Watkins shepard

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by sal, Aug 31, 2007.

  1. Raak

    Raak Bobtail Member

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    Sep 11, 2007
    Vancouver, WA
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    It has been a while since I posted on here. Went through school back in October. I have been on the road since then and like the company. Yes, the miles have been sucking for me lately. I think this might have partially been due to my fleet manager that just quit. Yesterday was a full week out after a week of home time and I had a grand total of 1800 miles in 7 days. That is real bad. Should be getting 2500 - 3000 a week to make ends meet.

    I still think W/S is a good company. They take good care of the equipment. They just need to update their computer systems badly and get a little better coordination in dispatch. Hopefully as the economy continues to get better, so will the miles.
     
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  3. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
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    Look for things to pick up for you soon. Lots of changes happening at the moment, just hang on. You lost your dispatcher? Yup, it's gonna suck for a few. And, it could get worse.

    Another issue, a couple of load planners on vacation. And that makes it suk even worse.

    When the produce starts running hard out of the west. You'll be wondering when you'll get a break, as more dry boxes are needed.

    Freight is running short, at the moment. Lots of things causing that, as you are aware. And it may get worse, I don't know. I agree that 1800 miles in 7 days sucks a big one. Especially if you need 3K or more. Been there done that.

    We're running short on TRUCKS at our terminal. By that I mean, we are having trouble covering the loads, when we need them covered. Generally, if we get home in the late evening. We can sit at the house that night. That's not so as of late.

    We had an OTR driver that was asked to check back "later" for a load today. ONLY because he specifically was trying to get home. And, they were trying to plan the best way to get him there. He could have moved immediately otherwise.

    As for the computer systems. You're going to find this to be an issue, industry wide. While most use new computers. Just about everyone uses antiquated software, although everyone of them will tell you, it is the best offered, and the most up to date. I firmly believe the trucking industry is wide open for a software design specialist, with new ideas. I've got 3 college kids working on 1 specific update, and we're having issues with dipsh**s that think they are MicroSoft, and don't need anything tweaked on their software by an outside source.

    Trucking companies are one of many industries that MUST shut down their systems for a total backup. Which is BS, IMO. Technology has come a long way. And, some people are still holding the industry hostage.
     
  4. truckin916

    truckin916 Medium Load Member

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    Sep 7, 2007
    Wild Wild West
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    Hey bud...you are the only one getting low miles during Jan/Feb/March. Mine didn't really pick up until the end of March. In April I logged about 12,000 which is great, but I only got two days at home the entire month which I was very unhappy about....I'm on hometime right now and had an interview today and have another tomorrow. Not that W/S is a bad place to work, it's actually a good company that treats you well...I just expected to be home more consistantly and need to do what's right for me and my family. Good luck on getting more miles and sitting less.

    Oh and Santa Fe Springs, IMO is 10X worse than it was when Shirley was there, those people have no clue what they are doing without her there. I was on the road a month, fighting tooth and nail to get home and they sent me in the opposite direction...what a cluster F#$% that place is and always has been....and always will be.
     
  5. pow_hnd

    pow_hnd Bobtail Member

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    Apr 24, 2008
    Salt Lake City, UT
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    I have a few questions... 1. Where do you live at? 2. Have you been running I-15 past SLC much? Has anyone else been running I-15 or I80 past SLC much? I have really been leaning towards signing up with W/S and had hoped that if I ran 11 Western I'd be running past home a bit so I may get a few nights home under load to give the wife a slap on the behind. Thanks!
     
  6. truckin916

    truckin916 Medium Load Member

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    Sep 7, 2007
    Wild Wild West
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    I run the 11 western and get near SLC quite a bit but not necessarily through it. I live in the Sacramento, CA area and have been able to take my 10 at home only twice in 4 months. I have however been thorugh Sacramento many times, but with delivery schedules was not able to do anything but wave out the window as I pass by. It would really depend on if the timing is right with the load you are under. A lot of times I will be going to Denver and have to cross over on I70 prior to getting to SLC or the route they give me will go around SLC instead of thru it.
     
  7. Raak

    Raak Bobtail Member

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    Sep 11, 2007
    Vancouver, WA
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    It changes for me all the time. It seems that for a few weeks I will run the I-5 corridor over and over. SFS up to Seattle and back. Then it will be Seattle, Montana, Idaho runs. Then Denver, SLC, Montana. Never seems to stay the same which is the way I like it. I live in Vancouver and running I-5 gets me home to spend the night often. When I leave SFS to Seattle I can make Corning, CA first night then Vancouver second night. I am on home time right now also and I can usually get here when I need to be. I wanted to be home by April 30th for my son's birthday and was here on time.

    Winter I stay out 30 days or so at a time. Summer only 18 or so for taking the quads out with the boys. Much more things to do in the summer so I want to be home more often.

    Raak
     
  8. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
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    When the *&*# did Shirley leave??? I wasn't real fond of her. But hey, she got the job done eventually.

    BTW, I find that most of the cluster &^$% at SFS is caused by locals who think it's funny as hell to screw with drivers NOT from around there. One of these days, they are going to get someone hurt or killed...and all hell will break loose. But, we won't go into that because I could do a full forum on those yahoos.
     
  9. WingRider

    WingRider Medium Load Member

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    Dec 3, 2007
    Salem, OR
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    Dance, Shirley left last week, she got married and I was told she went on the road with her new husband. Michelle took her place.
     
  10. B-rad

    B-rad Light Load Member

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    Jul 10, 2007
    Eugene, OR
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    In the Watkins/Shepard 30 day training how many days are you in the class room and how many days are you out driving in the yard and over the road.
     
  11. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2008
    Denver, CO
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    They use (Last I heard) Sage Tech for their school. It's about 50/50. Two weeks in the classroom, then two weeks behind the wheel. Give or take.

    I would have preferred more time behind the wheel,myself.
     
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