I know I have my fair of gripping about my first trainer but I did manage to stick out more than half way. I was stuck every week almost in a hotel (yes Werner paid it) while he did home visits. Once we were stuck for four days at a rest stop (my trainer wouldn't go to a truck stop!) I finally called my SM to remind them I can't do my hours if not driving! Within 2 hours we did have a new route! I had literally lived off vending machines those 4 days! When a family situation came up, I took advantage and asked to go home for a week. Even without pay, it was worth waiting and getting a new trainer. When I reported back, I was assigned a new trainer quicker than I thought, an owner/driver, who seems to be a decent guy. The trouble started when he was flagged for needing two tires which he was willing to do but Werner then wanted us to drive our load to Memphis first! He explained he couldn't leave tagged! I really thought we were not getting out--it is just reinforcing to me as I go along Werner is disorganized at times and does not look out for their drivers but from the advice you all gave--doesn't matter how bad it is, I can't leave till I have worked a year! The good news is I had to drive in the worst winter conditions ever from Chicago to LA and while it was often scary as sh**, I feel I got some good experience. I realize that training is a learning time and I've no problem with that, just asking for a little respect... Not trying to whine but am really getting worried that when I finally finish my last 125 hours, will there be a 48 OTR job from them? I mean, I'll take whatever jobs are there if I have to, but this is what I signed up for and was told would be "kept busy". So I guess I am asking if I manage to survive the rest of training, manage to get enough work to survive a year with Werner, how do I choose a new company to apply with that won't just be the same? Wondering if there are any good companies out there! Any advice?
ok .....are you gonna stay there a year to get them to repay your student loan? If not maybe start applying to places when you have 6 months...I know Celadon will take you at 6 months.....the larger companies are difficult to say the least when you are new and trying to get it going. Maybe when you get out on your own it'll be better for you. Chin up you can finish this out.
Well Your not on your own yet so one big thing I can say is alot can change in 1 year. Also you could earn some experience and land a local gig. Hell I did with no experience. Now about 6 months after getting my class a, I'm running dump trailers, tri-axles, and roll offs. Good luck , hope it all works for you
I would be prepping to leave Werner, if I were you. One mistake and they fire drivers. Put in six months then drop Werner like a rock is my advice. Make sure to take pictures of the rig and record all the information like odometer reading off the dash when you turn it in, before you give them the keys. If they file a false "abandoned truck" report on you, you can fight it with this information. Good luck to you.
Good advice here. That is a big relief that I'd only have to stick it out for 6 months after training 'cause that is a whole lot better than keeping my temper under wraps for 12 months! My CDL school pushes them on us, saying "best company out there" and yeah, I should have investigated places like here more before signing. But just wanted to get on the road working....I did pay my own training (only two of us in class did) as I didn't want to wait for Sept for the grants and didn't qualify on any state aid. So yeah, it would be nice if Werner wasn't so crazy and I could stick out to get reimbursed for training but they spread it out 3 years! So I'll take my six months of reimbursement and count myself lucky, pay the rest back I owe on my own. Will check out Celadon and others these next 6 months. Not leaving Werner till I have a job for sure...
If you are unhappy I would start looking now for a different gig. There's no reason you can't be driving for Werner and looking for another job at the same time. Look into the smaller companies they will be more apt to hire you with only a little bit of experience because their insurance is less strict. You may find an O/O willing to take you on too. Check out Craigslist everyday. I have seen some really good gigs posted on there from time to time. Good luck man!
definitely an idea. Wouldn't have thought of Craigslist! I do want to do OTR, hope to eventually do all 48 states. Trying to avoid local stuff, maybe later but not for the next 4-5 years. Figure I have 6 months to look around and talk to companies with no obligation because I will have a job. Or who knows, maybe once I get into my truck on my own it will be fine too..one day at a time bro...
You haven't even really started yet with Werner, yet you are sure that you want to leave already. Give them a chance. Yes, plenty of people bash them, but they do have plenty of happy drivers. The happy drivers don't make nearly as much noise as the unhappy drivers. Everyone is looking for something different in their company. You have to realize that your first 6 months will be a living heck no matter where you are and who you are driving for. There will be plenty of days of sitting, loneliness, arguing with dispatchers, making wrong turns, loneliness, dealing with annoying/rude shippers/receivers, not making miles, loneliness, not making money, etc. You will want to quit at least a dozen times, maybe even a dozen times in a day. Stick it out and you will be rewarded. Who knows, you might even decide that you like Werner. Probably not, but just don't get caught in the "grass is always greener" job-hopping pattern.
Definitely good advice. And I have wondered if it would be any different with any company. Right now I am just taking it day by day. Really hoping that my trainer doesn't get let go before I finish. He is really a good teacher, patient and knows what he is doing but I am not sure if he will last. Just a lot of things going on and I feel caught in the middle. I'm just trying to finish the hours not get caught up in company politics! But I've decided it is what it is and will just keep going and if it takes a third trainer, won't be my decision, out of my hands. I keep telling myself once I get on my own, where my destiny is controlled by me, maybe it will all work out. If it doesn't, I can decide then what to do. Not too worried about the loneliness, it's been my experience you can be lonely in your own backyard! Long as I got my music, computer, see the country, I like trucking. Down to last 100 hours!
Werner's loan reimbursement plan pays $100 a month. They don't front you school money. So, if you paid cash to a commercial school, it'd take over 4 1/2 years to recoup your investment.
