Question:
Thinking about signing with Werner after attending Central Vo Tech next month,
Question for Werner drivers or anyone who train with them...
How does the actual training go, do you drive with trainer next to you all the time do you sleep when he sleeps, or do you drive as team with trainer sleeping and you driving, and when he drives you sleep. I know that doesn't sound much like training but I assumes it happpens. How much does the trainer really train you? Each trainer must be different or does Werner have certain procedures for trainers and trainees?
[This message was edited by db274 on July 25, 2003 at 5:19.]

Answer:
You live and work with a driver who has a good work record in his/her truck for about eight weeks. They aren't a "trainer" as much as they are (hopefully) a driver with good work skills and habits, whom you'll watch and copy and absorb for eight long weeks.
The idea is that over eight weeks, the experienced driver doesn't have to do a whole lot of "training", per se. He/she just advises you as situations come up and you learn by doing.
You might not even drive the first day, and aren't allowed to drive after midnight for a week or two. The trainer will (should) sit up front with you more at first, and may not let you drive as much as you want in the beginning.
But as you learn each part of job step by step, you'll be doing everything you'll be doing on your own, as soon as possible. You'll be running a hard schedule and maxing-out your 70 hours after a couple weeks. The trainer drives what's left over when you run out of hours.
It's not formal in any way -- just an experienced, competant driver (we hope) teaming with a brand new one who's trying to learn as much as possible before going out on his own.
"Tranier"? That's what they call them, but their biggest asset is their ability to do the driver's job well themselves. Eight weeks gives you plenty of time to experience a wide variety of situations and challenges while there's someone to help you.
[This message was edited by Shuffler on July 25, 2003 at 3:59.]

Answer:
Shuffler says it well. A couple of things I will add since I used to drive for Werner and trained with them.
Think of going with a trainer as on-the-job training. They are not teaching you so much how to drive a truck as they are teaching you how to be a competent driver for the company and perform what is required. You should have learned how to drive the truck in school, if the school did a decent job of teaching you.
Werner's training is about eight weeks long. You will probably have at least two trainers. They try to get you out for at least 4 weeks with an over-the-road trainer. You could be sent to any of Werner's terminals to be assigned to a trainer, and once training is over, you may end up at any terminal to take your final road test and be assigned a truck.
There are good trainers with Werner and bad ones, just like any company. Hopefully you will get a good trainer. A good trainer is someone who is a safe driver, and a decent human being that you can live with and hopefully learn from. Try to get along with this person because the better you get along, the faster training will go and the more you will learn. Understand that living in a truck with a complete stranger for several weeks takes a resonable amount of compromise on your part. Also understand that it is best you do not make too many waves at this point since you are new to driving and the company. If the trainer is unsafe or you feel that you cannot learn from them, call the company and they will re-assign you to another person.
My training with Werner was eight weeks long. I stayed with the same trainer all 8 weeks because we were able to get along and he lived about one hour from where I live, so when he got home, I could go home. This doesn't always happen, but you may be able to work it out with your trainer and the company. They seem to like when a trainer and student get along well and do not cause problems. My trainer and I thought about going team, but I decided to go it alone so I could get a feel for trucking by myself. I recommend this, as you will probably learn more once you get on your own because it will all be up to you.
The trainer should spend a large amount of time at first watching you drive in a variety of traffic situations and weather conditions. Also practice shifting, backing, logs, shifting tandems, dealing with customers, etc. As you gain experience and confidence, do not be surprised if your trainer accepts more loads and has to sleep while you're driving. The trainer gets paid per mile when training, not a fixed salary like the student, so he/she might want to go more miles. Still, they should run as a trainer/student, not as a "team". By the end of training, the student should not need constant guidance. They should be resonably able to handle a majority of situations on the road. Remember, driving is always a learning process. Keep an open mind, always learn, don't cop an attitude, you can't ever know everything, and every day is different.
Good luck.

