So here is the real deal with Werner Pros and Cons

So Im sure its really confusing to a lot of new potential drivers to read through all the threads on Werner in order to find what trucking company they want to start with. So here is the real low down on what Werner does better or worse than other companies.

Better: They have a good team division with lots of miles and good drop and hook freight. Their boat hauling division is also pretty good, and a favorite of many million and two million milers.

Trucks are new and governed faster than most other fleets. They also have many Kenworths and Peterbilts that are equipped with Cummins ISX, which are MUCH more powerful and fun to drive than trucks from most other mega fleets.

They dont have many rules except to stay safe. They dont require you to run a certain route and they dont penalize you for taking the safer route.

They have good trailers, and their maintenance of trailers is pretty good. In the last 5 years their trailer fleet has improved a HUGE amount. They used to all be falling apart, but almost all of them are newish and in good condition.

The negatives:

They do not allow drivers the freedom to choose or reject loads. This means drivers often quit because they keep getting sent to the one or two states they cannot stand. Many competitors, and especially owner operators at other companies can select their own loads. This is not the case at Werner, and they routinely lose drivers who do not want to go to states like Texas (Extremely common for drivers to quit after being sent to Laredo)

Owner operator pay is terrible. They pay a flat rate, not percentage. Their flat rate is often 30-40% below other companies like Schneider or Landstar. Unless someone is a trainer, its very difficult to make a living. Couples who team report that they dont make what they made being company drivers. Solo drivers also struggle.

Their freightliners do not have APUs and have opti idle. The opti idle only allows about 3 hours of idling a day, which means that solo drivers almost always quit if they are issued these trucks. They are good for teams, but solo drivers will be miserable in them.

So if you want to team or you live near their boat hauling division, its good. But if you want to be solo, not so much.