(This is only part of my story, it all) Arrived for orientation Oct. 14, 2018. Started orientation October 15, 2018. Everything seemed and sounded good in the beginning. After the three day orientation it was just waiting time in the hotel. Every morning had to take the shuttle to the terminal to check in and see if they found a trainer for you yet, only to return to the hotel to sit some more.
Finally, Oct. 24th I got a call that I had been assigned a trainer and had to bring all my stuff to the terminal so they could get me a rental to head to Springfield Ohio. Gathered my things and headed out. Drove to Springfield and checked into another hotel. When I got into my room it was nasty. They were not equipped with a fridge or microwave.
Mind you, those two items are very important when going through all of this or you'll spend way to much money eating out. The next morning I drove the rental to their terminal to turn it in and they brought me back to the hotel. More sitting time. I called my trainer to let her know that I was in Ohio and was supposed to meet up with her that day.
I took a shower and was ready to head over to the terminal, only when I got down to the lobby waiting for the shuttle, I asked the clerk at the desk what time the shuttle ran for Werner only to be told that I had just missed it and the next shuttle didn't run for hours later. I asked what time it came and she handed me a schedule for the shuttle and it had actually left earlier then it's scheduled time.
I asked if there was a way to have them turn around to get me because I had to meet my trainer. They said no and that I could call my trainer and tell her she could bobtail over and get me. Called my trainer and she told me she would just see me Sunday instead. I was all excited to finally get this training started only to have to sit some more. Trainer called me Saturday the 27th and told me to come to the terminal a day early.
Got my things together and headed that way. Met my trainer and we hooked up to a load and headed out. This was my first trainer of this experience. She seemed fine at first. One thing that seemed odd to me was her "bucket" trash can. Said it was also used for bathroom emergencies. Yeah right! That was her everyday use. All I can say is GROSS!! That is a foul smell I will never forget.
I would be driving and she would go in the back to use her "bucket". That made me feel so uncomfortable. When she was driving she would pull off the road onto the shoulder to go in the back to use her bucket. What are truck stops for? I asked myself, is this the ropes of trucking? Because I knew that what she was doing was actually illegal, and a HUGE DOT no no.
Also, shes the professional that supposed to be training me and setting a good example?? I had a little pile of trash on the floorboard at my feet. She told me I could put it in her trashcan. Umm No. I was not about to open the lid of that nasty foul smelling bucket. Told her I'd put it in the trash can when we stopped at the next truck stop.
Oh yeah, she used it for trash then also urinate on top of the trash. Yuck! What a hazard!! She also had a dog, which I had no problem with as I have dogs too. But in my opinion if you are training the dog should stay home. The dog was really sweet but he would try to get up under my feet while I was driving. Squeak the doggy toys and throw them around. I didn't blame the dog at all.
The dog just wanted to do dog things but instead was stuck in a truck. To top it off the dog was only 5 months old. So yeah they just wanted to play. But a major distraction and saftey issue while training a student driver. The night of November 7th we were waiting for the trailer to be loaded at the DC. She parked her car at her DC, so we ran out to get something to eat while they loaded the trailer. Upon returning.
As I stepped up on the drivers side I noticed the dog was trying to escape out my side. I went to sit in the seat only to notice that the dog had messed and I mean messed ALL over the truck. I stepped back down and shut the door. She flipped her lid. It wasn't the dogs fault. They live in a truck all day everyday. She proceeded to flip out and then beat the dog.
My anxiety by that point was set off by her actions of anger and aggression. I felt so bad for the dog. I had never heard a dog scream and cry so bad in my life. As I stood outside freezing my rear end off. She then opened the passenger side door and told me to get the dog before she killed it. I went over to get the dog, the poor thing was so scared. The dog had to be helped out of the truck being it was so high up. She was trying to just kick him out and I was like he's gonna get hurt. She didn't care at that point.
I made sure he didn't get hurt coming out of the truck and walked him around. The poor thing was so wired and stunned by what he had just experienced. Just running in circles and running wild I could hardly gain control. But knew it wasn't the dogs fault. From that point on i felt extremely uncomfortable with this trainer. She had some major anger issues that had finally came to light.
