Cannot Decide: Advice Needed

[BoxyBrown]

Hello All!

First-time poster here after lurking for a while. I’m a rookie with zero experience besides a 3.5 weeks training sesh with Western Express. Wasn’t the best experience but wasn’t the worst either. Drove a little under 10k miles. Most of the bad came from the fact I was sleep-deprived the whole time and not at 100% because I’m a light sleeper and found sleeping in the moving truck almost impossible. They have been trying to find me a truck to go solo for almost a week now. They basically kicked me out of my trainer’s truck and gave him a new trainee since there was a bunch of ppl waiting for a trainer. I feel ready enough to go solo but at the same time feel like a little more time with a trainer wouldn’t hurt either.

I’m considering leaving WE for another company though. Either Knight or Schneider. I’m leaning towards Knight. So my dilemma is:

Should I start over with a new company that is overall better, where I would be paid more, but would have to start the whole thing over and go through another month or so of sleep-deprived training hell?

Or:

Stick it out with WE since I’m familiar with them and the routes I’d be getting, but make less money and have to deal with their complete $***show of a terminal in southern CA.

Logic and horror stories throughout the net are telling me to leave for greener pastures before I get in too deep with WE. However, one thing about WE is that they are a very beginner-friendly company that’s nearly impossible to be fired from- whereas others are not so lenient. I don’t really see myself f***ing up that bad, but you never know what could happen to a rookie solo driver out there. It would suck to quit WE, be blacklisted by them, then get fired from the new company for whatever reason, then not have anywhere to go.

What do you guys think is my best option? I’m totally on the fence and experiencing a lot of decision fatigue.

 

[BoxyBrown]

Finish my training where I am at.

Technically I'm done with training. They're currently trying to find a truck for me.

 

[Mike]

Technically I'm done with training. They're currently trying to find a truck for me.

I was under the impression that you stopped training early, guess I read it wrong.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I was under the impression that you stopped training early, guess I read it wrong.

You've been doing that a lot lately. Are you my safety lady? She's been doing it too.

 

[Sinister]

About 3 and a half years. The money kept me there until even that wasn't enough. I went from that to truck ownership. I was at another mega right before that for a year and a half.

Both were local jobs, home daily. Dedicated account for the first, rail containers for orange. Still doing rail containers.

We have a rail container parked at our DC right now. I watched a video the other day on how to turn the little thingies. I guess we're going to pull them occasionally.

I hope I got it all correct and can someday be a rail container guru too.

 

[BoxyBrown]

I was under the impression that you stopped training early, guess I read it wrong.

What are your thoughts? Should i stay or should I go?

Thinking I should leave and go to Schneider. Only thing is their orientation and road test sounds pretty intense and scrutinizing. I would hate to be sent home and not be welcomed back to Western if it came to that.

 

[mndriver]

Is there a contact for the training you received?

If there is, what is your obligation? Do you have a debt to pay back for the training they gave you ?

 

[Electric Chicken]

We have a rail container parked at our DC right now. I watched a video the other day on how to turn the little thingies. I guess we're going to pull them occasionally.

I hope I got it all correct and can someday be a rail container guru too.

There's an assload at the yard here. Probably even more than XPO and Schneider at this point. It's gonna be a big thing.

Amazon has a bunch too.

 

[mndriver]

Realistically, it’s been pretty much that if you have a pulse and fog up glass, you can pretty much get a job.

If you want to make money, it’s not going to be with the general freight companies like you have been looking at.

There are literally 10’s of thousands of trucking companies you can get a job with.

Many better pastures are out there.

 

[Sinister]

Is there a contact for the training you received?

If there is, what is your obligation? Do you have a debt to pay back for the training they gave you ?

This is actually a very good question.

 

[BoxyBrown]

Is there a contact for the training you received?

If there is, what is your obligation? Do you have a debt to pay back for the training they gave you ?

