Werner?

Why would anyone promise you something they know is not true? You telling me the training is 8 weeks long maybe longer and there might be a route waiting for you. She's good... A good recruiter is one that listens to you,then gives you what you want to hear. Anyone ever heard of salesman? That's what they are. If your gut feeling is telling you something's wrong. Go with it. 99.99% of the time your instinct is right.

At your age, I mean you no harm by the way. If you have a considerable bank account and your family is 100% behind you. Then go for it! Give it a try. But don't expect the world as the recruiter told you. OTR companies succeed to make money by any means available to them. You are just a number to them.

Wether you learn or not it doesn't matter to them. The turnover rate is their favor. I believe they get $6,500 for every student that signs with them. I can't even imagine the numbers. If you leave early or get terminated they stand to gain.

Just remember, read and learn from others experience. Some how you'll have to make a decision. If you can get in the business without having to owe. That would be a good start. If you can't then maybe the oTR company you're signing with is not the company or you. It is my understanding they want you to go through their school, right? Think about this. If you do this, then you'll probably have to get a loan through their loan department. Their loan department which quarantees you'll be in dept to them. If so, try going another route available. If the OTR company says you can't do that.Then don't sign on the dotted line. No one can force you.

Think about it. If you can work for say Mcdonald and make $400 per week and not be in debted to them it may not be that bad. On the other hand you drive thousands of miles and make less and be in debt. Is it really worthwhile to you and your family?

I hear that the first couple of weeks you only make $250 per week. At the same time I hear less. Of course after so many hours it goes up but not much. In all, an 8 week program you'll make a total of only $2,700. That breaks down to $325 per week. What, $1,350 per month. After that what next? Unless you can make a year long committment and survive out of your wits. It may not be for you. So don't do it.

 

I started with Werner Sept, 2008. I made a huge mistake my first 90 days out by developing a bad attitude towards Werner. Winter time came and the miles did not.. I was sitting 2-3 days a week and weak loads in between, and had it out w/ my dispatcher which only made things worse with me being a new and all. Unfortunately, it wasnt just me, it was everyone.. every company was struggling for freight and I developed a bad attitude towards the industry and the company when they lowered pay, took away bonuses, and did what I eventually figured was what they needed to do to survive at the time. Since then freight picked up, miles became more constant, and I only then realized it was my point of view that needed to be changed. But, yes.. I suffered. As every body who's new to the industry does their first 6 months or so, especially if freight is slow.

I have driven for Werner for one year now and im at the point where many opportunities and doors have opened up for me with other companies.. At this moment there's no other company I would rather be with, because Werner does treat me well. I can say if your a good driver they will reward you, if your a bad driver or a whiner, they will wash you out--you can expect that from any company. As with most things you do, you get out of it what you put into it. As far as the pay, any training company you go to, you will suffer at first.. you got to pay your dues and prove yourself when your new to the industry.

I am a trainer with Werner and deal with many students, ill give you the honest scoop.

I would not count on dedicated for at least the first six months. Werner wants to see how you do before they give you an important customer account. If your late, have HOS violations, accidents, tickets.. well your pretty much gonna be stuck on regional dry van with not many options open to you. You could also miss out on important loads and other opportunities, which will be given to more dependent drivers. You will not make much money. Maybe 400-600 per week until eventually you starve out.

However, if you drive your hours w/o always being "too tired to drive", be on time every time, dont get tickets, dont hit stuff w/ your truck or trailer, and arent a thorn in your dispatchers side.. you will be given many opportunities to make some real money. This could be dedicated, net ops, TCU, Flatbed, Day Cab, Trainer, Team Werner, or Tri-state.

I am on the West Coast Trainer TCU dedicated one way account. I haul food from Los Angeles to either FL, IL, AR, or GA. Usually for Walmart or Conagra. My average run is well over 1600 miles. I have a perfect trainer score (my or any of my students have never had an accident, been late, or have any other violations in the last six months) In the last 8 months, im projected to make over 70k per year, drive a 2009 Prostar, Take my truck home, take my hometime where ever I want, and fuel where I want (as long as they are set up with Werner).

Since I've been training, I have had 6 students. 2 failed, 1 quit, and 3 I graduated. 2 of those 3 are already on dedicated accounts and are now making from 700-900 per week, and they will also get raises every 6 months for the next two years.

Yes, the recruiters lie and training is not easy for you or the trainer. My best advice is to go into it with an open mind and go with the flow. Don't complain about everything and try to keep a postive attitude, concentrate on your skills and learn to be a safe and curteous driver. Do what the trainer tells you and never argue with him/her even if you dont agree, usually theres a reason for it, and if theres not -- there's other channels for you to discreetly use to get another trainer.. Just remember the training you receive with a reputible company is the foundation for your entire carreer as a truck driver, and what you learned in school only got you your CDL, so dont go into this thinking you know everything cause your only going to embarrass yourself and get off on the wrong foot w/ your trainer.

Trucking is not just a job, its a way of life. So, like I said go into it w/ an open mind.. it is what you make of it.

Good Luck.

 

What can I expect to happen when I arrive at the Fontana Terminal, IE how many days do I plan to be there, I understand the concept of hurry up and wait, Any help would be apprecheted.

 

Thanks for the information!

 

What you should consider amazing is why companies keep hiring when freight levels continue to decline and more driver jobs are eliminated every month .

 

That's easy to answer, they know now that they have their pick of the litter and can get rid of the dead weight drivers with nasty attitudes. Especially the one that bad mouth their own company.

 

I have drove otr in the past, its been about 5 years. Since I have been out for so long I must start over as many of you know. I have started hauling cars otr for a local guy. Well as bad as I want it to, it just isn't going to work out. He is suppose to pay on the 1st and 15th and still havent seen a check for the first. I really have been trying to work with him, but it isn't going to happen. I hate it for him and me both, super nice guy and really good to work for except he cant manage money I suppose.
Anyway, I have began my search for someone that will take me on. I have only found Werner with my recent 45days experience. They indicated that it would be as a co-driver. Does anyone know how much this pays, and how long this is for? They also said I was pre hired, but they are waiting on another co driver to open up, with the holidays and such they are taking some time off. I really feel like this recruiter is trying to shoot me straight. she said typically this takes a week or so, but due to the time of year it might be the first of the year. Does this sound right, or just some recruiter trying to string me along?

Thanks for your help

 

LOL
I don't know if I'm suppose to be laughing but thats AWESOME!!!! So True! I'm hoping for a tiny sleeper. hahahahahahahahahaha

 

###### driver.....that was funny.