Tell me more about W/S...

Discussion in 'Watkins & Shepard' started by jdezur, Aug 2, 2013.

  1. jdezur

    jdezur Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2010
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    I'm thinking of coming aboard w/s. I've been out of the truck on some "extended" hometime (7 mos for family reasons) and I don't want to go back to the place I left. But, I've got some questions that need some answers before I start filling out an app. Some of these questions are going to sound basic, but that's because even with searching I haven't found an answer (or I saw an answer but forgot).

    I hear that the cpm isn't great starting, but you get lots of stop pay.
    What's the payscale for someone with 2 yrs OTR experience?
    What's the stop pay like?
    Detention & breakdown pay?

    What do benefits look like?
    Medical/dental costs?(just an estimate is ok)?
    401k?
    sick time or vacation after X yrs?
    Rider Policy?

    Hometime is 6/1, but what about swinging by the house on loads? I see they don't let you take the trk home, but that's fine. I'm 4 miles from the new(?) columbus, OH terminal. How often would you guess I'd be passing here?
    Is this area in a good freight lane?

    Do you have prepass/ezpass?
    Toll reimbursement in other states not on ezpass?
    Do you get to pick your own routing/fuel stops?

    How much NYC/New england is there?
    Any extra pay for it?
    What'd your % be for east coast/midwest/west coast?

    Inverters - Can I put in my own if the trk doesn't have one, or do I need to pay to have the shop do it?
    How's the idle policy?
    APUs?

    Do they do leasing or any o/o stuff?

    Thanks in advance for your answers... I don't want to harass a recruiter yet, since I'm still trying to narrow the list of companies I'm thinking about.
    -Jeff
     
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  3. luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

    1,978
    1,161
    Jul 30, 2013
    Phoenix Arizona
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    Jeff, I started with red highlights but got lazy. I hope this helps, Like I said it has been a long time since we been there. And ain't going back.
     
    jdezur Thanks this.
  4. runawayload

    runawayload Light Load Member

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    Sep 5, 2012
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    Hope this helps. It's a great company to work for, I often get what I ask for when it comes to load assignments. I don't mind staying on the west coast because it means I see my bed a little more. You didn't ask but right now I'm averaging around 2400-2600 a week. The states I'm often in are ca,nv,ut,mt,id,or,co,wa

    it didn't change my font color so you're gonna have to re- read your questions to get the answers
     
    Mr. Jay and jdezur Thank this.
  5. luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

    1,978
    1,161
    Jul 30, 2013
    Phoenix Arizona
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    There you go between my post and this one, You can get a good idea what they have going on! I wish you luck.
     
  6. FRG1735

    FRG1735 Light Load Member

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    Jun 19, 2012
    San Diego, CA
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    Overall a good company, I believe 2 years exp they start you at .35 mile. Layover is paid @ $50/day and breakdown @$100, when you are not at your home city.

    I just left them for a local car hauling job that gets me home every night and weekends off, plus better pay. If I ever go back to otr it will definitely be with w/s..

    I brought my truck home during home time all the time, and dispatch knew.
     
    jdezur Thanks this.
  7. luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

    1,978
    1,161
    Jul 30, 2013
    Phoenix Arizona
    0
    Your home terminal was one that allowed it to go home, some have room and like to keep them on premises, I was out of the Phx. Term. and they don't have any room there either so I took my truck home.
     
    jdezur Thanks this.
  8. jdezur

    jdezur Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2010
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    Wow. Thanks everyone. While the cpm isn't the best, I can see how you'd make up for it on the stops. The rest is acceptable, and looks like any other OTR company that isn't a bottomfeeder. It seems like they're easy to work with, and allow the drivers to actually be professionals and call some of the shots.I'm still deciding if I want to go back otr, or try and get something local. The family says local, I say otr, just cuz I hate seeing the same roads every day.
     
  9. Johnnyspeed1975

    Johnnyspeed1975 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 19, 2013
    Maiden NC
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    Thanks for the good info! I'm starting my orientation next week and this sounds like a great place to work. I'm new to the trucking industry. I'm trying to get a list together for things ill need to get started as a solo driver. Will I need a cb radio or do the trucks already have them? I know ill need atlas and maybe a GPS any other suggestions could be helpful. Thanks!
     
  10. eyazee

    eyazee Bobtail Member

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    Sep 7, 2010
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    WS is one of the few companies I applied with. Ive worked for 4 major trucking firms
    Werner
    Knight
    CRST
    Crete.
    I am so fed up with these huge firms, it seems they could care less about your situation, miles, pay, concerns, suggestions, etc.
    WS has about 800 or so trucks. Is it a good outfit? They told me I would need to do a 3 day orientation in Missoula MT. I am from Stockton, Ca.
    My local terminal I guess would be Modesto, Ca.
    I have been driving 2 1/2 years or so. They offered me .35/mile plus a .04 bonus for fuel, production and safety (combined) but said it paid individually.
    (i.e. .01 safe; .01 prod; .02 fuel..etc). I read someone said it was a "10 day orientation"?! sounds too long o me, Ive never had more than a 4 day orientation, anywhere!
    Hand logs? yet they have qualcomm? what about these "loops" ive been reading about? West coast, East Coast, etc??!
    I have my own physical, just got a 2 year renewal, good thru 09/2015. Do I need a new one? what about drug testing and DOT physicals? Do they do the HAIR FOLLICLE testing, BLOOD test, or just a PEE test?!
    I dont mind any drug testing, I just dont want to be "Cloned"! lol
    Im fed up with BIG COMPANIES and hope that what the WS recruiter told me was at least 1/2 true.
    I dont mind "TG delivery" pallet jacking to tailgate. but he said it was a flat $20/per stop, whereas I read different $ amounts depending on origin and or destinations?!
    Can anyone clarify these stop pays?
    Can we fuel anywhere? (I prefer T/A showers! )
    Are there inverters or can I bring my own? APUs on new trucks or not? What about Idle times/percentages?
    Prepass and EZpass?
    1 day off for every 6 days out...does it "rollover"? (like if Im out 8 weeks and come home for 2 days do I still get 6 more or lose them?)
    He just about promised me 2800-3200 miles per week....but Ive heard that before and it was a huge lie....do any of you WS drivers get 3k miles/week?
    Governed at 65, I can run 620 a day (without any stops). With 6-12 stops per trip how many miles do you avg. a week? Seems like alot of 14 hour days with alot of stopping....?!
    Sorry to go on, but my mind keeps going....:)
    Thanx for any info..
    EY!
     
  11. eyazee

    eyazee Bobtail Member

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    Sep 7, 2010
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    I use my Smart phone GPS..its not a trucker GPS, but if you know what to look for (signage) youll save $$ without having to buy a truckers GPS..if your new, you may want to get one or you could end up on some old dirt road in PA. with a covered bridge and nowhere to turn around...lol
     
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