Finished Werner Orientation
Topic 2023 | Page 1
Thanks for the update Chris, we will be looking forward to hearing more from you as the days go by.
How has Werner been for you so far? I almost went there but ended up choosing a flatbed company close to my home but wanna know just in case this one doesn't work out.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Hey glad to hear things are moving right along for ya. Things move quickly at this point - the learning curve is steep - but you'll do great with it. Just take your time. Getting in a hurry is one of the biggest reasons for mistakes out there, especially when it comes to backing. Take your time. Take all the time you need and get out and look a lot.
Have fun and be safe! Won't be long and you'll be runnin solo!
I run out of the Indianapolis terminal 5-6 days a week. After your training are you going OTR? I usually am in and out of the yard by the time the students get there, but many times I get there just as the van arrives or has already made the trip. I just got my CDL just over 17 months ago, so being a student and learning to drive a truck is still fairly fresh in my mind. It's an experience I doubt I will ever forget. After being solo for over a year now, and being able to practice without instructors and other students breathing down my neck, there are things I learned that improved my performance that I was never taught, particularly in shifting. As for winter weather, SLOW AND EASY!
I will tell you this... when you go into training... MAKE YOUR TRAINER LET YOU BACK! Do all the backing you can. ESPECIALLY when you don't feel like it... because you are going to have to back at times when you are dead tired, feeling like crap, perhaps sick or with a headache, sun in your eyes and mirrors, people watching, dark and you can't see squat, too hot or too cold, and all this with Bubba's truck in your blind spot... and it's better to get experience with your trainer there to help you. Because Bubba is watching intently. He's not going to offer any help, but he'll let you know if you hit his truck.
Of course, there are plenty of experienced and knowledgeable users on here that will help, but since I have probably run into you in the afternoons when I get back from my shift and the students are milling about waiting on the van, I thought I would offer some input if you're interested.
Also, it'd be cool if you could go turn the bunk heater off in my truck so the batteries won't die, but I doubt you are going to the terminal today because it's Sunday, lol...
[=> ButtonUp / Over a year with Werner and loving it! <=]
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Werner has been good so far, I had a roommate that is a rehire, and from what he was telling me, he will be a trainer, and if most of their trainers are like him, then I will be getting a lot of backing and tips to help me along to be a successful professional driver...
And ButtonUp, if you have any tips that you want to share, feel free to stop by the extended stay, and I will meet you in the lobby, just let me know about what time you will be here....
Sure thing. I won't be going back into town (Indy) until Tuesday morning. Feel free to PM me a message, I'll receive it in my email. I need to know where that hotel is, anyway, since yesterday a student asked me to give him a ride to the hotel and I had no idea where it was. I got back a little early, 4pm, and the van wasn't due until 5. I am still a Rookie, but I made it through a winter and deal with the Indy yard more than any human should have to. I didn't train with Werner, but sometimes I wish I had.
If I'm still in town on Tuesday morning, I will PM you... I have to call my SDM tomorrow after the 730 meeting....
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Sounds like you guys could really use Brett's App so you can see where each other are!
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Hello all,
Just wanted to give everyone another update. After passing my test 3 weeks ago, I got rear-ended in my personal car, and wait a week to move to Indiana, and start my orientation at Werner in Indianapolis.
I got to Indiana on Thursday around noon, and got my stuff into my friends house that I will be living with, and packed my stuff for orientation, and got to the hotel in Indianapolis and checked in.
Orientation started yesterday with all the paperwork and the DOT physical and went over some company policies, HOS , etc. that I expected.
Today, we finished up paperwork, computer based training, benefits, got our long forms and medical card, IDs, and student managers, and I am waiting for my trainer at the hotel.
The good thing is that we are getting paid our training pay starting yesterday, which is good. The training is 3 phases with a trainer for 275 hours, and is pretty much identical to the field training at school.
I am planning on fine tuning my skills that I learned at school, and improve my shifting and backing.... And after about 6 weeks, I will be getting promoted to qualified driver and getting assigned my own truck, and get my wheels turning... I am just glad I will be with a trainer during the start of winter, so I can learn how to drive safely in winter weather....
I will keep everyone updated on my progress with Werner during my training period.....
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.