Watkins shepard

Hey Guys, how's it goin? I thought I would say "Hi", even though Raak and JonDC70 have pretty much kept up with the rest of you. We've been workin our butts off and having a pretty good time too!

Watkins Shepard has been a pretty good experience so far. There have been some ups and downs, but overall I have been impressed with everyone I have met here. The drivers and staff are friendly, laid-back, and have no problem sharing information to help a newbie driver out. The instructors are also great and you will learn alot of information fairly quickly. Just remember to take notes and ask questions if something isn't clear. When going on the trip in the 3rd week, be prepared for very little sleep.

If anyone else has a question, please let me know and I'll be happy to fill you in.

C-Ya
Johnny

 

Very easy. Across Hwy 10 from the NW corner of the airport. You could almost walk there. Map it on Google maps: 6400 US Hwy 10 W Missoula, MT. Make sure you click on the satellite image. Zoom in and see all the trucks.

I tried the other mapping sites (Mapquest, Yahoo maps, MSN maps) but their pictures were not as clear, or you could not zoom in as much.

BTY, how often does a train or plane wake you guys up?

And where do you stay? The smaller building to the west, or the bigger one to the east?

 

Questions

1. How Many trucks you guys have to use?

2. Eating, Where are you all eating most of the time?

3. Do they have a BBQ to use?

4. You got head and shower in each room? Heat

5. Have you all practiced out on the Pad every nite after school?
I think that is good to be able to do

Looking at the weather it will start snowing a few days before we get there and continue for the first 3 days we are there at least. Should bring my Parka, Mad Bomber Hat, My Snow Board and Pecker Warmer. Looking for insulated Coveralls.

I am getting excited now and thanks in advance for the answers.

Arkie

 

That is good information when I get there (Missoula) but I also need to know how to find the W/S Terminal in Las Vegas. They are doing road work for about a mile or more along the road I was to turn left on and all the street signs have been removed. We just kept driving. But I plan on driving my Mini Truck to Vegas and leaving it at the Terminal, catch a cab to airport Motel and stay Friday nite.

Arkie

 

You guys just can't get enough info! But if I can be helpful it's not a problem.

1. How Many trucks you guys have to use?

We have been using 2 to 3 tractors, they're mostly Freightliner Columbia's and once in a while a Volvo. Most of us like the Volvo's, they're quiet and ride real smooth.

2. Eating, Where are you all eating most of the time?

Mostly, we eat at Outback, Black Angus, and Cracker Barrel, etc. I'm just kidding, we can use one of 2 vehicles to go shopping with and then cook our own meals in the drivers lounge kitchen. There is a Super Walmart and Albertsons on Reserve St - which is the main drag here.

3. Do they have a BBQ to use?

They do have a BBQ, but it started snowing today and I don't think you want to cook in that, but if you do - more power to ya!

4. You got head and shower in each room? Heat

If your class is a big one you might get a hotel room with your own bath, otherwise the dorm has 3 shower rooms and 2 bathrooms to share. We haven't had any sharing issues yet, so it's not too bad. There is also a laundry room with free soap, but that can be tough to get a load in since the drivers use it too. And yes, some rooms have a heater. The A/C blows continuously and it can get chilly inside the rooms. But some rooms have the little heater too.

5. Have you all practiced out on the Pad every nite after school?
I think that is good to be able to do

Yes, you can practice all night if you like. But we usually stop around 10pm, since there are drivers sleeping in their trucks and we don't want to disturb them. But, you can practice anytime you want on the weekend.

Don't worry folks, the place isn't the prettiest but it is clean and (somewhat) warm.

Gotta go shower and try to practice backing if I can, the big test is this Fri.!

Ciao

 

I'm still waiting for my loan to be approved. My credit is a tad iffy but if they are C0-Signing that should be a easy approval. I already have an checking account with TAB and a Frequent Flying J Fuel Card in my pocket.

Taking my CDL exam on wed in Kingman AZ 46 miles away from here.

Good Luck Sal, get that airplane ticket tonite. I am flying to Missoula anyway on the 24th even if I don't get in the 26th class. I have a friend that lives there to pick me up.

Arkie

 

If there is one piece of advice I could give you all at this point, it is that if you think you may need something or may need to do something, wait until they tell you to get/do it.

Case in point, the loan from TAB automatically sets you up with an account that the loan payments are made through, and that W/S makes their contribution to. The card that you will get for the account also serves as a debit card AND a frequent fueler account at the Flying J's. Unless you want to carry around the two additional cards all the time, it would be pointless to get a TAB bank account and a Flying J frequent fueler card.

Along the same lines, don't assume yet what gear you'll need. Don't buy an inverter, satellite radio, road atlas, etc. You won't need them during class, and you may find that you don't need them at all, or W/S can get you a better deal on one. Heck, they give you a road atlas for free during class. The only things that I have NEEDED during class was a pen, wite-out, notebook, hilighter, work gloves and a flash light. You don't need to bring anything else in the way of gear. If you want to bring all the suggested items and you have them already, that's fine. But if you need to acquire some of them, wait until you get here. There's plenty of places to get the stuff once you're here, and there's no sales tax on it to boot!

Jon