Werner Enterprises

Hey all, just wanted to update this post since starting January 1st 2016, things have improved here at Werner.

Starting pay for 48 solo, and most mile-based pay accounts has risen from $0.25 to $0.30.

They got rid of almost half of their trainers, re-trained the existing trainers, changed the minimum experience required to train from 3 months, it is now 6 months, and you must have at least 1 winter driving season under your belt. Still not long enough to start training IMO, but definitely an improvement.

This new account I'm on is called "Surge". I am running loads for whatever dedicated accounts need help. Most loads on this account require me to unload the truck myself, so I am touching the freight. But I get paid $60 to unload the truck, plus $20 for every stop, $0.41 per-mile. I am guaranteed $1350/week as long as I am available for a load, and all of my loads are on time (if it's late and not my fault I still get the minimum). Plus a $5,000 sign on bonus for moving to this account.

First 2 paychecks have been $1800, and $1350.

For having less than a year of experience, this is exceptional pay in my opinion.

As for home time, just like every other account with Werner, I can take time off every other week, I get 1 day off for every week spent out, but unlike every other account, with this account I get 2 days off for the 3rd week I spent out. So if I spend 3 weeks OTR, I get 4 days off.

I have spent more time off at home than I actually earned, and haven't really had any problems except not a lot of money in the bank when I got back on the road. So you're not exactly restricted on how many days you take off, just don't take off more than a week or they will want the truck back. And if you take off more than 30 days you will no longer be employed.

I ended up doing this because I was chasing down another opportunity, somebody was offering me more money than I was making to drive team, but the guy they who I was supposed to be teaming with quit at the last moment. So after spending almost 3 months home, Werner was more than happy to re-hire me, and I wasn't required to go with a trainer again.

I am now making much more money than I would have made with that other company, and I get to be solo, which is great, just me and my dog.