Wannabe to Watkins Shepard Driver

Watkins Shepard orientation on 05/02/11 in Conover, NC. I'll keep posting. Wish I could change title of my thread. May just start a new one.

 

This is what they sent me from the recruiting office.

MISSOULA HOME OFFICE
P.O. BOX 5328
MISSOULA, MONTANA 59806-5328
LOCAL: (406) 728-6121
TOLL FREE: (800) 548-8895
FAX: (800) 409-9151
www.wksh.com

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT​

DRIVER COMPENSATION AT WATKINS AND SHEPARD TRUCKING, INC.​

(Current as of: November 2010)​

​

At Watkins and Shepard Trucking, Inc. we have positions open in our Van Division. We are licensed to run all 48 states and the western provinces of Canada. However, we do not do a lot of New England or Florida south of the panhandle. Once drivers have 1 year OTR experience they are eligible for local openings. A short 10-day orientation is required for student graduates. Following this we put graduates in a truck by themselves. We DO NOT use a Driver-Trainer system. Start working at full driver wages right out of school without any of the potential hassles that come with being locked in a small space 24/7 driving with a stranger.

Per Mile Compensation and Raise Schedule​

SOLO DRIVER PAY SCALE TEAM DRIVER PAY SCALE *
Verifiable Experience Verifiable Experience
Years Per Mile Years Per Mile

0-90 days $.25 0-90 days $.25 (student grads)
91 days $.27 91 days $.35
½ $.28 1 $.37
1 $.31 3 $.39
2 $.32 5+ $.43
3 - 4 $.33
5 - 6 $.34
7-9 $.35
10+ $.36

Other Benefits and Compensation​

BONUSES: Up to 4 cents per mile, when all fuel and safety targets are met. Bonuses are given monthly and based upon a tier program:
1. 85% fuel stop compliant
2. 95% Qualcom complaint
3. Safety compliant ; getting log books in on time, no tickets, no accident or insurance claims
4. Fuel compliant - conserving fuel.

LOADING/UNLOADING PAY - There are several different categories of this pay that are based upon the type of freight and/or loading or unloading circumstance.

FULL MEDICAL PLANS AVAILABLE OR SELECT MAJOR MEDICAL WITH FSA TO COVER HEALTH, VISION, DENTAL, PRESCRIPTION, AND LIFE. Eligibility after 90 days for driver and dependents.

401(k) PLAN - Eligibility after 6 months with the Company.

VACATION PAY - $600 per week - 1 week after 12 months, two weeks after three years, three weeks after five years. Driver can expect to be out 3 - 4 weeks on average, more if there is an over abundance of freight. They can stay out longer , but they can only accrue up to 30 days at one time. For every 6 days a driver is working, he accrues 1 day off

LAYOVER PAY - $50 for each 24 hour period of inactivity with available hours.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - up to $4800.00 , after 90 days driver will start receiving $100.00 a month, PROVIDING TUITION IS PAID OUT OF POCKET AND NOT GOV'T FINANCED.
REFERRAL BONUSES - $200.00 FOR STUDENT GRADS AFTER THEIR 90 DAY PROBATIONAL PERIOD
$300.00 FOR EXP. DRIVERS AFTER THEIR 90 DAY PROBATIONAL PERIOD

 

Finger Printed

Drove down to Charlotte this morning to get my finger prints taken for the Hazmat endorsement. This is one of only 5 places in the state of NC that you can get it done. The place was like a clinic for pre-hire physicals and drug tests. You have to call ahead for an appointment and they get you right in. Took less than 10 minutes. Once they scan your fingers they give you a letter stating that you will receive paperwork in the mail in 2 to 3 weeks, and in one week you need to call a 800 # to check your status.
Once you have the paperwork in hand you have to go back to the DMV and get the Hazmat endorsement put on your license and get a new license. Yes, you will be charged several fees for this process as well.
I don't need a Hazmat endorsement for Watkins Shepard but just wanted to get everything taken care of now while I have time. You never know when you might need it.
TWIC card? Don't think I want to spend the money for that one and I don't need it right now either.

 

I here ya Mike, the 10 day orientation is defiantly not for everyone. Heck, I don't even know if it's right for me. But the thought of spending a couple of months with a stranger in the cab of a truck for .14 mile is not too appealing either. And some of the "Trainers" only have one year experience! A lot of the young guys need living skills, and driving skills. This can take awhile. I'm talking about people that have never lived on their own, or been outside their home state. Never had the responsibility of a "real" job. There are a lot of these guys who have decided to become truck drivers. Trucking companies have adjusted their programs to accommodate this type of individual. The talent pool isn't too deep these days and the training programs reflect this. The fact that you can put together a sentence and convey rational thoughts tells me you are a cut about the field. It will be frustrating for you when you get into a program designed for the "normal" new hire.
The other reason these companies like the long "training" program is that they know a big percentage of new drivers will quite in the first 90 days. If they gave every new driver a truck right away the highways, rest stop and truck stops would be littered with abandoned trucks. With the "trainer" on board they have someone to continue the load when the student jumps ship.
I'll keep my post up so you can see how the 10 day works out for me. You may want to post your question on one of the Watkins Shepard threads. Good luck to you.