western Flyer Xpress

I'll let you know, orientation is Monday. Hope it's not a selfie, LOL, but at least I know what I like.

And for the information I've gathered, there have been some SERIOUS changes in the lease purchase program. Since I sit in on orientation Monday, and should have everything in writing no later than Wednesday, I'll be sure to post here. If half of what they said is true, I'll stay pretty excited, but if it doesn't pan out on what's written, I won't commit to it. I will let everyone know either way.

 

Well, I went to orientation a week ago last Monday. The story of getting there was ridiculous, but it had nothing to do with Western Flyer. If anything, they relieved a lot of stress for me.

Orientation was pretty simple... Employee file, "how to" on the Qualcomm (easier to use than Steven's), and of course drug test day 1. We met with the truck guy (assigned trucks, even for LP, because there isn't much choice). The truck I got was a 2013 Freightshaker (a story as well). Just some specs that I know, Detroit D16, 10 Spd. 372K miles on it.

Company has approximately 400 trucks. Trucks available was limited to about 6 at orientation; ironically the number of people at orientation was 6. Go figure.

The first two days we met with various people at the yard who do work behind the scenes. Operations, the shop guy, payroll, etc., and they were VERY friendly. At the end of day 1 they handed us "the contract" to look over, and we were able to ask questions if we had them the whole time. Wednesday we did a few more things and then we signed, and yes, I signed.

Easiest way to explain this: truck lease is $145 a week, plus .21 per dispatched mile. You can opt into the bumper to bumper for an additional .10 a mile. Then whatever coverage you choose for insurance (company has minimums) is also there.

Pay is $1 a mile plus fuel surcharge.

So the figure then becomes .69 per mile plus fuel surcharge minus deductions, and it is PC Miler based.

Day 3 I also met with my DM. He basically said that unless we spoke with him, his plan was to have us home (with good miles) every Saturday. I just so happened to start just before a holiday weekend (yet another story).

There is a fuel discount we get at Pilot/FlyingJ, Love's. They use EFS and if you use the Weigh My Truck app from Cat Scales, it actually bills the card direct, and sends the receipt to WFX. Average scale time, about 4 minutes start to finish, and it emails the weight to you direct. No need to even go inside, and no need to send to payroll for reimbursement (100%) because they too get the receipt.

Payday is every Tuesday, and covers every trip DISPATCHED by the cutoff day.... Which I can't remember if it was Friday or Saturday. LOL oops. And they do hold a week.

Oh, and they pay for a truck wash within 48 hours of leaving the yard..

Now for the actual work experience. I won't pad anything, hold blows, or anything to soften it. Straight truth right now.

I walked to my truck last Wednesday. Yes, it is a dirt lot and yes, it looked like it had been there a while. About a 1/4in of dust on the outside. When I opened the door, the interior had been detailed... And I mean DETAILED. It smelled clean and fresh. I decided to see what I had. I checked fluids and then fired her up. She idled for about 3 minutes, building air pressure from 0.... At about the three minute mark the check engine light came on, then the stop engine light, and then she cut off. My first thought was "Well POOP."

(My fifth wheel plate had a message in grease, too).

I walked over to the shop, talked to the very friendly (and very stressed) gal at the window for service and explained my issue. She was mid paperwork for a different issue, and politely asked me to hold one more sec. I did, and she then wrote my truck up. She asked a mechanic how long and he said "Depends what's wrong" (good answer). He immediately pulled it into the bay, and within about 10 minutes it was back on the lot. Idle timer was set for 3 minutes, issue resolved.

I throw my stuff into the truck and I get word my first load will leave from the yard about 2 PM Thursday. Good, I need sleep.

At 2:15PM Thursday I send a Qualcomm message free form asking approximately how long until my trailer, which was being by another driver, would arrive at the yard. Within about 2 minutes the answer came back. Driver was 40 miles out, and there was no information why it took him so long to shuttle it.

10-4

At 3 I got a message saying "Trailer is on the yard, load assignment sent." Yay!

So I spot my trailer and as I line up to hook it, this beat up 1980's day cab is trying to go for it, too. I hop out and ask if he was taking my trailer and he (politely) says yes, and I ask where he's taking it and he says bay 4. He asks me where I wanted to take it and I said Ft Collins, CO. He said "Probably not gonna make it. Driver brought it in after a blow out, which he drove on, and it took out the tire behind it when it caught the "Crossfire" and ripped out the ABS wire as well." Looking at the tires, they were very very new, and the trailer looked new.

