Werner Orientation Update

So I made it through day one! passed my DOT company physical, background checks, etc. Just the drug whiz quiz needing results....will not be an issue, just takes a day or 2.

So for those of you that may be considering a career with Werner I thought I would post what I experience during my time here. What things I learned and what is involved.

1st off, double check your reservations - bus times, transportation from bus depot to hotel, room reservation. I had never been on a Greyhound before....bus driver got lost....thus causing no layover time at 2 stops/bus transfers.....sucked because I didn't get any food or drink for over 7 hours. Had I known prior how buses worked, I would have thrown some snacks in my bag. I figured with a 25 & 45 minute layover I would eat then.

also when I arrived at bus depot in Omaha, number I was given for cab company to call for my ride to the hotel had no record of my arrival, so I had to pay $40 for a cab ride, which they say I could be reimbursed for, but I didn't get a receipt (my fault)

These 2 things were my only issue getting here, and I learned that I do NOT want to take another bus ride....EVER

So next on to orientation, 4 days long - Great people here, all are very helpful and friendly. They have a shuttle that picks you up at 7:00am and returns you at 5:00pm, the shuttle buses will also take you to various spots - Walmart - McDonalds - etc. Every 30 minutes they run between terminal , hotel, etc. - you will share a room

Day one is mainly paperwork & videos, you can get a jump on the class by filling out everything on line prior to arrival with the driver portal they will assign you after your date is set. Pay is $450 per week during training, they have muffins, etc. at terminal in the morning, for lunch today we were given a sheet to build our own sandwich - roast beef, ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc. - Dinner your on your own, hotel has vending machines with microwave pizzas, burgers, etc. I walked 1/8th of a mile to Sapps truck stop where a SubWay was located.

Also did a 2 hour pre trip on a truck & trailer, some map/atlas training & qualcomm macros and some CBT's (computer base training) which I did a bunch more tonight on line with my laptop in the room - so if you have one - I would BRING it, you can do a large amount of work on line before you get with a trainer, you must complete all the CBT's before you get certified, so I would rather get them done now, and get more quality time in the truck learning, instead of trying to complete them while on the road

Will try to update daily, but you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Day two, and we lost 4 people today, my group started with 4, only 2 of us left. Monday's group of 6 is now 4.

1 guy for medical, high blood pressure, 1 for lying on his application - had a failed drug test in 1993, 1 for apparently failing a skills test, she had 3 years driving a day cab , but we heard during her Werner driving test someone called the 800 number listed on the back of the trailer to complain about her driving, and last quy is AWOL.

So day 2 was Qualcomm training, trip planning, some simulator testing and a hands on chain up class. Much more interesting day.....

My bad....so during the chain up class the instructor asked me to jump in this big Peterbuilt with trailer connected and move it forward to a point so we could continue attaching cables/chains...I haven't been in a truck since the 25th....and only a Freightliner. So it had been sitting awhile and needed to fill air tanks, truck is inside a garage.....about 8 drivers there....9 & 10 year trainers, 2 of us recent graduated, others from safety department, etc.....

So I put it in 1st, release the brakes........and rolled back about 1 1/2 feet.....talk about wanting to crawl under a rock!!! Jumped out and had to re-position the cables, then proceeded to pull it forward.....had no idea in a garage it would roll backwards, I thought it was level, and wasn't use to the clutch....seemed really high up......but I got it done.

We are at the Werner, Omaha terminal , right now getting truck work done. Will be here at least till morning.

We are at the Werner, Omaha terminal , right now getting truck work done. Will be here at least till morning.

Are you in the hotel? I just got assigned a trainer, waiting to be picked up sometime Saturday afternoon

So day 3 has come and gone.....

spent an hour on the simulator driving through winter weather scenarios, then several backing maneuvers.....and time to do the real thing. So we head outside the training center and jump in a truck and bobtail down to the backing test yard. We have to back up and hook up to a trailer.....really cool that the trucks are equipped with a air type 5th wheel connect - no pulling the 5th wheel lock by hand.

So I back right in, connect trailer and my trainer says lets go.....and he takes me out on the road, I thought it was a backing evaluation, but find out its a road skills test also.....I have only about 2 1/2 hours with a big truck & 53ft trailer, same with the 10 speed.....and haven't driven one since Oct. 25th when I finished school. I have about 15 hours in a day cab & 28 ft pup with a synchronized 6 speed....

Driving went well out on the streets & freeway, had a few hiccups down shifting, but trainer was excellent and told me it was normal, and to just relax....I did and made all turns & lane changes etc. without any issues. Was REALLY nice to have a trainer who was not telling me what to do, but evaluating my skill level and coaching me.

Went back to the lower lot backing range and he jumped out and told me to put the trailer in the hole between the two trailers where I got it from.....told me to set up and do it however I wanted. So I did a 45 degree back, took 1 pull up and put it in the hole. He then showed me two different methods to 90 degree it that were something I had asked my trainers at school for help on. (which they never did) I have been backing my flatbed, dump trailer, boat etc for 30 plus years....these are bumper pulls, not 5th wheel type so I never was taught at school a "reference" point for your set up.....trainer today showed me how to set up about 5-8 feet from the hole, driver window about even with glad hands on dropped trailer.....and bam! it works every time....or to set up your trailer tandems about 15 feet from the hole and 90 degree it into place.

Bottom line.....I passed skills test and have been assigned a trainer who is on his way to pick me up and get this newbie trained on the road!!

We are at the Werner, Omaha terminal , right now getting truck work done. Will be here at least till morning.

Are you in the hotel? I just got assigned a trainer, waiting to be picked up sometime Saturday afternoon

Yep in the hotel till truck is ready tomorrow sometime

Hey im staying in werner orientation hotel now, I'm with my tmc trainer and this is his home, if you're still here let me know I'll get you some lunch

Sent pms with my phone number