Watkins shepard

Hey Red, let us know how it goes - I talked to Sandy last week and she didn't say anything honestly about a hire freeze or anything.
She was very helpful also.

I REALLY know what you mean about wanting to go on w/ them, by this thread alone they seem like an extended family.

Do you lump your own freight w/ them? I know they do it but isnt 98% of it no touch? Maybe I missed that part.

 

I just read in W/S February newsletter that they hired 36 new long haul drivers. Times are tough and companies are having hiring freezes. Is W/S the exception and increasing business or replacing drivers who have quit.

 

I talked to them a week ago and they said they had 10 trucks in Missoula to fill. The also said they were getting hundreds of applications weekly which allows them to be extremely picky on new hires.

Does anyone have information on how long after an application is sent in before a person is notified of acceptence into there 30 day school?

 

Jason: I would really think it through on the wife angle: if miss her allready, you're REALLY gonna miss when you're out in a little box that shrinks day by day! I'd do better to be AWAY from mine for periods of time: she can talk the brass off a doorknob, and I'm more into intellectual type conversation. You know: stuff with a POINT to it... I'd actually probably not want to take her out very often: trucking can be frustrating enough without someone bugging you.

From this thread I got the impression that lumping was your choice: it would be mine, as I'm no couch potatoe.

I don't think they have exactly a hiring freeze, but when a totally qualified driver advocate (Tinman) is told to get his DOT physical and his permit, then told they don't have any place for him right now, I'd say they're being more than just picky. And that wasted his money, since he had to go to a school anyway. I'd guess that the 10day guys are getting the seats, so my 9 years doesn't count; being broken off long ago.

 

Give them 4-5 days, maybe a week, after you send it in and give them a call. There's more to it than just put in an application, get accepted. They do a phone interview, you send them some more info, you're tentatively accepted pending your ability to get your CDL permit, your DOT physical, and passing the HPE (agility) test they give.

 

As long as they can confirm the experience....all of it. You should get around .40 give or take a penny.

5 years - .35
7 years - .36
10 years - .37

 

Thanks MSMS. I realize there is much more than just submitting an application. I desire to retire from my present employment soon and am suppose to notify them two months prior to leaving. I'm just trying to figure out the ideal time to submit an application for enrollment in their school beginning July 6th. I am not going to retire until I'm sure I have been accepted with W/S. My understanding is that W/S wants you in school within 60 days after acceptence. Kind of a tight schedule for me to work out.

 

Well just to give an update. I finaly got ahold of Matt after a week of trying. He told me that I was not hired but nothing was on my DAC and my driving record was outstanding. So I was like WTF . He told me due to where I live and the number of apps they are getting in, it would be hard to get on with them. So back to the drawing board and back to wishing the economy would hurry up and turn around. When it does I will try again. Later all, Im out.

 

I was afraid that was going to happen. I'm in the process of communicating w/ Sandy at W/S about my employment w/ them.
I just today passed my written portion of my Class A Upgrade and still have 3/4 weeks of driving to go before I'm licensed...
It sucks but, not the end of the world; who knows what'll happen in 3/4 weeks
I wish you the best Hicksie, in what ever place you find.

 

Looks like one of the ten trucks will be mine: Roxy said I'd be going to the school if I passed my physical - and said they were being VERY particular at this point as to who they accepted. I got lucky. Also, they had some layoffs and are short-handed, so things are crawling up there.