Another Watkins Shepard Thread

I'm glad to see people posting here. I made it to the east coast. I nice little run from Logan, UT to Maxton, NC. I then got a load going from Hickory NC to Denver CO, but of course my truck that I just got broke down in Oakley, KS The clutch spring broke, I had to drive to 30 more miles to Colby KS to get if fixed. I had to stay in a hotel for 2 days and my load was repowered. All in all it was not to bad. I got to relaxe in a motel room and get a reset in. My next load went to Siloam AR, a load of potatoes. That was an interesting place. They had me drop the trailer and then a yard dog picks it up and takes it to this lift. They lift the trailer up and dump the patotes out. I seen pictues of it in training. It was kinda neet. I then got a load out of lazy boy just a few miles away going to Helena MT. This where I am now. Since Nov 10th I have put in just over 6100 miles, which is not to bad.
I'm very impressed with the dispatcher that handles the east coast. I had new loads before I was even empty or at my drop. I can get used to that for a while.
My truck is back in the shop for a knocking noise in the engine plus some other routine serivces. I hope to be out no later than tomorrow so I can get home for thanksgiving, but I'm not counting on it.
For those that are wondering if they want to work for WS, then I would say go for it. Its not too big of a company to where you get lost in numbers, but big enough to keep you moving if you want. Its really up to you how much you want to make.
Soontobetrucking, I'm glad you are liking the OTR. I did the western loop for a few weeks and it was not to bad. Good miles. I was happy to get out east for a change of scenery, but I don't think I would want to stay out there long. It seems like the locals there don't know how to change lanes and merge. They like to stop before changing lanes. I almost ran over a few of them. I didn't make it to the Northeast, which if fine with me, I don't want to head up there. I will update more later on how fast I get out of here. Good luck to you all and be safe.

 

Well I had to stay the night in Helena. My truck is still in the shop. Something to do with the U Joint. I guess that was making the noise I was hearing. They took the drive line apart last night and it is stll sitting there. No one is working on now. There is still a list of things I want them to fix but don't want to wait around for it. I got load going home that delivers on Wed so I can be home for Thanksgiving. I just hope they get it done today.
I guess I will just have to wait and see, not much I can do but that. Be safe.

 

I was going to go with Crete as well before I came to WS. The only problem was I didn't go with one of their authorized trucking schools. You have to have at least 6 months experience otherwise. So I hope you looked into that and attened one of their authorized schools. I have heard both good and bad about the company, but you get that with all companies. I am guessing you have been reading that thread by evertrucker, a year in review with crete. It is a good thread and that is the reason I went ahead and took the jump to be a trucker.
I work for WS for the past 2 months and it was a little rocky at 1st but they do treat you well here. My trucks have had issues, but they always get me to a shop and get it fixed. Like I have stated in previous post, my truck is in the shop now and they are going through it and checking everything. There should be no problems after I leave here. I am getting all new tires, replaced my driver chair, getting an alignment and even worked on my apu, which I didn't even say anything about. This is a good shop here in Helena and a pretty good company. Sometimes they can be hard to get a hold of in the begining, but it all works out in the end.

Crete is a pretty good company, for being such a large company you are a number still, but from the drivers I spoke to they are pretty good still.
I am not planing on leaving WS for them. I do like working for WS, they do seem to care more about you as a person than a number. I have had good experience with getting home when I want. I usually put my request in a week before I want to be home and they have me routed there to take home time.
My truck is also in the shop and they will hopefully have it done today and the dispatcher is working on getting me a load home for thanksgiving. Now I don't think you will get that with a large company like Crete, Swift or any of those others. Not to say they are not good to work for, but WS is a good size company, not so large where you are just a number and not to small where you sit for days waiting on a load. I will recommend this company to any new drivers and experienced drivers that are done with being a number.
But with whatever choice you make beans, I hope you enjoy driving. Good luck and be Safe.