Im a recent grad, should I go with WERNER?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Livethelife, Sep 13, 2009.

  1. Scooter8419

    Scooter8419 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2007
    Fergus Falls, MN
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    While I can't offer advice on Werner directly or any trucking company for that fact, I will say this about large corporations period. I'm in the banking industry and so is my wife. I have always stuck with smaller organizations, community banks if you will. My wife on the other hand is also in banking, but is at a large national chain. In the banking industry, the large players like Wells, US, you name it, typically have a bad name for themselves when it comes to dealing with employees and their overall outlook when dealing with them (at least this is the perception from my side of the fence). My wife knew that going in but has kept an open mind and has worked her tail end off and overall has had a good experience. Does she have days where she doesn't like it? Of course, but that's why they call it work. What I'm getting at here is that like the previous poster, you won't know until you do it for yourself. Would I work at a large bank? Not in a million years, but so far it has been great for my wife. Each person will have a little different experience. It is all relative from industry to industry. Good luck to you.
     
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  3. Scooter8419

    Scooter8419 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2007
    Fergus Falls, MN
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    I should add though, perception in many instances is reality. Read through some of the other message boards regarding Werner and personal experiences there. Plan for the worst, hope for the best seems to be a common theme from what I have read.
     
  4. mandiesel

    mandiesel Light Load Member

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    99% of new truck drivers straight out of school don't have much choice though but to go to work for the bigger companies,they're the only ones who will hire them.
     
  5. TheRumRunner

    TheRumRunner Light Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2009
    Louisville, KY
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    well looks like ill be in Werner orientation this week..i spoke with Schneider about starting in their tank division and they want 6 mos so decided to rough it out with BigBlue and get some experience.
     
  6. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

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    Near Nashville TN
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    WTF! You got a job offer? Go for it! Then move out of Michigan! Get a residence in a state that doesn't have state income tax.

    I checked into HVAC here in TN. $8-9 hr to start. Crawl through attics, under houses and trailers. 4 years of schooling then get $12-20+hr.

    Either that become a nurse.
     
  7. Wiseguywireless

    Wiseguywireless Road Train Member

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    Petoskey, MI
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    Roahl or how ever you spell it. might be worth checking out. If not. make sure that you follow the rules and keep a low profile while in the big company. They can ruin your reputation real quick if they want to. Let them think that you love working for them. If they think you will quit, they could make your record look bad so no one else will want you.
     
  8. ScooterDawg

    ScooterDawg <strong>"The Blue Tick Lab"</strong>

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    Nov 23, 2008
    Trinity, NC
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    LivetheLife -

    The most important thing is that you get some experience. You got through your license, and you have a date to start. So go for it.....

    Think of it this way..... there are a lot of people coming out of school that can't get an orientation. Granted, Werner may not have the best reputation out there for pampering their drivers, but they are moving, they don't appear to sit alot, and you will get experience.

    Face it, you are actually fairly lucky to get in. If you don't proceed, and time passes you by, you will most likely be forced to take a refresher course before you can be hired, and they can be costly.

    Go to Werner, get in the truck, learn the ropes, and make us proud!!!

    Good luck
     
  9. AfterShock

    AfterShock Road Train Member

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    Sep 19, 2007
    Inland Empire, California
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    That bad?
    Hmmmmmmmm

    Have you read ANYthing good about Werner?

    Me too!
    But even when I ask 'em, I ain't sure they're tellin' the truth.

    Only you can answer that question, amigo. I doubt anyone here is capable of knowing what's best for you. If you think you can "grin" for 6 months to a year, you just might be smiling as a result. Or, that "grin" could turn into a frown. There's one way to find out,
    Ya reckon.

    Hmmmmmmm
    I'm thinkin' that'd depend on how long you can "hope" for. If you can ride the recession out until things get better, I might be inclined to wait for something else to come along. However, if you're dependent on a paycheck, that would be a different story.

    The truth is, this is NoT the best time to break into the Big truck truckin' industry. With a glut of applicants to choose from for a change, the truckin' industry is in seventh heaven. I bet those who do the hiring have never had it so easy fillin' Big truck seats with drivers. Not to mention many of those who apply are desperate and totally unfamiliar with the truckin' industry and likely to tolerate the abuse they're going to be subjected to by the remaining 'training' companies. And if they can't or won't put up with the program, the training companies realize that there are PLENTY more applicants out there to hire and burn out in short order. So they're not too concerned if y'all make it or not.