Also had major texting and driving habits. I was just waiting for my opportunity to make that call to get off that truck. She made that impossible being she wouldn't let me out of her site. But I knew I'd be in a hotel soon for her hometime. November 10th I was put up in a hotel while she did her home time. As soon as I got in my room I started making phone calls. Unable to get in touch with anyone that day.
Woke up the next morning (the 11th) and got on the phone again. Finally got in touch with someone and told them my problem. Told them I needed to get out of there being as I feared retaliation from this woman, being she had anger issues. They were trying to figure out how to get me out of there being as it was a weekend. I felt trapped and helpless, being so far from home and away from family.
Then they told me they were going to see if there would be another driver that would be able to get me. A friend of mine who also drives for the company was actually hauling a load near that area. I informed them of this and they asked me for her information, so I gave it to them. They personally called her and asked if she would pick me up. She said absolutely.
So the company approved for her to pick me up. I was on her truck for two days. They finally sent her a message on the Qualcomm to take me back to Springfield. When we finally got to the Springfield terminal, we pulled up to the guard booth and the woman said my friend was in violation because she didn't have any permits for a rider. I told the woman that it was authorized through Omaha, that I was an employee.
Omaha had forgot to finalize the rider permit. I even got questioned thoroughly by safety as to why I was on her truck unauthorized. Had to tell them the whole story and they called Omaha to confirm my story. Proceeded to tell them about my trainer and showed proof (video/picture). I felt as though they didn't even believe me or care about anything I was telling them. So back to the hotel I go on November 14th to wait for another trainer. Got the call on the 20th that I had to come to the terminal and get a rental to go to Indiana to meet my new trainer.
Headed to Indiana checked into my next hotel. Finished my training. Fully completed and tested out on December 17th. Issued a truck. Mind you, nothing like what the recruiters tell you on the phone. Called fleet manager to get things rolling. Politely let her know I had approved home time from Dec. 21-26. She didn't sound happy about that. Asked me who approved it and that she would have to talk to her supervisor about that.
Informed her that I had put in for home time while I was with my second trainer to make sure I get home for Christmas. I already missed Thanksgiving with my family. I wasn't missing Christmas. Excited of my completion and knowing I'm finally going to get to see my family, she told me she would have to find a load to get me home. So I was like ok, now we're getting somewhere.
December 18th, still no load found to get me home. Stayed in my truck at the terminal. Was told she would call me the next morning and go from there. December 19th, to get me started she had me go pick up an empty and go sit at a truck stop to wait for her to find me an actual load. Sat at the truck stop for hours and finally get a call that she had found me a load. It would be at the terminal by 6pm that evening.
So headed back to the terminal to drop the empty and wait for my load to arrive. Once the load arrived I had called and asked if they would be able to get an extension on the delivery time. It wasn't a jt load or anything. After sitting all day, I wanted to sleep and get a fresh start in the morning. Was told no. That there was no reason I couldn't run my clock out that night and find somewhere to shut down.
So I left that night and found somewhere to shut down. Which sometimes isn't easy as places fill up quick. More then halfway through my run I had an issue with the truck that I did not feel safe with. The seatbelt. Mind you I was in a bad car accident when I was 15, so my seatbelt means a lot. I called roadside and told them my issue. I spoke to a safety person and explained my issue.
I recieved a message over the Qualcomm that they were going to have my truck towed. Needless to say my fleet manager was not happy about this at all. She wanted me to drive it anyway. I told her they already had it set up to tow. She was pissed. I understand the importance of getting the load there on time, but safety is also important! She had absolutely no reason to get nasty the way she did.
I'm sorry, but if I had the same issue in my personal vehicle I would not drive it either. I felt like my safety or life didn't matter to her at all. Very unprofessional if you ask me. Tow truck came hooked up and towed my truck and load to the shop. Got to the shop and checked in and waited to see if they had the part to fix the problem. After waiting hours for them to figure out what could be done, found out they had to order the part.
