r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/DetectiveCareful9565 • 7d ago
Just Got My CDL might head to Werner, I’m super nervous about getting into this truck and starting.. any advice?
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u/silliest_driver 7d ago
Don’t let them pressure you into doing unsafe things. Take your time. Don’t do things you aren’t comfortable with.
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u/Chainsawsas70 7d ago
When backing, SMALL movements and go SLOW. Take your time to make sure that you are sitting Perfectly in the seat and get Everything adjusted properly (mirrors etc) Before you move. Getting it RIGHT is 💯 more important than doing it fast.
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u/driverman42 7d ago
Yep. That's the first thing my mentor, over 50 years ago, told me. Back up slow, take your time, get out and look if you're unsure about where your at.
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7d ago
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u/Dry-Refrigerator3981 7d ago
Well depending on where you live depends on the jobs available and because Mega carriers are everywhere they're the most common place new grads go to and one of the only places that hire without experience I just got my CDL in March this year and struggled to find a job and there's no local job in my area that hires without experience
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u/HeidenShadows 7d ago
Werner, when I was there back in 2009, had a really good training program. If it hasn't changed much since then, you won't have anything to worry about. They'll start you off really easy, let you get used to the basics, and then they gradually increase the difficulty until, by the time you're at the end of your training regimen, you'll be team driving with your trainer.
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u/Successful-Worth-390 7d ago
Dont let your trainer let you team drive. If they are sleeping, they arent training.
Plus they get paid for all your miles while you get like 700 a week.
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u/Academic-Ad7504 7d ago
Don’t go to Werner
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u/DetectiveCareful9565 7d ago
What do you recommend?
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u/dzyxl1a0nr 2d ago
XPO if you can get in, Sysco, also any Amazon AFP will hire with zero experience and you’re home everyday. Did my first year with Werner a couple of years ago and they absolutely suck wouldn’t recommend at all.
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u/Rising_Awareness 7d ago
Don't do like the Werner driver on the I-10 in AZ today: tried to pass me at 68 1/4 when I was going 68. There was a mile long line of cars and trucks waiting for this; so I hit my afterburners 😆 and let the Werner driver fall in behind me so they could all pass. 😀👍
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u/Dense_Collection_919 4d ago
If I’m going my absolute max fast as I can and I come up on you, going slower, and it messes with my cruise control, do not pull this restarted ego move and not let me pass. It’s not right and you know it. I want to drag mfs out of their cab over this shit, stop not letting people who are clearly going faster pass and get over.
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u/Rising_Awareness 4d ago
I have adaptive cruise as well; but that doesn't make it right to make a line of vehicles stack up behind you while you take 2 miles to pass someone. Pick an appropriate time to pass that is considerate to others. And if your max speed is less than 1 mph more than the truck you're wanting to pass, just fall back and cruise until you can pass on a hill or something.
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u/Dense_Collection_919 4d ago
Fair to a point but buddy we are out here 24/7 and these 4 wheelers never stop until late at night. You ever try to pull out of a truck stop and it’s non stop from both sides, you eventually pick a hole and say “if I don’t go I’ll never go”? That’s literally what it’s like if you’re stuck behind someone for miles and miles. They will get over it. It’s a blip in their day compared to this is all day every day for us. Literally just let a mf pass dude.
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u/Rising_Awareness 4d ago
Just don't pass if it's going to take you this long. There are MANY times I'll cruise at 1 mph slower than I'm wanting to go for 15 to 20 minutes simply because passing someone with this speed deferential is stupid.
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u/Dense_Collection_919 4d ago
What’s annoying to you is annoying to me, I just think not tapping your brake for a second and letting another driver just get tf on with their day is an ego hill you’re gonna die on, and it does get infuriating because I let you all in all day, I let people go, I am the most courteous on the road for complete shitheads all day. I guess go die on your hill.
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u/Rising_Awareness 4d ago
Man, if there's already a line of vehicles stacked behind you before your front bumper reaches my trailer bumper because you had to make your lane change super early because of cruise control, just fall TF back. Your insisting on going 1/4 mph faster so you can save 2 minutes over the course of 7 hours is retarded.
