Watkins Shepard Short Training Period

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by xr7conv, Jun 6, 2007.

  1. xr7conv

    xr7conv Light Load Member

    What is the general opinion about a 10 day training period such as practiced by Watkins Shepard Trucking? They have an ok safety rating and I assume as a business practice they would not do it if it didn't work - I know what assuming means.

    Any way this seems like an interesting way to do it and it gets you on the road making money sooner. I have seen on several posts from experienced drivers something to the effect that you learn to drive as a solo driver anyway. Anyone agree with this.

    I am in CDL school and trying to pick that first company. Need money soon. This outfit looks pretty good... I also like Werner from the standpoint of benefits and pay. I know not all like them but it is not a lifetime decision.

    Let me know feedback on the short 10 day training.

    Thanks!

    :biggrin_25514:
     
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  3. Tip

    Tip Tipster

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    Hmmmm. Watkins or Werner? That's like choosing between a piece of apple pie a'lamode and a piece of dried bark from a Russian Olive tree for dessert.

    Watkins is light years better than Werner. And I've heard of the short training policy there. It's a good idea. Go with Watkins and forget Werner.
     
  4. MGASSEL

    MGASSEL Road Train Member

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    10 days non paid is what it is.
    I belive that they call it orentation they want to make sure that you know what you were suppose to learn in school. That can be a verry bad thing as some of the experinced people have told me. Yes you get out to make money faster but what if you have a wreck even a small one ? They will probaly fire a person for that. I do not know for sure if they will fire a person for even a small wreck but I prefer not to take any chances and I will not work for free for 10 days.
    They try to feed you a line of bs well we pay for your bus ticket and your motel while you are here but that is not good enough reason to work for free to me.

    I belive most people on here will agree with me on this the more training that you recive the better prepaired you will be when you go out on your own. That is if you get a good trainer.
    Also rember that you will allways be learning something.

    I did not go with watkins shepherd due to the fact that I was told that I have to unload all of the time and as I stated before I will not work for free.
     
  5. Tip

    Tip Tipster

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    Sounds like you'll be leaving what could be a #### good job wide open for a guy like me to grab. That's just fine and dandy to me, brother.

    I'm not an expert on Watkins, but I do believe they are an LTL outfit. Sure, you'll be lumpin' freight if you work for those guys, but it'll be in small increments at each stop. Also, you'll be making lots more compared with what you'll make at Werner. And truck drivers are really doing the driving thing for one thing and one thing only, regardless of what they say about doing it because they "love it so". Yeah, whatever. Show me the mulla. That's what it's all about.

    Maybe lumpin' it at places like Watkins is the way to go. Most guys don't want to touch freight, which is understandable. I was definitely in that group when I drove. However, when the majority opt to take it easy and let lumpers do the unloading, that leaves open a potential niche you can get into. And this niche that Watkins is in pays pretty #### well, so you definitely won't be sweating for free.
     
  6. MGASSEL

    MGASSEL Road Train Member

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    for 10 days you work for free no if's ands or buts that is what they told me. I understand that it may be a little here a little there but I do not know what the heaviest thing is and choose not to hurt my back.
    I belive that the pay may be good but they gave me a run arround about getting me my prehire it took about 4-5 weeks for them to fax it to me I dont know if it is the company or the recruiter that was the problem also the recruiter was hard to get ahold of all the time seemed that she was off alot of the time or on vacations alot.
     
  7. Tip

    Tip Tipster

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    Swallow your pride and go for it. Ten days'll pass in no time. It sounds like that company is worth working for. One must pass muster there before getting his own truck, which is understandable. If you were the one calling the shots at Watkins, you'd probably be doin' the same thing.

    I'd rather work ten days free and miss out on about 1,000 bones than go on a training truck for four to six weeks making somebody else money while I make chicken feed. If you get paid 350 bucks a week with a trainer, your cost will be about 350 more each week you're on the training truck, as your income will be around 700 a week take home when you get running in your own rig. That opportunity cost will be well over 1500 if you spend five weeks with the trainer.

    Have you talked to any rank and file Watkins drivers? Those guys will tell you all about the average weights of Watkins freight. I don't think throwing your back out will be a worry. Just exercise your spine for a week or two before getting on the training truck.

    I'm tellin' ya--this Watkins deal is far better than the deal you'll get at Werner. Get into that niche and go to town. You'll make better money and stay at the job far longer.
     
  8. MGASSEL

    MGASSEL Road Train Member

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    I am not going with werner I am going with may
     
  9. Tip

    Tip Tipster

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    Sounds like you're going sideways or even backwards. May is a reefer outfit that advertises a lot around Salt Lake, or at least they used to. After seeing their ad in the Salt Lake Tribune every day of the world, and then reading posts here about May, I'd say that even if they don't advertise these days, nothing has changed at that company. Constant advertising is a sign a company can't keep the drivers it already has. Knowing this is true, plus reading what I've read here about May, I definitely wouldn't go with that company. Well, maybe two days after doomsday I would. Understand that I'll be at Swift the first day after doomsday. Hey....I keep my promises.

    Crete has a terminal in Salt Lake City, and they're far better than Werner and May combined.

    Of course, you could go with Watkins. Ten days of dues-paying isn't that much of a commitment. You have to understand that a company isn't going to hire you on, and then train you while paying you during that training. That would be plain stupid. What if you quit right after you finish training? The company would be out of its investment. Not only this, but you could use your training as a bargaining chip to get unfair treatment at the expense of the company after you finish. You'd have the company over a barrel, and being at the mercy of labor is one place smart employers always ensure they never find themselves.

    It's no surprise you'll have to give 10 days to Watkins. If I ran Watkins, I'd ask for at least two weeks. Probably three. A trucking company must be sure its investment in a driver's training is gonna be worth it. Those who could give me two weeks free would go a long way in proving their mettle. Those who wouldn't be able to prove it wouldn't hire on in the first place, which would be the point of making drivers give me at least two weeks in the first place. "You prove yourself first, and then we'll give you a solo rig of your own". Sounds like a good strategy.
     
  10. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Does May have a terminal on the front range?


    Watkins-Shepard has a terminal in Denver.
     
  11. MGASSEL

    MGASSEL Road Train Member

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    May has a drop yard only in Denver area from what the web page says. The closest term is in Utah.
    Yes wk sh has a term in denver but I would have to go to missula montanna for the 10 days

    Tip
    I have not heard from crete
    From what I hear the turnover rate at May has declined so they may have gotten better. I was told they do not have may empty trucks.
    I was going to go with Davis but I do not want to tarp in freezing temps or bad weather.
    I prefer to have a box so no tarping is nessary.
    I can sleep with the reefers running I have done it before and I slept verry well.
    I just had to get use to it the first time after that it was easy to sleep.
    May pays 500.00 per week for training. The rest of them pays only a little bit.
    I am going into trucking but I will not loose my house while I am being trained.
    I am willing to give any company a chance but not work for free.
    I could allways call crete.
     
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