Watkins and Shepard Driver???

Hey John,

My name is Fred. I live in Missoula, Mt where the Watkins & Shepard company is based out I am starting with the company on July 30th. But in answer to your question of about how you have to drive van before going to flatbed is 90 days.

Criptic aka Fred

 

I drive for them. No complaints here my friend. How they compare to Crete or Schneider, I can not say. I've never drove for either.

Let me try to fit your other questions in

Starting pay depends on experience.

Flatbeds, I have no clue. You'll need to talk to a recruiter.

On average, you should see AT LEAST 2800 as an OTR driver. More than likely to average 3000 though. You will have some downtime if you do terminal to terminal runs over the weekend. But, they pay layover at hr 25 of your stay None of this wait 36 or 48 hrs then get it BS like others do.

How much freight? It depends. Most of our LTL is handled by the regional drivers, such as myself. Most our OTR drivers deal with a single stop, or drop at the terminal. I can't be 100% on that. But, most of the OTR drivers I've met here work that way. I'm sure that there are multi-stop loads to deal with too.

We have loads going to the entire lower 48 and Canada.

No...they don't pay you extra for NY. But, they do pay you for things you wouldn't normally get paid for. Such as picking up a load and delivering it. Most companies don't give you stop pay, unless it has 3 or more stops. We get paid from stop 1. Not much...But much more than the average company who doesn't pay you at all.

The home office is quirky... Very laid back. Being from Brooklyn, you'll be working with the NJ terminal. They're a wild bunch LOL. Dispatch will come from differant people though, depending on your location when empty. Admin is easy going, and easy to talk to. Be forewarned, they are very slow to react to inquires. They'd rather get it right the first time. Than have to call you back and say they made a mistake.

The money is decent. The company and "staff" are friendly. And, they are so laid back you literally want to scream sometimes. Especially if you are used to a high pressure...go, go, go company.

I don't know what else to tell you, without sounding totally like a recruiter LOL.

Other than, I enjoy it here. I am happy here. And, I make a decent living here. I have had a couple of issues...But they were all resolved to my satisfaction. And, I don't intend to be leaving anytime soon.

Hope that helps you.

 

This speaks volumes