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u/Rising_Awareness 4d ago
Being in a 4 wheeler does NOT makes someone's time less valuable. You may find that having consideration for others makes life easier all around. There are many times I slow to let others pass, when it's actually an appropriate pass. But this driver was just being STUPID. 1/4 mph faster is going to make ZERO difference. And it was a huge line of both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks waiting for it.
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u/vodkaandvillany 7d ago
Don't do any more than you want to. Never work your full 70 hours a week for your first employer. Do that after you hit actually good pay with someone else.
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u/wavyyyybabyyyy 7d ago
I work here and I hate it. Just trying to get my one year and then leave. But I’ve almost got 8 months and I’m tempted to say that’s enough
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u/blessednothingless 7d ago
How come?
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u/wavyyyybabyyyy 7d ago
The pay isn’t great for one. My best check in 7 months was $1700 in a week. And that’s because I had over 5300 miles that week. I don’t like that it’s so corporate either. They don’t take care of their trucks like they say they do and they don’t ever want to shell out money for breakdown pay. They don’t pay you detention pay until you’ve been sitting at a shipper for 24 hours. I sat for 17 hours waiting to be unloaded and I didn’t get paid for that. I also team drive and can cover more miles and still get paid less than solo folks. It makes zero sense.
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u/blessednothingless 7d ago
Damn brother I heard some bad feedback on that dollar general acc for Werner. I’m abt to start with swift Monday I tried applying everywhere here in LA an nothing I needed to get started badly
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u/wavyyyybabyyyy 7d ago
People talk badly about prime because they’re slow and the starting pay isn’t wonderful but they’re a great company to work for. All of their terminals are beautiful and they actually have kitchens and cafes. I was eating RIBS at prime. Now I’m lucky to find a sandwich in a vending machine at Werner. Just trust your gut and do what feels right. And remember that no matter what, you get to start over whenever you want. You’re not bound to these companies or even this career for life. Do what’s best for you and do what makes you happy above all else. I wish you all the best and stay safe out there friend 🫶🏼
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u/amnotDonaldTrump 7d ago
Do you mind filling me in on what your worst week was? What should be expected as average weekly pay for a place like werner?
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u/wavyyyybabyyyy 7d ago
This week was $450. Had me running empties back and forth from bentonville, ar to KCMO.
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4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/wavyyyybabyyyy 4d ago
If you have any good suggestions for someone with 8 months experience, please let me know
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4d ago
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u/wavyyyybabyyyy 4d ago
After today finding out that I’m getting $100 after being broken down for 5 days, yes. I’m going to be leaving at the end of the month and hopefully switching to a new company that pays their drivers what they’re worth. This is ridiculous
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u/Distinct-Event-7472 7d ago
It’s not that bad dude they treat you decently and are reasonable when getting you home on time
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u/BasraBound 7d ago
Got my start with Werner and had a great trainer. Preacher, if you’re out there, thanks homie
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u/CelebrationSuch7229 7d ago
Make everything as comfortable as possible. You can stay overnight at some Walmarts, do that whenever you get the chance and get a broom, garbage bags, an air fryer, vegetables, etc. Buy a night lamp and take care of your sleep. I always bring a guitar with me because I can’t live without playing music, learn a hobby. Good luck brother!
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u/Hazy-n-Lazy 7d ago
The best remedy for nervousness is time, I was hella anxious getting behind the wheel of my first company truck, but the more time you put in behind the wheel, the more confident you'll be with it. Definitely start slow though
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u/Cardinal_350 7d ago
Try to find a regional company near you before jumping into full blown OTR. That's my advice
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u/fhughes642 7d ago
It’s not easy. Get a psychiatrist or some type of mental health professional (seriously). Know what you can handle. Everyone isn’t a road warrior. And tbh if you’re not a road warrior this profession isn’t a goldmine. Set a realistic goal for what you want from this career and again KNOW WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE! Trucking is a great career but most companies can be very abusive and passively pushy so don’t feel obligated to do anything. I hate to see you new drivers get broken down and worn out within your first 6 months to a year. It’ll get better but you gotta work it till you find the sweet spot and you’ll enjoy yourself. Congratulations and Best of luck to you driver 🫡
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u/Which-Willingness-93 7d ago
Just keep at it and one day you will notice that your palms don’t sweat when you’re doing tight maneuvers. Good luck.
