The truth about watkins, my expierence

Truck drivers are a dime a dozen...good (professional) drivers that show up on time and don't wreck the equipment are not. The good drivers will quickly rise through the ranks and move on to better deals if they start out their career at a bottom feeder.

 

I was leased to them and have no complaints whatsoever. They paid everything they said they would, did what they promised, had clean terminals and laundry at all of them which at the time was free. They are replacing all the co. trucks but they went through tough times like everyone and held up. I don't know about attitude of dispatch now but when I was there if you had a problem you didn't complain to them, you went to the supervisor and the best way to go to him is sugggest a solution to your problem and tell him how it will make the company more money. As for me, I would have just bought a clamp and fixed the darn truck. I drove a B Model Mack at one time an we changed our own hose and belts in the field, I changed tires and fixed flat and shoveled bull crap out of trailers for extra money. Back then we didn't have jake brakes, airconditioning and some trucks wouldn't get warm in Texas, let alone central CO. Bunch of sissies these days! BTW/I ran an average of 130,000 miles a year at Watkins Shepard until I broke my back truing to tarp my covered wagon in 30mph winds.

 

One of the big factors that makes WS very attractive is that in about two weeks you are in your own truck. You are not riding with a complete stranger for 3 months of training. Have you read any stories about driver trainers? Like when the trainer wants to take 7 days off and you sit in New Mexico waiting for him to come back to work...no thanks.

I don't think trucking company's lie, it's just that we as noobs didn't know what to ask. Trucking isn't like your fortune 500 desk job where things are laid out in a row.

You have to learn to work with your dispatchers, if I needed anything, I simply asked and they worked with me. I didn't always get my way, but they at least tried. Also, it's a small enough company that within 6 mos to a year, when there is a dedicated run opening, you have a real shot at getting it.

I would strongly recommend this company to 1st year drivers. In a truck quickly, plenty of opportunity for different runs. And if you aren't ##### up, you are left completely alone...it's nice.

 

who trains for 3 months, 2 or 3 crappy companies..? Most training is 4 weeks, sometimes 8. A few more weeks of training isn't a big deal if it means making hundreds more every week.

 

My experience wasn't as bad but still very similar. People net showed me traveling while sleeping or stuck on closed highway. Logged faster speeds then driven, 6500 miles in three months, tons of 1/2,10,11,14hr violations and Troy said over 3,000 speeding notifications. My truck was a 70mph truck from Knight but there a 65 mph company. I and my dog are now stranded in Phoenix with out shelter or vehicle. They said they would ship my stuff and fly me home, but told me my dog is my problem. Worst company experience in my life. Ive been berated for a month, told I was a worthless liar, a cheat, and a safety risk.

 

Really sorry to hear that bud. Good luck getting home. Having a pet, I'd say look at US express. They have a very good pet policy and just increased their rates. Its pretty much your best choice that I can think of.

 

You sound like a whiner who should not be in the trucking industry.
Yes, trucking is hard and eats up your free time.
Yes, training is hard and takes up a lot of time.(that's the whole point of training. To see if you can handle a long work week. You obviously cannot)

I spent 2 years with Watkins. Best people I have ever worked for.

You think that cushy job was hard?
Try aggregates sometime.
You would be crying within hours.

 

If you think that putting up with nonsense like that makes you a man, you're wrong. Just makes you some companies b1+@#

 

Amen to that brother !

I know 2 husband & wife teams that left W&S recently. Had nothing good to say about that place.

 

Let me know when you find that cushy job that bows down to your demands. Seriously. We can all go there. Good luck.