Answer:
Cadillac Jack trained with Werner back when you just stayed out "eight weeks". Now it's for a specific accumulation of line-3 hours the student actually drives, according to their paperless log file. I believe it's now four-hundred and something hours -- you'd have to check with Werner to get the exact hours behind the wheel they're currently requiring.
This way, there's an incentive for the trainer to let the student drive as much as possible.
If you're a quick learner with a good trainer (and loads are strong), you can accumulate your required training drive hours in six weeks.
Switching trainers a couple times, or if loads are soft (not as many available) and it could take considerable longer than eight weeks.
Like Cadillac Jack said, try to get through training as soon as possible by not getting hung-up on personality differences and other problems. Everytime you switch trainers (which you may request) it usually involves waiting in a motel, then moving all your stuff again...etc. All this ads up and delays your training completion.

Answer:
According to the Werner website, it is now 275 hours
student training program
"If you meet the qualifications and are accepted into our Student Driver Program, you must complete the Werner training program (minimum of 275 driving hours). During the training period, the driver trainer and the Training Department staff will evaluate each student.
Student pay:
The first 0 - 137.5 hours, student receives $325
per week. The 138 - 275 hour range pays $350,
and if the training goes beyond eight weeks or
275 hours, the pay is $375 per week"
KC
Life? Don't talk to me about life...

Answer:
Just wanted to thank everyone for the info!
Werner also has 2 options: 1. You can stay with the same trainer for eights weeks and after you get your truck and delivery your first load you get a $500.00 bouns.
2. You are assigned a trainer for 137,5 hrs, then you get to come home for 7 days (paid) then assigned a second trainer for the remainder of your training.
I was looking for anyone who has been though training with them and would like to hear them. Thanks

Answer:
When I trained with Werner five years ago, I took the PTO (paid time off) break during training. It slowed things down a bit and I lost the bonus, but I felt I needed that break. My first trainer was very difficult and it gave me a week to cool off and get 'psyched' to go back and finish, which I did no problem.
I'd leave the PTO as an option just in case things get more stressful than you imagined. It's a chance to step back for a few days and think things through, and I believe that's why they offer it. In my case, it may have made the difference between getting through training, and jumping ship prematurely when things got tough.
....just my two cents on that
Also -- even if you finish the training without taking the PTO break, you still could switch trainers.
1. Trainer taking 5 days off and they've got another training truck they can shift you to right away.
2. Trainer quits, takes a leave, gets fired or loses their training credentials (tickets, etc).
3. Trainer removes you from truck at terminal for personality conflicts (etc) -- they can't dump you just anywhere, it has to be a terminal.
4. Student removes themself from truck (same reasons).
So even if you end-up with more than one (or two or three or four) trainers, you still get the bonus if you stay in the program and don't go home for the PTO.
Both student and trainer have an 800# they can call 24/7 to discuss any problems with a "training coordinator" (not the dispatcher). So there's this line of communication always open with someone other than your trainer, if you need help or whatever. Things usually go well, but just in case......
[This message was edited by Shuffler on July 27, 2003 at 14:01.]

Answer:
Shuffler -
Is there any difference between van and flatbed training? Does Werner even start newbies in flatbed, or do you have to drive van first?
Thanks!
PP
Keep electing the same kinds of politicians and you will keep getting the same kind of government.
Answer:
You can start in flatbed division if you want, and I'd strongly recommend that if flatbed is where you want to go.
Or you could start in van, then transfer to flatbed after six months (I believe it's still six months) and take a 1-2 day cours in Omaha on securing flatbed loads.
Securing the load is the only real difference between the two jobs. As you already know, you have to get out in all kinds of weather and use your body and muscle and get dirty and wet sometimes chaining and strapping and tarping. But except for that, the driving, navigating, trip planning, logging....everything else is about the same.
Be aware! Flatbed is a lot about attitude. If you're flatbed, you're not one of those dime-a-dozen lazy van drivers...and don't forget it!

Answer:
Yep, Shuffler is right, I trained several years ago with Werner, back when 8 weeks was the rule. Still, many things haven't changed.
Some of the Werner accounts require the driver to unload. Dollar General for one. If your trainer is on one of these accounts, he/she will have to unload the trailer and you will have to help them as part of your training. However, DO NOT allow them to make you do all of the unloading while they drive. This is their account, not yours. While you are out here to learn all aspects of truck driving, including unloading, you are a "driver trainee", not a "lumper." This is something that occasionally happens. I bring it up because my trainer had lots of driver unloads. I remember making deals with him that if I did all the driving, I could sleep while he unloaded, and help where needed. That way I got my driving experience in.
Van or flatbed, you could have more work than you bargained for, but keep an open mind and a little work keeps you from being too lazy and is a stress reliever too.

