I was going to post in the existing Werner forum, but it appears to be pretty hostile, so I'll make my own.


I finished orientation Tuesday, and, for those who were aware of my situation, Werner didnt even raise an eyebrow. They took it in stride, treated me like a normal human, and life goes on.

Is that the general attitude of truckers? I know there are many different types, of course, but from what I've seen the trucker attitude is to live and let live; we are all professionals trying to make a buck. It doesn't matter how strange I look, nor how ugly... I'm just another driver. Is that the general attitude?

I've been here at the hotel for a little over a week waiting for a trainer. I'm the only one left from my orientation class, and there have been two more orientations that have came and went since I started waiting. Of course, I was given the option of waiting for a female trainer, and I did. I'm still getting paid, even though I'm not on the road, but life is dull here in Allentown, PA.

Thanks for letting me share. I still like them, just by the way they've treated me.

If possible, keep us posted about your experience with Werner. It will be good to hear about your experience. Hopefully you will get a trainer soon. I think it is best for women to train with women and men with men. It saves a lot of potential hassles.

I was just reading a few threads about Werner, and I'm dreadfully sick to my stomach now. I read about safety violations, wrongful DAC reports, poor trainers, and all sorts of bad stories. What have I done? I can't leave, because someone said they quit orientation and got a DAC filed on abandoment (or some such thing). If I go out, I'll make less than $6 an hour (according to another driver).

SOMEONE!!! Please tell me if it's really as bad as what I've read. I came out here to make a massive amount of money, and I'm going to give myself a nervous breakdown if even half of what I read is true.

I have talked with a lot of Werner drivers who are very happy with the company. Many do not like the lower pay, but many have been there for years. Yes, there are problems at Werner but there are problems at every company. Most of the comments here are from people who have done something to get themselves in the situation they are in and they want to blame someone else, usually the company.

When I drove for Swift, there was a time I was really being dumped on and could have quit. Then I began to realize that my attitude stunk and I was causing a lot of the problem. I could have come to a site like this and told another Swift story but I realized that I was a big part of the problem, changed my attitude, and things improved. The best thing is to talk to the active drivers you see around where you are. Find out what they have to say about the company. I have found most drivers I talk with at the local truck stop share both the good and the bad.

Things will be fine, relax. You just made it through your tough hurdle, finding a company. You said that they treated you like a normal human being, isn't that what we all want? You are reading rants from unhappy drivers. Does Werner have unhappy drivers? Of course, every company does. The larger the company, the more unhappy people just if you look at sheer percentages. Keep your positive outlook and things will be fine. Tell yourself that no matter how bad your training is, you won't quit. Your first year will be tough, but rewarding. And every year will be better after that. Keep your eyes on the big picture.

........ GET OUTA HERE !!!

Well I'm starting orientation in Dallas on Monday if anyone can tell me what too expect I'll be very thankful

You really need to define "massive".

Hopefully, you aren't expecting more than $40k your first year. Werners big ads states an average $38k

Lower pay is to be expected for your first year at least. So be prepared.

Things can go bad in training, things can go bad after training. It's a reality we all live with, every day. You either learn to ignore the demon in your head, or allow it to control you. Your choice.

Trust me when I say you have other things to be concerned about. Like your first big snow storm, or your first encounter with black ice at speed. Staying alive and healthy should be your main concerns.

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

My first encounter with snow and black ice....

I dread these things. I dont want to end up flipped over, and I don't know when to call it quits for the day. I've talked to all drivers about watching your trailer when it starts to come out of line, and they all say to speed up a bit.

When it snows, SLOW DOWN!!! They say no more than 15-20. But what about when I go downhill in ice? OMG, I'm about to explode with fear!!!!

Orientation, for the one that was asking, is relatively simple. Just follow the directions they give you when filling out your paperwork, and you'll be fine. It's two days of tediousness; one person I know quit because of how long and drawn out it was. The first day at orientation was 12 hours, the second day was 11 hours.

One person was fired because they couldn't speak a word of English, or understand what was being told to him. Another disappeared after staying asleep in class, I assume he was fired too.

If you are female and expect a female trainer, be prepared to be waiting a long time. I've been here 8 days now, still waiting. If you want a nonsmoking female trainer driving flatbed, you'll be waiting ALOT longer than me from what I've heard.

I'm sure I'm just paranoid...... we'll see how things go.

Quote:

........ GET OUTA HERE !!!

Now that was uncalled for! Why would you say that to someone asking legitamate questions?

You're only hearing the horror stories. Every company has them, along with horror drivers who tell them. As others have said, go in with a good attitude, eyes open, and decide for yourself if Werner is right for you.

Yes you ARE paranoid! Relax, don't worry about things that haven't happened, and may not. You'll do alright!

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Go, and beat your crazy head against the sky.....