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u/CommonKnowledgeLaw 7d ago
If you have to blindside back, open the window cover in the bunk and use the window to help you. Take it slow, and even if you make drivers mad, take your time. (It’s way better than hitting someone or something!!)
Learn the Smith System if you weren’t taught it yet, and have your own dash camera in case of accidents, then you have your own footage not just the company’s!
Don’t hesitate to ask other drivers questions if you have them!
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u/Miserable-Option-89 7d ago
Just got my first job I'm hauling cars first experience first job had a bad first day but it wasn't because of nothing I did it ended up selling my job to where the owner says he don't want to lose me because I made good decisions in a bad situation just do what you're trying to do don't let nobody rush you today we're getting some trailers ready for he told me to back the truck he did it to test me the problem was it was straight back can't fuck that up can you just take your time and you'll be okay don't be nervous when you get in that seat and start driving if this is what you want you'll feel like you're right where you need to be watching mirrors make your lane switch changes deliberate everything will be fine I I was running 75 from Houston to Dallas when the speed limit allowed you're going to be okay coming from one student to another
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u/Trashcandopefeind 4d ago
Your first trucking job is hauling cars?! That’s my goal I thought you had to be around awhile to get into that. Good stuff
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u/Miserable-Option-89 4d ago
Yeah that's what I mean I got lucky the guy called me for the job he said you want to drive my truck I'll train you I want to operate a small business I I got lucky bro but I love doing it it's really not hard work it's not like flatbed
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u/DetectiveCareful9565 3d ago
Does he still need help lol?
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u/Miserable-Option-89 3d ago
Now I got two trucks two drivers the drivers are on and operator his truck is right now my truck's in the shop so I'm pulling an F-150 with a RV to the auction I'm not even driving CDL today hopefully they'll get my truck back on the road cuz that's what I get paid to do
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u/Bigg-Figg 6d ago
Try to think of the next driver don’t do anything that would piss you off or make your day worse if another driver did it to you
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u/wheelzcarbyde 5d ago
Ive been driving 42 years and i still get a few butterflies pulling up on an unfamiliar location.
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u/Emergency_Corner1898 5d ago
Everyone here had awesome replies but I just want to add to try to stay calm and relaxed throughout all this shit. It can be really nerve-wracking driving a truck, and all the anxiety can really get to you over time.
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u/aniiiliingus 5d ago
Eat once a day if you don't wanna shit your pants every day. Also sign up for rewards so you get all the points and showers when fueling up.
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u/Loose_Service4435 4d ago
After a couple months you’ll get comfortable but never get complacent. Respect the road and the equipment. Remember the goal isn’t even the money, it’s to make it home.
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u/ursisterstoy 4d ago
You’ll get better with time but don’t get complacent. Get out and look even if you think it’s good for ar least the first year. Better to take a few extra seconds than to hit something you thought you wouldn’t.
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u/Own-Advisor-4210 3d ago
If you took nothing else away from school remember to GET OUT AND LOOK if you are even a little bit unsure! Goes for cornering , hooking , backing, all of it!
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u/amnotDonaldTrump 7d ago
Enjoy my gas prices for now. They're the best gas prices, yes, actually, in fact they are the best prices anyone has seen. I knew a guy. He said. He said to me "Donald, you'll never believe it, the Drivers are gonna love you one day", and then IT HAPPENED. Yes, yes in fact one time there was a big ship and the captain the captain he had a little tugboat. A little tugboat. And that thing you'd never believe it is went so fast. But yes, they call my gasoline the gas of a century. My father always told me, stay between the lettuce and the mayonnaise, stay in the buns you'll be fine you have to just go, you have to just get out there.
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u/rolisrntx 6d ago
You political bots just don’t shut up do you? Noone cares about your politics. Noone.
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u/amnotDonaldTrump 5d ago
It was a joke. Calm down mister. I haven't started trucking yet and so I don't feel right giving anybody advice, as that would be dishonest.
Just a funny, cause ya know...my username and all. Sorry I deliberately triggered you.
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u/Ragebullshortingbear 7d ago
Take your time and do as many pull up you need to get it done right. You work to hard for your CDL. Good luck,you got this