every truck job.com

[Newbie905]

First of all, hello, and thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope I am not doing anything out of line on my first post.

This summer, I went to a truck driving school, and I now have a class A commercial driver's license. I filled out several on-line applications and a few printed ones, and after being turned down by various companies, who generally either wanted more work history in general or tractor trailer experience in particular, or wouldn't say why, I was rather relieved to get a call from Werner Thursday saying to come to orientation this coming Sunday. That is now tomorrow. However, after I had already told them I would be there for the orientation, I read several horror stories on the internet about bad experiences people had had with Werner, ranging from mild (complaints of spending more time waiting for a load than driving the truck, or a trainer/finisher/mentor with little experience) to alarming (false positives on drug tests, false accusations of abandoning trucks, et cetera). Of course, these may or may not be typical.

What I want to know is whether I should go ahead, with plans to possibly look for a different job after getting a few months to a year of experience with Werner if I don't like it, or whether I should try to contact them and tell them I have changed my mind and, if it is not too late, not come to orientation after all.

Have any of you had any experience with Werner, and (I hope I don't sound paranoid here) have any of you worked for and then left Werner without any such problems (and verified nothing fishy wound up on the DAC report)?

Please do not think I am bashing Werner here, only looking for more information. I would, however, like an answer soon. Thank you.

Edited 27 September 2008

[forum moderator]

I'm curious, who did you end up going to work for out of truck school? I know there are hundreds of truck school candidates now looking for jobs ANYWHERE... did know if you had any suggestions.

[jpalmer22]

From what I've read about them, they have an amazing training facility with simulators and everything, but I've also heard the rumors that they are kind of tough to work for. One former employee I spoke to briefly said that he was fired because he got stuck in a traffic jam and was late for a pickup. Now, I don't know if he was habitually late or not, so I don't know if there was a story behind that strict of a punishment. I was thinking of looking into them for at least a few months of experience if I can't find anything else in the next couple of weeks.

[forum moderator]

If I was on the road right now I would say a stratigey of "security" and "safety" the best way... money will come from the experience built up now once the economy turns around, and when it does sign-on bonuses and big miles will happen...but if you job hop too much before that silver lining comes through no-one will touch you. I know the truck schools out there sell a pretty good pipe-dream, but it's not going to happen for awhile - but it will happen.

[forum moderator]

If I was on the road right now I would say a stratigey of "security" and "safety" the best way... money will come from the experience built up now once the economy turns around, and when it does sign-on bonuses and big miles will happen...but if you job hop too much before that silver lining comes through no-one will touch you. I know the truck schools out there sell a pretty good pipe-dream, but it's not going to happen for awhile - but it will happen.

[dave78]

This is an old post but I'm gonna speak up for the newbies who are looking for advice.

Werner is not any worse then any other large company. And I'm sure the ones that are saying that they had a false drug test or were fired for being caught in a traffic jam causing them to be late for a load are not all that innocent. About the drug testing first. Werner does not do their own drug testing , they pay a certified company to come in and conduct the tests. These tests are sent out to a lab where they are tested. It is your responibility to watch what they do with your urin after you pee in the cup. Watch the tech make sure they are wearing gloves and watch them pour you urin into the other collection tube. You initials need to be on this tube. This is to insure that no one has tampered with it before it arrives at lab. Werner is not going to tamper with this to make you fail a test. I f they don't want you there they'll tell you to leave. So chances are if someone is telling you that they had a false positive then they probably really did something that they shouldn't have.

Secondly being fired for being stuck in traffic causing you to be late for a load. You can and will be fired for being late to pickup or drop off loads. If you have a habbit of doing so. And any company will do that to you. Now if for some ungodly known reason you just have really bad luck and always get caught in traffic and are late then you need to find a diffrent profession. Being late can be solved by preplanning your trip. One tip, if your load is due at 10:00am plan your trip to be there at 7:00 or 8:00. It's best to be there early instead of on time. And you may even get to unload earlier and be ready for you next load. Every company that I have worked for, even Werner understands that things happen on the road inculding traffic jams. Thats why at Werner they even have a macro on Qualcom that lets you explain the delay and they will double check that on their computers with either other drivers in the area or by other means. If they find out your lying and that there is no traffic jam and the only reason your late is because you took too long of a break, or what have you then yes your gonna get in trouble. Communication is the key, communicate with your driver manager or dispatchcer let him/her know whats going on and be honest. If you know that your going to be late tell them as soon as you figure that out. Anyway you look at it your going to be late but atleast they know and can call the shipper/con-signee and let them know aswell. If you get a load and you 100% know that you can't make it on time tell them and let them know when the earliest time is that you will get it there.(Don't run illegal)

Remember most people you talk to who have bad things to say about a company i.e false drug test, fired for being late are disgruntled because they WERE fired. They're gonna have bad things to say about that company. I worked for Werner and I left on my own for a better driving job. I have my go for it's and don't go for it's with Werner. But that goes the same for Swift, Schneider, JB etc. Werner has their good qualities and their bad. Pay is one of the bad things. I personally don't feel that any of the companies don't pay enough to their driver's. Werner, unless they have changed it pays you $350 a week and that s with per diem. Once your on your own it's only $.27 to $.29 a mile. I don't know about you but I have a family and it's not cheap living on the road and trying to take care of things at home at the same time. It helps if your wife works also. One way to cut down on OTR expenses is to buy a cooler or fridge and buy groceries. Get a cheap microwave ar a small grill. They both help.

Here's the kicker to all of this , unless you have a family friend or know of a great driving job you as a newbie are going to be under paid untill you get atleast 6 months to a year of experience. Once you hit that six months mark start applying for other jobs. If it were me doing it all over again I would still go to Werner just because they were willing to train me and get me the experience. Every newbie is gonna have to just grin and bear it for the first year.
Good luck to you guys!!!

[The Wizard]

Ahh... the nightmares of being a newbie in trucking. I'm sure there are drivers out there that swear by Werner and make good money working for them, every company has them.

Its all about attitude and your work ethic. If both match Werners business model, it may be the only company you will ever work for. The flip side to this is, it may also be the worst thing that ever happened to you. Keep this in mind...don't get started in this industry by job hopping, that's a dead end road. Stick with whatever company you choose for 1 year. Make sure the next company you choose was the right choice. Good Luck!

[ckwilson]

Great advise, Yet so many drivers are looking to make the big bucks as soon as they are out of school they forget about being a marketable commodity. Trucking is all about supply and demand and that takes in account the driver as well. Being a truck driver only starts with the CDL.