Starting with Werner good idea or bad?

I went with Werner out of driving school, mainly because they were the first one of the six apps I sent in to give me a start date. The rest would send me emails saying they were trying to call me but I had no missed calls on my phone.

I finished the 275 training in 6 weeks, was dropped at a terminal and started running loads the next day.

Ive been getting 3k miles a week, but that is because I run Canada. Werner likes to split high mileage loads and give them to teams and trainers, but there are so few Canada drivers if I pick up a load headed north of the border there is no one to split with.

As far as the dispatchers, the night and weekend ones are #######, but the flet managers during the week are usually pretty good.

I have talked to drivers from Schnieder, Stevens, Prime, and a few other training companies and they all seem the same. I wouldn't want a career at any of them, but foe a year, they'll do.

 

I would look into Watkins & Shepard. They are a OTR company and better than Werner in my opinion. Watkins doesn't require exp and they don't do the trainer for 3 weeks junk. They have orientation for I think 10 days and then you're out on the road. But I think you said you don't have a CDL yet. I'd defiantly go through a private school (non company school) and do that. There's been times where drivers don't get tuition renburstments so don't count on that.

 

Hey Marie1984, if they seem to be a good fit for you then that is what's the most important. Don't stress about what other disgruntled have to say about companies. Keep your options open though, there are plenty of good companies out there to choose from. The mega-carriers just have a bigger advertising budget then others. Another really good company in your area would be Crete and also Central Refrigerated. Most are going to be very similar in pay so I wouldn't choose a company on that alone. Also you don't have to necessarily go with just a "starter company". There are many companies out there in which you can land a good driving gig with and stay with them throughout your career.

Good luck...

 

Werner is better than some, but like most that let you get your first year in they tend to take advantage of you even Werner. I have heard horror stories from England and CRE. There are places here where they tell you the good the bad and well just run. Good luck, first year is never easy.

 

Remember one thing, if you quit during training douche-bags are going to put on your DAC report that you have been terminated. Mega companies like to mess up peoples DAC reports couse they're evil.
Good luck finding a job with that. You must give two weeks notice, everything by the book.

Only place that hires terminated drivers is CRST, by my recent research.

 

Central Refrigerated is forced per diem, isn't it?

 

I think u would do just as well here as anywhere else. If your just starting out just plan on a new life style. You will be payed low until you have experience. Also maintain a good and positive attitude. Do not piss off your load planners or give them a bad attitude. Load planners give you your work so don't crap in the hand that feeds you. Do what you gotta do to get your experience and talk with other drivers while your doing it. Then move on to something better if your not happy. You will def make more than $1000 a month net.

 

Been with Werner since 8/29. Did orientation in Lakeland, but didn't get picked up by a trainer till 9/5. Trainer is on a dedicated account with weekends off and lives 45 min north, so I've been home every Sunday. Have 15 hours left till I hit my 275, no complaints other than the training pay blows, but its one of those thing a rookie has to deal with in any industry.

 

Starting out with Werner is a great idea. Staying with Werner is the problem.

It really does not matter where you start. Just start and put in your time then move on. There are folks who retire out of Werner so it could be good for you. They didn't hire me so I question their intelligence. But they gave me a really nice D ring for my keys to hang on. Good luck with your new career and don't forget to relax and have fun. Life is too short to get all upset at things.