Watkins-Shepard
 

I would like to find out more about Watkins and Shepard as they offer company training for four weeks and upon graduation they assign you a truck to go solo. They claim that their four week training program eliminates the need to go out for weeks with a trainer.

Re: Watkins-Shepard
 

Yes. and they need ppl on the flatbed side.

You know, if you are deciding between WS and Gordon. If you live on I-5 corridor, you'll get home more often with Gordon.

Where's "crackaces"?

Parking when time at home
 

I talked with a recruiter for Watkins-Shepard about parking the tractor and trailer when I had time at home. She said I would have to park it at their operations center in Vancouver, WA 120 miles from where I live in Eugene, OR and drive my car home. I don't know why they wouldn't let me park at the TA Truck Stop 5 miles from where I live off of I-5 for two days off, it is a secure location.

Re: Parking when time at home
 

Dont know what it is about trucking companys but any company I worked for dont want you parking the truck at a truck stop when on home time,not all truckers live in the country with 50 acres I live in the city so truck stops were my only option and they were a ways away.

I drove for W/S back in 2000. Yes they provide training and it IS a good school (already had my license when hired). They teach you how to run the mountains with confidence. Also, the other drivers are more of a family than other companies, alot of us ran together all the time. As far as taking the truck home....when I lived in Tacoma, Wa. I had to park at the Renton yard, when I moved to the midwest.....I had no choice and parked at a truckstop right down the road......closest yard was 15 hours away and I WASN'T going to drive it. They want the trucks parked in one of their yards for security. The flatbed division is the best one there.....just remember, if you arn't under a load by 3 pm on friday.....your sitting for the weekend. Thats how they dispatch.

I’m a new W/S driver, here’s my 2 cents. I came from Sage and had the W/S 10 day orientation, then it was out on the road in my own truck. I also shared some training time with the “30 day students” they all seemed well trained and happy with their time in W/S company training. There is plenty of opportunity to practice your backing as they allow you access, even on your own time, to trucks/trailers (in the yard only) In my first week I’ve logged 3100 miles on 3 trips and have found the drivers who work here to be very helpful and willing to talk to the new guy and offer any advise or assistance. One other thing that stuck out for me was that most of the drivers I spoke with have many years with this company, it’s very common to hear drivers say they have 5, 7 or more years at W/S
As for parking the truck on home time, well they say they want the truck at a terminal…if you’re routed home and there’s a safe place to park and the closest terminal is 100 miles out of route, wouldn’t it make more sense to stay “in route” with the truck? I guess what I’m saying is that if you live too far out of route, taking the truck home may be an issue, but if you live reasonably close to the lane of traffic…:wink:
So far I give W/S the “thumbs up”

Is Sage in Montana the company the W/S uses for their student training? Also, what type of housing do they provide at Sage and finally, are you driving a dry van and what area are you covering.

Brad

Sage is a truck driving school that has classrooms nationwide, and is considered to be one of the best in the industry. W/S does offer their own in house cdl school, I think you’re able to work off the tuition, they do have tuition reimbursement which is something I’m taking advantage of myself. They have facilities at their Missoula terminal for lodging, weather you’re a “10 day orientation” (like me) or a “30 day student” there is no charge for lodging but food is up to you. They do have cars for you to use to get to the store for any supplies that you may need.
Currently I’m driving a van but am eligible for flatbeds after 90 days, W/S does not haul refers, I’ve spent most of my time in the Western states but if you desire the East they will gladly route you there as they do have several runs from GA/NJ/OH. The majority of freight is carpet, furniture, paper and liquid beverages, most is no touch or drop/hook. Trucks are late model Freightliners and Volvos.
I was dispatched a load to my home town, when I got here I asked my dispatcher for a couple days off, his reply “no problem, call me in a couple of days when you’re ready to go back out” I’m liking it here. :D
Feel free to PM me if you need any specific details.

Watkins & Shepard
 

RottsATruckin...

I thank you for your post, You have only re-enforced my plan to go with W/S. I'm currently in school and working with Bonnie (recruiter) to come over after I have graduated at the end of this month. I'll be doing the 10day training without pay until approved. Then I'll be given the keys and sent home with a truck to outfit it the way I would like.

Brad M,
I have only seen one negative posts on here about W/S and I have been looking into them since Oct 06. I asked about taking the truck home and was told that if I lived within the 100 miles it wouldn't be a problem.

Good luck and maybe I'll see you both in a red truck.

Paul

I ran for W/S for three months. It is a great company and gives you lots of responsibility and lattitude.

You would be well-advised to make a point of meeting your regional dispatchers and befriending them. They see a lot of people come and go, so if you make a favorable impression with them, you will find yourself being treated very well.

A very close friend of mine just became an O/O in their flatbed division. I think that they run about 200 trucks. He gets sick miles and is making serious bank.

BOL!

Took a look at their company profile page (http://www.wksh.com/company.aspx).

Impressive--I don't recall ever seeing a trucking company's website listing helpful information as Wakins-Shepard does. And I bet they update it on a regular basis.

If I ever to decide to go back OTR, this company would be a strong contender.

Re: Watkins-Shepard
 

I spoke with them the other day. I was surprised by their LOW starting pay. They seem like they COULD be a decent company, but they shouldn't make you suffer at low wages for a couple years for the privilege of working for them. Just my take after a 10-minute application and a 45-second phone call.

how much do they start a newbie at? I'm thinking of going with them when I graduate. Also anyone know what their school requirments are? I'm attending trans-tech out of charlotte nc its a 160 hr course.

Good question...their website states "...1st year pay 22% above industry average." Of course that could be taken a number of different ways....

I think they said $0.30 per mile ($0.01 less than I got right out of trucking school), and they want you on the road for extended periods of time.

I spoke with Sandy one of the W/S recruiters and she told me $0.28 cpm when starting out which is very poor and I crossed them off of my list.

She also said that I would have to drive my own car to their terminal 120 miles from where I live and leave the car there and then bring the tractor/trailer back to the teminal for my time at home and drive my car 120 miles back to my home. Other companies I have checked with do not have any problem with leaving the tractor/trailer at my local TA truck stop 5 miles from my home.

28 cpm is only if you're having them reimburse you for cdl school (28cpm for 6 months then 30cpm until one year, then 32 cpm) then there are very attainable bonuses for safety, fuel, paperwork that can add an additional 3cpm to your pay. If you live way out in the sticks (away from a major lane of traffic) taking the truck home may be an issue, but that would be a problem for most companies as well.
Have you called Crete? they were my origional 1st choice, better pay and they dispatch you from your home (you can take the truck home)

How long does W/S they keep you on the road before TAH.

Typically 10-14 days out then home. I’ve been home 3 times in the last 5 weeks, it helps if you live near a major lane of traffic like I do (I90) I was routed to Spokane last week by chance and when I got there asked for a couple days off, then I went to Modesto CA and was routed back to Kent WA to Billings MT, guess where I slept mid way to Billings?
BTW I’m averaging 2500 miles a week with an average length of haul of 1100 miles
I was home 4 days last weekend, W/S hometime begins the day after you go off duty not based upon "hours" like some companies ("well you got home on Friday afternoon so we've got a load for you on Sunday morning")