So far, so good... our Freightliner Century had some mechanical issues so we took it to one of the Werner terminals. It was going to take a few days to fix, so they gave us a new (well, different) truck - one of those behemoth Peterbilts. It drives SO much better than the Freightliner, but has about 1/2 the cab space. Oh, well...

But as of the end of the day yesterday, I have 210 hours done, 65 to go... at an avg of 10 hrs/day I'll be done in a week. Yay!

-Willy

GOOD FOR YOU! Glad to hear your almost done. Never had any experience with a Peterbuilt, all I know are Freightliners since we build M-2 Expediters, and our fleet drop decks were Freightliner/Penske lease trucks. Pete's just ride better because they are heavier or what?

Thank you for all the info about werner bro. I am suppost to be going to oriontation with them sept 1st. I was reading ALOT of bad things about them on this board and started to actually scare me and starting to think is this the right company for me. Of course all companies are the same, some have good things, and all have bad things i understand that.

But what scares me the most is that they are saying they are only getting .26 cpm after training?? It says that they suppost to start out at .34cpm after training.

I know it says during training the first 140hours you get 325week and then 140-250 or something you make 350week and 250+ you get 375 week.

Do you mind me asking how much your making at werner as a trainer starting out? Is it 325 before or after tax? If its after, i will be making more money doing what im doing now... x_x

Thanks again for the info!

Hi Jasin18,

Well, as far as training is concerned, you're correct - it's $325, then $350, then $375. And while that basically sucks, keep in mind that it's only temporary... training is the way that Werner weeds out the people who they either don't really want or who realize that trucking isn't for them and quit. So they're not going to pay very much during that process.

The good news is that it only lasts 6-8 weeks. In the bigger picture, that's really nothing at all. All you have to do is survive for a couple of months, then you can get to work and start earning money.

You do only get .26 per mile, after that, but the raises come pretty quickly. Basically, Werner wants to find out if a) you can drive a truck without wrecking, b) you can make your deliveries on time, and c) you're the kind of employee that won't make any major screw-ups and make the company look bad.

That all takes about 6-12 months. After that, from what everyone I've talked to says, it gets WAY better - better equipment, better raises, bonuses, etc.

So if you're serious about doing it, don't think in the short term... think in the long term. With a CDL and even 1 year's experience, you can go anywhere you want to go and work for any trucking company you want to work for. That's pretty cool, from my perspective.

-Willy

Hi Skillett,

Yeah, I think that might have something to do with it... being heavier. I think the center of gravity is a lot different, too, because they corner WAY better. Some of those corners I took in the Freightliner that scared me I can cruise right around in the Peterbilt without a care.

-Willy

Good info. A couple of the companies i am looking at run Peterbuilts

Hey Willy. Thanks for the info, unfortunantly I have to look in short terms. Im behind on my rent and soon the rest of my other bills! I decided to go with KLLM. There training is 6 weeks, and each week i make 400. After the training i start out making .34c a mile, bonuses come harder with these guys, but the starting out pay is what i need! After a year, i get the rest of tuition, 150 a month for 12 months then the remaining $5000 at once to pay on my tuition, also another great thing i talk to my recuiter about is that i only have to be wtih them for 3 months before i can bring my gf along unlike 6 months. The only down side i saw was that they do not have a pet policy but i will be ok.

I start August 27th, Wish me luck

I have a conditional job offer from Schneider. I'm supposed to start STA on Sept 6th. However, the recruiter from Roadmaster spoke to me today. He had some good points about going through Roadmaster rather than STA. 1st: I can choose a different company if I want. 2nd: My training will be fully paid so if I still go with Schneider and decide to leave before 18 months I don't owe them a nickel. 3rd: Any company will still reimburse me for training on a weekly basis. 4th: Roadmaster provides job placement assistance to their graduates for life. Finally, the Schneider offer is for a team position. I don't really have a problem with teaming, but if it turns out to be a complete cluster-F and Schneider has no solo positions available, I have to leave and then owe them reimbursement for the training. Also, I would like to have the choice of teaming or going solo.

Can anyone give me any advice. Should I go for the Schneider offer and see what happens, or should I go to Roadmaster and see what options I have after I graduate?

I heard alot of people give me the " get some company to pay for your school, then after a year you can go where you want."
Not knowing what your financial situation is, I can't recommend any alternative. For me, by paying for the school myself, puts me in the drivers seat. I can make the choice, not get with a company then hate it for a year. The other side being you may get them to pay for your school, and retire from their company. It's all about what you want.

OK boys and girls, here we go. Start weekend classes tomorrow # Roadmaster Columbus.