Just finished training with Werner

Discussion in 'Werner' started by X-Country, Mar 27, 2014.

  1. X-Country

    X-Country Medium Load Member

    645
    459
    Mar 27, 2014
    0
    I'm a new lady driver that just recently finished my training with Werner. Some good some bad experiences. I started back in early January and just finished up this past week. My trainer kept taking time off every 2 weeks, and when I drove I only got to drive 5-7 hours at a time so my training took a really long time.

    The good is I only needed one trainer, and the other good is that I am DONE with training lol.

    The bad is my SDM already copped an attitude with me. I was having some backing issues and wasn't ready to get off the truck as I neared my 275 hours. I was allowed to stay on, but at 275, she booted me off. Safety always told me if I need more time, just to ask for it, but I did and I was denied. I protested to Safety, but that got me nowhere. I'm still not real comfortable with backing yet but guess I will just have to practice on my own. My trainer thinks I have the basics down and that I will be ok.

    My trainer was a grumpy, sour old man. Wasn't willing to negotiate about anything. From choosing places to eat to getting fuel..everything was his way and no negotiation. Made for a frustrating time. I was repeatedly threatened to be kicked off the truck. At least he didn't hit on me or try to have sex with me. One of my friends from CDL school had that problem with another company. I couldn't have the radio on while I drove because he wanted to sleep and I got stuck doing all of the night driving. He was always putting himself before my training. Constantly going home to see his wife and leaving me in the truck. I was always given a "cleaning list" before he left and told to have it done before he came back. I was so mad. I kept telling him, I am not your wife or cleaning girl. I cleaned the truck twice, but after that I told him no more, and threatened to file a complaint. he backed off a little bit, but was just really rude and didn't want to have any conversation or actually teach.

    I think I made a mistake going to work for this company, but a couple drivers have said after I get 6 months experience I can go anywhere else. I hope that is true because this company doesn't pay very well.

    I dont know what else to really say. I was hoping for a good training experience, and I don't feel I got what I should have. He hardly spent any time at all teaching me backing. I only got backing opportunities when we delivered. I repeatedly asked and was told no, we don't have time for that.


    Does anyone have any recommendations of where to go after I get done with my 6 months?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. FastCat

    FastCat Bobtail Member

    37
    6
    Nov 13, 2011
    Rochester, NY
    0
    Just stay on the good side with Dispatch no matter how stupid it gets. They will ding you on your dac report if you piss someone off. Just suck it up for 6 months and move on to a better company. Lots of em to choose from.
     
  4. Little Eddy

    Little Eddy Medium Load Member

    598
    968
    Mar 8, 2014
    0
    A very brave and smart woman was asked once how she was able to complete a very difficult and particularly arduous task...she replied "When eating an elephant you do it one bite at a time".

    Before you consider moving on, get through the first day, then do the first week...in 6 months a person can row across the Atlantic Ocean...take small bites and once a leg or two is gone then you can consider your options.

    You story leaves the impression that you are not going to buckle easily so take your time...you just might end up being a lifer and the next great trainer having lived through a bad experience.

    Anyone considering Werner is going to want to read this story...

    Little Eddy
     
  5. s36ryan

    s36ryan Light Load Member

    80
    18
    Nov 11, 2013
    Buford, GA
    0
    Your not going to make goodmoney starting out. If u get dedicated it will pay more . Just get your 6 months in , Celadon is a good company and they offer alot of vacation time.

    I use to work for them and they're a decent outfit.
     
  6. X-Country

    X-Country Medium Load Member

    645
    459
    Mar 27, 2014
    0
    you mean, this stupid continues with the dispatchers? oh wow. who do you recommend?


    figures. i put in a lot of apps but didn't hear from anyone for a long time, Werner was the first one to offer me a job. past 2 weeks I've gotten several other offers but it took them forever to call me. Covenant, Stevens, and Swift all called. Navajo called but said I wasn't qualified...not sure what they mean since they hire and train new students, but I didnt worry about it too much.
     
  7. s36ryan

    s36ryan Light Load Member

    80
    18
    Nov 11, 2013
    Buford, GA
    0
    Celadon trians students too but they have good equipment , vans and reefers. good benefits and good vacation. They do make u go to Canada but they pay for your passport. Ah. Never work for Swift , I did a stint with Jb hunt lol. Quit after they tried to force a sleeep test on me . Just got a 2 year card with my new company.

    After a year come on over to ACT , they will pay u goood. But you need a year experience. Good luck.
     
  8. BigBluePeter

    BigBluePeter Heavy Load Member

    705
    826
    Aug 8, 2009
    0
    You need to understand that the incentive for a company to train new drivers is in the tax breaks they get. If you have completed training with a company other training companies might not want you. Just gut it out for 6 months and find a better company.
     
  9. X-Country

    X-Country Medium Load Member

    645
    459
    Mar 27, 2014
    0
    other than my backing, I'm ok with everything else. Those 90 degree backs are tough for me. I can do 45's, and straight backing.
     
  10. MayhemTrucking

    MayhemTrucking Heavy Load Member

    854
    236
    Mar 23, 2010
    Denham Springs, La.
    0
    Backing is always difficult. It will always continue to be and once you get it down pat then u have bad backing days lol.. when you have a lil spare time during the day go to the back of truck stops out of the way and practice driver side and blind side alley docks.. just remember the lines on the ground are $200,000 custom peterbuilts and u do not want to touch them do this every chance you get and you will get better and better.
     
  11. freightwipper

    freightwipper Road Train Member

    9,366
    11,439
    Mar 24, 2014
    OTR
    0
    There's a REASON why Warner is called the "blue screw".

    "I couldn't have the radio on while I drove because he wanted to sleep and I got stuck doing all of the night driving. He was always putting himself before my training. "

    That's not training ...

    At Crete the trainer sits next to you the whole time for a month and when the truck stops is when you both go to sleep.
    You do the driving and the trainer is there watching and helping.
    And you start out at .34-.35 CPM

    I was offered a job starting out with Warner as well... glad I didn't go there.
    .26CPM and that BS
    I went elsewhere and got paid crap but a good trainer meant a lot.
    It's not about the money in the beginning, the goal is to LEARN.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.