New and going to Werner OTR

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by GypsyWanderlust, Jan 17, 2018.

  1. GypsyWanderlust

    GypsyWanderlust Medium Load Member

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    I know what you are all thinking, but I really did spend hours looking at all my options. For where I'm located, they were the best starter company to get into with my dog. Thanks to this forum, I did tell them I was taking a pass on the Dollar account and wanted OTR. They have a rental car reserved for me tomorrow to drive to Allentown.

    Due to the less than stellar reviews of the company I'm a bit nervous but as long as I can make "ok" money and stay safe then I'll have plenty of doors open on options after a year. I'll update this thread as I go.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Enjoy seeing the country and congratulations on deciding not to be a "lumper" (truck unloader) on Dollar General.
    Try to stick with Werner at least 6 mos. and be planning your next move. You might decide to stick around longer, but just in case, have a plan in place.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
    Dan.S, BigBob410 and KillingTime Thank this.
  4. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    A close friend of mine went with Werner fresh out of CDL school and was very happy with them. He really was impressed with the training and his mentor / trainer.
    After six months or so he did the driver training course Werner offers. After that he soured very quickly and quit. I never asked for the details of what happened but he was very upset.
    All in all imo, they are a decent place to start. Getting the best training you can once out of school should be what's most important getting started.

    Fact is youu only learn how to pass your CDL exam in school.
    Good luck, I hope everything works out for you.
     
  5. ladr

    ladr Road Train Member

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    Just take it one day at a time and you will be ok.
     
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  6. GypsyWanderlust

    GypsyWanderlust Medium Load Member

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    That is from 2008. Funny, a bit sad, and hopefully not my experience. Like I said, I researched and/or called many companies. Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans would have been nicer because they are much smaller and have APU equipped trucks but I would have had to have someone watch my dog for the better part of 4 months. Like I said, I'll update the thread as I go and try to give a fair review of things.
     
  7. Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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    Best of luck to you.
     
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  8. KillingTime

    KillingTime Road Train Member

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    Werner Survivor: 14 months OTR.

    Decent gig for a noob, pre-plan like you might hit a low bridge. Atlas & 2 GPS bouncing off of each other.

    Good on you for refusing an 'account'. If you're a good driver you'll get called about other accounts.... Decline them, unless they are drop / hook. Stay OTR.

    Run it - 10 & turn - you'll hit your docks on time, your DM will get on with you & perhaps you'll be pulling 2200 mile solos....... Until then tho, expect a ####-ton of 300 mile splits.

    You only get to see the cake.
    Soon you'll get to smell the cake.
    Maybe you'll get to have a bite, a bit later. Lol.

    Dirty side down & between the ditches.
    Much luck to ya.
     
    austinmike, Dan.S and Chinatown Thank this.
  9. BigBob410

    BigBob410 Road Train Member

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    It was Old...but friggin hilarious!! I guess that's why it had 526 thanks!!!
     
  10. GypsyWanderlust

    GypsyWanderlust Medium Load Member

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    So far it hasn’t been great, but not terrible.

    Pros:
    training material (cbt courses) have good information and are done pretty well.

    Most of the people I met were nice

    Equipment is fairly new

    Most trailers are new and have auto inflate

    Trucks have air release fifth wheel

    You get free lunch for the two day orientation

    Tuition reimbursement is better than most

    Hiring bonus can be good

    Company app is helpful

    Benefits are cheaper than other places I’ve worked

    Starting pay is better than many

    They don’t seem to micro manage people

    Cons:
    They pay HHG miles

    They have no APU (Too expensive they say)

    Hotels they use (that I’ve seen) are low end

    Allentown students share a room with someone

    They make you get a new medical with their doc (company pays)

    You buy your own road atlas (not a big deal but really?)

    Wait time for training can be a while if you are at a small terminal.

    If you have to travel to another terminal expect a rental van with 5 other students and at least 1 will make it a scary ride.

    They don’t weed out terrible drivers before they go with the trainer. (See above)

    Detention and layover pay is up to the fleet manager.

    Pick up and drop pay is only for additional stops

    You will never get home on the day you ask for. (So I’ve been told by other drivers)

    That is all I have for now. Drive safely!
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
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