Newbie...Watkins/Shepard or Schneider?

Schneider wont pay you while at school
But will when you start traning OTR

 

Watkins and Shepard does not pay you during the 30 day training period, however after the 30 days, you will be in your own truck on regular pay.

 

To my knowledge, (which I gathered from another post on this site) W/S CDL training is only available in Missoula, MT. If you graduate from a local CDL school, you would be able to go to their 10 day orientation and advanced training at a closer location. Their website really doesn't have a lot of info, they really want you to call them to get more. I called them expecting an all out sales pitch, I was shocked that it was anything but.

 

this will be a long post but it is all you want to know about W/S

I tried to edit some so that it doesn't look like an ad, I received this as part of an email when i inquired about driving positions and yes I am still thinking about it

PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER
TRAINING PROGRAM
Located in Missoula, Montana


To meet the demand for well-trained, professional truck drivers Watkins and Shepard Trucking, Inc. operates a professional truck driving school located at its home office in Missoula, Montana. To qualify for our school you must possess an acceptable driving record and a good past work history. You must be neat and clean in appearance, you must have a desire to travel and you (and your family) must realize that being an over-the-road driver you will be away from home for at least three weeks before returning home. Then you will stay home for up to four days before returning back to the road.
Watkins and Shepard is looking for people seeking a career change and know exactly what they want. We are looking for people who enjoy excitement, adventure, and greater challenges. We are looking for individuals that are good managers of their time, can use good judgment, and have a desire to be a professional and safe driver. We need people that can be taught to handle the most adverse weather conditions, work well under stress, work well with people, and be able to emotionally handle themselves when times are difficult.
Our Professional Truck Driver Training Program trains exclusively for Watkins and Shepard Trucking. Upon successful completion of training you are guaranteed a job with our Company. We specialize in teaching our students the ten most difficult aspects of driving a semi truck and trailer'shifting gears, loading trucks safely and legally, backing, logbooks and using them properly, understanding a good safety program, routing, trip planning and city driving, wintertime driving, downhill operations, air-brake systems, and preventing fatigue. We train you to handle these challenges, plus many other aspects of the trucking industry to assure that you will be a safe and competent over-the-road driver. This is all done through our four-week training program. For most, you will be ready to jump into your own rig and head down the highways at the end of the four weeks.
At our training facility, we have a large lot used for shifting and backing practice plus a large class room where each day begins. The training program is four weeks in duration generally beginning at the end of each month. The class size varies based on the hiring needs of the Company. Classes begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. and end at about 5:00 p.m. each night. You are encouraged to drive after hours at the site every night and on weekends to help enhance your training.
Throughout the course you will drive within the city limits of Missoula, Montana and the surrounding mountainous terrain. You will be trained on both loaded and empty trailers. While attending school, if you live out of town, you will be able to stay in our driver facility at our expense. The driver facility has showers, laundry facilities, a complete kitchen, dining area, and a large TV lounge. The Company has two vehicles for use by drivers while in training. After arriving at our training site, your daily transportation and food expenses are your responsibility. It is wise to bring some work clothes for working around the yard and equipment. This includes gloves, coveralls, and a large note-pad for notes.

Applying for Training and General Requirements
Prerequisites for the course will include filling out an application. The application process is very competitive. We receive many more applications than spots are available. An in-person or telephone interview is required of all applicants. After the application process, those chosen for the training will be required to obtain the Learners Permit for their Commercial Driver's License ("CDL.") The tests required are: (1) General Knowledge, (2) Air Brakes and (3) Combination Vehicles. The manual for these tests can be obtained from your local Drivers License Bureau and the approximate cost to test is $80. Prior to enrolling in the training program you will also be required to have:
A pre-employment DOT Physical, DOT drug test performed by a certified collection site and Human Performance Evaluation, which we will pay for; A 5-year copy of your official motor vehicle record from the state in which you are currently licensed; A Post Job Offer Questionnaire, which is a series of questions designed to determine your ability to meet the essential functions of the over-the-road professional truck driver at Watkins and Shepard Trucking.

Tuition Costs
The tuition for the Professional Truck Driver Training Program is $4000. Once approved for hire, you'll be given access to a 7.75% loan through Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB). You will be required to pay at least $250 of the tuition at the time you enroll as a down payment (payable by check, money order or cash. We do not accept credit cards). The remainder will be financed with TAB. The first payment will be due a couple of weeks after you start driving. The loan payments are approximately $40/week for 104 weeks. As long as you stay with Watkins and Shepard, we will make the first $25 of your weekly payment leaving you with a balance of $15 each week. If you leave for any reason before the loan is paid in full, any unpaid balance will be entirely your responsibility. The tuition also covers the cost to get you to Missoula and lodging while you're here.

Benefits of a Professional Truck Driver at Watkins and Shepard Trucking, Inc.
Our average first-year drivers earned just over $44,000 dollars in 2007 and our average experienced driver earned $52,000. You are paid on a mileage basis, that means you will be paid for every routed mile you drive. You will also be paid for loading or unloading the truck when required. We also pay for times in which you are not driving for more than 24 hours at a time. As a new driver, each month you will be expected to drive 10,000 miles or more. Our experienced drivers are averaging 12,000 miles/month. You can legally drive about 13,000 to 14,000 miles a month by DOT standards. Our current starting pay is 28 cents per mile, with a raise to 30 cents at 6 months and another raise to 32 cents at one year.
We have an excellent employee benefit program. We offer medical, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance for you and your dependents after 90 days of employment! The Company also offers employees a 401(k) retirement plan after six months of employment with a generous Company match, and you are paid a week's vacation after one year, two weeks after three years, and three weeks after five years. We also offer a rider program if you would like to take a family member along as a passenger after your first 90 days of employment. Most drivers take about one week's worth of clothing with them. All major truckstops have laundry facilities and showers. The trucks are equipped with a sleeper, you will be required to provide your own bedding and pillow. Other needs will be your bathroom needs and a small assortment of tools. An AM/FM Cassette or CD player and CB radios are provided in the trucks. Many drivers will purchase a twelve volt cooler to help cut down on food expenses. Most drivers will spend between $75 and $100 a week on the average for their living expenses. You are allowed to take a weekly $100 advance from your pay for living expenses on the road.
If you are considered an average to above average driver you should never be out of work

About Watkins and Shepard Trucking, Inc. In General
As we have mentioned before, we train drivers for this Company only, so a brief description of our Company is in order. Watkins and Shepard has been in business for over 32 years. We are headquartered in Missoula, Montana and we have a total of 23 terminals/drop yards throughout the nation. We operate over 650 company trucks and have about 100 owner-operators leased to our Company. We have been granted 48 state authority from the federal ICC, and operate primarily in 40 states.
Our drivers run locally, regionally, team runs, and over-the-road.

 

After doing A LOT of research on this board, and talking to drivers, I am going to go with W/S. I too, considered Schnieder but thought W/S was a better fit FOR ME.

 

x2. It was a very nice phone call..

 

Will do.

I have 3 little ones at home, but I gotta get trained at some point...