Werner is a good company

well, i hope youre right. i am planning to go with werner next month. i have heard a LOT of bad stories and only these couple good one's, so i am fearful. however, all the companies seem to be that way. i think if you do what your told, learn how to count hours and dont wreck the truck, then everything would be fine. ive been in supervision/management for over 10 years. so i know how people can be. keep your nose clean and do what is expected i should be fine, i hope.

 

Werner is ok so far.. I have been done with training for awhile really, I knew that being so close to Christmas I might end up having to stay with the trainer until he went on home time.. and of course that's what happened. It was quite an adventure to get home.. we got stuck in Portland for a couple days waiting for 84 to open.. then got going only to have a steer tire blow out (watch them thrown chains out there) it took about 20 hours to get someone to show up and of course they brought the wrong tire (traction) then we finally got moving again to be caught in another closure in La Grande, got past that and ran into yet another closure at the 84/86 split and went a little out of route to get past that to make it to Salt Lake.. 11 pm Christmas day.. and of course Greyhound is not running for me to get home, so I ended up taking Amtrak home... supposed to call in a couple of days to find out about getting my own truck.

It's been talked about here as to whether or not the paperless logs are good or bad.. Well, I vote for good.. It has nothing to do with whether or not you can cheat minutes (which you shouldn't), to me it's just ridiculous to make a driver sit there with a ruler drawing lines.. whoever thought it up, didn't have to do it.. it's crazy... Now if some enterprising programmer could come up with a program that let to enter in the log information, and then let you print out a neat log like they want.. that would be a compromise I could live with.. Til then Werner has a the log thing over on the competition.

As to training, there are as many different experiences as there are trainers. My experience (which may be different from yours) was pretty good. We were almost running team from day one.. it kind of hurt me a little, because we were running so much he didn't "log" observation time, and they added 25 hours to my training.. but even with the hit I logged hours so fast I was done with 300 hours in 5 weeks.. my last couple of weeks after the 300 were slowed by lots of fun weather.. in which I admittedly did most of the driving.. but that was ok, regardless of the stress and stomach pains, I NEEDED to do it to learn... My timing for training, was actually perfect.. I got a few weeks of pretty decent weather which was good for my trainer to gain some confidence in me, so that when the bad crap hit, he let me drive.. If I was to start now, I would probably find that most trainers are going to want to drive most of the time.. slowing down how quickly I could earn my training hours.. just a thought.

I really can't do the complete evaluation of Werner until after I've been on my own for awhile.. but so far I am satisfied.

 

Michigan Matt! You took your licks, stuck it out & still made it home for your family, that is good!!

 

TY DBCAD7 for the info & update on your training , glad to hear that it went well & you finish in 5 weeks , let us know how long you'll be home & waiting for YOUR truck.
Are you going solo or team ?
I myself graduated on dec 19 and going at Lakeland terminal for orientation Jan.5.
I never read anybody talking about Lakeland terminal WERNER of course.
I hope to hear from Michigan Matt on his training. are you done yet ? let us know
I've been following you since you first start your class , TY for all the info.to everyone that participated its been helpfull for us, now graduate from TDI wich by the way it was a GREAT school good program and SUPER trainers .

 

I've never been in the Lakeland building, but I have been to the dropyard section. The terminal building is rather small, they are only a satellite terminal, only offering safety and orientation, and truck assignment.

 

I too am starting Jan 5th # the Lakeland Terminal. Can't wait, but I'm nervous as all hell. There are a lot of posts here that have discouraged me. But, every once in awhile I read one that eases the thought of starting a new career.

Guess I'll see ya there. Keep on Keeping on........

 

hey Puggsly
why so nervous ? just go with the flow,don't expect to much , that way there's no disapoitement , think positive , and a good attidude will go a long way. I'll be the one with a FRENCH Canadian accent, if you see me & need any kind of help don't hesitate to ask me if I can help, I will ge glad to do so
SALUT

 

The last two years of my life can be summed up as being f@$&ed! I guess I'm just nervous because I'm on a real tight budget and I feel like I'm going out on a limb. Kinda my own fault though.

Ironically I'm of French-Canadian descent as well. I don't have an accent and I'm not fluent in French. My father's side is from Nova Scotia and I'm told I have a French last name.

I also read on your profile that you enjoy training dogs. I'm a volunteer for Southern States Mastiff Rescue. My girl and I take in rescues from shelters and foster them. All the while attempting to turn them into a good family pet. Mastiff's are an easy breed to do this with but I won't lie by saying that I've never been bit. It's really something to be able to take in a dog that weighs as much as you, that's scared/aggressive and turn it into a cuddling teddy-bear. It's amazing what a daily obedience walk can do for a dog.

Well I will see you Jan. 5th. My 'Nick' name gives me away, if you've ever seen the Adams Family.

Oh, if you could help me out: Werner has told me that they have sent out a list of what to bring. For some reason I have not received this list. Could you maybe type it out for me on here, or give me a heads-up? Thanx!

 

I did not get a list from them, but I'll call them & ask them to email me one if not I'll bring the necesary for a 2weeks vacation up north that should cover it
salut & take care
ps. I'm leaving Pensacola at 5;45 am arriving at lakeland greyhound terminal around 10;00 pm,

 

I got some great advice from one of my instructors at Roadmaster, he said if you ever get to the point where you think you know it all, park the truck and dont ever drive again before you end up killing somebody!