Watkins Shepard 30-Day Training

Thanks for the assist, Lynch. I guess I didn't elaborate too much, but I knew there was someone lurking about that had more and better info than I had!!

Spoke with Roxy today and she emailed me some info, but I think there was some stuff missing from the package. Lynch, did she email you the DOT physical form for your doctor to fill out, or did you have to get one from your state motor vehicle department?

Thanks in advance,

 

Al, the difference between the 2 is the 10 day classes are for people who already have thier class a, its just to go over company policys and road test to make sure you know how to drive, if you cant drive a 10spd by the end of the 10 days, then your on ur way home via wonderful greyhound...
the 30 days is for people to get thier cdl threw w.s, you go thru some intense training in these 30 days, and as the same with the 10 days, if u cant drive, u go home..

 

It's been said before, but it's been asked many more times and I'm sure people will keep asking. I did the 10-day training as I already had a CDL, and I have to say it was excellent. I've spent plenty of time in Missoula, met the trainers and the students and from what I've seen the 30-day program is as good or better than the 10-day class. It is most certainly better than what you will get at most CDL schools. You will graduate both W/S programs knowing how to drive up, and most importantly, down steep mountain grades, with a heavy load. Some CDL schools never even mention mountain driving, and those that do just tell you the generic rule to come down the mountain one gear lower than the one in which you drove up the mountain. In the real world, that advice isn't very helpful. And I don't know of any other schools that take you out driving with a heavily loaded trailer and have you take it up and down the mountains. If you pulled nothing but empty trailers in school, your education is only halfway finished. You will realize that when you first pull out with 45,000 in the box, and probably miss your first shift. So, basically, you'll get your money's worth out of the 30-day program and you'll be ready to run solo. For those interested in the 10-day, be forewarned that there is no training pay during those 10 days but when it's over you'll get a truck and a load that pays your full mileage rate.

I've been happy with W/S, and while they may not be the perfect company to work for they aren't bad. The pay per mile isn't that great, although we probably get paid for more of the miles that we actually run than drivers get at some other companies. Some of the trailers are a little beat up and the terminals sure ain't fancy but the trucks are well-maintained and just about everyone that works for the company is nice to deal with.

And one more thing. Recruiting is very busy so if you're hoping to get hired on at W/S, don't be afraid to call. They'll tell you that themselves. They deal with lots of applications so it's good to refresh their memory often so you don't get lost in the shuffle. Here's something that I think says a lot: the recruiting office in Missoula is located next to the drivers' lounge instead of hidden away somewhere, insulated from the drivers they've hired. And their door is always open, literally.

 

How much is their 30 day program?

 

What he said....

I can take a class here in Southern Ca for the same price, but it comes nowhere near the experience of the WS school, with pulling loaded trailers and all. I'd much rather spend the month getting real world experience if it's gonna cost me the same

 

Warpdrvr, u said it!, " real world experience " none of the schools teach you any of that, they dont teach you about puttin chains on, or how to take hills with a heavy load, or any of that stuff..
i spend over $10,000 on truck driving school... and i figured if im going to pay that much money, then i will def get the " real world exp ". ahh i was soo wrong!,
had i known about w.s before i started school, i would have def gone to missoula for the 30 days! hands down!!

 

It does sound like a good school. I see that you are in Phila...we probably went to the same school.