Werner sounded so attractive because of the technology they use sounds like it would make the job so much easier, but of coarse, that won't matter if I can't get the miles I need to pay the bills and be able to get along with my dispatcher. I've heard so many scarey stories - are there any new drivers out there (one or two years) who have had a good run with Werner so far? Even as new drivers?

I've heard good things about Crete and Interstate. I just don't know. Any company I research I hear as much bad as good and vice versa.

Here's what I want (don't know if it's realistic yet - let me know):
1. Low pressure from the office
I don't ever want to be in a position where I feel like I have to comprimise safety or the integrity of my paperwork to keep the office happy. Frankly I don't like paperwork but I understand there are more important things to consider.
2. Miles, Miles, Miles
I'm not looking to make the most money possible, I just want to pay the bills, which for me amounts to about $1,500 per month or less; but I do want to travel, I do want to do 48 states maybe Canada too. I don't mind being out for weeks on end.
3. A good truck
I know it sounds shallow but if I am going to be out on the road that much, I'd like to be comfortable and confident and proud of my truck.

Other considerations:
I have friends that travel cross country alot - Werner has a program that allows you to give rides to friends with an $11 insurance policy.
I also am a musician and would have gigs occassionally across the country (I'd know when/where up to 2 months in advance) and would love it if I could work that out with my dispatcher. (Am I just dreaming here? Let me know...)

 

Well, it is possible with Werner. I drove for them for some time and even trained for them. From MY experience with them, you will not be pressured from the office too much. Now there will be times when they get a little impatient but that is anywhere you go. They have really nice equipment too. My last truck was a brand new Freightliner Classic XL. Not all of their equipment is brand new but for the most part it is well kept. On the OTR fleet you will stay out 17 days I think it was. I had a good dispatcher. We had good communication and worked well together. There are a few pricks there. If you get a bad one just request a new one. Now for the down side.

They are not the highest paying company out there. You can do better with pay somewhere else. Miles, well miles can be scetchy at times. Some do good and some don't do to good. If you want to make money at Werner you need to get on a dedicated fleet. As for the training part goes. This is all info from when I was there and it may be different now. I had trainees tell me that they waited for up to 4 weeks to get a trainer. Don't know how true that is but that is what I was told. Training was for 275 hrs back then but I think it has went up since then. It works out to be about 4 weeks. You will be given a option in the middle of your training to take a PTO (Paid Time Off) for a week. You can do this but when you come back you will be assigned a different trainer and it will extend your training. Their training trucks are ran as teams. I don't agree with that, but that is how it is. I hope this helps. BOL

 

:roll:
Dear Santa,

For Christmas, I want..............

I have been a good boy all year.

Thanks,
Col. Toon

 

Haha. Thanks guys. I appreciate the humor Col. That's exactly how I feel.
Well, I think I'll give Werner a shot. I'm pretty good with people so I'm hoping I won't have too many problems with trainers and dispatchers and whatnot. I'm curious about the comment about training riding as a team. What do you disagree with? I am still a green horn, so I hardly know what to ask. I appreciate it guys. Thanks for the advice.

 

Ive been with Werner for 5yrs, just want to clarify a couple of things fireman said:

This is not manditory, you can stay out much longer than 17 days. In fact your dispatch will love you for it if you do.

.

The training actually takes closer to 8 weeks, with 1 week payed PTO (Personnal Time Off) at about the 4th week.

The trucks are generally no more than 3yrs old. They "retire" the truck into their fleet sales around 375k-400k miles.

I agree with fireman 48 state driving can be hit and miss, depends on how good the loadplanner and dispatch (Fleet Manager) work the loads.

You will drive 100% legel, you will not be assigned loads that you cannot accomplish within you HOS. Once your Fleet Manager gets "used" to you they will be more accomidating to your load needs.

IMO the paperless logs are a joy to have and use. There are times when something illogical will happen with the logs but it is usually easily cleared up with a log correction on the Qualcomm or a call to the log dept.

There is no doubt that it is better to find a good dedicated account or regional with Werner, you are generally loaded and preassigned quicker that OTR. The more often and earliest you are preassigned the easier it is to get the miles and run the trips.

I rarely ever have to deal with anyone beyond my FM at Werner, occassionally I may have to call Logs, Roadbreakdown, but nothing past that. (just so long as you keep you nose clean)

Overall Im very satisfied with Werner, I do drive a nice dedicated account that probably keeps me busier than I want to at time. But Im not complaining. The miles are their and so are the $$, I know my FM personnelly and we get along really good.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM or ask on a post.

 

Good info. Thank you very much. Is it possible to change from OTR to regional/dedicated once you've started?

 

Yes, just call Driver Assignments, they will let you know what is available in your area. They tend to be behind the "current" knowledge of what is available and what has opennings. If possible find the telephone number to the account manager for the dedicated account your interested in or the FM for the regional, and call them directly to see if they are "hiring" drivers. The account managers and FM are able to "end around" Driver Assignements when they need drivers.

 

BTW: I just answered the poll, I clicked "other" as this is the best choice. An "all of the above" would have been a nice option. But since its not there I had to answer "other". Yes...I want "my cake and eat it too"

 

What I did not like about the training was that Werner runs their training trucks as a team truck. While you are driving the trainer is sleeping. I do not agree with this. I believe that the trainer needs to be in the jump seat while you are driving so that the trainer can give you instructions on different aspects of the job and the run. It is very hard on a rookie to make all the decisions that is needed to be made when this rookie has no experience to help make that call. That is just my opinion though.

 

Hi, Jeramiah!!

First off, Welcome!!

If you are serious in your inquiry, then please accept my sincere apologies. Perhaps I'm becoming a bit crotchety in my old age, but it seems to me that we've had a recent influx of postings from people who are either crank-calling trolls, or else they are being left unsupervised at the mental intitutions where they are institutionalized.

In any event, while I'll offer you the benefit of doubt where sanity and sound judgement are involved, I must ask why you would be so quick to jump on board with Werner?? I won't call them the worst, but in truth, there are other comapnies out there that are FARRRRRR better.

People skills??

That's great!! I also have fairly good people skills on a good day!! (BTW, today wasn't one of those good days!!) Nonetheless, you are about to venture into a realm where there ar many, many people who's IQ's are less than their age, and some who's IQ's are exceeded by their shoe size.

Werner is an oasis of hope, a harbinger of employment for many of those souls.Do some more research before you make any decisions.

As far as getting off or being given a load to wherever you have a gig to perform??

FORGET IT!!!

Even with a good company, no one could promise you that; there are just too many things that change too quickly to be able to promise you that.

Even more of concern is that, musician or not, if you are playing a gig where alcohol is served, and someone sees you walking from that building, then climbing into a truck, your driving career would end before it ever begins.

That was one of the reasons why I thought that you were Col. Toon/LewisFriend/Chad Sexington.

Also, don't get too wrapped up in the electronic logs; paper logs have their benefits. You'll se why as time goes on.....'nuff said.

BOO2U!!