Student received pre-approval from Werner, wondering about other companies

Where are you located and what are you looking for in a company/ what you want?

 

Welcome to the forum! Spend some time here, look around, especially at the Good and Bad Trucking Companies threads. There is a sub-thread somewhere that discusses companies that will hire inexperienced drivers.

Don't limit yourself to getting/having just one pre-approval while you're in school. The more companies that seem to be interested in you, the better off you'll be in terms of making a choice when you graduate.

DO NOT let a carrier (not mentioning names) sweet-talk you into leasing a truck from them until you get some miles under your belt and learn the "smart" way to drive and live on the road.

There is a forum here talking about schools. You might read reviews/blogs from other newbies that can be helpful, learn about things you should really focus on. Start your own thread about your school, sharing your experience with the other members of the forum; those are the things I've found very helpful for me.

Good luck!

 

I know Schneider hires out of that area! You'll attend orientation in Fontana and drive out of the French Camp yard. Not saying Schneider is the greatest company ever but I'm heading back there so you might want to look into them. I have heard alot of unhappy drivers out of the French Camp yard though, just fyi. Just keep looking alot of companies hire in Cali since it's a major Transportation state here on the west coast. Trans Systems out of Spokane, WA also hires flatbed and reefer drivers out of Cali.

 

Only thing I know about Marten, is that I occasionally see them where I run, and what is found HERE

 

i started off with werner, my training took about 3 months to complete. The part that sucked was that when i was done with training they kept me with my trainer, and i really cant remember the excuse why. I was suppose to be dropped off in omaha but ended up at their atlanta terminal with about 6 others with the same problem. So they gave us rental cars to drive up to omaha. But once i got up there i got my truck that day and a load. They dont pay the most for OTR, i ended up getting a dedicated account which paid .06 more a mile. All in all i think its a good company to get experience. and as far as marten goes ive never heard anything bad. they pay good for drivers with experience

 

I always question a company that makes someone spend more than 2 weeks with a trainer. You should be ready to go on your own within 2 weeks.

You won't know everything (or even 1% of what you should), but it is about applying common sense to decision making. Things like route planning, GOAL, pre-trip, logs, etc are all basic stuff that you should be pretty proficient in upon completion of school. The rest of it is a learn as you go process.

It seems to be about getting an extra log in the truck as much as for real training.........

OP, get out the phone book and look in your area. You would be surprised how many smaller companies could be found in your area. Go see them in person and looking presentable. you might be pleasantly surprised the response you get.

It isn't only the mega-companies that hire new grads. Don't feel that you have to work for one of the big companies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

Everyone that submits an app to werner gets a pre-approval.