Originally Posted by reptij

I would rather get most of these answers from a real driver for Watkins then from a Recruiter. Anyone mind playing recruiter and answering some of these questions? Its just hard searching through thousands of threads to find this info. Shoot and it would help any other newbies from coming and asking all the same questions of you if you dont mind, i know it is a huge list. I found it in the newbie section of this forum.

Here's a list of questions that company drivers will want to ask recruiters before they decide to accept the job:


1. Will I be:
Hired employee_X__
Contract driver___
(A contract driver is usually paid on a percentage basis and taxes are the responsibility of the contract driver. There also must be a contract between the company and the driver. This contract is for the IRS audits and must meet their requirements. A good way to tell is to refer to form S S0 8


2. As an employee, how is my pay figured?
Hourly____ Rate____
By the mile__X__ Rate__.25cpm to start__

3. If paid by the mile, how is mileage calculated?
Hub miles__X__
Computer program such as PCMiler, HHG, etc.____
Dispatched miles____
Loaded miles____
Is pay figured Per-diem? or non-Per-Diem?
4. Does the company hold back the first paycheck?
Yes____ No__X__
If so, how long?
One week____ Two weeks____
5. Is the driver responsible for loading and unloading?
Yes__X__ No____

6. If not, how is the lumper issue handled?
Company contract with lumpers____
Advances for lumpers (deduct from paycheck)_X___
Reimbursement for lumper with receipts____
7. If driver unloads, how is payment made?
Flat rate_X $20-$25/Per Stop__
Hourly____
Piece____
By weight____
8. What is the company policy on fueling?
Driver choice of supplier____
Company choice of supplier_X___
Fuel Card supplied__X__
Driver pays & company reimburses___

Ask the company about their fuel network. How extensive is it, etc.? Also do they used forced routing including fuel stops? One company I spoke with had a bad reputation of calculating their paid mileage but not adding in the forced routing out of route just to fuel at a particular station. Same company is known to route drivers 100 miles out, unpaid, to save this money. Also ask if the companies contract with the fuel supplier precludes the driver from collecting in the "Perks" programs offered by the fuel supplier. Can't remember which carrier has done this but it has been reported. Those perks can really help you save some money.

They send you a fuel stop list and a route, you are asked to follow both, but if you need to fuel elsware or take another route then do it and put it on your trip envolpe. You get paid for every mile that truck moves, so it dont matter what the "route" miles are

9. Does the company pay for:
Layovers__X__
Detention time____
Canceled loads____
Multiple drops and picks__X__
Tolls__X__
Truck washes_X___
Trailer wash-outs__X__
Scale tickets__X yes as in certified scales NOT OVER WEIGHT TICKETS__
Minor road repairs to equipment such as clearance lights, wiring, etc.__X__
Denied Loads______
Breakdown pay__X____

Ask the company if their shipping contracts have penalties written into them for detentions, etc., caused by consignee or shipper. The company may advertise these but so many have been reported not to pay for it. When you hit a dock, and the trucks are lined up waiting for unload, it is nice knowing that even if your company is bad about paying you then hopefully they have a clause that allows them to collect as an incentive to shipper/consignee to make sure you are not last in line.
10. How many miles per week can I expect to run? _2500-4000_____
11. How many days/weeks will a driver be kept out? __east coast drivers out of NC are home most weekends, OTR drivers are asked to stay out 3-4 weeks at a time____
12. What is the policy on home time? ___1 day off for every 6 out, no limit on how many you take off at a time_____________________________________ ____
13. What benefits does the company offer?
Paid vacation __X__ After how long _1 year___ How much vacation time __1-3 weeks__
Sick days____ After how long ____ How many sick days ____
Health/dental care _X___Is family included? Yes_X__ No ____
Safety awards __X__
Retirement plans/401K __X__
Rider policy __X__Company paid? Yes___ No __X_ What are the age requirements? _12+___ Is it limited to family members only? Yes ____ No _X___
Safety bonuses_X___ Based on: no violations/accidents _yes___; Customer Service ____; Feedback/complaints from general public____; On-time ____; SO&D ____; Idle time ____; On time ____ ; Fuel Mileage _yes___
On the subject of bonuses ask them specifically how they are determined, calculated and paid. Most I have spoken with based theirs on mileage amounts driven and one or two provided unattainable or unrealistically attainable mileage. Do a little math and be realistic about it to see if you could attain those mileage levels. Also ask if they pay bonuses monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually.

