Werner Enterprises

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by TimeTorn, Dec 21, 2015.

  1. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

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    I am a great driver but the CDL school I attended didn't exactly give me much confidence in driving a big truck. It was overwhelming but passed pretrip fine, backing was excellent and learning turns ok. I mostly had problems downshifting when I knew a speed limit was changing ahead or I had to slow down in time. I was told I did good but I should find a company with automatic trucks. I am not good at multitasking something such as double clutch/downshifting/viewing the road/remembering gears all at once. It would take a lot of trial and error for me to get it right. I am one of those learners.
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2016
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  3. TimeTorn

    TimeTorn Bobtail Member

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    Werner has automatic trucks, they're actually planning on going 100% automatic eventually. I think they're at 30% right now. All of the new trucks they buy are automatics. Just tell them you want to drive an automatic and they will put you in one. They definitely won't force you to drive a manual if you're not confident in your ability to handle it. On the other hand if you prefer manual, you can request a manual truck, but I suggest at least trying an automatic for a few weeks, I guarantee you will like it. Coming out of CDL school, I could barely downshift. I still grind gears every once in a while. I still suck at backing. These skills come with practice. You will have plenty of time to practice with your trainer. Werner will put you with a trainer that has a manual for at least 2 weeks. They won't complete your training until you've practiced with a manual. If you're only hesitant because you lack confidence in your driving skills, don't worry. You will get better with practice as long as you're willing to learn.
     
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  4. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

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    Ok thank you. That is what I needed to know. I really want to get into this industry but want to be safe not just for myself but others on the road. My only option now is Swift and I am not sure if they have automatic trucks?
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2016
  5. TimeTorn

    TimeTorn Bobtail Member

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    I would give them a call and ask them. I've never worked for Swift so I can't say for sure how they stand on automatics, and weather or not they can guarantee you get put in an automatic truck.
     
  6. TimeTorn

    TimeTorn Bobtail Member

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    Also FYI, if you're picky about what truck you drive, you might end up waiting around a while, or you might get sent out in a rental car to pick one up. They don't exaclty keep 1 of each at every terminal. Sometimes it just depends on which terminal you get dropped off at after your training, and what kinds of trucks they are buying at the time. If you want a brand new one, try to get off of your trainer's truck at a bigger terminal like Omaha. They've got 'em lined up brand new there. Smaller terminals tend to have nothing but used trucks, mostly trucks that are getting close to the 400k mile mark.
     
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  7. Picture.Taker

    Picture.Taker Light Load Member

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    All the trainees I've had get $450/wk while in training, including the week or so they spend in the hotel while I take my time off. I generally can complete the required 275 hours in about 6 weeks, even with time off.

    Trainers get paid for all the miles the truck moves, which I think is okay, but leads to the scenario of where they want to run like a team truck. I don't think that should be allowed. Trainers need to be awake, riding shotgun, and teaching... not in the bunk asleep. I've had students that "got it" real quick and I felt were ready after 2 or 3 weeks... others I've had over 300 hours and they still couldn't back. A lot depends on the student. Willingness to listen and learn helps. I can tell you the easy way, but if it goes in one ear and out the other, then you get to learn it the hard way yourself.

    Hang in there a year, and then check your options... this ain't the worst company by far... but a ways from the top of the pile too. It suits me for where I'm at right now, so I stick around and train.
     
  8. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

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    Thanks for the information. Werner won't take me now tho as it's been past the 3-4 month mark. So I am limited in my options. I'd rather go with Swift anyways because they have a terminal nearby. Just need to get the year in.
     
  9. drvrtech77

    drvrtech77 Road Train Member

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    I will say this much...when i used to train..basically I would ask the student to back in and as long as they didn't hit anything I was fine with it... I didn't care how many times they got out to look...
     
  10. Winnyf1

    Winnyf1 Road Train Member

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    I'm sure you have heard this before but it's very true, OTR trucking is more of a lifestyle than a career, its nothing like factory or even office work - and it's not for everyone.

    I came back into trucking after a 25 year career traveling around the country and the world so I'm used to being gone, that said to enjoy this you have to be able to spend a lot of time alone, find pleasures in seeing different things each day and be able to roll with the punches you know, accidents holding you up, shippers and receivers who waste your time and weather that can be down right frightening.

    If you are someone who has a serious relationship or a lot of responsibilities at home then OTR is not the best idea, also it will impact the time you see your friends at home so make sure you take that into consideration. You have to enjoy the variety that comes from seeing new things each day and most importantly you have to love to drive. If you're the person who volunteers to always drive in the group then you have found the right place. Even after a week at home I look forward to being back behind the wheel - truth be told I love driving an 18 wheeler.

    There are many good things about this lifestyle, I enjoy seeing friends around the country and each month I have a 5 day holiday to enjoy with my family. In the summer I can take week in any location and can fly my wife out to spend time together - sort of a bonus. If you are young and don't have a lot of expenses, you can spend most of your time in the truck and can take little 3 and 4 day vacations around different places, in Baltimore there is a TA that with a quick taxi ride can put you on a train heading for Washington DC, how cool is that.

    There are many worse jobs than trucking, there are also a lot better ways of making money. You have to be honest with yourself about the lifestyle that is entailed with trucking, watch a lot of YouTube, people like Allie Knight who put themselves out there showing what its like to live on the road. Like most I wish the money was better, but I love this gig...
     
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  11. Winnyf1

    Winnyf1 Road Train Member

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    For Newbies give the whole shifting thing a chance, AMT's are great transmissions, but shifting is something that you get better at each day you do it. After CDL school almost nobody double clutches and when you learn to float it all seems a lot easier.

    Even backing after a few months gets easier, just take time to get out and look and go slow, and when you have a chance practice at a truck stop mid-day - we all started off not knowing how to effectively do many of the things we now take for granted, try to learn without kicking yourself to much for making a mistake or two...
     
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