Working For Werner

My training will end next week when I have the required hours in. My trainer has been very good and has made good money while I have trained. Since I have been with him about 6 weeks now I have formed somewhat of an opinion about the "training period".

First off it's a trade off. The trainers get more pay and you get seat time to learn. Although my trainer doesn't like to talk about the extra money he makes I bring it up anyway. I'm happy he's making more because he has given me some very good tips on making money in this business.

As far as I see it though the company uses this time as team driving. I have been driving the "night shift" for the last four weeks. The worst part is trying to sleep while my trainer is driving. He says it's for my training but I know otherwise. Last week we logged in over 6,000 miles. Every time he fills out a trip pak I look at him and go"ka ching, ka ching" We both laugh.

I worked seven years of night shift at my last company and hated it. I don't mind doing this knowing I am going solo in a couple of weeks. I actually like to drive at night but when you can't get quality sleep it's tough.

So here is where I'm at. In the next week I will test out. I am going back to Atlanta to drive East Regional Reefer. I have to get a truck yet and from what I hear it's luck of the draw. I could get a piece of junk or brand new what ever is available. Also no one will tell me if I'm getting home time. All they tell me is to talk to my dispatch when I get assigned. I have my fingers crossed. I haven't seen my family in two months. I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm still smiling though. See ya!

 

Don't worry if you get an older truck . You probably won't have it long . The newer trucks are much more fuel efficient and all the carriers are updating their fleets .
Funny they will spend tens of thousands on newer trucks but won't treat their drivers better to reduce turnover . Driver experience is also a key to getting more mpg .

 

Good luck Bob. I work for Cemex. I'm looking to make a move.

 

And how is the old company? I was fortunate to get out while they were still Rinker. Cemex was still a rumor. I never want to go back to block manufacturing, ever!

To be honest the downturn in the construction industry was the best thing to ever happen to me. After 28 years I was burnt out from concrete. I used to drive mixer years ago and really liked it. I'm happy to get back in a truck and looking forward to seeing the country some.

Good luck to you.

 

Cemex? A little over 100 years old.

 

Hey bob,I know how you feel I was a concrete pump operator for 30 yrs,it was time for a change,although Werner kinda srewed me.(really my fault)

 

I'll be off my trainers truck tomorrow. The next step is getting my truck. I have only made 350 per week training but I would have done it for free just to learn how to drive. Even though I am new to this type of trucking if I do the job, and I have no doubt that I will, I will expect to be compensated. I am excited to be getting my own truck.

I have heard though that the company is leaning towards teams and that the solo driver will be on his way out in the future. I don't want to do team and I do want to make money so only time will tell. I am giving it all I have for a year and then I will reassess. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

OK I have just completed training and "tested out". I am scheduled to ship out to get a truck on Monday and I have my fingers crossed for something decent to drive. I am scheduled for the Refrigeration Division so if anyone has any handy hints forr me I would greatly appreciate it. Have a great weekend! Bob

 

I think that's one of the problems with forums like this. There are thousands of drivers out there who are happy, or at least content, with their company, no matter who it is. And they just don't bother with, know about, or care about any forums. Between Swift and Werner, they probably have a total # of drivers close to equal to the number of members on here. And lots of those members aren't even active.

So what you get are lots of people who are drivers with complaints (both real and 'it's all the company's fault' types), drivers who do like to help, and non-drivers and wannabies, who post anything to get their post count up.

So just about everything on this forum needs to be taken with a few grains (some times more) of salt.

On topic, wonder how Bob is doing?

 

You are exactly right! You have to research more than what you read here on the forum! I talked personally with Werner drivers who were very happy and they had been there for 7 years or more.