paid monthly based off MPG's, QC messages, Fuel Routing compliance, and log violations


14. Do you have forced dispatch? Yes____ No_X___
15. What regions does the company expect you to run? ____48 states and eastern canada___________________________________________; Does the company run in areas that you do not want go, such as Canada, Mexico, or NY? Yes__X__ No____
16. Does the company offer dedicated runs? Yes__X__ No ____; If yes, how do I get one? ____ask__________________
17. Does driver work directly with brokers (hand-offs)? Yes_X___ No ____
18. What is the company policy on check calls (status for the day)? ___QC message every night____________________________________
19. Does the company allow pets in the truck? Yes _X___ No ____ If so, are damage deposits required? Yes _X___ No____; If so, how much? _$500____ Deposit return policy? __no return__________________________________________
20. Does company provide cell phones? Yes____ No _X___
21. What kind of truck will I be driving? Year_2005-2009___ Make_FL/Volvo/KW____ Model_____
22. Can driver take the truck home? Yes ____ No __X__
23. What kind of transmission? __10 spd_______________________________________
24. What kind of engine? __Cummins or Detroit___________________________________________
25. What kind of sleeper? _70" standup double bunk____________________________________________
26. Can I put my own chrome and lights on the truck? Yes _X___ No ____
27. Are speeds governed? Yes _X___ No ____ If so, governed at what speed? _65mph___________________________

Also ask if the company has a policy on what average speed you are allowed to log at? One company I spoke with slipped and allow the trucks are governed at 70, they do not allow logging higher than 60 MPH. Not a problem most times but if you hit a long run, with 65 MPH legal average speed limit, then governing at 70 MPH means nothing. Also ask if the company limits their cruise control to a max speed? Have been reading where this is fairly common practice also to save fuel.

average speed must not exceed truck governer or posted speed limits

28. CB equipped? Yes _X___ No ____
29. AM/FM radio/TV? Yes _X____ No ____
30. Refrigerator? Yes ____ No __X__
31. Qualcom? Yes _X___ No ____
32. Air Ride seats? Yes _X___ No _____
33. Engine Brakes? Yes __X__ No ____
34. Opti-Idle? Yes ____ No _X___
APU’s? Yes__X some do some dont__ No_____
Inverters? Yes_X you suply it___ No____
Ask what the company's idle policy is. Do they use APU's, opti-idle, etc. Is idle time tied into anything other than bonus'? Is your performance report based in any part on meeting the idle policy limits? If you continually do not meet the idle policy what is the company's policy for handling that situation?

no policy you idle whenever you need to, some trucks have APU's, all trucks have Bunk Heaters


35. How often does company purchase new equipment? ___When they do____________________________________
36. Can I purchase my truck through the company? Yes ____ No __X__ Lease/purchase plan? Yes ____ No _X___ Success rate on lease/purchase? __________________________________________________ __________
37. Does the company provide training? Yes ____ No _X___
38. Is training paid by company? Yes ____ No _X___
39. If company paid, is there a penalty if I leave the company before a specified period of time? Yes ____ No ____; If penalty, how is it calculated? __________________________________________________ ______________
40. What are trainer requirements? ___no trainers__________________________________________ _____ ____________
41. Does the trainer receive extra pay? Yes ____ No ____
42. As a trainer, will I be able to refuse to train a potential driver? Yes ____ No ____
43. Is trainer responsible for actions of trainees? Yes ____ No ____
44. What is the length of training period? _____no trainer___________________________________________ __ _______
45. Will I be assigned solo after the training period? Yes ____ No ____
46. Are female trainers provided for female trainees upon request? Yes

