Newbie, Gordon or Werner?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sawmill2Driver, Sep 17, 2008.

  1. Sawmill2Driver

    Sawmill2Driver Bobtail Member

    14
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    Jul 27, 2008
    Northern CA
    0
    Hi.
    Am in my 3rd week out of 7 week Truck School. Doesn't seem like there are many opportunities for newbies in the Trucking Job Market.. All i read here is
    that the big trucking companies are no good, but where are us newbies suppose to go to work.

    Both Gordon and Werner have come to my school... I could tell the Recruiters new what to say. But i have to start someplace..
    Seems like they pay about the same. Werner's training is 8 weeks versus
    Gordon's 4 weeks.. Werner would let me take the truck home, versus having
    to drive my car 4 hours to get to the truck before and after hometime.
    Seems like Werner is more 48 states versus Gordon being mostly western
    half.. Which would be better for me as i am in CA.

    Whats a person to do??

    Any thoughts from you Experienced Drivers would very much be
    Appreciated.

    Thank You
     
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  3. im6under

    im6under Heavy Load Member

    782
    406
    Feb 13, 2007
    iowa
    0
    I wouldn't drive four hours to get to work or drive for werner... don't like the tattletale riding shot-gun...


    If I were you... I would hit the local truckstop and see who is parked there... hopefully a couple of local guys park over the weekend/hometime... see who they drive for and why...???

    sometimes... the best company isn't exactly the "BEST" company but it is the best company for the area.....:biggrin_255:

    my choices here for national starter companies were transport america, us express, crst, or after a little experience, heartland or barr-nunn...

    I did three months with ta and then never even considered the others, finding a much better deal by pounding on doors I never new existed...

    anyways... hope this helps... grab the internet and search your state for trucking companies then jump on the phone and start interviewing recruiters...
     
  4. Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

    1,791
    375
    Aug 30, 2008
    Tampa Bay Fl
    0
    Im going with werner,but do your homework.There lots of other trucking companys out there that train newbies.Im not sure which companys,but call around and see who hiring newbies in your state.Make sure if are hiring,make sure they are taking newbies.And with werner,you will read alot of bad things about them,but dont for get,they have over 10,000 drivers.They cant make everyone happy. Good luck and keep us posted.
     
  5. tinglish

    tinglish Light Load Member

    163
    52
    Aug 26, 2007
    Cottonwood, CA
    0
    when the recruiters came to my school, the werner guy "bubba" was soooo full of himself (and some other stuff), he was a salesman, and i don't like salesmen,

    i worked 5 years for gordon, and did well with them, they have yards in sac. and turlock (may be modesto, think i heard that they moved it) i can't see them making you drive 4 hours, they MUST have a facilty that's closer.

    i live in cottonwood and used to park my truck at the TA for hometime. TA kicked GTI out (wouldn't let them drop trailers anymore) so it was the corning TA after that (still only 30 minutes from my place)

    i've heard werner being a 48 stater, they use the "horse/barn theory, they send you to the east coast and run you around for a couple weeks, then start working you back towards home. that's how dick simon did it.

    AND here's an important question to ask the recruiter, "how many days do i have to be out before i get hometime?" when i was with gordon it was 14 days. and seeing that alot of gti's freight runs up and down i-5, the opportunity to spend the night in your own bed will present itself with greater frequency than if you're in new jersey, or ohio.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2008
  6. mannmk7

    mannmk7 Medium Load Member

    670
    55
    May 1, 2008
    AZ
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    Forget Wener! They will string you along read Wener posts.

    Gordon would be a much better choice.

    The economy is going into the worst condition it has been in in 70 years. It's very possible that we may go into a depression. If you can get with Gordon get with them, and hang on for a hell of a ride. Don't complain do your job do the best you can. Act like you want to do what ever you can to make the company successful. In ten yrs you'll have experience, the economy may come back, or we may be "Mad Max".

    Sorry I just realized you wanted to hear from experienced drivers. Oh, well disregard this.
     
  7. Sawmill2Driver

    Sawmill2Driver Bobtail Member

    14
    0
    Jul 27, 2008
    Northern CA
    0
    Thank You All.
    I am still leaning towards gordon as i was before i even started school.. Werner almost made their situation sound better than gordon. I am just really leary of Werner.
    Once again thanks for the input..
     
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