Working For Werner

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by Bobthetrucker, Dec 19, 2009.

  1. SurvivorMom316

    SurvivorMom316 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 31, 2009
    Bend, OR
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    Good luck to you. My husband got his first year in with Werner, but we just couldn't make it on what they paid as I am a stay at home mom to our 2 kids (1 with autism...hence the stay at home part). But it was a good company to get that "golden" first year with. Now he works for a flatbed company that is based locally (he drives OTR) that he absolutely loves. It's a smaller outfit that pays better and respects and supports their drivers - he is not just a truck number anymore. His experience with Werner had its definite ups and downs (won't go into them here), but they took a chance on him fresh out of school, so that means something. Just document everything, keep a good attitude, "just do the job" as my husband likes to say, and you'll get along fine. I have enjoyed reading your posts - keep them coming, and Happy New Year!
     
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  3. Bobthetrucker

    Bobthetrucker Bobtail Member

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    Nov 23, 2009
    Dallas, Ga
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    The second day in class was pretty much like the first. More presentations and more study. More Computer safety training and a test on the material we were studying. We let out at 5pm and still had to finish our computer based training. Some people were there late into the night . Some never finished so they could not get a trainer. It’s all up to the person if they want to stick to it. If you can’t even get through the training good luck sticking through the tough times out on the road.

    At the end of class we received our D.O.T. cards and company badges and sent into the night back to the motel. The next morning about fifty people were packed into a small room to get their assignments. About half of the people were given assignments which told me the other half were not complete.

    I was sent to Florida, Lakeland to be exact. They rented 4 really nice vehicles for us to make the 8 hour trip and then check into a very nice budget hotel in Lakeland.

    This hotel was extremely clean and comfortable. They have breakfast every morning and laundry facilities. The rooms and beds are very nice and clean and they give you three pillows on each bed which is something the higher priced hotels do. I don’t know how Werner could take any better care of you but once again I here grumbling and complaints from others.

    I have gotten nothing but the best treatment from this company so far. Since I have experience with this sort of thing I can tell you they do give you what you need to become a truck driver. I look at the shear number of people they turn out of their training centers and I crunch a few numbers and I see the exorbitant amount of money they put into training so don’t be surprised if they don’t coddle you. If you complain, or gripe about any of this treatment from a business that is offering you a nice livelihood well I think you have a problem and need to rethink your career choice.

    Some do not like adversity. They back down at the first sign of it and run the other way. These are the ones who will not stay in this business.

    When I get time I will tell you about my first roommate and give you a little incite to the people who should not even be here and where I think all the horror stories come from.

    Until then God Bless and keep on truckin!…….Bob
     
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  4. Bobthetrucker

    Bobthetrucker Bobtail Member

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    Nov 23, 2009
    Dallas, Ga
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    My first day with the trainer was just a day that we got to know one another and he gave me some incite to the company. He wanted to know my previous driving experience to see where to begin I guess. I’ve driven heavy trucks before but not tractor trailers. He let me drive for about 3 ½ hours to the distribution center. Oh yeah I forgot to tell you they put me on a dedicated route in Florida. I guess you can’t ask for any better than that. When we got to the distribution center he had me back the trailer into a slot. He said “OK let me see what you got”. So I backed it in without too much trouble. So far so good.

    After that he dropped me at the hotel for the weekend and said he would pick me up Sunday afternoon.
    I checked in and since everyone is doubled up I expected to have a roommate. When I got to the room the other driver trainee was already there. You never know who you are going to get as a roommate so I was expecting anything. What I didn’t expect was to have to listen to someone gripe about how he had to work soooooo hard on the dollar general account he was training on. On these accounts you have to unload the trailer by rolling out skids on wheels. I realize it isn’t easy but this young man was about 25 years old and all he did is complain that if he had to continue to do this he was going to quit. He wasn’t a small man either. Anyway I was getting tired of listening to him. I was down in the lobby when I saw one of the guys I went to truck school with and since he had no roommate the hotel was nice enough to switch me to his room. The weekend was saved!

