Werner - Not What I'd Heard (Thank God.)

I have hesitated to comment about Tara's posts however, I think it may be time. Remembering that my other half has worked for them for nearly 18 years and is accident free during that entire time. Many of the things she says are true but some other things are a little iffy.

She could have gotten a new truck with only 3 years driving experience, it does happen from time to time. Just depends upon where you are are, what is available, how long you are wililng to wait, and who you know. Its the same thing with Highlander, but he's not worked for them for 3 years, he's worked for them for nearly 18 years. Little bit of a difference. But I will say, the only new truck he's had in nearly 18 years was when he hit his million miles about 8 years ago. On the other hand his best friend, who has worked at Werner for 22 years, and is a two-million miler has gotten several new trucks over the years, but he's been a trainer for about 6 years.

As for dedicated runs, getting one shortly after joining Werner or with less than 3 years experience isn't unusual. It depends upon if there is a slot open. However, if there is a waiting list, it depends upon your driving record, your on-time record and at times, well... again, it depends upon who you know and who's doin the talking for you.

As for someone being asked to go on a hunting excursion at the Werner Retreat, well that one is suspicious. I have a hard time believing a newbie driver, assumed less than three years driving experience (based upon her statement of she's worked for them for three years)her father, got asked to go to an all expense paid hunting excursion at the Werner Retreat, unless, hes a mid to high level exec or on the legal team. So tell us Tara, why don't you tell the truth about the Hunting Lodge thing. It was a LOTTERY that ANYONE could try to win by submitting their name. So what 5 drivers out of 8,000-10,000 drivers...... He wasn't 'selected' he won. And who would want to spend 5 days with Greg and Gary anyway?

Bringing home a $1100 check (take home in her own words) at $0.32 a mile means Tara is running at least 3437 miles a week.(1100/0.32=$1100). And that takes into consideration she is not paying ANY taxes. 3400 miles a week at Werner is a little ABOVE the average, even when the economy was good.

But this is her net pay, not her gross pay. Since she is single, and taking into consideration her tax liability with Federal Tax, Social Security, etc., with no additional deductions for insurance, etc, she would have to be running around 4200-4400 miles a week. Drops only pay $25 each after the first one so, I'd like to see the logs on that one myself, unless shes a trainer. And then that would considered extremely low miles for a trainer team.

As for the TripPacs, well, she is right about that. If you submit them correctly, and submit them before the end of that payperiod you will get paid for them. However, there are times they are delayed. I know recently Highlander didn't get paid for a rather long run, with 6 stops until two weeks later, and it wasn't one of those cases where it needed to be approved. They claimed, they "just got it" when he called, although it had been submitted over two weeks prior. Since they have changed their payroll to a place in Ohio, this seems to happen more than it did in the past. Remember to always look at the bottom of your pay stub. If you didn't get paid for something, check the bottom of the stub. YOu may see a note that says the load needs approved and see your fleet manager.

The QComm always trips you to line 4 whether you have satellite service or not. It's a flake in the system and always has been. The best way to deal with this is do a recap when you shut down, and before you take off after a break. Also do a recap if your hours look funny after fueling, etc.

Hometime is really dependent upon the account, the number of loads, how many are available for a load and dispatch. It also depends upon you submitting your request in at least two weeks in advance, and through the right channels. Calling Driver Relations in Highlander's near 18 years with Werner, does not put dispatch "on their knees", sorry.. unless you have "connections".

The directions on the QComm for ESTABLISHED drops are generally correct. Its the new ones that are the problem. Highlander has had cases where he deliveres to a new store, and there are no directions on the QComm. If you find a case where the directions are wrong, and if you care, then send a message ACROSS THE QCOMM, that the directions are wrong, especially if you are late. And you would know this in advance, if you do your pre-trip planning when you get your load, before you release the brakes.

As for the cryptic codes in the direction, depends upon who is putting the directions in the QComm. Checking your route should always be part of your pre-trip. If you can not understand the directions at that time, call dispatch for clarification. At worst, if they say they don't know.. have em go to mapquest, they have access to it. Make them do their job.

