Realistic Pay I can expect to make.

Just a little forewarning, trucking can really wreak havoc on your back, especially with an existing condition. Reason being is that you sit for long periods of time and do anything. When you are done driving you usually eat a large greasy meal and then go to bed instead of working out. A few good months of this and you loose major muscle! Your back muscles are what hold your disc's in place so you begin to get back problems. I am not overweight and am in very good shape but after driving for a few months I get back problems.

Besides this, most companies now have wellness exams which are separate and they put you through several maneuvers and tasks to make sure you are able to handle the work load. Knight transportation actually sends you to a chiropractor to do your exam! It's nothing hard but if you have a bad back it could be difficult. I would go and see your doctor first before going any further. You don't want to fork over $6000 for school and then not be able to pass your wellness exam when you are hired on by a company.

Good luck to you!

 

So does your husband still drive for Werner? Does he like it? If not, what did he think of the company?

 

If they tested my son that way he would have passed.They put him in a brand new truck 10 speed ,when the one he drove for 7 weeks was an older 8 speed.So in spite of the new truck he did everything perfect except the 45 degree backing,why they don't test in the truck you're used to doesn't make sense.

 

During school I trained in a 10 speed volvo, out with my trainer a 13 speed T2000, and upgraded on a 9 speed Volvo. Now I drive a 9 speed Prostar.

 

They were OK for a starter company. He ran on a Walmart dedicated out of Tomah, WI. There just weren't a lot of miles there on that stuff. He didn't care for the electronic leash, I mean e-logs either. He doesn't deal well with 'corporate' America. He does still think they are better than some of the other options out there though.

He's not sure about the switch to the kids running the company and the old man stepping down, as the kids almost ran the company into the ground before. Hopefully, the kids learned their lesson.

He's not with them any longer. He's running for a small outfit out of WI now. Good miles, good pay, and a more personal relationship.

 

I never did agree with testing someone on a truck that they are not familiar with. Once a person has a couple of years under their belt, it's easier to adjust to different trucks quickly, but when you're still green, it's a bit harder.

They may have changed the test out procedure since my hubby was there. He started with them in late 2007.

 

I lost 15 lbs myself when I started driving. my wife (God bless her!) would pack me a healthy lunch daily. Pretty much no choice, I had to eat what I had with me. Stopping for a burrito or burger might have worked IF there was parking, but what about when that greasy pile needed out? For me, when I eat greasy food, start the timer, wont be long before I need a restroom. Not always a place to park a truck when the moment strikes!

So, in my little lunch box was my food for the day, and water. -15lbs in 2 months. I was happy....now I need to watch myself closely back in the office, trying hard not to cave to the craving lol.

 

It doesn't matter what you get a mile if you don't have the miles you will not make money. Your first year you will be with trainer for 6 weeks or so, hopefully you will not have to wait. Then test out upgrade what ever you want to call it, get your truck if you don't have to wait. Probably want to go home to clean the truck out. Then get to work. I don't think most companies are gonna run you 3000 miles a week fresh out of training, and training don't end there if you are smart you learn something everyday. Or if you want to be home every 10-11 days they ain't given you miles, guess who's gonna get them the guy or gal that is out 3 weeks or more. What will you make your first year to many vareibles but don't beleive any recruitor that tells you 35 to 40 I'm sure some have but I sure won't . Know as I learn more plan better . and figure out all the little things that give me more miles then hopefully year 2 will pay more, but it is all about the miles.

 

Some thing I forgot as far testing on a truck you aren't familiar with. Probably not the most fair thing in the world but it is not much different than going to school and then taking a road test in orentation on a truck you never have driven. School truck piece of junk, road test truck not as bad in better shape. It was still a 10 speed. If it had been a 13 I don't know what I would have done, probably have gone through as many gears as I could have and hoped I didn't have to get on interstate lol.