My training at Werner was sub par and the long waiting times at terminals is frustrating. The company tried and failed to make me train for more than 275 hours. When my time was up I told them my father in law had a heart attack and I had to go home. They told me 275 hours and thats how much I did, if they wanted more than they should change the hours policy. I rented a car and drove to the nearest terminal to get tested and my truck.! That is a quick and easy way for anyone stuck in the Werner training cycle to get out after 275 hours. It is common knowledge that every trainee is guilted or strong armed into putting in more time, I am sure it is mandated from Omaha. Being a Teamster for 15 years before this job helped me navigate around many of the hurdles of Werner Enterprises. After testing out I received my coffin sleeper and a midwest regional run. Not a bad gig excpet for the weekends.
After dropping the last load for the weekend the dispatchers would tell us to log off and use personal drive time to get back home. You could be in Kentucky on Friday evening and drive home to let say to Michigan on your personal drive time. Your reset hours start and soon as you log off giving you less home time. The great part about Werner is they dont have to pay you for that personal drive time. The battle began with my dispatcher when I refused to log off on my personal drive time. If I had hours left I used those hours. Fortunatley for me a business opportunity came my way and I took it. Now I own my own business and do not have to be treated like a slave. I look back at my time at Werner with a never again attitude. It is amazing what they can do to drivers and get away with it. Without a Union backing its workers things wont change at Werner.
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