Doing uturns at Werner is not allowed per company policy. There is an exception to this rule. That would be at the direction of law enforcement. There are times that Highlander has had to do this due to an accident. Rules are rules on this one, irregardless of traffic. If you don't like the company rule, then you don't need to be working for the company. Its a safety issue.

Taking care of ones truck is really one's responsibility. This means you don't trash it. If you have a problem, submit it over the QComm to road breakdown. Yea, I know it's a pain, and it may take three hours to get a response. And if it is a valid safety issue, and road breakdown says no, then you call safety, then you call Driver Relations. Yea, I know it's a pain, and it takes time, but sometimes that is what you gotta do. There are exceptions to this rule, as with my other half and his tire issue that took 2-3 months to get his tires replaced with a call to CLs office, the first time he ever had to do that. It was a good thing that he was working in the yard every other week during the time since it took that long.

As for "connections" with the company? Well, this is the first time this is going to be made public, in the nearly 18 years Highlander has worked for Werner. A fact that no one at Werner has known, up until now. Highlander's grandfather knew CL, before he started Werner, and during startup of Werner. His grandmother also babysat the Werner boys. To make a long story short, and with just the basic details on the matter, in nearly 18 years Highlander has worked at Werner, he had never told ANYONE there this fact. Asking him why? He said he'd rather have his reputation at a company based upon his driving and work record rather than his family connections.

 

Highlander knows Jesus, and has known him about five years. His opinion of Jesus is that he is one of Werner's best trainers. But fair warning, he doesn't like to sit and twiddle his thumbs.. he likes to run alot... Be prepared for crash course in trucking with one of Werner's best trainers if you get him.

EDIT: Acutally he doesn't know Jesus Alfaro, he knows Jesus Alvarado (hate cell phones) who is also a trainer but is an O/O. When I read the LL mag article I said how can you know someone for seven years that is only 25. He said, wait, this can't be the same person, as Jesus has been working at Werner just about as long as he has... sorry for the convusion (Hey Alfaro and Alvarado sound the same over a cell phone!)

 

i had a 3 month old 09 freightliner columbia from crst.....the wiper blades were totally shot, and i dont understand how they could be after 3 months. One night, they had gotten to the point where i decided it was no longer safe to use them, it was raining and i could barely see...so i popped into a TA and bought a pair of $6 wiper blades. CRST refused to pay for the wiper blades. Whatever, I figured my life was worth more than $12.

honestly, i wish i would have kept the originals and put them back on the truck when i quit, and kept mine for my car..LOL.

 

Steele,

Sent you a pm regarding Werner.

KH

 

Could someone tell me is it normal for the trainers to stop only once a day to eat? My hubby is out with his trainer and that seems to be the norm. The trainer does not have a fridge or microwave or anything along that line. He has been out 6 weeks now and only has been able to go to a store twice to stock up on good snacks (beef jerkey, cheese and crackers, nuts, etc).
He does better when he eats like most of us. This just doesn't make sense to me.

 

The trainer that I had was a chronic chain smoker, so he only ate every other day. He never liked to stop the truck for restroom breaks, because apparently two to three minutes will ruin the delivery times. So in my situation, it was just another case of your typical sociopathic anti-social know-it-all super trucker. Give me a break!

As far as my diet while on the trainer's truck? Usually garbage from the deli, a hot dog, or dietary suicide supplements such as taco bell or burger king. Since being on my own, my diet is slightly excellent. I still eat a sweet every now and then.

 

If I wasn't such a resilient and flexible son of a gun, you guys would be scaring the bejebers out of me. However, since I am so at ease with being able to fit into most situations I feel like the experience will at the very least be memorable.

 

Tara - thanks for your thoughtful email - I am hoping to go to work for werner mid sept as a recnet grad from a cdl program any other info you can give me to help me prep for the experience would be welcome. I can not send privte messages because I dont have 50 posts here yet but maybe you can send me one? newtothis

 

tara - sorry I said email and I should have said your post

 

Wow, so Tara must gross $1500 per week to clear $1100. At .32 cpm ( which she claims to make), she would have to be averaging close to 5000 miles per week. My BS meter is pegged out on this poster!