Any questions from prospects or lookers from real Watkins and Shepard drivers?

Do it, this is nothing like sitting behind a desk all day! I just turned 36 a few months ago. I don't know how tight they are on trucks, but I just started with them and only had to wait a 2 days for them to find me a truck and get me to it. Yes, they still have a pet policy, it is after 90 days and a $500 deposit. Lots of drivers have a pet with them.

 

Does WS pay for workers comp.?

 

Fed law all employers have too lol




American Trucker

 

I forget which company, but there is a thread on here where the driver said his company did not pay workers comp. Thanks AT! Makes sense, and I should have known better!

 

That driver was probably a lease operator, and his company was illegally like most do claim him as an independent contractor which a l/o is not




American Trucker

 

As a new grad, will starting "regional" with W/S as opposed to the traditional "OTR" ruin future career opportunities?

 

no, there are maybe a handfull of companies i've seen that want Rocky Mtn driving exp, but i wouldnt worry about that. Regional is still OTR, just in a smaller area.

Having W/S on your resume will help if you ever want to get a local LTL job with say UPS, FedEX, Conway.



American Trucker

 

Cool... I talked to a recruiter and he said it was regional but, like "30 states" regional... he seemed pretty straightforward and no b/s about it.

About me, I don't have wife or kids so I just want to get out and see what it is all about. I wonder if there is a chance to go OTR at some point with them or if they are reducing their range somewhat.

 

there are 175+ drivers out of the Conover, NC terminal and i'm 1 of like 5 that are OTR (company drivers that is) according to Tim the Head of Safety/Training in Conover.

You can always ask, you never know when/if they'll have a OTR truck open. But I know they really need Regional Drivers.





American Trucker

 

I think the OTR vs regional depends on which area you're in, too. Seems like there's always a line for the California/I-5 corridor local and regional drivers, but maybe that's just my perspective on it. Since I'm not sure I could stand having to drive in California all the time, even if that IS my home terminal, I tend to deep six the messages on the matter.

Benefits are pretty good at W/S. I've worked corporate jobs with worse benefits. Be sure to note, however, that benefits currently start on the first of the month AFTER your 90 days are up, so if you're hired on April 2nd, you're getting your benefits on August 1st, not July 2nd.