    So I got to rest the remainder of the time and I was ready to go out Sunday evening. It is now Wednesday and we have gone from Georgia south into Florida numerous time and he has let me drive the ride back each day. He is letting me back the loads into the docks all the while giving me little hints and tips that help.
    I guess I got lucky because I got a good trainer and he has about 10 years on the truck so he has a lot of knowledge. Why would someone drive for ten years for a company that would be out to get you?

    When I asked him about this he laughed and said the following, “This is a big company. Are they going to coddle you? No. All you have to do is be on time, be available and have a good positive pleasant personality. The rest will take care of itself. Do your job and do it well and no problem.”

    Sounds good to me and as far as I can tell there are a lot of drivers that I have run into that feel the same way. These are the ones you never hear from so don’t be discouraged from reading the posts. Werner has thousands of drivers.

    I met a driver outside one of the truck stops and he said his son was fired for breaking a clip light on one of the trailers and told me to watch out because after you get a year in they try to fire you for the least little thing. I don’t think Werner would stay in business too long by firing everyone who gets a years experience. Seems to me maybe there is something in the story he’s not telling. Anyway I’ll keep you posted on the rest of my training. Up to now it’s been very good and I’m learning a lot. Also I appreciate the time they take to train you. The training dept is top notch as far as I see. Do they make money off of you? Yes. By paying you training salary and letting you split the driving duties with the other driver you can go many more miles. But as I see it it’s all a trade off. They let you get the experience in turn they make money off of you and the trainer also makes more money.

    I told him I would be glad to run as much as I can so he could make a good income while I was training. Do they have some bad trainers? Yes. Who doesn’t. But they tell you if you have any problems you can change trainers and I’ve met several trainees who have had to do this so it’s not an issue with Werner. I guess that’s it for now. See ya later…… Bob
     
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  5. Tone126995

    Tone126995 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 4, 2010
    chambersburg,pa
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    Werner is some what of a good company. I have been on their family dollar account out of front royal va for the last 6 mos. Unfortunately, Werner will allow drivers who are fresh out of school onto this account. Topped trailers, wrecked trucks, and damaged property are often the result. If any of you all have seen the locations of family dollars, you probabily get why experience would be needed. In conclusion, I would advise that any new drivers get some seat time before hopping on these accounts with Werner. It is good money, but you will have incidents/accidents if you aren't seasoned in the field. In contrast to what the recruiters will tell you, a bad dac, mvr, and reference is not worth the 2 mos of good money you will make on one of these acoounts. So, get that O.T.R. time first.
     
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  6. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    And that prtly explains why Werner is always hiring .
     
  7. Bobthetrucker

    Bobthetrucker Bobtail Member

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    Nov 23, 2009
    Dallas, Ga
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    And I think a good bit of common sense would be useful too!
     
  8. gilbertbs2000

    gilbertbs2000 Light Load Member

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    Nov 9, 2009
    Carrollton, Georgia
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    Hey Bob. I'm going to start at Werner after I finish my CDL school training. Any advice for a new comer? I'm supposed to be working out of the Lithia Springs, Ga location. Thanks
     
  9. QuoteWarz Insurance

    QuoteWarz Insurance Light Load Member

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    Jan 1, 2010
    Los Angeles, Ca
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    It sounds like they are a great company to work for and really take care of their drivers. This is definitely refreshing to hear after reading about other companies who don't take care of their people.
     
  10. :kimberlee:

    :kimberlee: Bobtail Member

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    Jan 6, 2010
    tulsa, OK
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    at least you got with your trainer fast. my fiance has finished orientation last saturday and still hasn't got a trainer:(
     
  11. wellgolf

    wellgolf Light Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2009
    Boise
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    Does anybody have any to say about the Fontana depot, good or bad I would like to hear it all.
     
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