Watkins shepard

I knew about the permit thing and wonder why we are required to take our state cdl test and then have to take it again in Montana. Plus the paperwork from them said it was 60.00

I have been studying both states though, Montana manual has better pictures in it. You can download it online for those of you who still need it.

Well I guess you will learn of all the changes soon. Do you have 3 instructors like I heard before. Hope you get more trucks soon.

Keep us posted and Thanks for the info.

Arkie

 

Hay Jhonny

You said you learned the rules to live by in the lounge
What are the Rules?
That is something important for us to know.

I know both Sal and I have told the recruiter we have couple fellow truck forum guys in school now reporting to us. But didn't give names. Hope they didn't take your computer away.

Been talking to my Recruiter Bonnie and told her I am trying to get my vitals down so to pass the DOT and she said to keep taking the meds because the High BP can keep you out.

BP down to 141/78 today so we are gaining after starting to take the meds 3 days ago. Was at 170/88 and blood sugar went down 9 points already

Arkie

 

Hey Guys, sorry I haven't reported in, I've been really tired from the stress of having to re-take the permit test (just general knowledge!) and learning how to shift. A heads up for you, the Montana CDL permit is hard and really weird. The questions were really ##### up. Make sure to read the Montana manual and online pre-tests. They will give you 3 correct answers and bad answer, and you have to choose from the 3 answers, which seem totally appropriate for the question. That's all I can tell you.

The driver's lounge rules are no brainers, such as keeping the place clean, taking out the trash and stuff like that. They have a cleaning woman who cleans every night too.

The instructors are good, its not the basic training that was described earlier. yes, one of the instructors is a bit tough, but he is a good guy and will actually help you. They had an instructor leave last week and I guess he was a bit over the top, but we have 3 great instructors now and you guys have nothing to worry about

Yes, the walls are thin, but most drivers are quiet and they do have heat(ers)

That's all i can say for now, I'm going to hit the sack. but let me know what else you need to know.

C-Ya

 

i dont know about you but i loved those silly...mickey mouse...ASE type questions when i took the tests in mt

 

Hey guys, I figured I would jump on here and give an update. Johnny has been doing a good job so I won't cover too much. One thing on taking the Montana test. You need to take the test in the state you came from because normally you won't take the test here for a few weeks. That way you have a Permit when you get here. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to start driving on the road with an instuctor when you arrive. It also gets you prepared to take it again here. You need to take it here because you will actually get your license from Montana. You will need to transfer it back to your home state when you "move" back after class. You need $40 for the transfer here then 50 for the permit. Not sure what your home state will charge for the transfer back.

As Johnny said the test is tricky but honestly I found it about the same as what I took in Washington. Just read that #### manual and REALLY read the questions. Be sure when it says like "Which of the following are TRUE" or "NOT True". Some will seem like there are two correct answers but it is fancy wording.

Nice thing about W/S school is that you'll be in a truck and driving on day two. Yes I said day two! We started grinding the gears and bobtailing our way to Superior and back. I am not going to mention some of the interesting parts of the trip. There has to be some surprizes for you guys!

Today we are going to be hooking up a trailer. I am looking forward to that. Well it is 15 after 6 am. Time to go drive more laps around the yard!

Raak

 

Hi Johnny

What on-line pretests are we looking for? And is the test only on the General part of they MT Manual and not on air brakes, combinations and Doubles part of the manual?

I brought up the question last week to Bonnie about Rough Instructors and said if so I would just turn my Hearing Aid down.

This was her reply

Hi gordon,
I did check with training about the yelling.....
They said if the student puts the truck or themselves into danger....or out of control..they might yell.....!!
Dont scare the trainer!!!!hahahah​

You know her Husband is one of the biggies there in the training dept.

So anyway they know the world is watching and if they can't fill the classroom that will hurt the company.

Some people want to be taught by Professional Trainers.

We don't want Wimps either, it is a tough job for sure and if I get in a unsafe condition I hope he yells in my good ear.

Arkie

 

First week is over and I bet they are either too tired to post to the forum or they may be out Honky Tonking with the locals tonite

But I think that happens on sat nite in Montana

I rec my student loan papers and got them all filled out and sent them back today to my recruiter. Also opened up a account with TAB so I could get a fuel card because I do Flying J alot anyway for food.

Arkie

 

Yes the first week is over but not too tired yet. Saturday here and its all about "Back the Truck up!" They gave us a demonstration on several different backing situation and its all about practice now. It is hard to believe that in just one week I have gone from a someone a bit uneasy about jumping into the drivers seat to someone looking forward to it.

The instructors are good guys. Each one of them teaches differently but that is good in my opinion. Each one has different things they emphasize which is good. You learn more that way.

More to come later on.

Raak

 

Thanks for the update Raak

I think that is a good deal with each instructor teaching little different
Keeps you on your toes

How much practice do you guys do in the evening and weekends?

That is good that you can do that.

How many trucks do you have now?

I am on top of getting my BP down to acceptable levels, only 2 points away from a 2 yr cert if I took the DOT now and Blood Sugar is going down fast to a acceptable level but I don't know what DOT wants to see

Only problem I see right now is after I told my recruiter what is going on she does not talk to me anymore. I hope she is just too busy for the frendly emails we shared almost everyday.

Well anyway I sent in the Student Loan App and waiting to hear we are Good To Go

Later and Drive Safe

Arkie

 

Hi, I'm basically in the same class as Johnnypage, jondc70, and raak except that I came in with my Class-A CDL and am only doing a 10 day orientation.

I really wish that I had gone through the 4-week school here because I would have paid the same price as I did for the school I attended (which was a good school, don't get me wrong) and gotten about 4 times the training. I can tell that these guys are about where I'm at after their first week of training and I have already gone through 4-weeks of school.

Watkins and Shepard seems like it will be a great company to work for. I have talked to a lot of drivers that come and go through here and almost all of them have nothing but good things to say. All the complaints I've heard are more or less trucking industry complaints and not Watkins and Shepard complaints.

If you are coming here for the 10 day orientation prepare for a little belittlement on the first day by the instructors about the "inferior" training program you went through. But if you can't handle that, then you probably don't need to be in this industry anyway. Besides, I gurantee that your school IS inferior to this school.

Somebody said in this forum that it was like boot camp here and I just want to take the time to laugh hartily at that notion. Having been through ARMY BCT, even in the new political correct ARMY, I can assure you that this is nothing like it. You get to class at 8AM and get off at 5PM. You get a one hour lunch break from 12 to 1. From 5pm to 8am you can sit around and do whatever you like. They do, however, recommend that you practice your skills and sleep in that time. They have a car that is available to anyone to driver to Wal-Mart or wherever. I went and played poker the other night and had a few beers at the Paradise Falls Casino while I watched the Red Sox game. It's very laid back except when you are behind the wheel. The instructors take their job seriously and a lot of people take it personal. If that weeds out the whiners and complainers...well, good.