about a month into training my prospective

Discussion in 'Werner' started by nshore harleyguy, Feb 8, 2014.

  1. nshore harleyguy

    nshore harleyguy Medium Load Member

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    Just wanted to speak about my experience with Werner thus far.

    I was in a career for 13 years that I hated but was paid really well. I was laid off mid way thru last year. That is when I decided it was time to pursue a career that would make me happy (even though the pay would be a lot less). I had always wanted to drive a truck. So I decided to go to truck driving school. I went thru school without a hitch and was researching companies to go to work for. My long term goal was (and still is) to get at least a year of experience and find a more localized job. There are many opportunities where I live (I live in southern NH) around the northeast but they all require at least a year of experience. It was very difficult to find anything positive about any of the "starter companies" out there so after all of it I decided to give Werner a shot.
    I had talked to a recruiter a few times towards the end of school and they gave me the usual salesman type pitch about the company (I had dealt with recruiters often in my previous career so it didn't really surprise me) The biggest red flag was every time I emailed the recruiter they would reply back for me to call them (and not answer any of my questions via email) Again not really surprised by this as I know how recruiters work. I was surprised by how many people at orientation were saying "my recruiter told me I would get this" or "my recruiter told me I was guaranteed this certain route" I laughed at that. (apparently many people don't realize that a recruiter is just like a used car salesman)
    I went to orientation in Allentown. We were put up at the Quality inn. There is not much to do there and not really anywhere to even walk to. Not somewhere I would bring my family to but livable for a short period of time. The orientation was what I expected safety,company policy, CBT's (computer based training), physical, and drug test. I was in a large orientation class and the next class was just as big.
    Next came the waiting on a trainer. I had requested a non smoking trainer and was well aware that this could cause me to wait a little longer. I went to the daily meetings and called my driver manager daily to check in and to find out if I was assigned a trainer. After about a week of waiting (basically my whole orientation class and the next 1 was still waiting on a trainer) they called us to the terminal and said they were sending us to the terminal in Ohio they said that a lot more trucks travel thru there and we would get a trainer a lot quicker there. They rented 4 rental cars for 12 of us and we went to Ohio. This hotel was much nicer in Ohio. Lots of businesses and restaurant's around, indoor pool, large areas for us to meet and hang out (I am not one of those people that can sit in a hotel room for days on end without getting out). I (and most of my orientation class) waited another week or so for trainers (the smokers got trainers within 3 or 4 days but us non smokers waited almost a week) I was finally assigned a trainer for a dollar store account out of Missouri, they shipped a few of us out by bus to head to MO.
    I ended up getting a good trainer, (clean, nice guy) that I get along well with. I was really concerned because I know Werner lets people train trainees with just months of experience (which is really scary) and my trainer has about 10 years experience driving a truck. He lets me drive all I want and once my curfew was lifted I am cranking out the training hours. Unloading the trucks is really good exercise. I am really happy unloading during training because I had put on a few lbs since getting laid of from my previous job and I am loosing weight like crazy now. I didn't go to truck driving school to unload trucks so it is not something I plan on doing once out of training. I am about 65% thru my training hours. I get put up in a decent hotel while my trainer has his home time sat. nights thru mon. mornings. They run us pretty hard but overall it has been a positive experience.

    I think it has been positive for a few reasons. I didn't have unrealistic expectations I know that these "starter companies" are not even close to being the best companies to work for. I also don't expect to get rich driving a truck. I am with a "starter company" for 1 reason to gain experience. I spoke with many outfits (smaller companies with better reputations and more hometime) before going to work for Werner and none of them would even consider me without a year of experience (even with a flawless driving and work history). I have more ideal trucking jobs in mind for my future but recognize that you have to start somewhere. I have been around trucks most of my life and did really well in truck driving school but am well aware that actual driving experience and time behind the wheel is when you truly learn about driving not from books,videos, or friends/ relatives who drive trucks. I do not know what the next year will hold with Werner but do NOT expect this to be a 5 star company to work for just a company to help me get my foot in the door of this career that I have chosen. There are so many negative threads about Werner (and most of the "starter companies") and I did not come in here with high expectations so I will (hopefully) not be disappointed.
     
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  3. KeithT1967

    KeithT1967 Road Train Member

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    Sounds like you've got the right idea and attitude to make a go of it. Good luck
     
  4. nshore harleyguy

    nshore harleyguy Medium Load Member

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    Thanks.
    1 other thing I will add about training on a dollar general acct. You get plenty of backing experience. From what I hear some trainers like to do it themselves but my trainer is all about letting me back into these tight areas (with his guidance if needed) Alot of these stores were not designed for a 53 ft trailer. Other guys I went to orientation with are training over the road and they back into loading docks and back at truck stops but have not yet backed into tight areas surrounded by parked cars and impatient people trying to pull in and out of these stores. I would much rather do it with my trainer nearby than down the road when I am out on my own
     
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  5. 8thnote

    8thnote Road Train Member

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    It sounds like you did a very good job of researching the realities of life as an OTR driver. The reason that so many of the newbies wash out is being blindsided by the lifestyle change. It sounds to me like you have your eye on the prize with no unrealistic expectations. You will get that job that you want and you will have a nice second career. Good luck friend.
     
  6. nshore harleyguy

    nshore harleyguy Medium Load Member

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    That is what I gathered from alot of the negative threads I read. I don't doubt people have had bad experiences at all but I could sense alot of people were not prepared for life on the road. I do have a family and (thankfully) a very supportive wife. We put alot of thought into this and I did my homework. I don't know how many times I read "this company sucks I only get home every couple of weeks" what did they expect when applying for a job with a national carrier?. I did not expect this to be a 9-5 job
     
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  7. Night Prowler

    Night Prowler Medium Load Member

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    Good job on doing your home work. a positive attitude goes a long way!! GOOD LUCK !
     
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  8. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    great job doing your homework
    I drove for a lousy training co
    with lousy pay
    but moved onto a better job with time off to my needs
    I was raised in Newburyport and lived in Portsmouth for 28 years
    while I was a commercial fisherman
    so hello neighbor
     
  9. SMPARKER74

    SMPARKER74 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 30, 2013
    St. Petersburg, Fl
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    I have heard a lot of negative talk about Werner. It hasn't stopped me from applying to them. I hope to be at orientation in a few weeks at their Lakeland terminal. I'm just looking to get some experience and see were the road takes me. Thanks for your honesty and Good Luck at Werner.
     
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  10. em2owe

    em2owe Bobtail Member

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    Jan 30, 2014
    Tampa, FL
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    good luck at werner
     
  11. DriveItUSA

    DriveItUSA Light Load Member

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    Denver, Colorado
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    Good thread, thanks for sharing. I too started with Werner recently, so far I have had a good experience. Keep us updated on your progress. Most of life is what you make of it.
     
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