Training with Werner..

warner website has all that info for you

 

Yes Werner will buy you a bus ticket and put you in a room. They have a terminal in Lakeland, FL. I don't know if they do orientations there for it is smaller than others. If not, you will go to Atlanta.

If you do orientation in Lakeland, they may send you to a busier place like Atlanta to meet up with a trainer. But who knows. You can never predict when a trainer is going to be in the area. Especially there in Lakeland.

Now with the training, I can't remember the exact number of hours, but it will be like 6 to 8 weeks depending on you and the trainer. Some companies allow you to test out early. Werner did not do that when I was training for them. The trainees were allowed to take a week off halfway through the training. This really helps for most. Gives them a break from the road and when they come back, they are refreshed and are ready to finish up the training.


A little advice: kick your driver out of the driver's seat. The hours that count for your training is the hours on line 3. Only time the trainer should be driving to get the load to the receiver on time. Other than that, you should be driving hard and building up your endurance.

 

Werner has a checkered reputation....but from what I have seen it is in large part due to many newbies that are not happy with the lifestyle/job change. They have many more folks quit or give up...so lots of folks have an AX to grind.
It seems that attitude is about a 95% predictor of how happy you will be. Just remember...be flexible, know that as a newbie, you have due's to "pay" and have a longer trem outlook...and remember, if it sucks, you can get a new-job in 6 months or a year and move on IF you keep a clean record....and try not to burn your bridges.
Also ask for more training info...you have the choice of a week paid off during training (about 350$), and staring off again with a different trainer to finish (then get like 3 days off before you start), or doing it non-stop, and getting a $500 bonus when you complete trainging, and deliver your first load..then have a week off before you start.
Lots of little things to know...but with the electronic logs, you will never be pressured to lie about HOS..some love them, many don't cause it cannot be fudged!!
Be sure to look at te website...also your pay depends on how long you stay out...so lots of choices to make...just like with the optional Per-Diem (good that they give you the choice IMO).
I am not saying Werner is good....but I think any company is what you make it. Learn the system, and the tricks...you must at any large company...and use the system to your advantage.
IMO finding a good job is more about finding a place that fits/suits your personality...Werner is a large corporate type place...you are just a little cog...and the lawyers have made the rules that you must follow.
No inverters unless you have a c-pap (breathing device if you have sleep apnea), or it is under 200 watts (I think, the reciter changed the subject very quickly, go figure!).
I have not driven for Werner...but I have talked to a recruiter, and chatted with a driver or two....Good Luck!! For me, I think, it might be too "rule driven" with out room to use your judgement, but to each his own!! Big corporations ARE a good fit for some folks!!

 

I went to werner with experience i had no tickets, After training i had 2 due to trainer 1 was faulty equip wich i pointed out to trainer he ignored it and i got the ticket. but he wound up payin for it second was a no oregon weight reciept. now being that the trainer was an owner/op he was responsible for keeping permits up again he had to pay ticket but i got the bad mark on me watch ur but best bet with werner is to get on dedicated asap thats what i did had no complaints once i got my PETE GOOD LUCK

 

Werner has a terminal in Lakeland, about 30 miles away. They'll put you up in the LaQuinta there and provide transport via van to and from the terminal. The La Quinta is Ok, there are plenty of restaurants (Cracker Barrel, Applebees, Wendy's, 5 Guys) nearby, within walking distance, plus a 7-11. They also have shuttle runs to the local Wal-Mart if you need it.

Also, watch out for the trainers with Werner. They get paid extra and are not above keeping you with them longer than need be to make a couple extra bucks. Werner's policy (at least as of 2009) is to make everyone they can a trainer. It's cheaper for them to have a trainer/student combo in the truck than to hire a team. Seriously, after 3 months of being a qualified driver, they wanted to make me a trainer.

 

From talking to the reciter....the 8 weeks + training did make it sound like they were using the newbies as cheap teams....Figures. He even made fun of another comany that pairs 2 newbies together to finish their traing as a team...LOL...the funny thing is those guys are getting paid for the miles!!

 

Funny thing is, you can be a "trainer" with just 6 months experience. So its almost like 2 newbies in a truck in many cases.

 

Just stay away from my black Peterbilt... I've been hit TWICE by Werner trucks while parked (once by the trainer who has less experience than the trainee!)...