He said, "Tell you what, hook up to it and back it into bay 4. I have a guy waiting to fix it. Not sure if he can tonight, depends on the damage, but as soon as he's done you can roll." Ugh. Well, it's broken and within ten minutes of notice it's getting in the shop for repair. Good, IMHO. What I thought would take forever took almost exactly 25 minutes. Two tires replaced and the wire repaired, crossfire also replaced. He walked to my window and said "Have a safe trip man, all done."

That's two issues resolved in less than 45 minutes each by the shop. At my old company (rhymes with Pevins Bransport) either issue would be a minimum of an overnight.

So I pre trip, verify lights, and roll to Colorado. It's not until I leave the city limits that I realize I'm governed at 65... Supposed to be 67 on the pedal, 70 on cruise. I have 65 all the way around. Doh!

So I run to Colorado, deliver, grab a beer load 8 miles from my drop, and run down to Durant, OK. Truck drives wonderfully... By the way, shifting with a jake on, not fun at all IF you can manage.

Enroute to Durant, I try my luck with the shop a 3rd time, advising them speed isn't set right. My trailer was re inspected, and a mechanic plugged into the computer very quickly (didn't even make it into the safety bay). When the speed was adjusted, I had to wait 4 more minutes for my 30 minute break to finish. Holy cow!?!

I've called dispatch a few times... Longest wait on hold was about as long as it takes to navigate the automated system (even at 2 AM), compared to the usual hour in used to at my previous employer. Minor time changes on loads, but usually a quick turnaround everywhere so far, except the Bud Warehouse in Durant. FCFS sucks sometimes.

I've read the horror stories. I've heard the poo. Honestly, any company you go to will give you fits sometimes and I expect WFX will give me some from time to time, but things happen and sometimes it's just out of everyone's hands. So far, they are extremely willing to go that extra mile, pleasantly, to make me glad I dumped my former employer and switch.

About the owner: Met him. He's not sunshine and rainbows. He's a business man who looks at his wallet and makes decisions. He is not, however, anything other than that. He isn't rude, uncaring, or obtuse. He spoke with us and told us that he doesn't like losing drivers. He hopes we choose to stay. If there is an issue of any kind, we are to make it known and it will be corrected. He expects us to professionally communicate it, and his team will professionally correct it. So far, exactly as described. He did say that he will not tolerate a lack of manners from anyone, and he also doesn't like whiners (I am paraphrasing).

So far, so good guys and gals. I came in with an open mind, and I'm in good spirits after week one on the road.

 

And... how about now Buzzard?? And, how much are you weekly expenditures now that you've seen the good, the bad and the ugly?

 

Well, let me tell you. I've tried and tried to find something I dislike about Western Flyer, but I haven't found out.

The ugly? Shippers and receivers can be slightly crappy. That's anywhere though.

I'm on a regional route (Texas to Colorado) and so far no deviation. I'm home every weekend for at least 34 hours, sometimes longer and very rarely shorter.

Expenses every week? Not too shabby, except I probably shouldn't run my truck balls out and I might save some fuel dollars. My "base" payment every week is $145 for the truck, $25 for the Qualcomm, and $109.04 for insurance. The 2290 tax is $50 a week until paid ($550 total). That's every week whether I drive or not.

I also have a variable payment on my truck based on miles (.21 cpm), as well as a variable payment for a warranty (.10 cpm, which covers tires IF I don't damage them by hitting a curb or running flat/blowing them out). As it stands, I've used that warranty to replace all 10 tires (brand new Michelin steers and very slightly used Michelin recapped drives, match set). I'm averaging 2800 miles a week, and can get more or less depending on how I run the week. Most in a week was last week and that was 3800, but it was as much how I ran as "luck" on how my loads worked out.

Fuel discounts are there, but planning is huge. I usually only fill in Oklahoma because it's usually the cheapest fuel on my routes. If I run low elsewhere I only put enough to get me back to the cheapest. My truck holds 240 gals so I can get pretty far.

Anything I missed?

 

Anyone know any thing about an Aarrons account in OKC? For western flyer.

 

What's the deal with western flyer express lease purchase? Everything I see is old.

 

Did the math on that on a 3000 mile week at 5.5 mpg along with all the charges at 1.00 per mile. Check will be appx 78.$ with fuel at 3.60 a gallon. Did i miss something