I have to say my experience thus far with this job has been great. For thoes who dont know i got my CDL and signed on with Werner enterprises. I've been out for 3 weeks so far and I'm no where near sick of it. I'm having a lot of fun learning things here and there and getting the job done. I have a really cool trainer, hes an older guy but he lets me do all the driving I want hes helpful and dosent raise his voice if i screw up (which has only happened twice where i missed an exit by a few miles). I'm out seeing a lot of the country I got to see the Texas and new Mexico desert, I got to see the city of saint Louis. and many other things. I've also met a lot of people that have offered me good advice in my training. My trainer says I'm doing excellent and said I'm easily one of the best students he has ever had. I'm Getting between 600 to 700 miles a day in my 11 hour shift. (700 is if i go though without stopping all day and no traffic) We have had a couple loads that we thought weren't going to be there on time and somehow i got them there on time without breaking any traffic laws. And i can pretty much back up with my eyes closed... i have to say i think i made the right choice in career.
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10:07 PM
PFF
System Bot
williegoat Member
Posts: 19455 From: Glendale, AZ Registered: Mar 2009
Good job It sounds like you have the right attitude. Did you make it through the 72-hour check with a stack of clean inspections?
Ya we did by the skin of our teeath though. our trailer sprung an ABS problem on our way so before we got to this one weigh station i got out and unclipped the sensor so the lights would go out and got it fixed at the next truck stop. my trainer got pulled over this morning though he was getting tired and counddent keep focused... he got a ticket and we ended up switching up. i had to do my pre-trip right in front of a new mexico state trooper which wasn't fun, After i got done he was all like that was a pretty thurough pre trip there youngster, i said back yup fresh out of CDL school so its still fresh in my head. He told me to drive safe and have a good day and i went on. I'm sitting in a conway yard right now....... i hate conway yards way to crampted. The real funny thing was during the DOT-CSA inspection i got passed through all the weigh stations i came up on (i have an AVI in my truck) they really dont even bother with Werner anymore i think.
[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 06-10-2011).]
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10:32 PM
Mytime Member
Posts: 734 From: Long Green,Md Registered: May 2003
My brother, my brother in law, both "wheel turners" (their term, not mine). They both did well but eventually grew bored with the rules, the bosses. I'm glad you are having a good time with this and it can make a pretty good paycheck. Live for today, plan for tomorrow. You're a high energy, smart, young guy. You will have to move on soon. You think your local law enforcement has it out for you? Wait until you hate you dispatcher. I really don't mean to rain on your parade. Have a great time!!!! Enjoy today, it's new, it's exciting. Bank the money, bank the experiences, you're smart, use them in your future.
My brother, my brother in law, both "wheel turners" (their term, not mine). They both did well but eventually grew bored with the rules, the bosses. I'm glad you are having a good time with this and it can make a pretty good paycheck. Live for today, plan for tomorrow. You're a high energy, smart, young guy. You will have to move on soon. You think your local law enforcement has it out for you? Wait until you hate you dispatcher. I really don't mean to rain on your parade. Have a great time!!!! Enjoy today, it's new, it's exciting. Bank the money, bank the experiences, you're smart, use them in your future.
lol i already hate my trainers dispatcher. hes a total moron... hes sittint there trying to tell ym trainer during the DOT and CSA sting that the ABS on the trailer going bad was not that important to stop to get fixed and cause a late load.. well we got it fixed and i still got it there with 5 min to spare.
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10:41 PM
williegoat Member
Posts: 19455 From: Glendale, AZ Registered: Mar 2009
Dispatchers in many of the large companies are just kids, making $32k/yr. They are caught between the load planners pushing them to produce, the drivers telling them it can't be done and the fleet managers protecting their numbers. They are absolutely powerless, ill prepared, over stressed and under compensated. Some are good; most are just passing through, on their way up or on their way out.
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10:53 PM
Mytime Member
Posts: 734 From: Long Green,Md Registered: May 2003
For the most part, Werner is a good company.. stay the hell away from SWIFT and J.B. Hunt... <shudder>
Yea i hear swift is pretty bad with just about everything. My trainer told me they had something going with schools that they paied the school $1500 for every student referred to swift by the school. I enjoy Werner though. after a year or so maybe ill step up to an experience required company but for right now Im happy
Easier to quit than coffee. It must be cool to see the country, even if it is just from the freeway. You can not tell much about my city from the freeway but, some views of others are like, "come by some time, this is an interesting place".
[This message has been edited by FriendGregory (edited 06-11-2011).]
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11:54 AM
williegoat Member
Posts: 19455 From: Glendale, AZ Registered: Mar 2009
Well, if you come around here, I'll be passin ya. Those werner trucks are slow and I can't stand the electronic logs. Already have worked for under 7 years with over a million miles under my belt. You will see a lot of people out there that look like they got their license from a cracker jack box. Not to mention other interesting things. I've never done any drugs and still don't AND never had hemorrhoids. You'll see a lot better country out east, i loved it over there in the spring and fall. Now just driving from here to Oregon every day. I still like drivin. I'll be a lifer.
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03:10 PM
87antuzzi Member
Posts: 11151 From: Surrounded by corn. Registered: Feb 2009
On my way home today pulling the teardrop, I passed a truck/trailer riding low with a full load. It said "Werner" on the side.
This was on 694 in the Twin Cities...
As I passed him, he pulled out right behind me into the fast lane without noticing the Prius hot on my tail... Ran the Prius into the center median. The truck kept moving...
My first thought was "**** , I just passed PK"... This was BEFORE I read this thread and learned he was driving for Werner...
It sounds like you have the right attitude.
)
