WS through my eyes

I have enjoyed reading all of your experiences with WS. I start my training/orientation on July 29th. Just got my CDL on July 12th...If anyone has any good advice for a rookie I am open to any and all advice. I will be based out of SFS in So Cal.....

 

I, like poster in post #72 of this thread, have enjoyed reading all the posts related to Watkins Shepard on this forum. I'm considering becoming a Professional Trucker and looking at CDL schools at this point. From everything I've seen on this site Watkins Shepard seems like the best carrier to start with (considering my age - 54, independent nature, etc). Would it be fruitful to call and speak with a WS Recruiter at this point? Or should I wait until in or done with school? I'm thinking earlier is always better than later. Can anyone recommend a specific Recruiter? FYI - I'm up in Bellingham, WA and would probably be based out of WS's Lakewood, WA terminal if that matters.

 

You may want to contact a recruiter ASAP, simply because they do have terminal proximity requirements that may affect you.

 

Mr.Jay, from what I've gathered on the WS website, the proximity requirement is you need to live within 100 miles of the terminal. It's actually about 130 miles in my situation so I'm hoping there's a little "give" on that. Afterall, I'm the one who's going to be doing the traveling back on forth from/to the terminal for my home time. Right? Or are there other reasons for the proximity limit that I haven't considered?

 

I don't know the specifics as I'm in the same boat you are: Looking into a fairly drastic career change into truck driving. Just doing all of the research I can at the moment, studying in a CDL Study guide, and waiting for what feels like the inevitable to happen at my current employer.

 

I appreciate your interaction and wish whatever the best is for you!

 

Give recruiting a call, there are three recruiters here and they all know their stuff. I know all three of them personally and they won't jerk you around

 

Took Milktanker's advice and called WS's recruiting office. Spoke with Tyrone and he confirmed that they have a 125 mile restriction/condition that they want drivers to live from their terminals. However, he said that as long as I was OK with the drive to and from for my home time they would make an exception in my case for my 130 distance. So...I'm going to fill out the online application this weekend and try to get "pre-approved".

Thanks for the gentle push Milktanker!