Only Drivers Happy With Werner

My experience at Werner was actually pretty good. I'll make this short and sweet. I went into it with a good attitude, expecting that good things would come of it. I didn't pay attention to all the adverse comments that I had heard and/or read. I've drawn my own conclusions. At this point I would say that about 90% of my experience at Werner was good. I had two trainers who had several years of driving so they had a lot of experiences that they shared with me. My SDM and I got along very well. The equipment was great and we ran a lot of miles. I was all over the country in what seems to be a very short period of time.
In my opinion most of this is what you make of it. Most of us are attempting to learn a whole new career, so make the most of it. Pay attention to the trainer and stay in touch with your SDM. Good luck!

 

So are you done with training and out on your own now?

 

Personally, i would go with the smaller carrier. The bigger carriers, you are just a truck number. The smaller carrier might even remember your name and treat you like a human being.

 

some of us dont have that choice....

 

I agree that not all of us have the choice since alot of smaller companies will hire only drivers with 6 12 months of experience

 

That's why I'm with Werner now. No complaints so far.

 

I'm planning to get back into the truck driving business in the not too distant future but since I have been out of pocket for a while I'm pretty sure I will be required to take a refresher's course, but that's no problem. Anyway, I'm in the process of getting all my ducks in a row and therefore have a few questions about Werner:

What is Werner's idle policy? Is it reasonable or will I have to sweat or freeze to earn a living.

Does Werner put APUs in their trucks? If so approximately what percentage would you guys estimate have APUs and what would be a good guesitimate of getting one of those trucks with an APU?

With respect to trucks that have APUs, are there inverters supplied with them that will enable you to run a refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances available to make a trucker's life a little more bearable out on the road?

In addition, in the case of no APUs or otherwise in the trucks with no APUs, can you at least plug in a 400 watt inverter to run your laptop, electric shaver, and other small devices?

Also, my brother inlaw is a lease operator for JCT and he uses Streets & Trips and a laptop mount for trip planning and navigation, I'm planning on doing the same thing, will Werner object to this setup?

I previously drove over the road for more than 2 years and have about 290,000 miles under my belt but haven't drove for about 3 years, will I have to go through the full training process with Werner or will I be able to escape with an abbreviated version, as all I would need to learn really is how to work with Werner's e-log system? With respect to everything else, I still remember. Anyway, my youngest has finally left the nest and thus I want to get back out there since I miss it.

Does Werner also pay detention after 2 hours and if so how much is it?

How about layover after 24 hours and if so how much is it?

How about also breakdown pay and if so how much is it?

Will they put you up in a hotel room when the shop is working on your truck and if so will you have to share a room with someone else?

How about orientation, will I have to share a hotel room or will I get a room all for myself, and is the orientation paid? Also...how long is it?

Finally, thanks in advance to all of those that reply to my questions. I really appreciate it.

 

I will try to answer since nobody else is. Not sure about all of this but most should be accurate or real close.

Not sure as I have always had apu, but I know they rather you idle as little as possible.

I would guess up to about 50% have apu now, guess about 50 50 chance of getting one.

Ones I have had yes.

Plug in what you want, just do not get caught with it plugged in.

As long as it is unsetup when you turn in truck should be good.

Probably shorter version, just not sure how much shorter.

Detention= Must be perfect situation, do not look forward to getting any.

Layover= Yes, $20, do not look forward to getting this either as will do their best to see that you don't.

Breakdown= Yeah right

Truck is your hotel unless it is inside garage, then yes for hotel should be solo room for solo driver, room mate for orientation, do not remember pay for orientation amount but did get paid.

 

ok here it goes, ive been a guest on here a while read a bunch or werner threads. first i havent drove since 2004 and just got pre approved with werner and i was wanting to know the things i've read on these threads was how werner dispatchers push their drivers past their hos. but from what i thought i know and heard about the paperless log when your hours are up the truck wont move but for 15 minutes give or take. any werner drivers info would be thankful

 

Hello everyone, just throwin my 2 cents in (and yes it's worth about that right now bein a newbie) but I'm in Chesapeake Va. and started cdl training through ATI and am very pleased, 8 week course/ only twelve per class / cost is $5400., yes a bit pricey but they have a good rep for finding the drivers work and Swift as well as Werner, USA and about eight other OTR Co. (smaller). But what i wanted to ad is this , if you have the extra six to eight weeks of wait time (U.S. Government Paperwork timetable) before you decide on school check out the One Stop program that each state is offering for school. This is money that each state has gotten from the stimulas money to send or retrain people to kick start the economy. It gave me $4000. free and clear for school and i just finance the rest through the school with no interest! Bypass all the contracts and start your career clean, no contract over your head. safe travels everyone, peace out.