Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Omaha, Ne.

QUOTE: The trainer parked the truck in an empty lot where there were no bathrooms or anything to not have to park at a truck stop.

Welcome to trucking. If you park at a dock at midnight, there are generally no bathrooms either. If you run out of hours, you stop where you can find a safe place to park. Thats why many keep TP in their trucks and empty bottles.

QUOTE: One time hubby had to go a week without a shower or clean clothes

Welcome to trucking. I can tell you there are times that other half has run so hard that he doesn't have time to take a shower and walks in the door and I throw him in the shower. Again, this is not a 9-5, five day a week job. Get use to it. I know there are days my other half wears the same jeans two days in a row, its not uncommon. But hey, at least he changes his socks everyday! Additionally, you other half WILL need more than 2-3 days clothes. I know other half has at least 7 days worth of jeans and at least 20 tshirts and 20 pairs of socks in the truck. The reason I dont mention "undergarments".. well I need to keep this a G rated post and its a little TMI.

QUOTE: Although the week time happened only once so far, it's a regular occurence to go 4 or 5 days without a shower or doing laundry.

Welcome to trucking. Which do you want? Being run hard, getting miles, with no time to stop and take a shower, or do you want to sit, not make money, and be all squeeky clean? Seriously, this is not an uncommon part of the lifestyle. There are times other half can take a shower everyday, other times, it comes down to getting 10 hours uninterrupted sleep, or waiting 2 hours to take a shower. Sorry, driving tired is stupid. And a truckers lifestyle is very much that of a gypsy at times. Get use to not being able to necessarily take a shower everyday, or even every other day. Going 4 or 5 days without a shower is not unusual. It may not be desired, but again, its not unusual. Remember, when your other half is on the road, he can manage his trips to possibly be able to take a shower everyday. But remember, showers are a bit expensive on the road, unless you fuel up, which he won't be doing everyday.

QUOTE: Of if the trainer makes a Walmart run, hubby can't because the trainer gets his stuff and then says they have to go... where doesn't matter

Again, welcome to trucking. Which is more important? Shopping and being late to pick up your next load, or leaving a dock to pick up the next load on time? I mean if its an issue of the trainer taking his money and getting what he needs, why doesn't your hubby go "no thanks, I'll do it myself." What is the trainer gonna do? Hog tie him so he can't leave the truck? Leave him stranded (which would be a VERY bad thing for the trainer.) Seriously..... just get out of the truck and walk in the store behind the trainer. The trainer ISN'T a guard for a jail!

QUOTE: This morning, hubby asked me to start searching for lawyers so he can weigh his options.

And what is a lawyer going to tell him? That the trainer and Werner said he needed more training, and your other half says he doesn't? That your other half, who just got his CDL knows more than a company who has been in business for over 50 years? And trust me, like everything else with Werner, they make sure they cover their assets.... in other words.. their lawyers are pretty sharp. They don't lose too many cases. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm trying to be truthful here.

Additionally, unless you have all of this in writing, all the promises made in writing and not just words and memories of conversations, you don't have a case. Sorry, Im pretty sure that is what any attorney will tell you. Its your word against Werner's word and you have to prove that Werner intentionally deceived your other half in physical evidence.

QUOTE: Even if he has a case, it's not going to be won or lost within a time frame to salvage anything.

Welcome to the recession where it's tight for everyone. And no matter WHO you work for, you aren't going to make any serious money fast. That is just the way it is, when you have a new CDL.

Again, I am sorry to seem mean and nasty however, remember my other half has worked for them for 18 years, is nearly 2 million miles accident free, and has a 100% on time record for several years. But that doesn't mean he's an angel or a suck up. His two favorite sayings to describe himself are "I want to stay under the radar" (not be noticed although his grandmother babysat the Werner boys when they were babies, but neither CL nor the boys know that he works for the company), and "I've got a 48' trailer in Omaha full of past write ups for attitude." Although I can say he hasn't gotten one in nearly five years.

I've dealt with Werner "issues" more times than I care to mention. And I can not tell you how many times I have said to him "that's just not right", or "that's a stupid way to do things" or "does ANYONE at Werner have a brain or common sense". You know what I had to do? I had to get use to it. Let him handle it. Its his job, its not mine.

I mean, I've whined a few times on here about things, but they were EXTREME issues. I mean I could whine now that his APU was freezing up and when he took it to TK, they couldn't find anything wrong with, and he went back on the road, and immediately the fan on the unit stopped working................ Is that Werner's fault? No. But since he's running in warm weather, it will make his life miserable and unless he wants to lose miles, he has to wait until he's back on a reset to get it fixed.

I could whine that for some strange reason he turned in three trippacks in one day, but yet only got paid for one the following week. When he called, the answer was "They didn't get in on time" which means.. Werner got them, but someone didn't do their job at Werner.

