My Continued Blog from: My Experiance with Watkins Shepard!


As most of you know I’ve decided to give flat bedding a try. I've spent the last few months searching for a decent company to go to. I was originally going to switch to the W/S Flatbed Division, but do to little to no turnover I was put on a list, which could take a longgggg time to get to me. So I decided to look elsewhere.

Most flatbed companies that train you to flatbed are governed at 62mph, run e-logs, tarp EVERYTHING, most don’t even pay that good, have sheety trucks, etc. And are among the BFI's listed here at TTR. After months of research it was looking like I either needed to wait for my number to be called or suck it up and go to a BFI.

Then a member here mentioned Lone Star Transportation. I had heard about them a few years ago, and favorited their website since I was a few years to young to work for them. I looked them up again and found out that I now not only meet/exceed all of their requirements, they now (temporarily) are training experienced drivers to flatbed!


About 3-4 weeks ago I decided to fill out an Application with Lone Star Transportation, the next morning I received a call from a Recruiter. She called to let me know that they received the application and she had a few questions for me (I had my questions answered the day before when I called them).

2 Days later I received another call, telling me my application was accepted and asked when I’d like to attend Orientation. She gave me the dates of the next few orientations (they don’t do it every week like allot of companies do). I asked for a few days to think about it, she said no problem.

I called them the next week and set my orientation date 12/05/11. Then I called my company and gave my 2 weeks notice.

They told me they'd call me a week before. Which they did on Tuesday, to make sure I was still coming and told me they would have my travel info for me today.

First they do not do the grey dog , they are FLYING my from NC to TX. Then they are renting me a car to use while there. AND they pay for their drivers to have their OWN room at the hotel (no sharing!) By the time they issue me a truck I figure they'll have $1,500+ invested in me That right there says allot about the company.


Orientation is 3 days in Fort Worth, TX. Then since I have no flatbed experience they said 3-5 days of Flatbed training at the terminal (I believe it’s at a different terminal then the one they do orientation at).



Anyway so I fly out Sunday afternoon, I'll be posting my experience here just like I did with my Watkins Shepard Blog.











American Trucker

If you get into over size, make sure your pilot car drivers are good- they will make or break the day for you with a big load.