Coming to orientation Aug 13th...

I feel for you SW..My first truck when I started at WS (1832 Volvo), broke down on my FIRST cross country load. Got from LA to just outside of Tucamcarie NM when the radiator gave out, spewing coolant everywhere. I limped it into town and spent 2 days in a motel while they fixed it. Then later after I'd been out for a couple of loads, the wipers stopped working. It was winter in Ohio and I needed them. Roadside repair got them working again. They gave out again when I was just outside of Salt Lake City. Roadside had to tear apart the steering column on the side of the road and found a wire had been rubbing on something metal probably since the truck was new..they taped it up and I got to the terminal in Salt Lake and called HQ. There was a 'shaker there that was empty and they said I could take it. I checked it out and it was SO FILTHY, I decided to stay with the Volvo. Had no major problems after that except the crappy automatic transmission intermittently not shifting from 4th to 5th and 5th to 6th. They finally gave me a different Volvo 1781 in June. Standard 10 speed and it gave me no trouble until I turned it in for a daycab...
Unfortunately this is the way of trucking. The n00bs get the worst trucks, but if you can get thru it they will give you a better one.

I just turned in my app to WS for my 2nd go around with them, hopefully they will hire me on and I'll be in Missoula soon for the 10 day. Just hoping I don't get your old truck

 

The only negative things I have ever heard about WS has been the equipment problems. They seem like a great company other wise.
I talked to a gentleman yesterday when I saw his WS truck parked here in Billings. He has been driving for them for ten years. That in it's self says a great deal. Despite the equipment problems I am still looking forward to the day I get my turn to drive for them.

That really sucks Spiritwolf. It is cool of them to realize that you want to drive!! and are hooking you up with a newer truck. I hope this one works out great. good luck to ya.

 

If you worked for them before, or are an experienced driver you will probably get the 3 day plan and out you go. The 10 day is for CDL school grads.

 

I emailed Mark Dodge and he said since I've been out of trucking over a year I need the 10 day. I've already talked to Matt in recruiting and send him my app. Just waiting to hear back now....

 

I believe its Kelby and Rick. If you had Dick W. before, he retired last spring.

Starting pay is 29cpm now. That's up 4 cpm from when I (and probably you) started! .. I hope they start you at least at the 6 month rate, though. That seems like it'd be fair... (and that's 31cpm now).

You were actually one of the people that affected my perception of WS as a good, solid place for me to start my driving career. That was back in Nov 2010. So thanks for sharing back then! It really helped.

 

I used to pass by there 2x a day when I was doing my linehaul with WS. I would drive to Desert Center and do a trailer swap and then back to SFS. Stopped at the Chevron before, but never went to the museum..

Oh, and truck 1714? That is a pretty old truck. The oldest I had was 1781. Pretty good running Volvo. Hopefully they have a decent running and looking truck waiting for you if and when you ever get to Missoula...

 

i had 1661 for my first few months, tried my best to haul ### and always delivered on/early, but as the problems started getting worse i asked for a load to missoula to clean out my truck...they told me they would have another truck waiting on me....they did, Im not saying threaten them with quitting, maybe just reminding them of your potential to make them money!...GOOD LUCK!