I don't believe so. I'd make sure before I quit though. Training pay wasn't guaranteed X amount a day/week or anything. I was getting paid hourly for on-duty hours and my trainer was getting paid for my miles.

 

[BoxyBrown]

Realistically, it’s been pretty much that if you have a pulse and fog up glass, you can pretty much get a job.

If you want to make money, it’s not going to be with the general freight companies like you have been looking at.

There are literally 10’s of thousands of trucking companies you can get a job with.

Many better pastures are out there.

I know, but I don't have any experience (which limits me to the mega's, as far as I can tell) and don't know anyone (friends or family) who could get me a job I'm willing to take.

 

[mndriver]

I know, but I don't have any experience (which limits me to the mega's, as far as I can tell) and don't know anyone (friends or family) who could get me a job I'm willing to take.

Don’t sell yourself short.

Call a place that delivers fuel to its gas stations and you might be pleasantly surprised they want you.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Don’t sell yourself short.

Call a place that delivers fuel to its gas stations and you might be pleasantly surprised they want you.

 

[Allthedogs1951]

Just give it time. I know you think you’ve got enough to go your own but there’s somewhere out there you’re gonna find out you are wrong. I’ve been there and just be patient. There is a lot of things out there that you will face that you’ve never seen before. Don’t get too comfortable because in an instant you
Can take down telephone poles and wires. They are everywhere. Take your time. Experience is sooooo good. Learn everything u can. Take it from me.

 

[Uncle Birchy]

Hello All!

First-time poster here after lurking for a while. I’m a rookie with zero experience besides a 3.5 weeks training sesh with Western Express. Wasn’t the best experience but wasn’t the worst either. Drove a little under 10k miles. Most of the bad came from the fact I was sleep-deprived the whole time and not at 100% because I’m a light sleeper and found sleeping in the moving truck almost impossible. They have been trying to find me a truck to go solo for almost a week now. They basically kicked me out of my trainer’s truck and gave him a new trainee since there was a bunch of ppl waiting for a trainer. I feel ready enough to go solo but at the same time feel like a little more time with a trainer wouldn’t hurt either.

I’m considering leaving WE for another company though. Either Knight or Schneider. I’m leaning towards Knight. So my dilemma is:

Should I start over with a new company that is overall better, where I would be paid more, but would have to start the whole thing over and go through another month or so of sleep-deprived training hell?

Or:

Stick it out with WE since I’m familiar with them and the routes I’d be getting, but make less money and have to deal with their complete $***show of a terminal in southern CA.

Logic and horror stories throughout the net are telling me to leave for greener pastures before I get in too deep with WE. However, one thing about WE is that they are a very beginner-friendly company that’s nearly impossible to be fired from- whereas others are not so lenient. I don’t really see myself f***ing up that bad, but you never know what could happen to a rookie solo driver out there. It would suck to quit WE, be blacklisted by them, then get fired from the new company for whatever reason, then not have anywhere to go.

What do you guys think is my best option? I’m totally on the fence and experiencing a lot of decision fatigue.

I dunno man..

What do ya wanna do..

If ya just need some "Expirience" shut the CB Radio Off and ya in at the Mega-Carriers..

Hit the Granny Lane at the "Breathtaking" Speed of a "Whopping" 64 & half or the 65 & quarter but get about Grossed Out then tye up the Hammer Lane in the Hills..

But don't worry next Downhill why ya shall use "Gravity" to pull ya back "Ahead" of CR England , Prime, and JB..

Afew years of that and "Only" Proberty Damage on your "DAC" report plus Clean MVR and a Clean Pee and Valid Medical Card..

Why you'll be a "Veteran" and get a Job at Anywhere ya want and they'll me clamoring to Hire "Expired" Drivers too

 

[Uncle Birchy]

I dunno man..

What do ya wanna do..

If ya just need some "Expirience" shut the CB Radio Off and ya in at the Mega-Carriers..

