Realistic Pay I can expect to make.

Yes,since 1/3/11, 2 checks for $386.12(includes monthly $100 tuition reimbursement), nine checks for $298 take home.He's due a $500 bonus for training w/ no home time ,but we don't know when he's getting it.He's out for 11 weeks now finally testing,out this week.He failed his first test last week cause he got nervous and scratched a trailer on a 45 degree backing test ,but he did every thing else perfect ,so after 50 more hours,they're retesting him.He just called me, as I was writing this reply,3/17 , he said he should be OK ,he's had lots of practice now ,ten more hours then retest.Werner is a starter co., see thread: Don't work for Werner

 

Oh, so he's still training then? That makes sense then! Training is supposed to only last 5-7 weeks though!

 

I havent unloaded a trailer in 10yrs.Pay is low the first yr.I call it paying your dues.If you want to go home alot you will go broke.Your first year is the roughest.I left my first job paying .28 after a year and went to .36 a mile.Met crst driver trainees splitting .22.Most companies do not want you to unload trailers.

 

They can extend the training time if it's needed though. Sometimes a driver does need a little extra time out with a trainer. Nothing wrong with that as long as the trainer is doing a good job!

 

Exactly! Training is good! Atleast they haven't given up on him! Any clues to what the test consists of at Werner?

 

Ohhh yeah them too..

And I have to add climbing in and out of the cab all day isn't as easy as it looks if you are out of shape. Try climbing on that catwalk with a reefer in the way.

 

Not off the top of my head, and my hubby is asleep right now, so I won't call him. I'll try to remember to ask him later. I do know that his trainer did his road test without him even being aware of it. Basically did it on their way back to the terminal! I actually think that's a good way to do it, since the trainee won't know, they won't be nervous about it.

 

Well one week orientation and waiting for trainer,one week sitting in a hotel while trainer got home time,probably 2 weeks waiting for loads and downtime for repairs,plus reset hours gets him down to 8 weeks driving(1 week extra for more training)Bear in mind that he had no prior experience besides CDL classes,so he had to go for the max training time,which is OK.He's been in all kinds of conditions and under the guidance of a veteran trainer,so he'll have a good idea when he starts teaming soon w/ another new driver(they've already met and tested on the same day),who also had to go for more training due to problems w/ the 45 degree angle backing.Wish him good LUCK!

 

On the otherhand I have lost 30lbs since I started driving back in December. That didn't come from not eating.. parking in the back 40 helps, but there is a fair share of physical. If you end up with a lot of live loads you will be climbing in and out of the trailer making sure you are loaded right or applying load locks.

I applaude your desire, but make sure you aren't going to make matters worse..