Hmm, I don't seem to remember any palm trees, and it wasn't on any corner, but there was a railroad track that ran right next to the building I saw. It was a dull brown looking building with an old bobtail tractor parked on each side of the building.

Hope all is going well with you Matt. I'm going for my physical tomorrow. Roxy and me have been playing phone tag for 3 days. Finally talked to her today and she just wanted to make sure I got all the paperwork she emailed to me. She gave me a couple of pointers for the physical like no caffeine beforehand, and to make sure I go over the form after the doc fills it out to make sure he did not miss anything so she wouldn't have to mail it back to me to have him fix it...Good heads up on her part!

Looks like if all goes well I will be there either in January or February, depending on when the class starts. My wife is having a pretty major surgery first week of Jan, so I need to be there for her. Hopefully it will all work out and I can be there sooner rather than later and you can call me the newb on the CB if we cross paths.

Talk to you soon, stay safe my friend....

Well, I had my physical yesterday. All went well, and the doc says I passed it. I'm just waiting for the urinalysis to come back. They could have done a quick test in the office, but it didn't specify the numbers that were needed by the DOT physical. My email says the results are back now, so I should be able to pick it up Monday or Tuesday. Then all I need to do is pass my permit test and get my 10 yr MVR from my state DMV, then I'm ready to get to Missoula hopefully in January.....

Hey Warpdrvr,
Good news on your physical, huh? Sounds like you're about ready to launch.
I'm a fellow wannabe and I've been advised by a very good source within this forum to check out WS.
If you have time, I know that I and a lot of other wannabes would like to hear of your experiences during training.
Good luck to you,
Oldnewbiegonnabe

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"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."
Jack Handey

Hi Oldnewbie....
I also suggested WS in the other thread you were posting in. I think its one of the best out there based on my admittedly little experience in this industry. It's hard to find bad info on them. I know they probably have their rough spots, but every company in the world does... I've heard their training is some of the best out there. You train for 30 days, real world stuff..pulling trailers with actual freight in them. Up and down hills, thru city traffic, and in winter conditions, which I need since I live in SoCal and have never driven in the snow. Also, during training there is a "class trip" that you take, 5 to 8 days of real work, they guy who started this thread drove from Missoula Mt, to LA here in socal. You can search back and read this thread and he tells some stuff about the training. The best part is after the 30 days, if you pass your CDL test, they hand you the keys to a truck, get you under a load, and off you go, with no trainer to live with...

I will try to keep up and post about the training when I get there. It won't be until January at the earliest, due to family obligations, but I'm ready to hit it...

Dunno where Lynchmob is, he started this thread, and he has good info. Hopefully he is so busy getting miles all he has time for is driving and resting.. I should think he will be checking in here soon...

Good luck to you, Oldnewbie

Oh, by the way, the person you want to speak with at WS is Roxy. She's in recruiting and a great person. I don't think we're able to leave numbers here, but if you google watkins & shepard, you can go to their site and get the 800 number

You have never driven in the snow or ice Warpdrvr?! You will learn quick that its the other drivers that are the problem. Watch out for over passes as well because they freeze fast in shade, at sunset, or anytime. Over passed have a nasty habit of having black ice because the spray will freeze on them instead of drying like the road will.

Hey Warp! It's amazing how much you sound like me when I first started posting on this thread and the steps I had to take to get to W/S for the 30 day. I can promise you you wont be disappointed with the training or even day to day operations. Sure the companies not perfect, but so far I have NOTHING to complain about. I just here the company isnt perfect from other people. They take a little while working on trucks but they just so short handed. That's really all. You've made the right choice to go to W/S for your training. Im sure you're a little uneasy about going out on your own after 30 days and so was I. But Roxy reassured me I'd be ok, and she hasn't lied to me yet. The school gives you all the training you'll need and everything else you'll have to learn as you go, as everyone has to. Remember, you can ask me anything anytime. All the best Warp, hope to see you out there one of these days, or even in Missoula if I'm passing thru!

You could even start your own thread, describing YOUR experience there. 2 heads are better than one. That, and you can stop hijacking my thread. (joking of course)

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When life speeds by; Downshift

Hi Lynch,
I very much enjoyed your detailed posts about Watkins. I am going to a local cdl school here in sacramento due to finances. Please keep the info comming about WS and your travels. I am corious how much freight you handle or is it mostly drop and hook. How do you like the Volvo? Does it have an apu or is it cool to idle to maintain heat etc.? What amenities does your trauck have? ie, cb, fridge??? Thanks again and drive safe.

Hey Snake. I totally understand the financial aspect of attending another school, I was just luck to have a family member help me out.

The freight has been steady so far for me, but I'm sure I'll have some days off sitting. No big deal. We mostly haul carpet, furniture, beer, flour, dead batteries, old tires and everything in between. We sometimes have to unload the furniture, but of course we're paid for that. Some is drop and hook and some is live load, it really depends. The Volvo is good, just wish it had the freightliner bunk as it's a wee bit smaller than my liking, but I mostly just sleep back here. No apu on mine, but most of the newer trucks do have them. It's basically bare bones when you get it. Comes with a stock cb, cd player stereo and steering wheel :P You have to provide your own fridge, microwave etc. They don't mind if you idle, but it's in your best interest to idle as little as possible if you're interested in the fuel bonus they offer. Of course, you have to keep in mind each states law against idling ....... ya, right. **looks for middle finger button** Overall the trucks are well maintained and you can make them your own, just no drilling holes anywhere in the body.

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When life speeds by; Downshift

Well, someone had to babysit this thread as you are so busy getting miles or

It's funny...I'm not even officially part of WS yet, but I already feel like family due to your friendliness and willingness to help out. And when I call Roxy, she's great as well. It's nice that she goes out of her way to give me a call and see how things are going.

And to clarify on something you just said, no drilling holes in the body, but does that mean on the inside as well, or just the outside??

Lynchmob? Have you been making and runs to or thru Spokane, WA I-90? WS says they have a terminal here. Just curious on how busy Spokane is since I live here and looking for an answer from a driver. More trust worthy IMO. Thank you.