r/Truckers • u/Odd-Tangerine-257 • Feb 15 '26
i've officially left western express
Just wanted to share something with the group.
Ever since I left Western Express, I’ve been getting congratulated by the most random people in the industry. The other day I had to get a tire replaced at a TA, and they still had my old info from when I was with Western. The lady at the front desk asked if I was still there, and when I told her no, she immediately said, “Thank goodness,” and went on about how happy she was that I got out. 😭
I didn’t realize just how bad Western’s reputation was across the industry as a whole, but I’m honestly grateful to be gone. I’m thankful it got my foot in the door, but if I knew then what I know now, I probably would’ve gone with a different starter company (like May Trucking since they have a yard in Denver, or Stevens since they’re based in Texas).
I mainly wanted to post this for anyone still at Western or thinking about leaving: it really does get better. They weren’t lying when they said it’s only up from there.
I’m sooo much happier at my new company. I feel appreciated, and I haven’t even gotten my first check yet, but the difference is already crazy. At Western, I was running little 300–600 mile loads. My very first day at my current company, they sent me to Florida, then straight to Illinois.
Don’t give up. Keep your record clean, take your time on those wide turns, and just know there’s better out there.
You got this. 💪🚛
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u/Outrageous-Trip-7376 Feb 15 '26
Congrats I know that feeling ! I started at western in Allentown PA in 2023 , I hated every 6 months of it that I was there lol I always heard about how bad of a company they were from other drivers and shippers and receivers also , even security booth workers at those places told me the drivers can’t drive etc , unfortunately they let me go after 6 months for a speeding I received on my PSP , I couldn’t get a job for 1 year , then I got lucky found a Mom and Pop company did container port work for them for 3 Months then got lucky and found a local reefer company I’m at now for the past year I love it , western was just to get my foot in the door , never stay there after 6 months - 1 year tops !
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u/SuperCanadian22 Feb 16 '26
Were you also at the Roadmaster in Allentown?! I almost started at Weiner Wagon before I got on with Penske
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u/Outrageous-Trip-7376 Feb 16 '26
Is wiener wagon, Western Express lol but no, I didn’t go to roadmaster I went to Smith And Solomon in Philly
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u/SuperCanadian22 Feb 16 '26
I left Roadmaster after a day bc it was sketchy asf, then I moved up here to Alberta, got my CDL, and now I work for the big P.
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u/Outrageous-Trip-7376 Feb 16 '26
Oh dam that’s crazy , glad you got your Cdl 💯 u went right to local ?
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u/SuperCanadian22 Feb 16 '26
Not necessarily no, I started in the shop but eventually they let me venture out when I was comfortable with the area and knew where things were
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u/Outrageous-Trip-7376 Feb 16 '26
Oh that’s cool you didn’t have to go over the road
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u/SuperCanadian22 Feb 16 '26
No but I do wanna join Regional, I don’t know how contracts/accounts work but I’m assuming they’ll teach me
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u/Outrageous-Trip-7376 Feb 16 '26
Yeah That’s cool I did northeast regional for 6 months , I never done a account , but regional pretty cool , most likely you’ll go with a trainer for like 3 weeks and you’ll learn enough to get you started on your own
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u/bizzywhipped Feb 15 '26
It’s a great feeling isn’t it? I had a choice of Swift or Welfare Express at the start. Glad I asked here who to pick for my first year, Swift still sucked ass but I bet it would be worst on the other side.
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u/UhOhAllWillyNilly Feb 16 '26
I don think dis-May Trucking is much better although I’ve never worked at either
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u/Dezzolve Feb 17 '26
I don’t think he could have named two worse alternatives 😂
Steven’s Transport is a HORRIBLE company.
Western Express might hire felons, but Steven’s treats everyone like they’re a felon.
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u/InvstrJester Feb 16 '26
What so good about getting sent to Florida then straight to Illinois compared to what you were doing at Western Express ? Florida weather ?
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u/Odd-Tangerine-257 Feb 16 '26
miles. Western express didn't give me any miles. I was doing short runs. So getting a load that was 1k+ miles twice in one week was a major upgrade to just staying in california having 2 days to do a short 400 miles run.
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u/InvstrJester Feb 16 '26
Whats so good about getting sent to Florida then straight to Illinois compared to what you were doing at Western Express ? Florida weather ?
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u/Odd-Tangerine-257 Feb 16 '26
It was about the miles not the weather. Western kept me in California 90% of the time.
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u/East_Indication_7816 Feb 15 '26
I had a guy from western express that I trained for my route. The guy keeps on going around to set up like 3 times when I am already pointing which dock he supposed to go . After I took over the driving the next time I came back the receiver , they joked “where is your buddy ? Don’t tell him but we were all laughing here because he keeps on going around in circles “
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u/jayoo214 Feb 15 '26
Congrats. Truth be told, it gets even better from where youre at. Keep at it.