Back at Werner

I took a hiatus. Now I'm back.

Why did I go back to a "starter" company??? Well, because they have great staff for employees that apply themselves. Long term employees sometimes see at-home opportunities if they live near a terminal, or are willing to move. The safety department--every department, really--are top notch....

OK, OK. This isn't a sales pitch. There are hiccups. I have had fewer here than anywhere else. Crete was the next best (I didn't like their Opti-Idle, start/stop trucks all night: couldn't sleep; otherwise, Crete was awesome). They are close to where I currently live. They pay fair wages.

Werner isn't top pay for dry van, but it is good. They take care of their employees that give 100%. I have good luck with dispatch (always seem to at the 3 or 4 other companies I was with). If you get a knucklehead anywhere along the way, let it go. There is always a bad apple in a bunch... I lost my #### at Werner 2 times. The second time was my fault where I exercised dismal judgment and attitude. We got past it.

There are many drivers here that spend their whole career here. If you look for good people, you will find them. And they will find you!

 

Yes, we had a foreign citizen at my CRST training school way back when and he couldn't get his backing right. He was there 5 weeks before they told him they couldn't help him. Sent him on his way.

 

Starting back takes about a week or two, I've found, at any company. Typically, like J B Hunt (weekly home), I get 2000 to 2700 miles weekly. It all depends on weather and HOS for me. Good dispatch. I can't say now because I just started rolling Wednesday, but I've gone this week non stop. On a good day, I drive 9 hours. On a slow day, I drive 5 hours with live load/unload. Many drop/hook. I don't turn down loads and I don't complain. I drive every mile they assign me. Last year I rarely saw less than $1,200/week. I saw a few weeks at $700. I eat can food and fresh fruits and vegetables from Walmart, and I don't have many expenses, so I can't complain.

 

What a bummer! Yeah, there are thousands of drivers, so someone is bound to get a lemon, whether it is equipment or personnel. I just haven't found a small company near home that I can get to know and trust. The big companies have been reliable for me--and tolerate me!

One thing I love the most about Werner is their terminals. They have gyms! And they're rarely used by most, so I get a workout to myself when I get to stop in. Terminals are clean. They were clean at J B Hunt, too.