My Werner experience

Discussion in 'Werner' started by FireFighter_02, Apr 13, 2016.

  1. FireFighter_02

    FireFighter_02 Light Load Member

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    Mar 28, 2014
    Keystone heights, fl
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    This is an account of my experiences so far with Werner: I know I'll catch a lot of flak for coming to Werner but I had to find out on my own as I've heard good and bad things, it is what it is, so far so good, everything the recruiter told me has been so far true, im currently in the hotel after finishing orientation. My orientation was at the Lakeland,Florida terminal. The first day of orientation was pretty standard but waiting around in the physical made it a long day. Mostly filling out paperwork and more paperwork on the computer, then starting the cbt's (computer based tests) basically about polices and what not, they do supply breakfast and lunch at the terminal, usually egg and cheese sandwiches from a deli and then there's a lunch menu, the first day we had the deli menu and the second day we had bbq, Werner is now doing hair follicle testing, so after peeing I got my pits trimmed ( I shave my head) the doctor for the physical was a short Hispanic woman that spoke broken English, and apparently can't take a blood pressure as most of us that had 2 years certs are now only getting 1 year, whatever better than 3 months or a DQ, the second day of orienatation is a lot better, after some boring stuff and doing more cbt's you'll do exercises in trip planning, permit books, fuel books, and practice pre tripping and learn how to use the Qualcomm. And how to fill out trip envelopes ( this is how you get pod for loads) The instructor made it is much fun as she could but staring at a screen from 7 am to 5 pm makes for a hell of a day, plus waiting 4 hours in a waiting room for a physical. second day was much better. If you're not assigned a trainer you have to attend a safety meeting every morning at 8 am Monday, Wednesday and Friday the hotel will have sheets you must sign before 8 am or you will not be paid for the day! Make sure to do this! If you don't opt in for direct deposit( I did) you get an EFS card and some checks. You will receive a lot of paperwork in orienatation, but most of it will help you. If you're a student you will have to do 275 hours of driving time with a trainer (6-8 weeks) before getting your own truck. They have freightliners, peterbilt and kenworth, they say by the end of 2016 they will be a fully automatic fleet, which is fine with me since I'm going on a dedicated account! Yes I'm doing dollar general, yes I know how much Yall hate it, yes I know you told me not to, whatever it's a stepping stone, so I can get on a local run. I'll post more after I get on the trainers truck, I hope to get a good trainer, they say they try to get you a trainer near your zip code and on the same account you're going to. I hope so. anyway, Werner really doesn't seem that bad to
    Me, a lot better than my orientation at a different company I never drove for, more on that later maybe. Anyway if you new guys have any questions feel free to pm me and I'll do my best to help you out. Anyway stay safe drivers, im out.
     
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  3. LumbraX

    LumbraX Medium Load Member

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    Orlando, FL
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    That's because Werner really isn't that bad. I drove out of the Lakeland Terminal after my first 3months of doing 48 they gave me a new dispatcher (Awesome guy) and I ran triangles from Chicago, Kansas City, and Indiana 11/2 to 2 months at a time....... Biggest pet peeves at Werner...
    - For ah while I would get messages on the Qualcomm about being in a Dollar General area and to contact my new dispatcher.... Ignore it.. Or call them and say No
    - Chasing MT trailers..... Extremely annoying. Not compensated for it either.
    - Every shop takes forever at a Werner Terminal. Always try to get your truck repaired at a Dealer.
    - The Indianapolis Terminal whenever it gets busy (a lot when I was there) more times than once I would drop my MT and get assigned a trailer that was not double but triple stacked. No yard dog to help... Have fun.
    - No Detention. You can be at a cons for 16 hours. Not a penny coming your way.

    Other than that it's a good starter company... Lots of Work I did little to no sitting. They have lots of Safety and Mileage Bonuses. I'd say the entire time I was there I made from $600 to $850 with the occasional $1000 check 3ish years ago. Good luck!!!
     
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  4. LumbraX

    LumbraX Medium Load Member

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    Orlando, FL
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    I see you're going on Dollar General.... Definitely best of luck!! Most consider that account CDL Suicide.
     
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  5. Canned Spam

    Canned Spam Road Train Member

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    Good luck on your new Werner adventure! Let us know how long it is before you grow tired of the dollar store account.
     
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  6. Straight Stacks

    Straight Stacks Paper Cha$er

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    Alabama Gulf Coast
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    Went from filling up a deep fryer w/oil...to a Cummins.
     
  7. LumbraX

    LumbraX Medium Load Member

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    Orlando, FL
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    Walmart for me actually lol
     
  8. ExOTR

    ExOTR Windshield Chipper Extraordinaire

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    Fort Worth, Tx
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    6 months on Dollar General then go to Sysco or US Foods, you'll double your income and the workload will be about the same.
     
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  9. FireFighter_02

    FireFighter_02 Light Load Member

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    Mar 28, 2014
    Keystone heights, fl
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    I plan on doing it for a year and seeing if I can get on with Pritchett out of lake butler FL. Thanks guys. I'm just waiting on the physical to clear so I can meet my trainer
     
  10. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    @LumbraX post 2 seems to know alot about Werner and not leaving important things out so I would be asking him for advice in the future.You'll be on the DG account so make sure to ask your trainer to let you do as much backing as possible.They do alot of backing and tight backing.
     
    LumbraX and FireFighter_02 Thank this.
  11. FireFighter_02

    FireFighter_02 Light Load Member

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    Mar 28, 2014
    Keystone heights, fl
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    I also wanted go mention that werner does not have driver cameras! Only bendix and some other safety systems onboard bit no driver facing camera!
     
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