Spoke With Werner
Topic 16878 | Page 1
I spoke with Katie of Werner recruiting on Tuesday. I wrote down a few questions I wanted answered:
Q. Where would I go for training? (I'm in San Diego, CA) A. Nearest terminal is Fontana, CA.
Q. When should I begin my application? A. Grad certificate is good for 3 yrs. Apply before the 3rd yr anniversary of completing a CDL school and I can go on as a student driver.
Q. Endorsements? A. Not needed but encouraged.
Q. Is relocation necessary? A. Your truck goes where ever you go. So you can live anywhere in the 48 states. *my brother who has over 10yrs experience, advises against taking the truck home*
Q. Veteran's Programs? A. I can get the money that I used from my GI Bill to pay for my course, payed back to me at $250/mo., up to $7500.
Q. Average Pay? A. 35 cents/mi (solo) and 42 cents/mi (team)
Q. What if the trainer is not a good fit? A. You may request a new trainer at any time.
If there are other questions that I missed -and I'm sure there are- please advise. I'll be applying in February of 2017, hoping for a start date of NLT April 6, 2017.
Just my .02, but why do you want to go somewhere that only pays .35 when you could make .41 - .46 ?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Lol Diver, He probably feels like that company is a better fit for him-- just like I did by going to WST who started me at 33 cpm. I got rapid pay increases, too, and was also earning as much or more (being tactful.. Yes definitely more) than I would have been earning at a higher paying company, long before I would have even finished training at "that other company" which btw was my 2nd choice.
Initial CPM or the name on the door for a first job isnt that important for a brand new driver. Because of a minimum pay guarantee I was completely unconcerned with CPM at alll.
To OshagHennesy.. Youre choosing a great company. Never 2nd guess your choices because whats best for someone else, isnt necessarily the best for you. Rock on!
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Lol Diver, He probably feels like that company is a better fit for him-- just like I did by going to WST who started me at 33 cpm. I got rapid pay increases, too, and was also earning as much or more (being tactful.. Yes definitely more) than I would have been earning at a higher paying company, long before I would have even finished training at "that other company" which btw was my 2nd choice.
Initial CPM or the name on the door for a first job isnt that important for a brand new driver. Because of a minimum pay guarantee I was completely unconcerned with CPM at alll.
To OshagHennesy.. Youre choosing a great company. Never 2nd guess your choices because whats best for someone else, isnt necessarily the best for you. Rock on!
Sorry Sue, I wasn't trying to come across as a jerk, and I'm sorry if I did.
It wasn't that long ago (last November actually) that I was in school freaking out over finding a company and taking the next step. Werner was actually on my short list of companies.
Oshag, rock on indeed, and the best of luck to you.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I spoke with Katie of Werner recruiting on Tuesday. I wrote down a few questions I wanted answered:
Q. When should I begin my application? A. Grad certificate is good for 3 yrs. Apply before the 3rd yr anniversary of completing a CDL school and I can go on as a student driver.
Q. Endorsements? A. Not needed but encouraged.
If there are other questions that I missed -and I'm sure there are- please advise. I'll be applying in February of 2017, hoping for a start date of NLT April 6, 2017.
If at all possible, I'd hire on before winter hits. The reason being, is that your trainer can help you learn about winter driving, vs. Completing your training without ever seeing the white stuff, then having to face it on your own after training.
I'd get all of your endorsements. Tanker, doubles and triples, and hazmat. Hazmat loads tend to pay extra. Plus, never say never. They are just another tool to make you more profitable.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
I can't hire on until April because that's when my contract is up.
Hello OshagHennesy.
I've been speaking with recruiters too, including at Roadmaster in Fontana. One thing to keep in mind. Yes, Werner pays $250 a month toward paying off your student debt. My recruiter said training will cost approx. $7,500. At the $250 rate per month, it will take you 2 1/2 years to pay off school, assuming you don't kick in anything extra yourself. If you'd be happy at Werner for 2 1/2 years or more, that is great and no worries. You could also leave for another company prior to 2 1/2 years but you'd have to pay off your schooling.
Just to show you what kinds of differences are out there: The Prime recruiter I spoke to said that as long as I stay with Prime for one year, my school debt is forgiven. I would also start out at .46 cpm
Please know that I'm not telling you what you should do. I'm just pointing out something to consider. Make the choice that is best for you. I'm still deciding what is best for me.
Good Luck! Stay Safe Out There Everyone, Colin K.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Thanks Anchorman. I used that list of questions and WST answered every single one of them in writing! Was the ONLY company that did so that is what sealed my decision to go there, and i havent regretted it.
What it really comes down to, is that any of the major companies after going to be good to work fire as long as you put in the effort to do the best you can. You just have to determine what company is the best match for you.
I've been with Werner for a while now and they have done pretty good by me. I have no intention of moving on anytime in the near future. They know me and how I work and I know what they expect. That makes the job go nice and easy for the most part.
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I spoke with Katie of Werner recruiting on Tuesday. I wrote down a few questions I wanted answered:
Q. Where would I go for training? (I'm in San Diego, CA) A. Nearest terminal is Fontana, CA.
Q. When should I begin my application? A. Grad certificate is good for 3 yrs. Apply before the 3rd yr anniversary of completing a CDL school and I can go on as a student driver.
Q. Endorsements? A. Not needed but encouraged.
Q. Is relocation necessary? A. Your truck goes where ever you go. So you can live anywhere in the 48 states. *my brother who has over 10yrs experience, advises against taking the truck home*
Q. Veteran's Programs? A. I can get the money that I used from my GI Bill to pay for my course, payed back to me at $250/mo., up to $7500.
Q. Average Pay? A. 35 cents/mi (solo) and 42 cents/mi (team)
Q. What if the trainer is not a good fit? A. You may request a new trainer at any time.
If there are other questions that I missed -and I'm sure there are- please advise. I'll be applying in February of 2017, hoping for a start date of NLT April 6, 2017.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.