Being so close to Christmas, they weren't sure how fast the part would come in. So I called and informed my fleet manager of what the shop had said. She told me I had to stay with my truck until it was fixed. I was 2 1/2 hours away from home, and was told I couldn't go home. She expected me to stay in my truck at the shop that closed up every night and locked the gates, no access to any type of facilities or able to get food.
Never even offered to out me in a hotel for the night. I called driver relations and they proceeded to tell me that she has sent them a message stating that I agreed to stay in my truck and had family coming to get me the next day. As upset as I was I think they could tell in my voice that I had not agreed. They reserved a hotel for me that night, but when I asked how was I going to get there, I got asked if I minded walking. Um what?!
It was night time and raining at that. Oh but the hotel was only 2 1/2 miles from the shop. I dont mind walking, but not in the dark and the rain. So I was told to get an uber. I had never used that before. Got the app and got the ride from uber. Was told I would be reimbursed for the uber, which did not happen. At this point I just wanted to go home and see my family.
Hug my children and grandchildren. I had not seen them at this point for 69 days. Might not be a big deal to some, but to be told you will be in training for 4-6 weeks, which is 28-42 days. That's how long you estimate and tell your family you'll be gone. I mean we are human with families that care about us. My children were so upset they wanted to come get me that night, but I told them I had to stay with my truck. December 22, 70 days I haven't seen my family.
I wake up get ready to check out of the hotel and head to the shop. Got another uber back. Called my fleet manager, no answer. Sent message over the Qualcomm. Finally informed that another driver would be coming to pick my load up, that I was free to go home. But she was very rude about it. Told me "now you can find a ride home". Spoke with the men at the shop before I left and asked them if they would let me know when my truck was ready. "Oh yeah, we will call you when it's done."
I had tried to switch accounts as I did not want to deal with that rude fleet manager. Who wants to work for someone who was nasty from the start. Not me! The account I tried to switch to apparently had a waiting list, but it was on the list of available accounts. Strange. So I started to look into other companies on my home time. Well my fleet manager somehow found that out.
She called and left me a voicemail letting me know that she knew I was looking into other companies. Ummmm what?!?!?! I felt stalked and tormented by then. Here's a pointer, be nice to drivers and drivers stay. Talk to drivers like crap and they leave. Needless to say I never went back. I could not work under someone so rude and unprofessional.
It would make work dreadful. I worked really hard to come as far as I have. I don't know how to find out if or what they put on my DAC report. I still want a career in the trucking industry. How do I find out about my DAC report. Also, meeting so many people along my journey, I heard similar if not worse stories like mine. One of my roommates was getting her second trainer due to the fact her first trainer would drink at night after shutdown, she also found him sleeping naked.
Some people I have spoken to have been through 2 and 3 trainers. Sounds like they need alot of overhauling in the training field also need to peep out their fleet managers and night time dispatchers which are just as rude if not ruder. The ones that sit behind a desk and work the phones and they have NOT driven a truck, need to try it sometime and maybe they wont be so d**n rude. I know some fleet managers and dispatchers have driven but not all. Maybe the trucking industry wouldn't be in such high demand for drivers if this stuff didn't go on. People would actually want to stay.
I woeked for this company for 3months and was continuosly given faulty equipment and told on numerous occasions to not report the equipment and i was sent to docks that did not have the realestate for a 53 foot trailer and a long nosed Pete. on 1 occasion i was at fault for scratching a corner of a trailer it was purely cosmetic and i personally paid for the repair which was 60$ the other 2 insidents that were "preventable" were not and i have whitnesses as well as photos to prove they were not preventable. incident 2 reported is the following this was a realestate issue the trailer bent the rear uppur ferring on the tractor there is no way that it was "preventable" incident 3 in the middle of a tremendous storm i opened the doors to the trailer and the door swung open and fell to the ground the hindges were welded you do not weld hindges and there is no way i could have prevented the door falling off so werener reports on my DAC that i had 3 preventable accidents but this iss after i called them to task by reporting i hit a car
Werner Enterprises Reviews
(This is only part of my story, it all) Arrived for orientation Oct. 14, 2018. Started orientation October 15, 2018. Everything seemed and sounded good in the beginning. After the three day orientation it was just waiting time in the hotel. Every morning had to take the shuttle to the terminal to check in and see if they found a trainer for you yet, only to return to the hotel to sit some more.