I could whine about the time a couple years ago, other half got a HUGE check from Werner and then got a phone call that the reason he had gotten the check is that he was suppose to have been getting free life insurance since his 10th year however, for some reason, they kept taking it out. And the only way they found out about it, was they were being audited. And no, he did not get interest on the money. So this time, it wasn't just one person that didn't do their job at Werner, it was quite a few and theoretically, my other half lost money on the money that Werner kept those years, since he could have had it in the bank making interest off it. Unfortunately, he also had to pay taxes on it that year as it was considered income. (Yes I checked with the IRS.)

I could whine about the time he was suppose to begin working in a yard permanently, and transfer over from DMI to Werner, however in doing so, he would have had to forfit one year's vacation (4 weeks pay!). Needless to say, that, combined with a major pay cut, and no miles towards his 2 million miles, he went back on the road.

The trucking industry is NOT perfect, and Werner is NOT perfect. It does not matter which company you work for, they ALL can be miserable. Its a major lifestyle change. Some people can do it, others cant. It doesn't mean you are weak, it just simply means its not for you. And if there is a "perfect" trucking company out there, I'm pretty sure drivers would be lining up for miles.

 

This one lady, "Truckersupport" has asked for help for her 50 yr-old husband who is still a rookie OTR on 'team' with an incompetent trainer after more than nine weeks on the road with no break. OK, "incompetent" is a judgment call. But what is it when a trainer is consistently lost and can't read a map or call for directions? What is it when a trainer will not drive at night? When I was a 'trainee' with Werner, I had a trainer exactly like that. I reported her, and I went on a company-granted leave of absence; they put me back on a Werner truck within six months, no problem.

The comments from another lady named "Steele" shows the desire to contribute to the discussion. But CLEARLY the wife of the 50 year-old rookie made a TYPO WHEN SHE WROTE HE GOT ON THE TRUCK MAY 4TH. He's been on the truck more than nine weeks, and she is describing many experiences he has had over that entire time. I wish people on their computers took the time to read postings fully before they jump off on their individual rants. Sigh.

So we have an experienced ex-construction worker, who has always supported his family, now being held a virtual prisoner by Werner Enterprises, because they have increased his 'team-training' hours required.

You have "Steele" leaving the impression for people who also read all these threads IN A HURRY that this is just another 'whining' story from
people who don't have what it takes to be in trucking at all.

My gut feeling is that the TRAUMA experienced by drivers and their wives over a long period of time results in their becoming dysfunctional in many ways.

The lady "Truckersupport" and her husband have my total sympathy. It seems her husband has worked out a way to get the job done even if his trainer is an imbecile.

But because I know the way Werner works, I have to give my suggestion to "Truckersupport". There are no jobs out there for a 50 year-old man. There is no lawyer, even Perry Mason, who could get you any kind of future compensation from Werner for their negligence.

The man has just got to stay on that truck. And he should STOP complaining. If he keeps that up, Werner will find ANY EXCUSE TO FIRE HIM. I know a lady over 50 who was 'tested out' after being refused to use the bathroom for two hours on the fairgrounds pad at Springfield (the public washroom were locked), and then the angle for the turn was placed too tight to pass, as the instructor admitted later; and on top of that, she was told it was not her 'real' testing out, but only a practice. Then they fired her. She had been out on the road with trainers for over two solid months.

Even if they pass him, they could give him a mechanically dangerous truck. I know a man who was just given his first solo truck after training, again a man over 50, and he kept taking his truck to the shop, and they kept 'fixing it', and then he was in a major accident on an incline when he lost all power and was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler. He was not badly hurt, and he left trucking for good, after spending thousands of dollars for nothing to start 'a new career'.

Maybe the husband of "Truckersupport" will make it. I hope so. But let him lie low, get through with this Trainer-Schmuck, since by now he knows how to handle him. Stay off of Werner's radar now.

That is the piece of advice from the lady named Steele I would definitely agree with.

Do what you can to hold on to your house, and don't give up hope. But get everybody to start eating canned beans and sandwiches with mayonnaise and nothing in-between. Once the man starts driving solo for Werner, he will have little money to put aside for family support. It will be as if all of you are in a 19th-century poorhouse. You will survive, but get ready for the worst.

 

Once again Steele, I agree with you 210% and I also agree with MarcelFrench. This is NOT a job, it's a lifestyle. If a person can't go with the flow and make the best of it, he/she will not survive it. The best advice is stop whining and get through the training. If that trainer is as bad as depicted, just think of it as a learning experience. Learn from it... after all that's why rookies are with trainers.

Here's a tip when you can't shower, use baby wipes or a gallon of water and take a "sponge" bath.

