Any recent CDL grads been to Conover recently?

Discussion in 'Watkins & Shepard' started by awakened, Jan 30, 2016.

  1. awakened

    awakened Bobtail Member

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    Jan 24, 2016
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    What should I expect? Any info or advice would be appreciated.
     
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  3. Driver91

    Driver91 Medium Load Member

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    I was there the end of Oct. What you need to know?
     
  4. awakened

    awakened Bobtail Member

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    Jan 24, 2016
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    I have a few questions. Guess I will start with these:

    1> what do I need to do to ensure my success (tips, things to watch out for, other advice) at orientation?

    2> how much should I expect to spend on food and stuff?

    3>is the hotel in decent shape or will I miserable in filth for two weeks?

    4> what is the general atmosphere during the training process?

    5> of the people that went when you did, what percentage were sent home?
     
  5. Driver91

    Driver91 Medium Load Member

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    Well I'll try to answer those best I can.
    1. Your success depends on you. There is a lot of stuff crammed into 2 weeks, you will be there 8-5 everyday. No exceptions unless you just get lucky lol. There were 8 people when I went and from what I gather that's about the max cause they only have 2 training trucks. It's classroom the first 2-3 days then driving for about 5-6 days ALOT of city driving which helps a lot with what we do. Some of the places we go are very tight places. Then back in the classroom for the remainder of the time. First day is drug test and physical. Drug test is at a clinic normal pee test. Physical is on a machine at the terminal. Hard to explain but put everything you got into it and you will be fine.
    2. As far as food goes, hotel provides breakfast. Lunch and dinner on you. There are places close to the hotel but the hotel has microwave and fridge. I went to Walmart and got some food, I ate out 1 time each week just for something different. So I didn't spend much at all.
    3. Hotel is great, very clean and you get your own room. No sharing. Or at least nobody in my group had to. It's a days inn but it's pretty nice.
    4. As far as atmosphere my group was great. We all got along and had fun when it was ok to do so, but was serious when it was that time as well. Eddie, Shaun and RL the trainers are great guys and will help anyway they can. And have a lot of knowledge so get it from them lol. Overall my experience was great up there.
    5. None went home, we had one that had to retake the physical machine just because they didn't understand they had to put all their power into it. Passed the second time though. And we had one guy that had to hang around a few days the following week for more training but I'm pretty sure his school he went to wasn't that good. Other than that, everyone else done fine.

    I went to a really good school and was worried when I went about they training but after it was all said and done I was very please and didn't really struggle at all. I'm having a great experience here at Watkins and making good money. If you wanna talk post up your email and I'll send you my phone number. Easier for me
    To talk about it than type lol
    Anymore questions let me know
     
  6. awakened

    awakened Bobtail Member

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    Jan 24, 2016
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    I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed response. Apparently, I have to have a few more posts to send a pm, so I will post elsewhere to get my count up. I really don't want to post my email to the general public.

    I really appreciate you offering to have a phone conversation. I am still in school so I am not sure how we will work it out, but I will get my email to you soon.

    Thanks again.
     
  7. NCBill

    NCBill Bobtail Member

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    Oct 10, 2013
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    Thanks for the information.

    Also do they have tuition reimbursement and how much are you paid during orientation?
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2016
    Reason for edit: Question was answered in post topic
  8. 3031

    3031 Light Load Member

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    They did away with the tuition reimbursement last summer, in favor of a per-mile pay raise. So no reimbursement, but your starting per-mile pay will be higher than it would have been before.
     
  9. Driver91

    Driver91 Medium Load Member

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    $700 I think it was paid in different increments throughout orientation.
     
  10. Woodrow131

    Woodrow131 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2016
    Greensboro, NC
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    How much did they pay for orientation and when did u get paid
     
  11. Driver91

    Driver91 Medium Load Member

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    700 total. Think it's like 100 the first day, 200 at the end of the first week, and the rest at the end.
     
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