Finally, Oct. 24th I got a call that I had been assigned a trainer and had to bring all my stuff to the terminal so they could get me a rental to head to Springfield Ohio. Gathered my things and headed out. Drove to Springfield and checked into another hotel. When I got into my room it was nasty. They were not equipped with a fridge or microwave.
Mind you, those two items are very important when going through all of this or you'll spend way to much money eating out. The next morning I drove the rental to their terminal to turn it in and they brought me back to the hotel. More sitting time. I called my trainer to let her know that I was in Ohio and was supposed to meet up with her that day.
I took a shower and was ready to head over to the terminal, only when I got down to the lobby waiting for the shuttle, I asked the clerk at the desk what time the shuttle ran for Werner only to be told that I had just missed it and the next shuttle didn't run for hours later. I asked what time it came and she handed me a schedule for the shuttle and it had actually left earlier then it's scheduled time.
I asked if there was a way to have them turn around to get me because I had to meet my trainer. They said no and that I could call my trainer and tell her she could bobtail over and get me. Called my trainer and she told me she would just see me Sunday instead. I was all excited to finally get this training started only to have to sit some more. Trainer called me Saturday the 27th and told me to come to the terminal a day early.
Got my things together and headed that way. Met my trainer and we hooked up to a load and headed out. This was my first trainer of this experience. She seemed fine at first. One thing that seemed odd to me was her "bucket" trash can. Said it was also used for bathroom emergencies. Yeah right! That was her everyday use. All I can say is GROSS!! That is a foul smell I will never forget.
I would be driving and she would go in the back to use her "bucket". That made me feel so uncomfortable. When she was driving she would pull off the road onto the shoulder to go in the back to use her bucket. What are truck stops for? I asked myself, is this the ropes of trucking? Because I knew that what she was doing was actually illegal, and a HUGE DOT no no.
Also, shes the professional that supposed to be training me and setting a good example?? I had a little pile of trash on the floorboard at my feet. She told me I could put it in her trashcan. Umm No. I was not about to open the lid of that nasty foul smelling bucket. Told her I'd put it in the trash can when we stopped at the next truck stop.
Oh yeah, she used it for trash then also urinate on top of the trash. Yuck! What a hazard!! She also had a dog, which I had no problem with as I have dogs too. But in my opinion if you are training the dog should stay home. The dog was really sweet but he would try to get up under my feet while I was driving. Squeak the doggy toys and throw them around. I didn't blame the dog at all.
The dog just wanted to do dog things but instead was stuck in a truck. To top it off the dog was only 5 months old. So yeah they just wanted to play. But a major distraction and saftey issue while training a student driver. The night of November 7th we were waiting for the trailer to be loaded at the DC. She parked her car at her DC, so we ran out to get something to eat while they loaded the trailer. Upon returning.
As I stepped up on the drivers side I noticed the dog was trying to escape out my side. I went to sit in the seat only to notice that the dog had messed and I mean messed ALL over the truck. I stepped back down and shut the door. She flipped her lid. It wasn't the dogs fault. They live in a truck all day everyday. She proceeded to flip out and then beat the dog.
My anxiety by that point was set off by her actions of anger and aggression. I felt so bad for the dog. I had never heard a dog scream and cry so bad in my life. As I stood outside freezing my rear end off. She then opened the passenger side door and told me to get the dog before she killed it. I went over to get the dog, the poor thing was so scared. The dog had to be helped out of the truck being it was so high up. She was trying to just kick him out and I was like he's gonna get hurt. She didn't care at that point.
I made sure he didn't get hurt coming out of the truck and walked him around. The poor thing was so wired and stunned by what he had just experienced. Just running in circles and running wild I could hardly gain control. But knew it wasn't the dogs fault. From that point on i felt extremely uncomfortable with this trainer. She had some major anger issues that had finally came to light.