 

Actually, I did read the entire posts. (And Im not going off either!) When you have been dealing with this industry as long as I and my other half have, you notice things. Those that just enter the industry complain about MANY MANY things, nearly EVERYTHING. I guess over the years, we see it as whining since we've been doing this so long. But at the same time, there is a lot of whining from newbie CDL'ers. Oh wait... what am I saying.... it's pretty much common from ALL CDL'ers...

But the fact of the matter on the topic regarding "whining" is that well, trucking is not a job, it is a lifestyle. A major lifestyle change. If you are use to going to bed at 11pm on Sunday night. Getting up at 6am Monday morning, showering, eating breakfast and then driving to work, doing you 8 hours plus lunch, driving home, eating dinner, relaxing and going to bed by 11, this job is a shock to your system. It seems nearly traumatic to many when they first enter the industry!

How can one wear the same clothes day after day! How can one not shower everyday! OMG how am I suppose to do three loads of laundry when all the washers are full and I need to sleep! Wow Im tired. So I guess Ill take a shower.. WHAT? There are five people ahead of me, and its at least an hour wait! So I guess Ill eat.. WHAT? The restaurant is closed at 10pm!!! I have no clean clothes, I feel nasty, and Im hungry....*sigh* Guess I'll just go to bed and try in the morning. *knock knock* No you can not use my radio. No I do not have any spare change. Sure here's a cigarette... just lemme roll down my window.. GET OFF MY TRUCK! NO! Was that just someone messing with my truck?

OMG Im hungry... How can one eat only when they have time! How can one eat breakfast at 6pm after sleeping the previous 8 hours! I have to drive at literally no normal schedule! OMG this is CRAZY! Why is the sun coming up and I've not slept yet?

What's that beep? WHAT? After further review, Im suppose to swap this load out and give five stops to someone else after driving 800 miles! And take his load 100 miles the other way, FOR ONE STOP!?!?!? AND ITS A HAND COUNT STOP!?!?! BEEP. What? A message from safety? Another infommercial? Werner cares? *twitch*

Ahh.. finally here. Hold on a second let me open the doors LOOK OUT! OMG that guy only used ONE load strap and I have to clean this mess up!

Plus I get the wonderful luxury of dealing with dispatchers who have less experience than I do. Yea Mr. Dispatcher, it might only be one inch on the map from point A to point B, but its 500 miles on a winding road in the middle of the mountains, in the dead of winter. Was that just a snowflake that dropped on my window? Chains... what chains? You mean I have to get out of my truck and chain up, actually lying on the snow? WHAT IS THIS? Alaska or Siberia or something?

Oh yippie! I get to deal with rush hour traffic in Washington DC, Atlanta, NYC, Seattle, Dallas, and the wonderful ENTIRE state of Socialist.. err... California. And then I have to look up directions EVERY time I move the truck? Why don't these people have GOOD directions to the hundreds of THOUSANDS of locations we deliver to! And deal with people that such a vast variety of colorful personalities. Why did that last guy YELL at me because I didn't check to see which dock I should go to. OMG, is that construction up ahead?!?!? A DETOUR at my exit!?!?!

And truck stops! OMG I have to take a shower in a truck stop, and do my laundry in a public laundry. Eww.. is that a hair? I get to eat greasy and many times nasty truck stop food. Wow a buffet, lots of yummy stuff... $9.99 for a buffet FOR ONE MEAL? Plus tax and tip!?!? If I dont do that, I eat like Im camping out! Canned food. Expensive items to cook with in a cab. OMG, I actually have to cook!?!? YIKES, that four-wheeler just cut me off! What a jerk! Ooo.. what are THEY doing in the back seat?

And the prices in truck stops! $3 for a 2-liter! $4 for a hotdog! Maybe just a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread. TEN BUCKS FOR BOTH?!?! How can anyone live on the road! $50 for an atlas! OMG now way! Wow.. nice CB for $150.00. Cool chicken lights.. OOOOooo CHROME!!!!!!!

And truck breakdowns, in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night! HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN ON HOLD WITH ROAD BREAKDOWN? Why am I still sitting here six hours later broken down waiting for a tow truck? And Im expected to make all my deliveries on time! And Im suppose to be home tomorrow for my anniversary! With HOW MANY HOURS LEFT? OMG, is my log up to date? Well maybe I can make it to this truck stop. Why did the QComm just move me to line 4?!?!? What, Im OUT OF FUEL? HOw did that happen!!!!!! Where's the idiot light! OMG I have to call road breakdown again................................

And meanwhile, my significant others and my family are hundreds if not thousands of miles away! My kids have grown everytime I see them now! Im not there for birthdays, or holidays! What kind of insanity is this! What do you mean honey if the electric isn't paid tomorrow they are going to shut it off! I know, that stupid company stole from me and didn't pay me right this week. I can take out an advance, and wire it to you, but I can't do it until I find a place that has a Western Union. OMG, I have to pay a fee to cash an advance check! HOW MUCH............... And now I have to pay HOW MUCH to wire the money home!?!? OMG, they actually charged me $4.00 on my paycheck for a $100 advance! I actually lost $30 on this deal from all the fees! What honey? The washing machine just leaked all over the place? No you are NOT going to mow the lawn, Ill do it when I get back, at least if I can find the house behind the tall grass to get home.

