Willis Shaw Express Review

Discussion in 'Willis' started by AlohaWolfana, Sep 1, 2007.

  1. AlohaWolfana

    AlohaWolfana Bobtail Member

    15
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    Aug 21, 2007
    LHC, AZ
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    Anyone out there work/worked for Willis Shaw? How are they treating you? We'd like to know if our initial experiences were based on:

    1 - Initially QUALCOMM wasn't available
    2 - 1-2 day layover after most runs
    3 - New to company and want to know if this is the norm

    My husband has had some questionable experiences so far and both sides are communicating and working towards resolution.

    All feedback is appreciated!
     
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  3. kameraman

    kameraman Bobtail Member

    36
    5
    Oct 28, 2007
    Gadsden,AL
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    Been with company over a year ! Like any company , had some querps but nothing major . They probably have more problems with me , HaHa ! Work out of Atlanta as Regional Driver . Have had some layover but very little . Leased on as O/O , averaging , bring home of a $1000 a week . Have took off 4 months out of a year , especially when freight was slow or fuel high . That's just the trucking business ! Been in trucking 15 years . They treat me well ! Not like some I have been with ! This is my 7th company . The last one went out of business and a couple of others were individuals that went out ! They really try to make me happy ! Have got bonus for running 10,000 miles a month . Stick with it . It should get better . If not try different Fleet Mgr.
     
  4. kaydriver1

    kaydriver1 Light Load Member

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    Oct 6, 2007
    monett,missouri
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    I work with a couple of guys that drove for them a couple of years ago. They didn't have a whole lot of good things to say about them, but then again that was a couple of years ago, and they didn't run regional either.
    They said that they would keep them out for 4 weeks and when they got home as soon as they walked through the door they were calling them with another load. Sounds like they may have changed though.
     
  5. wc5b

    wc5b Medium Load Member

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    Nov 5, 2007
    Flint, MI
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    I ran with them for over a year. I only left because I wanted to find a company closer to home. It was not worth the move. I was OTR 48 and I had up months and down months. I normally got 2500 miles easy. But when I did not, I really did not. The main problems getting miles had nothing to do with WSE. It mostly the shippers. Budweiser screwing up an order, Tyson taking FOREVER to live load (I really mean forever), Walmart taking there grand ol' time to unload.

    When it came down to it though, I did notice that Southeast Regional 5days a week guys were kicking my tail in miles. Did not understand that for me running 4-5weeks out lower 48. If your having a problem, talk about changing dispatchers. I really enjoyed being on Don B.'s board. Its worth a shot. Also, it seemed that whenever I did have to wait like that other then that, it was in particular places. Like So Cal. Lots of loads going in, but few going out. Some weekend waits out there happened sometimes. If your diplomatic about it, I found it was easier to say, please don't send me into LA unless its the only thing! I tried that for customer too, but that did not work as well. Just don't demand, be diplomatic and tell them your concerns.

    As for qualcomm, the only time it was ever an issue was during equipment trade-outs. Its a good sign when there swapping old equipment out so fast that there low on Qualcomm. I did go about 1-2 weeks once without qualcomm until they got one in when I got out of my Mack (Man I miss that truck) and into a Century. Thats all part of the biz. I would rather go without Qcomm for a bit and get a newer truck, then drive garbage.

    They always treated me well. Anytime I did have a dispute, it was handled very professionally and in an adult manner, almost like military chain of command. I never had a problem with payroll. As long as you fill your logs correct and send in your receipts, your good. I even sent in receipts for UNAPPROVED expenses like UNAPPROVED shortcut tolls, and it was always paid for. Well, except washing the cab. I just bit the bullet on that after a while.

    If they had a terminal at least a little closer to home for easier maintenance and payed for Detention, I would probably go back in a heartbeat. I KNOW I would go back if they drove newer Visions or 379's LOL!

    Also note that they trained me the RIGHT way! They sent me to a GOOD school. They did not put me on the road solo until I was ready. It was a great place to start a career. Good honest and safe company. Lease deal is a rip off as normal, but a good place to start a career driving.

    Don't run yet. Stick it out a bit longer and see what happens.
     
  6. wc5b

    wc5b Medium Load Member

    322
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    Nov 5, 2007
    Flint, MI
    0
    I worked for them for just over a year as my starter company.

    1. They sent me to a well respected school that trained me the right way the FIRST time. It was far from a CDL Factory. This was the first first proof that this company cares about safety. Other things that showed me this included booking loads that could safely be run within log book rules (Not a lot of night driving unless the driver prefers it.) and well maintained (only slightly used) comfortable equipment. They never asked me to run a shadey load. They do allow you to idle to be comfortable as long as you don't abuse it. The biggest factor by far was a quality trainer and training program, post school.