Also had major texting and driving habits. I was just waiting for my opportunity to make that call to get off that truck. She made that impossible being she wouldn't let me out of her site. But I knew I'd be in a hotel soon for her hometime. November 10th I was put up in a hotel while she did her home time. As soon as I got in my room I started making phone calls. Unable to get in touch with anyone that day.
Woke up the next morning (the 11th) and got on the phone again. Finally got in touch with someone and told them my problem. Told them I needed to get out of there being as I feared retaliation from this woman, being she had anger issues. They were trying to figure out how to get me out of there being as it was a weekend. I felt trapped and helpless, being so far from home and away from family.
Then they told me they were going to see if there would be another driver that would be able to get me. A friend of mine who also drives for the company was actually hauling a load near that area. I informed them of this and they asked me for her information, so I gave it to them. They personally called her and asked if she would pick me up. She said absolutely.
So the company approved for her to pick me up. I was on her truck for two days. They finally sent her a message on the Qualcomm to take me back to Springfield. When we finally got to the Springfield terminal, we pulled up to the guard booth and the woman said my friend was in violation because she didn't have any permits for a rider. I told the woman that it was authorized through Omaha, that I was an employee.
Omaha had forgot to finalize the rider permit. I even got questioned thoroughly by safety as to why I was on her truck unauthorized. Had to tell them the whole story and they called Omaha to confirm my story. Proceeded to tell them about my trainer and showed proof (video/picture). I felt as though they didn't even believe me or care about anything I was telling them. So back to the hotel I go on November 14th to wait for another trainer. Got the call on the 20th that I had to come to the terminal and get a rental to go to Indiana to meet my new trainer.
Headed to Indiana checked into my next hotel. Finished my training. Fully completed and tested out on December 17th. Issued a truck. Mind you, nothing like what the recruiters tell you on the phone. Called fleet manager to get things rolling. Politely let her know I had approved home time from Dec. 21-26. She didn't sound happy about that. Asked me who approved it and that she would have to talk to her supervisor about that.
Informed her that I had put in for home time while I was with my second trainer to make sure I get home for Christmas. I already missed Thanksgiving with my family. I wasn't missing Christmas. Excited of my completion and knowing I'm finally going to get to see my family, she told me she would have to find a load to get me home. So I was like ok, now we're getting somewhere.
December 18th, still no load found to get me home. Stayed in my truck at the terminal. Was told she would call me the next morning and go from there. December 19th, to get me started she had me go pick up an empty and go sit at a truck stop to wait for her to find me an actual load. Sat at the truck stop for hours and finally get a call that she had found me a load. It would be at the terminal by 6pm that evening.
So headed back to the terminal to drop the empty and wait for my load to arrive. Once the load arrived I had called and asked if they would be able to get an extension on the delivery time. It wasn't a jt load or anything. After sitting all day, I wanted to sleep and get a fresh start in the morning. Was told no. That there was no reason I couldn't run my clock out that night and find somewhere to shut down.
So I left that night and found somewhere to shut down. Which sometimes isn't easy as places fill up quick. More then halfway through my run I had an issue with the truck that I did not feel safe with. The seatbelt. Mind you I was in a bad car accident when I was 15, so my seatbelt means a lot. I called roadside and told them my issue. I spoke to a safety person and explained my issue.
I recieved a message over the Qualcomm that they were going to have my truck towed. Needless to say my fleet manager was not happy about this at all. She wanted me to drive it anyway. I told her they already had it set up to tow. She was pissed. I understand the importance of getting the load there on time, but safety is also important! She had absolutely no reason to get nasty the way she did.
I'm sorry, but if I had the same issue in my personal vehicle I would not drive it either. I felt like my safety or life didn't matter to her at all. Very unprofessional if you ask me. Tow truck came hooked up and towed my truck and load to the shop. Got to the shop and checked in and waited to see if they had the part to fix the problem. After waiting hours for them to figure out what could be done, found out they had to order the part.