And in the end hope that I get paid to do it! OMG, what? I don't get paid a thousand dollars a week out of the gate? Someone is ripping me off! THOSE CROOKS!

​

I know, Im being a bit cynical, but also trying to humor many. Trucking isn't for everyone. Not its not traumatic, but it takes certain kinds of personalities to make it all work. To quote a line, "Its not just a job, its an adventure."

 

BCBS-Werner-146.00 a week for two people--Etna-CMD-36.00 a week so after 10 years who has payed more?As for idle time it only goes up when you are on line 1-2 and 4 if you are on line 3 it charges the idle time to trip miles and doing dedicated I ran 336 miles was my longest trip one way same thing back about 1400 hundred miles a week if lucky. When they reset your idle time watch how fast it jumps when you ran no miles,I have done it.How hot is it in the truck if its in the high nineties.I never ran the truck in summer or winter when unloading but being Family Dollar dedicated you spent most of your 14 hours in the trailer,I always ran out of 14 long before the 11 and you cant drive with 0 on your 14.I know not all drivers have bad luck with Werner and its nice that he made it 10 years with them for one driver had been on FD for 9+ years now.I have found a lot of trucking companies that give you a pay raise every 30,000 miles unlike Werner who gave me one in 2 years and would not give me the penny raise when all else got one on the FD account so why is that?I know but will not say for the driver that had been there 9+ years told me but that is a driver not Werner saying it.As for the idle time mine stayed at 0.00 after the apu was put on unless it was in shop then they would get it up to 1.50 or so and did not run the miles to get it back down to 0.00 and my over RPM and over speed was 0.00 as well.As for that other driver talking about the loads and miles,that happened to me when I ran 48,pick up a load take it 200 miles drop it and pick up another load going 100 miles and deliver it the next day and after a month of doing that I got on the Family Dollar made 4 times the money and home week ends all but two in almost 3 years

 

Just so your not confused about idle time. The quelcomm resets every weds at 1am. So all the stats are on a week to week basis BUT your idle time is judged on a month to month basis so you shouldnt get worried weds morning when it says 99.99% idle time on it lol.

I have also never had a problem with it.... during the winter I was at 40% or something one month and didn't really have any issues.

 

To Chasing Tomorrow and Jacob6875,

Yes, I have been reading your posts and now I have a question. I was curious to know if you have heard of any deaths in Southern California and New Mexico because of the idling laws. I heard from another used to be, Werner driver that there were, at lest one in each state and there were 2 law suits. Have you heard anything on this?

And Jacob, do you do the Family Dollar runs in Ga or Tn? Thanks.

 

No,never heard a thing about that and I worked out of Front Royal,Va.That DC does, Va.NJ.Md.Pa.Oh.but just the eastern part and the top of NC.and my favorite part of the country I HATE,WASHINGTON,DC.The states you said I think Mathews,NC does some and W.Memphis,Ar.does some

To Jacob6875,
I am not confused about idle time for mine ran 0.00 and with a apu they never said a word till you got above3.00 but not sure on that number for a driver told me that and my mpg ran 7.4 to 7.6 and as you know that is good with all the city driving but would not have been high enough for their lottery but it would have been higher if I ran more miles.Mine was reset every Wednesday like you said but the times never the same for I looked.Do you still work for Werner?

 

For the record, I wasn't looking for compensation, except for the possibility of maybe having to start over somewhere else and go through the entire training period all over again.

For the record, they weren't running all the time but spent days at truck stops and still not allowed to take showers or laundry because the trainer's wife wouldn't let him have the money to do the same.

For the record, the gotta go from the Walmart runs wasn't to make a load on time but to go back to a truck stop to sit and wait.

For the record, the sitting in the empty lot was because the trainer got bored sitting at a truck stop, not because of a load or waiting to unload.

There's more I could have added to the initial post but I got it. I'm whining. My hubby is whining, even though he hasn't to anyone but me. Okay. I'll shut up now.

 

As for Whining from new CDLers, Werner wins hands down. I do not think it is because they train the most new CDLers. I think it because Werner lie their butt off about their student training program on their website which states currently 6-8 weeks and 300 hours and you can test out. The student starts to realizes the lie when they complete over 350 hours of training and are on their 12th week without a break. Werner does not mind running the student as a team when the student is getting an average of about $350/week.This is clearly a good reason to post Werner as a bad company on this forum. The other large trucking companys seemed not to do this. If the other large trucking companies did this, I feel they would have similar complaints but don't.