Watkins Shepard Safety Interview/HPE EXPLAINED!

a) I'm out of SFS. I trained in Missoula and have no problem getting hometime (but I do run flats). However, depending on how many trucks are in line at SFS, you might have to wait a day or two to go back out after your hometime. Also, I didn't see mentioned that you accrue one day of hometime for every six days out, so if you're out three or four weeks, you have 3-5 days of hometime saved up.
b) Orientation is ten days. It's sink or swim. If you pass orientation, they put you in a truck and off you go. If you fail what is basically your job interview, then they'll send you home. Not meanly, but because you might need time with a trainer and W/S doesn't do trainers.
c) See b
d) You'll definitely start out in van unless you're teaming with an experienced skateboarder (flatbedder). The wait time to get into a flat, though, does appear to be a bit random... maybe reduced if you have a good driving record.
e) You need to register anyone you want to bring aboard your truck ahead of time (this prevents hitchhikers) and you'll pay a monthly insurance fee, even if they're only in the truck for a single day, for each person. You can only have one passenger at a time.
Pets are allowed after 90 days (probation) passes. You'll pay a deposit. However, for something as small as a hamster/gerbil, it may be different. Ask Kristy... she's very friendly and helpful.

Hope this helps... tried to not repeat too much of what had already been answered.

 

You must be in really great shape or in trouble to have a low pulse rate like that. I know exstreme athletes can have a resting pulse rate low like that...so is that you?

 

Just got off the phone with them (Matt) and was told they only have one flatbed posistion open right now and they are not hireing teams for flatbed at this time. I told Matt that is fine, I will start out on a FB where I like to be and when the wife gets her cdl and is excepted at W&S, I will switch to van, if I have to at that time.

My biggest question at this time is the home time... Don't get me wrong, I can stay out for as long as I want but I HAVE to be home for TN Army National Guard Drills and whatever else the Army makes me do. I realize that in this industrie, been in it for over 3 yrs, no one can guarentee a specific day or time but that being said. Out of the 3 years I drove van I only missed two drills and while I was a FBdr I never missed drill. So, how is W&S about getting you home when you put in enough advance notice?

 

*laughter* My heart is in really good shape. It's hereditary, too. I can run around the block and have it back down to low 50s in two minutes.

 

You really don't want to team flatbed here. I love the flatbed division, but it's hard to get loads that justify team miles. We may be why they're not hiring team flatbedders, at that.

 

I understand what your saying concerning the FB devision at W&S.. I love doing FB because I love being busy. I have talked to Sammons and they are the same as far as FB freight...So, I guess I will have to settle with Teaming in the Van devision for now but surely there is a way to make money as a team in the FB industry...

 

You can make a living at FB/team. We do. You just won't be getting the numbers that a lot of team drivers expect. We don't do it to get rich, just to pay the bills and do a job we enjoy together, so it works for us.

 

Last I talked to Troy and Rick there's a waiting list to get on Flat Bed. I would like to think they'd pick someone already on the list with the company rather then hiring someone into it.

 

That makes sense to me, was just posting what I was told the other day. I hope that 1)I wasn't lied to or 2)they aren't in the practice of hiring drivers for posistions that other drivers are already on a waiting list for.

I will most likely go to the van devision anyway, IF the wife gets her CDL than what would be the sense in doing FB for a couple months than moving over to Van. Might as well start in Van..I am/was just hopeing to get on a FB as a team. I really like the work of pulling a FB and I am not giving up on finding a company that has FB Team freight..