Being so close to Christmas, they weren't sure how fast the part would come in. So I called and informed my fleet manager of what the shop had said. She told me I had to stay with my truck until it was fixed. I was 2 1/2 hours away from home, and was told I couldn't go home. She expected me to stay in my truck at the shop that closed up every night and locked the gates, no access to any type of facilities or able to get food.
Never even offered to out me in a hotel for the night. I called driver relations and they proceeded to tell me that she has sent them a message stating that I agreed to stay in my truck and had family coming to get me the next day. As upset as I was I think they could tell in my voice that I had not agreed. They reserved a hotel for me that night, but when I asked how was I going to get there, I got asked if I minded walking. Um what?!
It was night time and raining at that. Oh but the hotel was only 2 1/2 miles from the shop. I dont mind walking, but not in the dark and the rain. So I was told to get an uber. I had never used that before. Got the app and got the ride from uber. Was told I would be reimbursed for the uber, which did not happen. At this point I just wanted to go home and see my family.
Hug my children and grandchildren. I had not seen them at this point for 69 days. Might not be a big deal to some, but to be told you will be in training for 4-6 weeks, which is 28-42 days. That's how long you estimate and tell your family you'll be gone. I mean we are human with families that care about us. My children were so upset they wanted to come get me that night, but I told them I had to stay with my truck. December 22, 70 days I haven't seen my family.
I wake up get ready to check out of the hotel and head to the shop. Got another uber back. Called my fleet manager, no answer. Sent message over the Qualcomm. Finally informed that another driver would be coming to pick my load up, that I was free to go home. But she was very rude about it. Told me "now you can find a ride home". Spoke with the men at the shop before I left and asked them if they would let me know when my truck was ready. "Oh yeah, we will call you when it's done."
I had tried to switch accounts as I did not want to deal with that rude fleet manager. Who wants to work for someone who was nasty from the start. Not me! The account I tried to switch to apparently had a waiting list, but it was on the list of available accounts. Strange. So I started to look into other companies on my home time. Well my fleet manager somehow found that out.
She called and left me a voicemail letting me know that she knew I was looking into other companies. Ummmm what?!?!?! I felt stalked and tormented by then. Here's a pointer, be nice to drivers and drivers stay. Talk to drivers like crap and they leave. Needless to say I never went back. I could not work under someone so rude and unprofessional.
It would make work dreadful. I worked really hard to come as far as I have. I don't know how to find out if or what they put on my DAC report. I still want a career in the trucking industry. How do I find out about my DAC report. Also, meeting so many people along my journey, I heard similar if not worse stories like mine. One of my roommates was getting her second trainer due to the fact her first trainer would drink at night after shutdown, she also found him sleeping naked.
Some people I have spoken to have been through 2 and 3 trainers. Sounds like they need alot of overhauling in the training field also need to peep out their fleet managers and night time dispatchers which are just as rude if not ruder. The ones that sit behind a desk and work the phones and they have NOT driven a truck, need to try it sometime and maybe they wont be so d**n rude. I know some fleet managers and dispatchers have driven but not all. Maybe the trucking industry wouldn't be in such high demand for drivers if this stuff didn't go on. People would actually want to stay.
I woeked for this company for 3months and was continuosly given faulty equipment and told on numerous occasions to not report the equipment and i was sent to docks that did not have the realestate for a 53 foot trailer and a long nosed Pete. on 1 occasion i was at fault for scratching a corner of a trailer it was purely cosmetic and i personally paid for the repair which was 60$ the other 2 insidents that were "preventable" were not and i have whitnesses as well as photos to prove they were not preventable. incident 2 reported is the following this was a realestate issue the trailer bent the rear uppur ferring on the tractor there is no way that it was "preventable" incident 3 in the middle of a tremendous storm i opened the doors to the trailer and the door swung open and fell to the ground the hindges were welded you do not weld hindges and there is no way i could have prevented the door falling off so werener reports on my DAC that i had 3 preventable accidents but this iss after i called them to task by reporting i hit a car