    2. They filled all promises to me including pay and benefits. You will not get rich at WSE, but a Honest Company with integrity is priceless in this industry as you know. No real layover or detention pay, but they did take care of me during an extended breakdown with hotel and pay during that downtime. They did have some notorious areas in the country where there were more loads going in then out (Like L.A.) where this did become a minor issue. Longest wait, which was over the weekend, was rare. But a day wait was just common enough to gripe under my breath sometimes. All disputes were resolved in a professional manner also.

    3. Equipment for company drivers are not Cadillac's of the industry, but they tend to be very comfortable and quality equipment. I believe they are still running Century Condos with all the comforts and Newer International Condo's with auto trans and NICE interiors. There may still be a few visions and XL's, but I doubt it. They tend to run there equipment from new to about 500k-600k at the very high end. They try to insure good maintenance schedules also.

    4. Getting paid is quick quick quick now with the Trip Scan. They implemented that about a couple years ago. Tolls always got paid. Lumper's always got paid.

    5. No Mexico or Canada, which is good in my book.

    6. They knew me by name, not a number. Although they do use a number on the qualcomm. Which by the way, they only use for trip data and communications, not to micromanage.

    Plus side:
    - Good honest people (RARE in the industry)
    - Safe policies, practices, and equipment
    - Easy and quick payment methods via tripscan and such
    - Fuel partnerships at Flying J, TA, and Pilots
    - Work with you to get you home when you want to be home as agreed
    - Qualcomm for all the RIGHT reasons not the bad
    - Tolls and Lumper's paid (Approved Logical Tolls)
    - Comfortable trucks and policies (idling ok and Idle Air paid)
    - Care about there drivers as friends and partners
    - No Canada or Mexico (I think NYC is not forced too)

    Negatives:
    - No Pete's or W900's here, sorry
    - Pay package "OK" at best
    - Frankly, major customers tend to be ones difficult to work with. Tyson, Budweiser, and Walmart to mention a few.
    - Trucks capped out at 69. Ok for me though. (Might be 65 now?)
    - Trailer fleet is aging and can be a hassle sometimes. I believe that 2007 was suppose to start a major change in that. Maybe its better now.
    - No pet's (if thats important to you)
    - Rider policy is kinda nuts. A girlfriend or wife can ride with you, but thats about it. A friend, father, or mother can not. So, if I meet a waitress in a greesy diner, I can call back and say my girl wants to ride with me, but if my father wants to do a run, he can't.
     
  7. GreenerGrass

    GreenerGrass Bobtail Member

    21
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    Sep 27, 2007
    Ozark Mountains
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    wc5b, where did you go to school? was it NTI?
     
  8. GreenerGrass

    GreenerGrass Bobtail Member

    21
    1
    Sep 27, 2007
    Ozark Mountains
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    i go by the office in elm springs a couple of times a week. I am going to the school at NTI in Springdale right now and plan on driving for Tyson when I graduate. What did you mean about hauling for Tyson?
     
  9. wc5b

    wc5b Medium Load Member

    322
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    Nov 5, 2007
    Flint, MI
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    As a company driver, I have heard good things about tyson. But if you are anothers company's truck. They are famous for making you wait days, let alone hours to get loaded. They also drill your company if said load does not arrive on time even though its there fault. Facilities tend to be poorly managed (at least shipping) and hire staff that a McDonalds would not hire. Very rude and very lazy. BUT.... Like I said. I hear actually driving for Tyson (I guess its kinda a sub company) is not bad. I mean, they are neighbors and share the same hotel there by walmart! LOL I had a few chances to chat it up with some drivers. LOL Good looking equipment too. Volvos.

    At least stop in one day and talk with Shaw if you know where they are. Its an easy way not to put all your eggs in one basket. JB Hunt, Walmart, and PAM (None I would recommend) are in the neighborhood too. Does not hurt to talk to them though. It will make you feel maybe a bit more sure of your final choice. Don't just talk to recruiters. Talk to drivers. Around the drivers lounge. Just remember, take it all with a grain of salt. An driver compaining, is a happy driver sometimes. LOL
     
  10. GreenerGrass

    GreenerGrass Bobtail Member

    21
    1
    Sep 27, 2007
    Ozark Mountains
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    A friend of mine that works there said they are going to get rid of the Volvos and go with the Internationals next year. Thats too bad, I really like the Volvos. Its funny my friend said that as a company driver that he had to wait several times to get a load so a sub carrier could go out first. Go figure!
     
  11. wc5b

    wc5b Medium Load Member

    322
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    Nov 5, 2007
    Flint, MI
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    They prob had been sitting there a day already and complaining. HAHA Don't be to quick on the internationals. Maybe they will be Prostars. LOL If you go to WSE, let them show you a 9400. They have about half their fleet now with 9400's. They are not that bad too. Not the best for teams though.
     
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