Werner - Not What I'd Heard (Thank God.)

That fuel bonus gets me too.....how the #### do you get 9mpg like the guys that get it get?

 

Which dedicated account are you on?

 

Hey all,

I am a green thumb and starting my orientation w/Werner soon. I have a few questions that I'd be greatly appreciative replies:

1. Any advice of negotiating the best pay plan? or is that even an option since I am a newly licensed driver and have no experience to speak of?

2. What should I be aware of before I sign on officially?

3. What terms are most important to be aware of in order to not get bamboozled or taken advantage of?

4. Are there per diems for meals in the industry? or do we pay all non-truck related expenses? Seems like one could go broke supporting themself on the road all the time w/o extra compensation.

Please tell me some more positive werner experiences.

thanks

~~Kal

 

Worlds largest retailer.

 

1. Find a different job for best pay plan. It is not open for negotiation.

2. That you can sign back off any time you want.

3. Bonus. do not believe the hype.

4. per diem is a tax deduction you can take, try not to get talked into the company per diem pay plan. You may take home more, but you will make less.

 

1. You will get the very least they can give.

2. Be aware that the training is 300 hrs MINIMUM and many students like me are keep in training way beyond that! 6-8 Week in training, yea right

3. Stay away from the per-deim pay plan - it makes the company more money but not the driver. The company will tell you otherwise - do ALL the math before you sign on for that scam.

4. You will pay for everything! Ask your trainer to get you a free shower when you fuel ... most truck stops will give a free shower for both the driver and the co-driver. Avoid buying stiff at the truck stops as they are more expensive ... seek out a wal-mar so something for stuff you need while on the road.

5. This diet of granola and breakfast bars is good once you get used to it ... thats the cheapest way to eat. And I have lost 18 lbs in 9 weeks!

 

i drove regional for werner for about a year. it wasnt too awful bad. i left in 2007 for a job close to home but the wonderful economy has forced the company i was working for to shut down. i was considering going back to werner cause they are the only company i have driven for. does anybody know of a better company out there that is somwhat family orientated. i want to go back driving but if there is somthing better than werner then im all ears.

 

keep a close eye on your driving hours while on the trainer truck. when you are getting close to the end of your required training hours, call your student manager and let them know so they can get ahold of your trainers dispatcher to route you to a terminal. they love to keep students on with a trainer well past their required time. the dispatcher makes more money with 2 drivers.

 

I would recommend an attorney, and an accountant. Mostly an accountant that specializes in trucker related matters. Per diem is always sketchy, but I would recommend advice from a professional.

Now for your answers:

1). There's no negotiating since you are new unfortunately.

2). You should be aware of everything. Safety policies. Company policies. What would get you fired. Opportunities for advancement, pay raises, etc.

3). Stand up for yourself and don't become a doormat. Sometimes, your dispatcher would try to push you to see how much you could take. Don't give in to their games.

4). See the top reply.

Well, good luck with Werner! Just try to keep a positive attitude, stay away from the bad eggs, and always be on time! Oh yeah, no accidents, safety violations, etc.

 

I was expecting MUCH worse from Werner when I was reading the posts here and in other threads. There are much more negative posts than positive. It all depends on how the individual person takes this experience.

I figured I would just deal with werner, stay positive, get my experience in, and look for something better within a year or two.

In my opinion, whether the pay sux or not depends on what the individual person needs in order to live comfortably. What might be good for one person might not be good for others. In my last job, I was making around 41k a year. it was more than enough for me to live comfortably, Im am averaging the same pay with werner. it would be cool to gain more, (who else wouldnt want more?), but im doing OK for now. Plus your not filling up your car with gas all the time since your not home.

the dispatchers is a hit and a miss, sometimes you get a decent dispatchers and sometimes you get crap. My last dispatcher was pretty cool with me and I was cool with him. Most people that I know who shared the same dispatcher on the account that I'm on (sears) thought the same too. Unfortunatly, we got a new dispatcher and I dont think he is gonna be as cool as my last one. I hardly talk with them anyway so It really wont bother me as much. I had one issue with the new dispatcher which kinda pissed me off.

Terminals, STAY AWAY FROM THEM! they are a bunch of NASTY and INCOMPETENT A-HOLES!! You get nasty (DMV style) attitudes from EVERYONE who works at the terminals. Get as much envelops, washer fluid, etc, from them when you are there so you spend time away from these places.

I got some gripes with them but as a whole, its not as bad as I thought it would be. I personally dont find it to be hard work. I have always loved driving so I really dont think of this as hard work. the only part I can call "work" would be dropping and hooking trailers or the occasional trailer sweeping. If what I am experiencing with werner is considered "crap" then I am assuming a better company would be a dream job.