Watkins shepard

Good Luck! I'm in my third week (or something like that) and am getting plenty of miles and experience in the snow and sub-zero weather...hehehe. Maybe winter will be about over when you hit the road....it's been a good experience so far. The company has at least lived up to everything they have told me and my dispatcher is great!

 

how are the chances of getting regional right out of school? Im glad to hear that you are liking it cuz it looks like Im heading there soon!!!

 

Yes, just tell your recruiter you want to run regional. That's what I did and it's no problem. You'll have the choice between lower 48 or regional.

 

What pays more? I think hometime is better with regional...is that true?
How was training in the snow?

 

Did you get a truck in Montana or did you go back home first? I am in Tucson and wonder if I will get my truck from the phoenix terminal.

 

They pay the same per mile but you may get more miles if you are not regional since you'll be on the road longer. With regional you are generally out 10-14 days and with 48 states it's 21 days.
With either though it seems like they are very flexible. You get 1 day off for every 6 out and if you need to get home or want to get home just ask and they'll route you there.

As far as training in the snow I think it was great. Think about it. If you train in the spring or summer then when winter comes you have to wing it. At least if you are training now you'll get full exposure to it with an experienced driver sitting there giving you advice. It's stressful driving in the snow and I'm not by any means used to it yet but I'm getting more than my share of miles in the crud...by next winter I hope to be a little more confident in it.

 

I got my truck in Missoula and since I wanted to go home for a couple of days I got a load that delivered directly to my home terminal. It was nice!
For you it depends on truck availability. They are going to make every effort (I think) to assign you a truck out of missoula but if there isn't one there for you they will put you on a truck with another driver and you'll get a ride to wherever it is that one IS available...then they will route you home if that's what you want. I don't know of anyone out of my 10 day class that didn't get their truck in Missoula.

 

Thx for the great info. I agree it is better to learn under difficult conditions and go out confident and capable the the other way around. I was reading the posts from another Watkins driver and it was his opinion that with the extra pay for stops / pickup's etc. that is was not always best for the wallet to just chase miles. So maybe regional is the way to go. I will fly into Missoula at 7:00 pm on this Sunday and I forgot to ask Gwen what the procedure was for getting into the bunk house for Sunday night. If you have any insight into that I would really appreciate it. thx again.

 

hey 916, did you get a volvo or a freightliner? decent shape?

 

Regional or OTR ? Pay is the same for milage. So as far as base pay, you make the same.

Home time, I firmly believe they try to CYA with the 10-14 day thing. Depending on your home terminal, and the distance you live from it. You may get home more often. I get home TOO often sometimes. I'm not complaining though.

Regional gets to make additional money by taking the loads with multiple stops. Depending on the load, stop pay can add up quickly. Stop pay varies by product and customer.

I made $1250 this week as a regional driver, 2500 miles. LOTS of stops

As an OTR driver, I would have only made $950 on 3 (three) single stop loads based on the same milage.

What money you make, will depend on you and your willingness to work.