My Journey Starts Today

I am scheduled for a drug test and lift test tomorrow morning at 8 AM. I also received my lists of stuff I'll need and stuff to bring Monday to Orientation. The local thing didn't pan out(kinda figured but worth a shot) so I will be going with Watkins & Shepard.

The only thing I'm kind of uneasy about is not being with a trainer like most other companies but I guess it's better to learn for yourself in a way. I've read through American Trucker, chralb and truckerdaddy24's threads in the Watkins & Shepard sub-forum and they have been really helpful for me in making my decision.

I may start a new thread in there or get this one moved over to there. Thanks for reading and hopefully it will be a LONG and entertaining thread.

 

I took my lift test, drug test and then took my paperwork over to the terminal. I decided to push my orientation back to May 14th so I can get a few more things straight before I have to leave.

I also took my supplies list to Walmart and spent too much money. I bought some extra stuff that wasn't on there. I also got a laminated Truckers Atlas from the local truck stop.

I don't know about where everyone else is but did it seem to be more idiots on the road today for some reason? I'm sure those who are already driving it's just a normal day dealing with idiots.

 

Yes, I was mentally exhausted from all the studying and anxiety over the tests. All I did that weekend was lay around the house.

You find so much stuff you just have to have!

Being nervous is natural(for me at least). Just remember to be a sponge during your training. Good luck to you.

 

OK, there has been some activity since my last post regarding the local gig. There are a couple of decisions I could make but I want to know which one will be the best choice. I know it comes down to whatever I feel is best for me I would just like some different opinions from experienced drivers.


The local gig would be dropping/hooking trailers and be home every night and paid hourly. I know the job well as a buddy of mine has a similar position with the same company. He loves it. I would still have to go through the companies 8 week training and drive OTR or Regional until the position officially opens later this year/early next year. I could do either of the following.


1. Go ahead with Watkins & Shepard until the local job is officially open then I wouldn't need to go through training with experience according to the recruiter. The only thing that worries me of this idea is changing jobs so early in my career. Will this be a bad thing down the road if I had to search for a new job?


2. I could work a temporary regular job here in town until July and go with this company and I can be driving local by next year at the latest. The one thing that I'm worried on this is not driving for 3 months and losing my touch on shifting/driving. Also, is there a certain time frame you have to drive in by? Although the company I could go to wouldn't have a problem with it obviously.



3. I could just go with Watkins & Shepard and pass up the local opportunity and drive with Watkins for a long period and wait for another local gig to pop up.



Of course the recruiter for this one company could be filling me full of hot air with the local job although my buddy tells me someone is retiring later this year. I would think they would have other drivers lined up for that position but who knows for sure.



I feel like I'm standing at a fork in the road and not sure which path to take. I'm leaning towards just going with Watkins & Shepard for fear the company with the local thing could be baiting me with a shiny lure just to get me on.