mouths to feed. I wish you better luck this next time in the trucking career, but I sure wouldn't pass over some of those good opportunities just so you can get into your own truck a little quicker.

Gotcha! And I went to the terminal manager and all but it wasn't working. Granted I've spoke to the managers since when they called and checked and they just explained they didn't realize it was so serious.

Definitely just a DM problem. Not the company as a whole. If I could go back with them as flatbed I would. Outside of that, I enjoyed my time there.

So in your opinion, I should go Maverick over Western?

Those are basically my 2 main options for now...Melton is in there too but I have to have a certificate showing I completed Squire and I don't since I haven't paid it off yet. Anyhow..

So in your opinion, I should go Maverick over Western?

Nathan, I don't normally do this, but in your situation I do think you will fare better at Maverick. I was acquainted with quite a few Maverick drivers when I was at Western Express, and I think you will be much better off over there. You are going to be disappointed at Western if you are counting on the things your recruiter told you.

I suspected he was blowing smoke.

Thanks so much! Really do appreciate your input

Redbeard, I've actually heard the "don't drive for the guys with the (insert color here) trucks" for just about every company...it's usual somebody who had a bad experience or something. Granted there are times they're legit. Dale Clay's videos are great! I've watched a lot of them. Very informative! Maverick is good...just not sure if it's the best option for me. I just don't know.

Pat M., Good to know! I'm definitely not one to take shortcuts so that shouldn't be a problem. Rules are rules...and I don't like fines or other issues.

Yea your right i have heard it on every company also. My bad for bashing a company when i only know what i heard it was wrong of me to do that wont happen again and good luck on your choice. Have you looked or even heard about McElroy truck lines they are flatbed company that i am really considering but after talking to R E West today my mine is still not made up. So old school sorry for bashing Western it was stupid of me but was wondering since you worked for Western and they are based out nashville did you spend anytime there and have you ever even heard of R E West? They are a small flatbed company that do oversized and special loads.

I tried Melton but they're not hiring inexperienced drivers in my area of Arkansas right now. Know a guy that works there though and he loves it!

RE West? I'll have to look them up.

I meant I tried McElroy

So old school sorry for bashing Western it was stupid of me but was wondering since you worked for Western and they are based out nashville did you spend anytime there and have you ever even heard of R E West?

RedBeard, Since I live in Texas I spent very little time in Nashville. I'm not familiar with R E West. If you think you might be interested in doing oversize work I would give them consideration though. It is unusual to be able to get on with these oversize hauling operations as a rookie, so if you are interested and they are willing then by all means look into it.

I will say this though, just regular flat-bed work is a great way to get started if you are looking to get into oversize loads. Sometimes if you are in the right place at the right time you can step right into a job doing oversize work. Our member "Pat" does a lot of oversize type loads and they basically turned him loose at the beginning and said "here's this piece of equipment, we need you to get it over to this job site". He's been doing that kind of stuff since day one.

So old school sorry for bashing Western it was stupid of me but was wondering since you worked for Western and they are based out nashville did you spend anytime there and have you ever even heard of R E West?

RedBeard, Since I live in Texas I spent very little time in Nashville. I'm not familiar with R E West. If you think you might be interested in doing oversize work I would give them consideration though. It is unusual to be able to get on with these oversize hauling operations as a rookie, so if you are interested and they are willing then by all means look into it.

I will say this though, just regular flat-bed work is a great way to get started if you are looking to get into oversize loads. Sometimes if you are in the right place at the right time you can step right into a job doing oversize work. Our member "Pat" does a lot of oversize type loads and they basically turned him loose at the beginning and said "here's this piece of equipment, we need you to get it over to this job site". He's been doing that kind of stuff since day one.

thanks old school yea saw some of the loads they do and it sounds kinda fun but very stressful for a rookie. My hats off to pat for doing oversized out of school thats amazing to be that good starting out. You oversized now dont you?

thanks old school yea saw some of the loads they do and it sounds kinda fun but very stressful for a rookie. My hats off to pat for doing oversized out of school thats amazing to be that good starting out. You oversized now dont you?

Didn't go to school. My old boss had me drive on 5 trips. Been on my own since then. Maybe a total of 3000 miles.

It's not that I am good, just thrown to the wolves. A little common sense and reading the securement rules.

Sink or swim for me but I like a challenge.