werner, need some answers

I would walk into this with my eyes wide open. First thing, remember all you have are verbal "promises" and they are well worth the breath they took to make. Unless you have any of this in writing, it simply doesn;t exist. You may get exactly what they said, but there is no firm commitment from them to supply it.

Companies like Werner bandy about the term dedicated, but they use the word a lot differently than the rest of the world does. To most people, a dedicated run indicates a steady daily routine, running pretty much on a fixed schedule to the same places. To many companies, (Since Wener is not the only offender here) what they mean is that the truck is owned by Werner, but is dispatched as needed by a dispatcher under control of the customer. That can mean that you run all over hither and yon, just as you would under Werner's control, but the dispatcher is an employee of the customer.

It's po0ssible that you will have weekends off, but I would not bet the farm on it. That is usually based on what the needs of the customer are, and if you have a delivery Monday morning and it's 500 miles away, then you will have to run Sunday to make it happen.

What they will provide for a truck I can't say, but the odds are that you will be assigned whatever is available, and I wouldn't worry about that. As long as it is mechanically sound, I never fuss about the name on the hood. As for them supplying the cb, refrig and other things as addons, be careful because they may be charging a lot more than the traffic will bear, You canpick up a decent cb and antenna for about 100 bucks and have it tweaked and tuned at a good cb shop for anaother 50 or so, and that's about the maximum you should have to pay. A 12v cooler to sit between the seats costs you about 60 bucks at Walmart, so I wouldn;t let them charge me hundreds for a cooler unit.

Just walk into this with your eyes open and don't get your expectations too high until you see what is actually happening. That way, your hopes won;t be dashed if it turns out different from the recruiters claims. Best of luck. let us know how it turns out.

 

You won't neccessarily have your choice of tractors. And their equipment is not as advertised. I completed my training with them straight through. I got back to the terminal to complete my paperwork and then after 3 days of waiting they handed me the keys to the most unsafe and horrible tractor I'd ever seen. Both exhaust pipes were caving in, rusted, and bent. The license plate on the grill was hanging on, both steps on each side were falling off and bent like someone had hit a curb a few times, the passenger side window didn't function. I could go on.

3 of the permit weren't up to date so they wanted ME to call and get them updated and wait for someone to fax the new ones to me. The registration was also expired.

I had never driven a long nose tractor before, but I wasn't complaining. I tried to make it work with the horrible tractor they gave me. I took it down the rode and simply didn't feel safe driving a long nose...especially in that condition. I went back in and handed them the keys and told them "Look, I'm sorry, but I don't feel safe taking this tractor out on the road, this is my career and I don't want to ruin it out of the gate." The terminal guy (you'll find they're all extremely moody) told me I had to take it. I told him I wasn't taking it. He then told me they would have to stop paying me for layover since I was refusing a truck. I laughed at him and said "fine." Sat in the hotel for another day til they got me a Century. It, too, was a piece of ####. But I wanted to get rolling and I felt more comfortable driving the short nose tractor.

I went on the road solo for Werner for approximately 7 weeks. In my very first week they sent me to Canada for 3 days. As soon as I got there I saw the signs were in Kilometers per hour and most of the other signs for roads were in French. I sent my dispatcher a message saying "look, I don't feel safe up here at all, I'm a new driver." No response. Sent another message. Nothing. Called. They said they'd bring me back to the US immediately after I dropped off my load. They lied. I was up there for 2 more days stressed out of my mind.

I don't like to bash companies and I don't like to complain, but Werner is good for one thing....getting your training done. Get your training done and get the hell away from them. They will ruin your career with unsafe conditions and forcing you to constantly do things you don't feel safe doing. They simply do not care about safety. And hell, 26 cents a mile aint much reason to stay with a company like that.

But yes, give them a shot...go out for a few weeks with them after your training and see how you like it. The only positive with Werner that I can think of is if you drive OTR...you truly drive OTR. They'll send you to all 48 states. They'll run you like a mad dog though...and you won't see paychecks over 600/week for doing 3000 miles. To me, that wasn't worth it. I switched to JB Hunt after my training and 7 weeks with them and I'm making more money here driving less miles. I'm not stressed anymore and I feel absolutely safe with this company. I may not be here forever...but I will never go with a company like Werner again.

Good luck and keep your head up. They will stress you out...just remember it's a process....get your training, get your 3 months experience....maybe find a better company...get your year experience...then you're set. I'm on the verge of being set I think.

 

Wow, good for you. I have heard they will get you the truck you want. I have been told by other trucking co, that I had to have a year of experience before I could apply for a dedicated, which makes good sense.

 

Is that why so many drivers don't want to go to Canada?

 

Probably...but it's not reason enough.

Despite the "horror" stories you hear, I have a few too (mostly with US Customs). Canada is not a bad place to run.

I've run in and out of Canada for 20 years. I enjoy the country, and I have a deep respect for the people I have met and worked with from there. I would run there every week...if I could get a dedicated

 

Is there a place you DON'T hear horror stories of? LOL

I'd like to go to Canada... would give me a chance to brush up on my French, which I haven't used in eons.

 

I wouldn't mind going to Canada now that I have experience, but they sent me into Canada after 3 days as a solo driver. I had enough stress and whatnot to deal with just being on my own and now they wanted me to deal with all kinds of special papers and customs issues. I just don't find it very safe to send a rookie driver into Canada...and when he tells you he doesn't feel comfortable up there...you leave him up there.

I didn't find Canada as "beautiful" as I thought I would of. Nothing really special to be honest.

 

In answer to your question...

Take it all with a grain of salt. Likely, you will have to take whats on the yard, at the time. Unless you want to wait, or ride to another terminal.

The "get on the list" comment. Is the standard of every company...to suck you in.

11 state regional...define regional. The majority of "regional" companies define regional as a 500 mile radius. While a lot of OTR companies define regional as a certian section of the country...which may or may not get you home within a couple of weeks.

Even then, you may only be allowed a certian amount of time at home. 1 day for every 7 out...which is total BS in my book. Since most true regional drivers are home almost as much as they are away.

Outfitting the truck?? I have all the items you described....sitting in a closet at my house. I have no need for them as a regional driver..except for the CB, which my company provides.

As always...beware of greeks bareing gifts.

 

upon completing my training with werner, i returned to their dallas tx terminal for my tractor assignment. i waited 2 days and was assigned a freightliner classic xl long nose, it was an '06 with 83k miles. it wasnt what i wanted but i accepted it and headed down the road with the thought of the sooner i get out of this terminal the sooner i make some money. my advise is to accept any tractor they assign to you as long as it is safe and roadworthy. if you turn down a tractor you might be waiting for awhile and we all know when the wheels arent turning you arent making any money. as for the options of accessories it is my understanding this is left up to the drivers to fill the bill with some limitations on items such as inverters. i was never given any option of choice of truck, colors, or for that matter how i wanted my truck outfitted. my trainer had a saying, " you are a driver so drive that truck". good luck to you and hope you find some success with werner, i had some good experiences with them but i have since left them for a better paying company.