Werner is a good company

Don't have it handy... but basicly..
Have information for a complete redo of your application
Have ID.. SS card, drivers license plus another form of ID like passport, or a birth certificate
Your CDL diploma if they gave you one.. and make sure you have school info like phone numbers etc.
A voided blank check, or deposit slip if you want direct deposit.
They tell you to bring a bookbag or breifcase, but that is mostly for information like above you bring.
They ask you to bring a calculator.. but wasn't really needed if you can do basic math
You need clothes for 10 days on the road
Bring a sleeping bag, and a pillow (this is for when you go on the truck)

my advice..
Have lots of warm clothes, and gloves.. if at all possible try and go with a few hundred in the bank.. you can get draws (pay advances) but personally I avoided that.. they were pretty quick to get my direct deposit going, so I didn't have to get any advances. Cell phone.. well that's been a little bit of a thorn.. I have for a long time been a "prepaid" T-Mobile customer, and my usage has always been pretty mild, so that was ok.. however after refilling the phone so many times, I finally had to get a monthly plan with them. $50 range is about right (at least for me) heck I spent that much on refills the first week out... depending on how your trainer lets you work, you may find yourself at shippers or consignees giving out your cell number to them.. it's not a major expense, just something you will probably run into.. this is how some shippers tell you when your freight or paperwork is ready.. others contact by a local CB channel.. as I said your trainer may do all the dealings with them, or leave it up to you for "training".. so having a cell phone is kind of needed (for sure once your on your own)

Life on the road can get expensive.. some people are better than others at finding ways to save on food in particular.. your trainer may or may not have a microwave, or some kind of refridgeration.. just as at home, you can get the fixings for dozens of sandwhiches for the price of one made for you.. do that when you can, and splurge on hot food now and then. I also like those "big bowls" of the ramen type soups for snacks. (not talking cup of noodles but BIG bowl) they are inexpensive when bought at a store that is NOT a truck stop. Grocery strore type shopping should be done in a grocery store when you can. (not always possible)

Related to eating... keep in mind that you may find yourself stuck someplace now and then.. always try and have some type of food and drink supplies on hand for just such a thing.. There are times where you may be waiting at a shipper for many hours.. having some drinks and food (and ciggarettes if you smoke) that can keep you happy until you get going again will be a much more pleasant experience than not having them.

good luck to you !

 

that was a lot of great info thank you. i just found out that i had to reapply there because my application was over 90 days. even though i am still in the same truck driving school and nothing has changed. so now i dont have a prehire and have to start all over again with them. the good news is i just changed the date on the old one and faxed it in so hopefully it wont be a big deal. due to my driving record, a lot of companies wont take me. so i am down to only a couple companies, werner, swift, and maybe crst depending if i pass their checks or not. i had a prehire through usa truck, but when i called them yesterday to get an orientation date they told me the company has changed their hiring criteria due to the economy and i was no longer eligible.

 

Even with a prehire, completing a new application is part of Werners orientation. I happened to have the application that I faxed on me, and it was pretty simple to copy info.. but if you show up unaware of that, it might be a struggle to remember dates, phone numbers, and adresses.

 

Hey DB...What area are you going to be in....all 48 or some type of western? Did you go out of Fontana terminal? I'm interested to see how the west coast is cause most of the guys on this post are from the east....

 

Yes, I went through Fontana terminal.. and heading back there Sunday night for truck. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a 387 Pete, which is what I trained on.. I liked it a lot.. but pretty much all their equipment that I've seen is decent.. although I really don't want one of the "long nose" vehicles, I am sure I'd adapt if that's what I end up with.

I won't really know for certain till Monday.. but I applied for a special route that would get me home more, with Western as my second choice. I suspect that I will be Western, but I think I have a shot at my desired route because it goes through Donner pass a lot which means quite a bit of chaining.. so it's probably not all that desired by other drivers. My trainer had a similar type of route that put him up and down the Rockies .. It was good for my training, as I learned how to deal with up and down grades with light and heavy loads in all kinds of conditions.. I think his route was lengthened a bit because of having a student on the truck, and we eventually were doing a large circle of Denver, LA, Portland, Cheyenne.. but when we started it was a lot of Denver/LA.

It's been an interesting experience so far.. I will try and send an update now and then after I get into the groove.

 

Cool, Hope to see you out there someday...take care in those mountains...

 

Norther you have a right to be proud of who you work for if youve earned it. I am not saying you havent but what everybodies opinion is on some other company is there opinion. Trying to change them is hard to convince somebody. I have and take opinions myself. It does sound (my opinion) like you are kind of stuck on the pity pot wanting somebody to praise you for you sticking up for your employer. Dont, if somebody does then thank them. But if you feel good for working for werner then thats all the gratitude you need. I work for Werner as well and so far am enjoying it and even though Ive heard negatives about them and other companies, just opinions. In order to be happy about what your doing you need to feel it, not from somebody else. What your doing is holding a grudge and it will bite back at you someday. Hopefully not. If you havent seen or heard of this brotherhood you are talking about, your not paying attention enough. Again I work for Werner and as I pass another werner truck going the other direction I always get a wave or just from any driver. You pass a truck or a truck passes you they usually give you a sign its OK to get back in the right lane. Some talk about the traffic, the bears in the area, or something like weather. Theres your brotherhood. One looking out for the other. Ive only been doing this for a short period and Werner is my first employer driving a semi trailer, I am enjoying it. I listen to the CB and filter the jargon out. Take care to all drivers and safe.

 

does anybody heard the where about of MICHIGAN MATT ?? THE LAST i HEARD OF HIM HE WAS HOME FOR christmass on a breack from werner training . If anybody knows please let me know where I can read his post on the road. I myself leaving tonight 1-3 2009 for lakeland and starting my orientation at werner if & when I can I will write my saga on my experience . I'm a greenhorn to trucking but I went to a good school with GREAT trainers did good on all my test & I have a POSITIF attidute. I'm not expecting freebees and special treatement &I'm ready to work hard don't complain & pay my dues. hopefully I can write some positif post on werner for all future wanabee looking at these forum ,THANKS again to everyone that participated you all entertained me at time and help me alot by writting post

SALUT

 

Norther can you define " making good money at Werner" I am only asking not too be nosey, but am seriously considering this as a career in the near future but havent beenn able to figure out whether or not the pay will be enough for me and my family

 

motomike,

I made right about 48k this year with them. I know many drivers that made less, and a few that made more. This is my first full year of trucking and do not feel I did too bad. Do not base your decision on my answer though find out from others as well as it varies greatly depending on where you live and what you run. I run a dedicated account which pays a little better than otr with werner.

Do lots of research, ask questions and do not believe anything the recruiters tell you unless they are willing to put it in writing. Best of luck!