Werner

Gizmo, it's good to hear some nice news. My husband and I are going to Werner in July (he just got his CDL, I'm still struggling in the yard with what they call "ally docking" at our vo-tech). We'll team drive after the Werner training period. If you (or anyone else) can add more encouragement or advice for Werner beginners, it would certainly welcome!

Lynnie

 

I had a little trouble maneuvering the truck for the alley dock using my trainers instructions as well ....... kept having to pull up once or twice to get it right......... I had a friend (truck driver) stopped by one day while I was practicing to watch me and he told me this:

Look at the back tires through my mirror (or even better ... if possible stick my head out the window and look) and decide where I want them to go, or what they should look like to get me where I want to be ...... then turn my front tractor tires to match that visual...... it works like a charm.... for me anyway!

 

I'm currently finishing up training with Werner myself. Right away I picked up on the idea that Werner more or less uses student drivers as budget team drivers. You aren't really "taught" so much as you are expected to get behind the wheel and drive. Valuable experience, to be sure... and you're free to ask questions, but it's not difficult to see the company's angle.

Counted my pay stubs the other day. My training has taken around 3 months. Lots of down time, spent sleeping in hotels. It hasn't been all bad, tho. Everyone likes time off. I've even managed to make it home several times.

My trainer is sort of brash and loud, but what do you expect from a truck driver I guess? He gets on my nerves but I just knuckle down and drive. I'm the student, after all. We're on a dedicated run, and due to the schedule, he gets to spend about 90% of his time riding in the back sleeping or watching movies while I do all of the driving. So I guess you can see why he keeps his job with Werner.

All in all, I don't have a lot to compare it to I suppose, and it's not as if I expected a walk in the park. I knew it would be a bottom shelf gig but I figured I'd work my way up from there. I have 14 hours of training left, and then I'm off. Excepting, of course, the fact that Werner doesn't have a truck for me yet. Another 5-7 days, they tell me. Hmmm.

 

I look at it if a company treats you good than their good.I was a trainer at werner for over 10yrs and was treated great,and got to know alot of people,have been to greg werners house a few times.When i was hurt in hospital werner family visited me here in cleveland.So find a boss who will do that for you.

American Trucker

 

Way to go Lynnie. Wish you both the best.
American Trucker