Peterbilt 587 is what I trained in. See a lot of Kenworth's not sure what models, but I know they got a lot of brand new T-680's over at their Springfield, OH terminal. Maybe some Volvo's, Internationals and Freightliners. I know they aren't buying anymore Peterbilts right now.
Teams get the best trucks and dispatchers. Werner doesnt have that many teams, so its pretty easy for them to get good equipment. Im a trainer and I usually get low mileage trucks after teams and million-milers get done with them. My last three trucks have had about 50k on them... so I know the teams and old guy get first choice. The Terminals are full of new Cascadias right now, but Im seeing new Petes coming from somewhere. The trucks are pretty good looking, they dont really cheap out on stuff. The trailers are also all in pretty good condition, theyve been replacing them for the last two years, so most of the old rusty ones are either sold off or being run in the northeast. I run in the south, and the trailers are overwhelmingly in good shape. The pay is pretty average... its not Crete, but its sure not CR England. Werner is about tied with Schneider for pay. What Ive seen personally is the same Schneider offers me. The thing about Werner is that its not a bad company. It might not be the best, but its a safe bet over the other starter companies. You could do really well, but you sure wont do badly. Werner is a safe bet if you really cant get into a company you really really like. They wont abuse you, the equipment is good, and the pay is reasonable. If you just want to get into trucking and dont know who to trust, Werner is definitely a safe backup. I would recommend Crete or Schneider first... but they are kinda picky. Werner isnt the best, but its CSA score is 3 times higher than US Xpress, CR England, or the other starter companies. I always tell people "There is no reason to go with anybody worse than Werner"... they will give just about anybody a chance, and they wont abuse you like CR England. Werner is very average, which means half of companies are worse, half are better. Why the hell would anybody go with a company they know is in the worse half? If a company cant match Werner, there is no reason to work for them. Good luck! Hope it all works out for you.
Thank you for your post.. I am currently working on my CDL due to graduate May 24, and have been going back and forth about Schneider or Werner. After your post, I really feel that Schneider is best for me. Mostly because of location (Portland, OR) and training program. Werner looked good too, it was a tough choose. I know Schneider is kinda picky so I hope I make it. If not I have a back-up plan with Werner. Any additional advice is helpful.
Couple months you can post in the report a bad company. If your going to run teams there's better outfits. Do some research. I worked there. I'm trying to save you the headache now driver
Werner at one time was a good company. It is my understanding that the original owner has returned. So it should be on the upper ward slope. I have never worked for them so that is three person knowledge. If you are new, IMHO, it really doesn't matter who you start with. Before you have two years experience your insurance rates are going to be high. So you trade off wages for experience. As a team, you are very valuable to this industry. Werner would be stupid to not give you the best equipment and the best pay they can. Just remember team driving is like being in prison. It is very hard to sleep in a moving cab and the person you are teamed with will get on your nerves. Be sure you communicate with that person and don't suffer in silence. Teams make the big bucks as the freight they haul is expedited and that is the highest paying rates. Many small companies drive old Werner trucks as the maintenance on them use to be the tops among the megas.
I drive for werner.. I am on a dedicated account which I like a lot.. I run 2500 to 3000 miles a week.. I like running solo.. with teams.. I think husband and wife teams do the best.. all the money and tax breaks go the the same house hold... With teams.. the truck is assigned to the lead driver.. and the other team member is considered a co driver.. I only drove team during training... really didn't like it as much as I do being solo... when rolling team you share the bottom bunk when rolling.. so, when I was driving my trainer would sleep in the bottom bunk.. when my trainer was driving, I would throw a blanket over his bedding on the bottom bunk, and set up my bedding on top of it.. If we wernt rolling and both sleeping, i was on the top bunk.. Ias weird as it sounds, that is one thing I like about being solo.. I got a new mattress... not just a new matress cover.. a brand new matress.. and it is just me sleeping in it.. I like having some not rolling down time each night.. to shower, meditate, excersize, read a book, watch a movie or whatever I want... I really like that there is no one else messing up my truck.. it is crazy the trash another driver can accumulate... coffee cups, pop cans, water bottles, candy wrapers... drove me crazy when I was training...
And most of those threads are under 'Bad Trucking Companies' so make sure you do your homework, or you'll wind up coming on here later and desperate looking for advice on how to get out of the Werner contract.
