No Specific Questions, Just Need General Advice

BluesStringer · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 02:41 AM

Hey Y'all,

First post here. I'm a student in Alabama. Will take my pre and road-trip tests this coming Wed. Am scheduled to start with Werner middle of Feb. I have no doubt that there are some out there who have horror stories about Werner, but I'm really not interested in that sort of thing. I've been unemployed for 3 months and need the work bad, so anything that has the potential to sour my attitude towards Werner, I will just skip for now. No pie in the sky over here, I'm sure there are many valid criticisms of Werner and probably every other company anyone has ever worked for. At 53 (turn 54 three days before starting with Werner) however, I've yet to find a job that was perfect, so I've committed myself to roll with the punches and be as positive as I can be towards both the company and my trainer.

I've always been a driver of one sort of vehicle or another, but never the big rigs before. At my age, this is likely my last shot at actually having a career that will provide for retirement, so I'm looking for the kind of general advice that helps with the long view of things. Really anything, just looking to get to know y'all while generally pickin' yer noggins!

Other than that, looks like an information-and-experience-rich environment. I'll see ya's around for the next couple of weeks.

Blues

pro1driver · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesStringer

Hey Y'all,

First post here. I'm a student in Alabama. Will take my pre and road-trip tests this coming Wed. Am scheduled to start with Werner middle of Feb. I have no doubt that there are some out there who have horror stories about Werner, but I'm really not interested in that sort of thing. I've been unemployed for 3 months and need the work bad, so anything that has the potential to sour my attitude towards Werner, I will just skip for now. No pie in the sky over here, I'm sure there are many valid criticisms of Werner and probably every other company anyone has ever worked for. At 53 (turn 54 three days before starting with Werner) however, I've yet to find a job that was perfect, so I've committed myself to roll with the punches and be as positive as I can be towards both the company and my trainer.

I've always been a driver of one sort of vehicle or another, but never the big rigs before. At my age, this is likely my last shot at actually having a career that will provide for retirement, so I'm looking for the kind of general advice that helps with the long view of things. Really anything, just looking to get to know y'all while generally pickin' yer noggins!

Other than that, looks like an information-and-experience-rich environment. I'll see ya's around for the next couple of weeks.

Blues

welcome to the boards........

now, pleasntries out of the way...........

you will be 2 years older than me, soon.........

so we are in "the same boat" regarding, "gowing with the flow".....

but i've been driving now for just over 20 years.

the job will provide an income, and how much you earn is UP TO YOU.

there will be days you will wish you never ever heard of trucking.

there will be days, you find the job.....ok.....

it doesn't really matter anymore on the company you go with. the economy is as you know, BAD, so just go where ever you get hired, and do your thing. when things get better, you can move on someplace else, or you might actually like working for "weenie"........

best of luck to you, just trudge along at your pace and stay safe, and do your job with-in the legal limits you will learn from school.

you should do just fine.

keep us up to date, when you can.

jmsconstantino · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesStringer

Hey Y'all,

First post here. I'm a student in Alabama. Will take my pre and road-trip tests this coming Wed. Am scheduled to start with Werner middle of Feb. I have no doubt that there are some out there who have horror stories about Werner, but I'm really not interested in that sort of thing. I've been unemployed for 3 months and need the work bad, so anything that has the potential to sour my attitude towards Werner, I will just skip for now. No pie in the sky over here, I'm sure there are many valid criticisms of Werner and probably every other company anyone has ever worked for. At 53 (turn 54 three days before starting with Werner) however, I've yet to find a job that was perfect, so I've committed myself to roll with the punches and be as positive as I can be towards both the company and my trainer.

I've always been a driver of one sort of vehicle or another, but never the big rigs before. At my age, this is likely my last shot at actually having a career that will provide for retirement, so I'm looking for the kind of general advice that helps with the long view of things. Really anything, just looking to get to know y'all while generally pickin' yer noggins!

Other than that, looks like an information-and-experience-rich environment. I'll see ya's around for the next couple of weeks.

