Question about WS and cell phones

I don't know if you need one at orientation per say, but you will have to have one when you have a truck. Also while in training on a truck you may need it also; I imagine most companies have some sort of training liaison that you stay in contact with during this process. The best thing to do is to check with the recruiter about this and find out for sure if you can get by for a few weeks till you have some money.

Also have you tried to apply for one of the phones they advertise on tv for low income folks. It may not have a lot of minutes on it, but it may sure the purpose till you can do otherwise. I don't know if they are set up for bluetooth.

We have AT & T which usually has pretty good coverage, even in areas in WY, NE, CO, not saying it doesn't drop out some in certain spots but it is not as bad as some I think.

Bluetooth you will really need because you cannot be driving down the road with the cell phone in your hand and I do not recommend you even try to do so. The bluetooth is a real help if you have family to call; a family plan is great then. Also your DM/TM/TC whatever will have to have a way to contact you in the future, this is according to the company you work for and and may not be often, but if you have to call breakdown or anything else you can't be running around trying to find a phone since public phones are pretty much a thing of the past; also some loads like high dollar loads may require verbal acknowledgement at dispatch.

If you have to wait you can most likely get a phone at Walmart if nothing else in the future, you will have to wait to get to one that allows trucks in their parking lot; during the daylight hours is better since in some stores there isn't anyone manning the counter all the time.

 

Straight Talk phones can be had for anywhere from $0 to $200 online (what phones offered depend on your home zipcode). As with anything, you get what you pay for. The refurbed phones can and do have some issues. Monthly fees are $30 or $45. Even the cheap free phone I had (before it got laundered---literally) was bluetooth compatible. A CHEAP BT headset can be had at WM for $20. It is NOT noise cancelling. BUT it does what it says it does, and keeps you legal.

 

No you dont need to have a blue tooth when u start... the rule and LAW requires you to ONLY BE ON A BLUETOOTH WHILE DRIVING, no hand held. and texting while driving can land you a $2700 ticket..
when you get out there, and have a few dollars saved up, pick up the plantronics voyager, its $99 at most truck stops. its the best one out there, trust me, iv spent well over $1,000 on all the diferent bluetooths out there, from the cheap $10 to an expensive $299 from Bose.

 

Another example of how a low rate carrier passes their operating expenses off on drivers . If it is the CARRIER's need for you to have a phone they should provide the phone and coverage . I have both a company provided cell phone and a Blackberry which I am allowed to use for web browsing .
Carriers should provide Qualcomm or other type of communication so phone conversations aren't required while driving .

 

There's a qualcomm in every truck for communications with dispatch. But I think a cell is still necessary, if for nothing else than to call shippers and receivers to verify times, addresses, best routes in, etc.

You get 20% off if you use Verizon as your cell provider.

I do agree that companies should provide more compensation for phones, though. Particularly if you're expected to do any driving outside of the country.

 

wksh has a qc in every one of their trucks, and to be honest, iv never had much of any problem getting to a pick up or delivery, a cell phone is not required at wksh, the only requiremnt they have with cell phones is that you have a bluetooth/hands free.
and yes, working at wksh you do get a 20% discount, all you have to do is take your paystub to a vzw store and they will add the discount, also, you can get 20% off of phone accessories as well.

 

Can't recall if the OP said he had or was getting a GPS. But I'm assuming, since he can barely afford a phone, he won't be getting one before his first paycheck.

I'd hate to be the driver who has no gps nor a cell. Good luck finding your way around.

Cell is definitely higher priority until you have some cash.