Hit the Granny Lane at the "Breathtaking" Speed of a "Whopping" 64 & half or the 65 & quarter but get about Grossed Out then tye up the Hammer Lane in the Hills..

But don't worry next Downhill why ya shall use "Gravity" to pull ya back "Ahead" of CR England , Prime, and JB..

Afew years of that and "Only" Proberty Damage on your "DAC" report plus Clean MVR and a Clean Pee and Valid Medical Card..

Why you'll be a "Veteran" and get a Job at Anywhere ya want and they'll me clamoring to Hire "Expired" Drivers too

Just wait till ya see your first "Orientation" Class..

Nah not that kinda orientation..

I mean these days even small trucking firms do the orientation class..

All goes in One out the Other..

How about send me to Concentrate or the Clinic up in Kenosha..

I'll Pee in Cup check that First..

Okay Clean ..

After that Orientation should just be the "Sexual Harassment" Video learn how to "Respect" Women In The Workplace..

After that let's sign the file of paperwork and LUNCH..

After the Free Pizza ya call the Old Retired guy does Road Test..

Upon passage all that they assign you a Truck..

Or atleast pay ya layover and put ya up in a motel..

Absolutely NO REASON that Orientation Class should be an Entire Week ..

And usually there Motel of Choice borders like the Crack Ghetto and rooms are nasty.

 

[Uncle Birchy]

About 3 and a half years. The money kept me there until even that wasn't enough. I went from that to truck ownership. I was at another mega right before that for a year and a half.

Both were local jobs, home daily. Dedicated account for the first, rail containers for orange. Still doing rail containers.

You choose to Drive The Truck..

I mean @Electric Chicken ya know allotta other stuff that could make you the "equivalent" heck probably even Better Income than running a Truck..

But I also do see despite your gripes as well..

Yet ya Do This because ya LOVE IT..

ACTUALLY this is gonna sound Weird..

Despite going back home and taking a 2nd Job in a Die Cast plant Machine Shop through the Temp Service..

I just after awhile I need to get AWAY from that TRUCK even if just for awhile and I take $16 an hour to help load machines and grind castings..

What's "Cool" about that Environment is once they see a Temp Service Guy can just come in and SHOW UP everyday..

Ya I'm older and outta shape but I already knew the "Basics" from 20 some years ago..

Donating Plasma that alone Working the Bonus Program cam Twice per Week bring upwards $4/5 Hundred per month "Tax Exempt" .

Inevitably I do Realize that someday in the Future that I'll be Trucking Again Someday..

That's another thingy about Trucking ..

Like a Bad Town or Bad Job ya always end up back there "eventually"

 

[BlackBart]

Just give it time. I know you think you’ve got enough to go your own but there’s somewhere out there you’re gonna find out you are wrong. I’ve been there and just be patient. There is a lot of things out there that you will face that you’ve never seen before. Don’t get too comfortable because in an instant you
Can take down telephone poles and wires. They are everywhere. Take your time. Experience is sooooo good. Learn everything u can. Take it from me.

Telephone lines aint a big deal. I’ve tore down more of those than I can count since Ive been a peddle hand, and one of em was even with a low cube

 

[Thunder Road]

I know, but I don't have any experience (which limits me to the mega's, as far as I can tell) and don't know anyone (friends or family) who could get me a job I'm willing to take.

Leave, but don't do a lateral move to Schneider because the pay is low there.
Where do you live? Might be a dozen companies you can move to.
Many companies that used to require 12 mos. experience are now hiring drivers right out of cdl school.
Sysco is one of them. Some of those drivers make $100G per yr.

 

[BlackBart]

Leave, but don't do a lateral move to Schneider because the pay is low there.
Where do you live? Might be a dozen companies you can move to.
Many companies that used to require 12 mos. experience are now hiring drivers right out of cdl school.
Sysco is one of them. Some of those drivers make $100G per yr.

Sysco is a good living, but by god you’ll earn every nickel. Food service is tough

LTL is a easier way to roll by far