So here is the real deal with Werner Pros and Cons

Discussion in 'Werner' started by Davezilla, Oct 14, 2017.

  1. Davezilla

    Davezilla Medium Load Member

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    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.
     
    SHOJim, ethos, bamamac and 2 others Thank this.
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  3. bamamac

    bamamac Medium Load Member

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  4. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

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    Good post.

    I can't speak for Werner as I've never worked for them, but I have driven Opti-Idle Freightliners (with another company) and you can get more than 3 hours of idle time. Opti-Idle works similarly like a furnace on a thermostat. You set the temperature to your comfort level, and the truck will start and shut off accordingly when it gets to a certain point above or below the set point.

    It can be annoying, and it takes some getting used to, with the truck starting and stopping while you're trying to sleep, but at least you can keep it warm or cool during an extended break.
     
  5. subseaguru

    subseaguru Medium Load Member

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    I can certainly agree with this. i refused a 30 mile load that delivered the following morning and waited over an hour and a half each day for my next loads. that went on for a few days until i called and said something about it. I noticed that my miles on the pre plan would be different from my load plan. i asked about it and was told its because i moved. i got a call today at 0806 saying i was late for my load. i was coming off my hometime and didnt even have a load. FM says that if i say 0800 then he is holding me to it. i said he need to fix my miles. next thing i know, the assistant of someone who flunked out of UNe is telling me "it was only $11.20 that you didnt get paid". they didnt even want to discuss turning in their qualcomm or terminating the lease agreement.
     
  6. aussiejosh

    aussiejosh Road Train Member

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    Which companies allow you to choose your own loads anyway? With most you go where they tell you to go and don't ask any questions. And then they'll probably turn around and whine that there not getting enough miles.
     
  7. Red Pill

    Red Pill Bobtail Member

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    That opti idle is the absolute worst and werner is God help us awful.
     
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