orientation dec.3

I doubt they still have an eastern regional. Last I asked about it, they were merging east and midwest, and phasing out midwest entirely. You've still got 8 or so weeks until you find out for your hiring area, but I'd anticipate you'll be running everything east of Omaha, 14 out 2 home, unless you go dedicated. Start talking to driver placement in 6 weeks or so, because those wait lists can get pretty long.

 

looks like werner has longer runs then swift, no empty trailer problems like swift has, and a big plus heard they have APU'S, and i have'nt seen cheap volvo trucks at werner ether like cheap swift has

 

If empty trailer problems means being able to find one, yes werner has that. Not sure what a cheap volvo is, but werner is rolling out plenty of new ones. You will be expected to front the cost of the DEF that is required to run them as well. You will be reimbursed, but you pay up front. They say you will be able to put it on your fuel card in a few months. That was 4 months ago, oh well maybe someday.

 

there having there DRIVERS PAY for the DEF fluid, then get reimbursed later, thats (wrong) there profit margens got to be tight, looks like millis transfer is my best bet

 

Yes I think it is wrong, I do not think it has anything to do with profit margins though. It is more a lack of care about the driver.

I have been told by other drivers you can do this by using an advance. If it is done correctly to the letter then the advance never factors in your pay at all. You must show that all money advanced is used for truck. I do not know how this works as I have never needed an advance so have never got one. I will not start now as I still do not need one the company does.

I have the ability to loan the company $80 a week or so to purchase this. They have been very good about getting it back every week so it is like I keep lending the same money over and over. I would however like my initial loan back soon.

The problem I have is buying the stuff in the jugs. I have found only one place that sells in bulk where I drive so far. The tank on the truck holds 25 gallons and they sell it in 2.5 gallon jugs. Way too many trips back and fourth for me.

The fuel department says they are working on a fix. I think they are just waiting till it is available in bulk at pumps, then they will figure it out. Yes I am not happy with having to deal with this, but I do it as I do make decent money and would like to keep doing so. For the new driver or driver not making much money yes this will suck even more. I think it is wrong and they hear that from me several times a week. I will continue to do what I need to do to make a living and let them know how I feel about it until one of us gets to tired of dealing with it.

If you are considering Werner best of luck, it is possible to do OK, but it is not easy to deal with.

 

DEF is just like oil, or washer fluid, or ATF or anything else you put in the truck. Get an advance, or get reimbursed. I don't see what the big deal over this is. Some companies don't have EFS or fleet cards and make you get reimbursements for fuel. I think that the way the DEF situation is being handled is plenty fair for a company that has hundreds (thousands?) of pre-emissions vehicles stockpiled to avoid the headache for as many of their drivers as possible until the DEF infrastructure is in place. Considering werner is a zero debt company, sinking millions of dollars into driver comfort is a major concession in my opinion.

Now if only they'd work on getting some APUs on these #### trucks...

 

Been listening to the recruiters I see....On the surface it sounds great, but...
Zero Debt does not mean that much...it also means in most cases, Zero or near ZERO assets since the company has grown quickly using leased equipment....
It is a way to dodge tax libality (leases are paid out of pre-tax earnings, as opposed to capital improvements which is post tax earnings-talk to an CPA), and legal liability...if you have no assets, it is tough to sue and take assets...airlines have been doing it this way for years....it still helps on the corporate side (think wall street) but it does little for the hourly wage earners, and may actually hurt them in some ways...

 

I find it amazing the fuel card will not pay fro DEF.....
Watchout using too many advances...the usuall $5 charge per advance adds up over the course of a year...
Kinda like some guys I talk to that use FED-EX to get their paperwork, at their expense, to the company every week to get 2 extra days on a paycheck...when they could mail it for $3 (if they are paying for it) and just have the 3 days they miss end up on their next check...it would only hurt for ONE week..cause after that, you have 3 days already on your NEXT check...and you save $45 a week!! Every company is different...if the company pays for the paper work, fine, but if it is on you nickel....