Blues

Again welcome
You definately have a few years on me, but I've been down your road with a big OTR company. My advice is be safe and careful. Do your job and really learn from your trainer how everything works, Pay, picking up, and delivering loads. Also how to not rush (very important). The pay OTR as a company driver didn't do it for me, That's the only reason I left. I am now a local union p&d driver which suits my needs. With this big company you need to work out what will fit you're needs, Dedicated, Local (which Werner has), or OTR with 48 states. Learn what you can from your trainer, and other driver's from the company. Try to have a little fun and don't be super serious.

BluesStringer · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 02:35 PM

Hey, thanks y'all.

Being safe is no problem for me. I've ridden motorcycles all my adult life and never been down or in any kind of accident. Haven't had a ticket for more than 30 years. Driven sign crane trucks, waste oil bobtail tanks, moving vans and even delivered pizza in my own car, all putting in excess of 30,000 miles a year, which I realize is peanuts compared to being an OTR trucker, but it's a confidence builder nonetheless that I've managed to keep the rubber side down all these years. Whenever I throw my leg over the saddle of my Softail, or sit my over-sized butt behind the wheel, I take on the attitude that me and my vehicle have giant targets all around us. So far, I've managed to dodge all the bullets. I'm confident, not cocky, but confident that I can continue doing it.

It might seem kind of trivial, but the kinds of things I feel the least confident about is packing. What to pack, what works best for "luggage" (I have a large duffel-type bag and a medium-small overnight bag), but I don't have anything specifically made for carrying shower stuff, toiletries, medicine etc. I'm not a clean-"freak" but I also don't want my toothbrush sharing the same space as my dirty drawers! I know for this first few weeks I'll have to pack as light as possible to save room, but then again, I really have no idea how much room is available in a typical sleeper for two grown men in the first place.

I know I have to buy some stuff, and that's somewhat of a problem due to being unemployed, but my wife is working at a good job so we are able to get necessities. I just don't want to spend bucks on stuff that really isn't necessary. Will I need an Atlas right now? If so, are there Atlases made specifically for truckers and, if so, where's the best place to find 'em? (I do most of my shopping online whenever possible.) Will I need my own bedding? (I was told that I will be issued a truck straight out of training, so I'm assuming I will need bedding then at least.) I understand that it's illegal for anyone to sleep in the top bunk while the other guy is driving, so that either means we won't be driving in shifts or we'll be sharing the bottom bunk. If it's the latter, I will need to buy a sleeping bag. If the former, I will need bedding now I guess.

Anyhow, as you can see, I have all these things running through my head about the small stuff. I think I have a pretty good grasp of what the main job is. I have a lot to learn about trip-planning and the QualCom system, but I'm a pretty quick study and I know that kind of stuff will become fairly routine after just putting in some time. Big things or small stuff though, I'm anxious to hear more good advice.

Blues

jmsconstantino · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 09:01 PM

I would bring a sleeping bag and small pillow
I would get some kind of diddy bag (toiletries) 1-2 towels
One heavy jacket (maybe coveralls)
5 sets of daily wear jeans t-shirt ect.
WORK GLOVES (I carry 2 pairs, on for freight and one for the truck)
I would purchase an atlas and understand how to use it (there are many commercial ones)
If you have a cell, bring the car charger.

The sleeper is about as big as a small bathroom and you're trainer allready lives there with his stuff

truckinusa · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 06:39 AM

1.Once you get out on your own talk to people. You will find out what others are doing.

2.Pay attention to trucking companies that have plates in your state. You may want to be home more often at some point in time. Write down these names.

3.Be careful. Don't drive any faster than you feel comfortable. This may be 25mph.

4.Get a truckstop guide. They are very helpful when you need something like a scale or a part.

5.Get a laminated map to show you all the scales and be able to visualize where you are going. I always kept the CB on and someone was always selling them in the truckstops cheap. I got a new one every year for $15.

6.Logbooks are no joke. I got a $360 fine once when I was new. Update it frequently. At least every 4 hrs. The rule is every change in duty status, but 4hrs seems to work for me and the cops.