Watkins question: Do they run Electronic Logs? What types of trucks?

Discussion in 'Watkins & Shepard' started by Oaktown, Jan 5, 2013.

  1. hup

    hup Medium Load Member

    592
    209
    Oct 19, 2010
    Missoula, MT
    0
    I think they're almost always wanting Canada runners, at least from Helena anyway. A lot of guys sign up wanting weekends off but then find out they can't or don't like some combo of: boring roads, cold, snow, LTL, unloading, or border crossing.
     
    Milktanker Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Oaktown

    Oaktown Light Load Member

    114
    8
    Dec 19, 2012
    0
  4. Milktanker

    Milktanker Medium Load Member

    373
    252
    Jun 25, 2012
    Frenchtown, mt
    0
    The hardest part for me is seeing the same roads and customers all the time. It can get pretty repetitive. If your not used to driving on snow and ice it can get pretty interesting sometimes. I've met a lot of drivers up here who did one trip across the border and refuse to go back. Personally I've never had any issues with border crossings but I've heard some pretty good stories about what can happen.
     
  5. Flavius Valerius Aurelius

    Flavius Valerius Aurelius Bobtail Member

    24
    10
    Jun 17, 2013
    Bakken
    0
    All of the trucks with a 2400+ numbers have PeoplesNet logs installed. It's just matter of time when will W/S start using them. I spoke with one of the drivers who have brand new Volvo and he claims that he still uses paper as E-log does not work properly. When he is on his 10h break - every time he wants to read/check message received from dispatch - elog kick him back to "on duty" time so basically e-log is for the communicating with dispatch only for the moment.
     
  6. nsxftw

    nsxftw Light Load Member

    190
    39
    Dec 2, 2011
    n/a
    0
    I have peoplenet on my brand new volvo. Everything is good except sending msg to dispatch. And keyboard is touch screen so you have to press every single letter to send msg. Its annoying but what can you say. :)
     
  7. Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

    1,918
    564
    Mar 8, 2007
    VA
    0
    I hear an inside rumor of 200 new Volvos eventually as al the equipment they seem to have has over a million miles on it. Loved being leased there and would still go back but just can't due to a 3 x 8 x 1" deep chunk out of 1 thigh and 2 lower back surgeries caused by degenerative disc disease. They are the best place I have ever worked. No pressure, no bad comments and great discounts for truck owners.
     
  8. TAC12

    TAC12 Light Load Member

    122
    43
    Jan 27, 2014
    North GA
    0
    nscftw

    Are you with WS? How long? I am scheduled for orientation on the 18th in Conover... They seem to be a great company. Can you tell me much about em?
     
  9. nsxftw

    nsxftw Light Load Member

    190
    39
    Dec 2, 2011
    n/a
    0
    Yes, I'm still currently w WS and been almost 3 years. I am from NC area so feel free to ask. I hope you will get Brand New Volvo as well. Orientation will be piece of cakes but stay attention on the class if not, Richard or Matt will be unhappy. LOL

    Anyways, I've been driving w New Peoplenet (ELOGS SH.TS!) for a month. So far, I like it if we don't still used paper logs at the same time.
     
  10. lakerized805

    lakerized805 Light Load Member

    183
    59
    Apr 2, 2014
    Simi Valley, CA
    0
    NSFXTW - I too have been looking at W/S. My fiance and I just enrolled into Dootson School of Trucking and have been looking very hard and doing alot of research as to what company we want to get hired on as team drivers. How do you like them? We are looking at team OTR. Know anything about the pay? Benefits? Hometime? I heard you can bank your home time if you want to stay out for a month and have 5 days off etc, is that true?
     
  11. Flavius Valerius Aurelius

    Flavius Valerius Aurelius Bobtail Member

    24
    10
    Jun 17, 2013
    Bakken
    0
    Does not matter if you're team or not, you will be in a truck for minimum 3 weeks first time you get in a cab. A lot of people will tell you (especially before truck assignment) "just a few days then you'll get time to get your stuff" - do not believe that. That's a lie. Be prepared for that.
    Miles - they will run you hard as much as you guys can take it and as long you have hours. I really like WS because of that. They're also very forgiving compared to other companies and thats main reason why I work here. In winter (ice) you will appreciate that a lot. They will never force you to drive if it isn't safe. I do not wanna name companies which will but I am sure you will find the answer here somewhere.
    Hometime - It a LOT EASIER to get days off when you need them. A lot easier than you think. You just need to make sure that you call a week before at least so you can be on a "home list" and they give you load towards home. Example: I usually stay out for 5-6 weeks and then use 5-6 days off. You can use as much days as you want as long you have days to use. One time I was "lucky" that my (first) truck broke down in home terminal so by the time they fixed it, I was home for 12 days.
    Friend of mine does only 2 days every month or two until he builds up 14 days and then uses them all as a "mini vacation" as he calls it. As for "bank your days off" - You just think you'll do it, but when you get in a truck for a month/month and a half, you'll change your mind pretty quick. There is always something home that you've forgot or needs to be done, or simply you need a day or two to blow off steam. Just call W/S, I'm pretty sure that they will answer absolutely everything you ask even before applying for job.
    Everybody has his/her opinion on days off, just chose what fits you. W/S is great when it comes to that (at least for me:yes2557:), just be sure you're honest with them and they will give you 100% feedback.
    If I am wrong, anybody here is free to correct me but I really like the people here. I cant say anything negative about them (except my first p.o.s. truck which was breaking down on DAILY basis)
    lakerized805 - if you have more questions, feel free to ask.

    P.S. Whichever company you decide to go for, do yourself a favor and don't think in a hard moments that other companies are better. There is no such a thing as a good company. In my opinion only ok company and worse. Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2014
    lakerized805 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.