Watkins shepard

Just wanted to add a bit of clarification to this post.

Many of the local drivers were offered OTR/Regional positions. Some took them, others didn't.

The LTL Regional freight is where I make the MOST money. I'd rather pull a load with 10 stops and 700 miles. Than one with 1200 miles and 1 stop. Experience, and knowledge of the area plays a factor in what you make.

Several of our terminals are reducing cost, by having the OTR drivers deliver their loads, rather than dropping them. This is the practice of MOST companies, Santa Fe Springs projects they can reduce the terminal expenses by $1 million by doing this. That's a hell of a savings.

It also insures there will be a company to drive for in the future.

We are currently trimming the fat, and there's a lot of it. While I will miss some of the things we were once allowed to do. It's a win win situation for all involved.

 

Brad, sorry I missed your post, I dont really have a "normal" territory other than 11 Western states. But, having said that, I spend MOST of my time running the I-5 corridor between the Northwest corner to LA. its about a 1000 mile run, not bad, but gets boring after a while, Im ready to hit some of the states for a a while. I have a place here in Salem where I can drop my trailer and bobtail to the house, so it works pretty good for me. Hope this helps.

 

Do you have to drop the truck and trailer off at the Vancouver terminal when you take your time at home.

 

Brad, I get by the house so much while under a load, that I havent even taken time off, I drop my trailer at a local parking lot, that I have permission to do so, and bobtail about a mile to the house. Its working very well for me, there is so much freight on I5 it should work out about the same for you as well. Having said that, I am now in Eastern Colorado, which was a nice change of pace. Hope this helps. I cant PM yet, but you can email me at dbelshe at comcast dot net

 

I have to back this up. Before someone who DOESN'T work for W&S comes in and says bull####.

One of the best things about W&S, the ability to get by the house often as a regional driver. Under a load or not.

Like you, I get to the house every week. Unless I pull a long OTR run. I've only had to ask for maybe 3 days outside of "normal" time at home.

I have noted how things work differantly, west vs east. You guys get miles We get stops I know you guys get multi-stop loads too. But, we seem to have a lot more of them

A driver can run BIG circles forever on that 11 state regional LOL

Personally, I've done the mile chasing long enough. 1500-2000 miles with 10-25 stops a week will suit me just fine.

 

How is the 30 day training going for the class that just started. Also, is W/S limiting the class size with the slow down in the ecomony and freight.

 

I was hoping to go with W/S, but for whatever reason they would never pick up the phone & never return any emails I sent. While I still really like what I have heard about them & would work for them I'm very disappointed with their recruiting people.

I should however be starting school with Central Ref. on the 14th... At least they have answered my calls & emails.

 

Did you fill out the Watkins/Shepard online application. If you did, I would be very surprised if they didn't anwer.

 

I did... And I got nothing, it sent me back an auto response. Told me that somebody by the name of Bonnie was in charge of it, called & never got anywhere. I left two messages & never got a call back.



In the words of the great Jim Norton- "She stinks & I don't like her!".

 

That is weird.
I had too many people to talk to.
Sandy (lead I guess), then Holly and finally Roxanne(?) for the post-interview Q's.

Start the 10 day on the 7th.
Bought my plane ticket today.