multiple offers, probably going with watkins shepard

I applied for pre approval with Werner and System Transport, I got pre hire letters from both, long in advance of even starting school.

I have been lurking around here for two months, reading everything I could find on the companies that had yards locally.

I narrowed down my search from (in order of desire to work for them, initially)

System Transportation based in Washington
Werner from the moon
Gordon from Washington
Watkins Shepard in Montana
May Trucking in Oregon

The order changed pretty rapidly once I did some investigation:

1. System
2. Watkins Shepard
3. May

I took out Gordon and Werner mostly because they are to big and policies didn't seem to be in the best interest of the drivers at all.

System was my first choice, I had a pre-hire letter, they are a flat bed carrier, pay was better than all the others (in training) better vacation and very good benefits.

Watkins Shepard was number two, good pay, opportunity to go local or at least very regional in a quicker time frame, and the feedback on here was almost all positive.

May I was familiar with them from long ago (my father in law was a driver for them for many many years) Decent company with a family atmosphere, decent pay, in the area I wanted to live.

I decided to go with Watkins Shepard because of the feedback on these forums, in part, plus the follow up of the recruiter who acted like it mattered if I came to work for them. I also didn't get a big stars in the sky sales pitch, everything is better and bigger here, you will get a big new swelling of pride, you know the "pitch". Kenny wanted to be sure I was choosing the company that would fit me the best and that I would fit in with the best.

I have two weeks until my 10 day orientation with them, who knows I may change my mind, I have changed it 20 times in the last month. There is so much information out there.

The only reason W/S won out over System is that I can't seem to find any information on the company, other than their website. They have been around a long time, have 850 trucks and tons of trailers, they have three "companies" within their corporation and a wide range of equipment and divisions. If I could get some solid information on them from former drivers (happy or not) I would feel like I had done my due dilligence in checking out the company. I even went to their local yard and met with the operations manager, he was a little biased (but it was all good) he was very honest about their strengths and weeknesses.

May I could not get to stay in contact with me. I provided everything they asked for,,,,,,then ,,,,,nothing. I called and left messages, none were returned. I don't have Leona's e-mail address, so I can't get her that way. It has been a couple of weeks since I turned in my application adn supporting documentation and I have not received a return call. I was sort of dissapointed, I really thought I would end up going to May because of my father in law's experience there (7 milliion miles no accidents!) Got the jacket with the patches to prove it!

Anyone think they can add to the information on any of the companies listed here, please do, I am open to any info I can get.

Someone had a thread titled "paralysis by analysis" I am with you brother!

 

I take my DMV practical tests on Tuesday, then I will have my license.

 

danc I have watched your posts for a while now, you have always seemed pretty up front.
Do't appear to be to biased, more realistic. IMO

 

mgassel, I would appreciate it very much.

 

Thank you for the info, I originally wanted to go with System, but as time went on I couldn't find anything on the company. I started looking seriously at other companies, but it has always been in my mind that I wanted to do flat beds and learn a more specialized form of transportation. This post helped me quite a bit. I am calling today to let them know my intentions.

Thanks again.