Answer:
So if I were to sign on with Werner, how would I go about avoiding the Dollar General loads? Are those mostly dedicated loads?
Shuffler, from your posts it sounds like you don't fingerprint very many loads at all. How do you avoid doing that?

Answer:
A few things to consider here. If you are planning to sign on with Werner as a student, you will go through orientation (2 days) and be assigned to a trainer. This trainer may be at the terminal where you take your orientation class, but then again, they may not be. Werner can send you to any terminal and you may find yourself waiting at terminals and in motels for as much as a week or more.
Why do I mention this? Once you are assigned a trainer and you are in their truck, that trainer could be on any dedicated account, including Dollar General, regional, or over-the-road. You as a student will be expected to share in whatever work is required no matter what your trainer is assigned to. This is why you might easily find yourself assisting in a driver unload situation instead of just drop-and-hook. Now, Werner does not require a driver to fingerprint many loads overall, but like I said, some dedicated accounts and an occasional load will require light to heavy unloading.
Now, coming into Werner as a driver, or a trainee who has finished training and been assigned to a truck, you can choose what type of work you want to do. Usually regional and dedicated accounts get drivers home more often. In exchange, there is more time spent at customers, often shorter trips, and sometimes unloading is required. The pay scale for these accounts differs accordingly. If a driver chooses to run 48-states, they will probably be out from 2-3 weeks, be home one day for every 7 out on average, and only on rare occasion get a driver unload.
It is also important to note that Werner is good about paying for lumpers and authorizing checks when necessary. However, they will not do this for certain dedicated customers.
Basically, you have little if any say in who your trainer is or what type of work they choose to do. Remember, you are the student and it is better you don't refuse any type of work that is reasonable or refuse a trainer just because they are on an account that requires unloading. Also Werner is a forced dispatch company. This means that you cannot refuse a load or swap out a load without the company's permission.
Before you decide Werner is not for you, look into all aspects. Most companies for new drivers are similar to this. They usually operate under forced dispatch and have many different types of accounts from which drivers can choose.
Hope this helps you.

Answer:
and have many different types of accounts from which drivers can choose
Lobowski; There's your answer in a nutshell. Dollar General is an unusual account with unusual drivers who are there because they want to be. Great workout.
You'll fingerprint sometimes, but it's usually just "driver assist" where you throw pallets or otherwise help the dock worker who does most of the work.
It's actually pretty rare to unload all by yourself, unless there's no one there to hire - which is rare. Most of our grocry warehouses and such have lumpers "on account", and they take care of everything while you sleep and wake you up with the paprwork when they're finished.
But there's always the odd load here and there and aything could happen. Fortunatly, it rarely does, especially in western division van work.

Answer:
What's Werner's temprature-controlled division like? Typical reefer BS? Is training\orientation any different than van\flatbed?
Reason I'm asking is that a friend of mine is looking into driving for "The Big Blue Screw".
Just out of curiosity, does Werner have a curtainside division?
"I told him this is the Queen of my double wide trailer with the polyester curtains and the red wood deck.
Sometimes she runs and I've
got to trail her, dang her black heart and her pretty redneck."
-Sammy Kershaw

Answer:
No curtains, tankers, autos, ultracube, dropbeds, doubles, dirt haulers....
Just dry vans, flatbed and reefers. The company calls refers TCU -- Temperature Control Uunit, or "TCU Division."
TCU has actually shrunk the last few years. With paperless logging and having to run legal, we're not well suited for many brokered multi-stop produce loads. We do mostly dedicated accounts - Jimmy Dean, Kraft, etc - with set schedules we can run legally and predictably. TCU doesn't participate in most of the swap/drop stuff mentioned above. I believe there's like four regional dispatch/planners for the shole thing, and you move from dispatcher to dispatcher when you cross regional boundries.
TCU is out there doing something different, and it's only a few hundred trucks. But I understand it pays pretty well (different scale and extra payments) and attracts guys who like this kind of work.