    The fewer "options" y'all have, the more difficult it can be.
    If a top-notch truckin' company says they'll hire you if you relocate, and you say "no", chances are they'll say goodbye. The question might be, just how badly do you want to drive a Big truck for a better company?
    Sacrifice might be necessary, one way or the other.


    You left out another possibility --- negative paychecks.
    It costs a lot to live out there on the road. Truck stops aren't the cheapest places and less expensive places aren't always convenient. Big truck truck drivers are kind of a captive audience. Food is more expensive and you'll probably have to pay for a few showers now and then, especially if you're sittin', waitin' for days for a load. With the NO idling rules now-a-daze, if you're sittin', you're doin' it with the engine shut off so you won't be buyin' fuel to get those free showers. Combine few miles with the daily cost of living out there and those paychecks might be pretty small. If y'all have bills to pay back home will there be too much month left at the end of the money for y'all to eat?
    Really?
    How so?

    Well, ....... you still have a couple of days to decide what'cher gonna do. But if you decide to go for it, give it your best.
    It's alright and normal to feel "lost and nervous".
    HaiL! You're about to take a big step, ..... or not, as the case may be.
    I'm an old koot, and I still remember those feelings I had back in the day. Age has taken a few things from me, but in place of those things age has provided me with experiences and wisdom gained from those experiences. What I've learned is that my gut-feelings are, more often than not, correct. I'm thinkin' what'cha need to be askin' yourself right about now is --- what is my gut-feelin' tellin' me?
    Do you see ANY light at the end of the tunnel? And if you do, is it a train a-comin'?

    Considering you're tryin' to get into the truckin' industry at probably the worst time ever, I'd say that "left behind" feeling is accurate. BUT, you DO have a job with Werner, ..... if you decide to take it, right? That's a step ahead of many wannabees out there.

    If I might ask, ....... whatever possessed you to choose NOW to get into the industry? I think the advice you'd receive if you were still deciding on quitting a job to get into truckin' would have been to wait awhile, --- at least until things improve and there are more opportunities to get your start.
    But that's water under the bridge, huh?
    Now I reckon you'll either have to drop anchor or hoist sails. It ain't good to be sittin' dead in the water. And it's a drag to have to row.


    It could be or it may not be --- it all depends mostly on you.
    Are you ready and willing to cowboy up and deal with what's dealt you, whatever it may be? Are you able to let things roll off your back --- bend like the willow tree? Or are you a mighty oak that won't budge and wants to take only the easiest routes and complain if things go a tad rough?

    In many ways it will be what YOU make of it. If you're dealt lemons, make lemonade. But if it's sour lemonade, add sugar (read adjust your attitude accordingly).
    Two things that have worked well for me is to not do the expected and timing is EVERYthing. By not do the expected, I mean that when others, such as a dispatcher, know you SHOULD be angry, don't be angry. Be pleasant. By that I don't mean be a push-over and take ANY and EVERYthing dirty dished out to you without due comments. Just make them aware you're not as pleased as you COULD be, and leave it at that. Complainers leave a bad taste in a dispatcher's mouth and a dispatcher can make, or break, a driver.
    A good dispatcher is worth their weight in gold.

    For sure you have some big decisions to make real soon. I think you should trust yourself enough to make the right one's. If not, and you make a wrong decision, it's a learning experience. We learn from our mistakes too.
    If you make the same mistakes over and over, expecting different results each time, ......... well, ....... that could be a problem.
    Ya reckon.

    Good luck and best of success! :biggrin_25525:

    Wouldn't that depend on how high the cliff was? :biggrin_25523:
     
    Einstein72 Thanks this.
  10. TheRumRunner

    TheRumRunner Light Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2009
    Louisville, KY
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    well just finished a quick orientation with Werner and am heading out with my trainer to conquer the open read.. California here I come, right back where I started from...head west young man, head west. :biggrin_255:
     
  11. jtrnr1951

    jtrnr1951 Road Train Member

    Jeeze driver, you got an offer-JUMP on it.....Stick it out, hang in there,
    JUST DO IT MAN....................
     
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