____ No ____
47. Is there a smoking/non-smoking policy? Yes ____ No __X__
48. Is an escrow, security deposit, performance bond, or any type of money held back by the company? Yes ____ No _X___; If so, what is the required amount, and what is the return policy? ___________________________________
49. Is transportation provided to orientation? Yes __X__ No ____
50. Motel/Food paid by company? Yes X____ No ____
51. Does the company pay for orientation? Yes _X___ No ____
52. If I am disqualified or if I choose not to sign on, does the company pay for my transportation back home? Yes_X___ No ____
Additional questions to ask:

Where is the company orientation held? Remember, if something occurs at orientation you are going to have to make your own way back. I have not spoken to one company yet that will pay your way back.

conover, NC or Missoula, MT

How often are orientations scheduled and when is the next one?

every monday if they have enough new drivers comeing in

How long is orientation?

10 days

What does the orientation cover?

everything

Most companies will want to have their own physical and background checks performed. Ask if they will perform these, and fully complete them, prior to you attending orientation? Does not matter how squeeky clean and healthy you think you are. If they perform them at orientation and dislike something you get to find your own way home. This is one area I am surprised at with companies. I have not found a company yet that would not describe their physical and background check process with their requirements for washouts.

they may have you do it before orientation or possibly at orientation. either way, they pick the doc and they pay. Background checks, work history and EVERYTHING is checked BEFORE they offer you a ticket to orientation

Do you need DOT Physical before you go?

they may have you do it before you go

American Trucker

P.S dont ever ask me to work that hard again




American Trucker

Didn't even get a "THANKS" for that ?

No kidding... docked this to the top of WS forum. Thanks, AT!

I read the AT's response, and there are a couple things I would like to clarify... Most loads the drivers are NOT required to LD/UNLD, unless it's a furniture load... When it is, the stop pay is determined by the origin of the load. I.e., if it comes out of the Myrtle terminal, it is a piece count (per red book), and if it's out of the Conover terminal, it's a flat $20/stp no matter if it's 1 piece or 100 pcs.

Also, if you're on a live load/unload, and you need a lumper, it is done in the form of a t-check, and WILL be deducted from your check if there is no receipt... Same with CAT scales, DIY repairs, etc...

For the most part, W/S doesn't ask us to come out of our pockets for anything... If, in the off-chance that we have to, the company will reimburse us fully...

Now, if you run over grandma's azaleas turning a tight corner that your GPS thought would be a good idea, then that's a different story entirely!!!

*Not that I know first-hand, I'm just speculating.*

Originally Posted by Nevanerviss

I read the AT's response, and there are a couple things I would like to clarify... Most loads the drivers are NOT required to LD/UNLD, unless it's a furniture load... When it is, the stop pay is determined by the origin of the load. I.e., if it comes out of the Myrtle terminal, it is a piece count (per red book), and if it's out of the Conover terminal, it's a flat $20/stp no matter if it's 1 piece or 100 pcs.

Also, if you're on a live load/unload, and you need a lumper, it is done in the form of a t-check, and WILL be deducted from your check if there is no receipt... Same with CAT scales, DIY repairs, etc...

For the most part, W/S doesn't ask us to come out of our pockets for anything... If, in the off-chance that we have to, the company will reimburse us fully...

Now, if you run over grandma's azaleas turning a tight corner that your GPS thought would be a good idea, then that's a different story entirely!!!

*Not that I know first-hand, I'm just speculating.*

Conover LTL= $20/stop
Myrtle LTL= $25/stop
Anyother terminal LTL= $5-$15/stop depending on peice count
Mulit stop NON LTL loads= $5/stop
Drop n Hooks= $5
Backing trailer into a dock at a terminal= $5


T-Checks put a "hold" on that amount of your paycheck until they receive the receipt for what ever they paid for.




American Trucker