Wel Company

It's not a bad place to start, as long as you understand what being a new driver means!

I worked for WEL for 90 days and got out of it what I thought I would. As a new driver with a temporary CDL, I went into orientation and OTR training with my eyes open. I was not expecting to be treated like a 15-year driver nor was I expecting my paychecks to be consistent or large. I was assigned a new driver manager who was learning as I did. She had too many assigned drivers and was over her head many times; that affected the miles/trips I got but she always answered her phone unless she was busy, in which case she would let her drivers know to use PeopleNet. I was assigned to De Pere and must say I drove all over the US except the Northeast. I had a very old Freightshaker - almost 3/4 million miles - and it showed its age. There were broken, missing, and mismatched switches, tears and such in the cab and sleeper, but all the important parts under the hood and under the chassis worked, though, so I had no complaints there.

I left because even with 90 days notice, the planners could not get me home before my daughter left with my newborn granddaughter and grandson to be reunited with my son-in-law in Korea for two years. And even after giving them two weeks notice, it took them three weeks to get me home.

In fairness to them, many changes have happened since I left. According to a current WEL driver, they are phasing out the old trucks and replacing them with new KW's, the DM's are getting more, longer, and better training before being kicked out on their own, they have upgraded the PeopleNet to the newest version which includes GPS, and senior management has significantly changed.

I would reconsider returning to WEL Companies and my DAC says I am employable. If you don't expect perfection or to be treated like the #1 employee, WEL Companies is a place to consider if you're a new driver looking to get a start.

 

omg not another WEL thread ?

 

I agree with you on that level but I semi understand what he is asking. Wel do urine test... Now I went through an issue with JB Hunt on that level.... I hadnt done drugs since 1994 and told the recruiter and i was called in for orientation and the recruiter said as long as it was over 3 years I was ok that was all I was required to put down on the application.... I was called in to the office they refused to allow me to do the drug test and I was promptly sent home even though I was 100% positive that I would pass with flying colors...But all in all Wel is a great company if they hire you S.T.A.Y with them through the good and the bad it will work out in the long run.

 

What Trans do they have in the trucks?

 

Are you still with WEL? I start orientation in the morning

 

Eaton 10-speed

 

Seriously, dude? Have you read the other WEL threads? The info is either 7 years old, or they talk about anything except WEL in the thread. I am also considering submitting an application to WEL but I want to learn more about them. I am sick and tired of "job jumping" (I have had 12 jobs in the last 10 years) and I want to find a place that pays a living wage, keeps their word, operates safely and can get me home as promised so I can stay with them for a few years.

Now...are there any WEL drivers out there that can give me the straight scoop? Do they have any regional operations? How often do you get home? What kind of miles can I expect? Will I be expected to work around the clock or drive a truck without heat? (Yeah..I've been there with my last two jobs.) Anybody..........?

 

Hey Nimrod, I have also been checking on this company. If you find out how long the training period is please let us know.
Go on YouTube and type in " John Vollrath " he has several driving videos, nice guy and video's.

He has been working for WEL for 10 yrs, also has a Facebook page.