I have been working as a delivery driver for approx. the last 8 months after "graduating" a local CDL school and getting my Class A back in November of last year. In that time I have developed, as you would expect, some problems with my knees and back.
They aren't life altering problems, but I would like to keep them from becoming that way, so I am looking into other avenues of employment in the very near future.
I have previously spoken with Werner, mainly out of curiosity in regards to their "Scheduled Lane" drivers that I often see advertised in the local paper. From what the recruiters have told me, it's a daily run from Albuquerque, New Mexico (where I live) to either Winslow, AZ or Amarillo, TX and I would be home nightly.
Something else I have also been told is that Pepsi does not verify driving experience which I assume is some sort of "retribution" since they'll take you with no driving experience in the first place.
Now, I do understand that since Pepsi can't or won't verify driving experience that I essentially become a "student driver". I have driven the 53' bulk trucks and the 48' route delivery trucks, so I can drive the trucks no problem, but on paper, as far as insurance companies are concerned, I have no business operating anything larger than a golf cart.
Anyway, I have been told that I can't "hire into" the scheduled lane position and that I would have to do either of these while I am on a "waiting list" for a scheduled lane position.
A) 48 state OTR
B) 11 Western state regional
C) Dollar General dedicated
I wouldn't touch 48 state with a 10 foot pole and I would prefer not to do regional, so that leaves me with the Dollar General dedicated option. Obviously, I am no stranger to multiple stops or unloading a trailer by myself, so those things don't really bother me.
However, I do have a few questions that I would like to have someone who has experience with Werner and these runs answer for me.
1) How large of an area, state-wise, could I possibly have to deal with doing Dollar General?
2) What's the average time out and average home time like with the dedicated routes?
3) How physical is it to unload the trailer?
I would also appreciate any general information regarding dedicated and scheduled lane routes with Werner that anyone wants to impart as well.