Watkins & Shepard - The Adventure Begins October 8th

Punky74 · Mar 16, 2013

BigRedBigRig said: ↑

I've given notice to WS that I am quitting. I will also not be updating this thread from now on.
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BigRed,

it would be nice if you could give one last post to us wantabees about why your leaving. Your overall experiences can help the rest of us make some decisions if you give some feedback before you go.

Family rider · Mar 17, 2013

What a disappointment that BigRed is leaving this thread and trucking forever?!? We hardly knew ya.

BigRedBigRig · Mar 24, 2013

Once I've left WS and started somewhere else, I'll update this thread to explain my reasons. I'm just not going to be updating it anymore in the meantime. Cheers.

roadlt · Apr 29, 2013

This is giving me great insight on what I'm getting into.

roadlt · May 1, 2013

Thanks for the schooling! I'll keep that dock thing in mind when I'm loading and unloading. Didn't know they did that. Of cousre, never did warehouse work so how would I...

Freightdog · May 20, 2013

Any update yet, Big Red? Been lurking on this thread for awhile and just kind of curious as to your next move.

sherlock510 · May 22, 2013

She hasn't been active on the forum since March 26th... Maybe done with truck driving..?

...or she made another screen name lol.

TAJW · Jul 2, 2013

BigRedBigRig said: ↑

I'll have to look the layover pay up and get back to you. I haven't been laid-over yet, so I haven't gotten it. I haven't yet had to wait more than a few hours for my next load, often I get the load assignment as soon as I'm unloaded. They're pretty good about that. I think it's a little more complicated this week since so many drivers are going home for Thanksgiving next week and they're having to plan ahead and route them so they get home in time.

They pay actual miles, to the best of my knowledge. I've been paid for every single mile so far, even out-of-route miles that were due to nothing more than getting myself gloriously lost in a mess of road construction and tiny highways between Toledo and some town in central Ohio where I was doing a drop and hook.

I'm probably averaging around 3k+ per week, I'd get more if I did better at managing my time, didn't get lost, etc. The miles are there if you want them. I'm going to start running my hours out and doing resets as necessary.

You get a week of paid vacation after one year. More per year as you gain seniority. You earn one day of home-time for every six days you are out and that home-time accumulates. For home-time requests, they say they can get you home if you give them at least 10 days notice. I haven't taken any home-time yet, so I can't say for myself. I've already requested time off for Christmas though. Home-time is a first come, first served basis... so get those requests in as early as you can if you want to take a few days off around a major holiday.

Their idle policy is that they want you to do it as little as possible. Most trucks have bunk heaters (it heats just the area where you are sleeping and it takes a lot less fuel than idling). The bunk heater keeps you plenty warm. You can set it to stay on, to automatically turn on at a certain time or to cycle on/off. I find that it's way too warm if you leave it on, so the cycling thing works best.

You do get paid in orientation. You get paid $100 the first day, $100 the next Monday and then $200 more at the end. They take the taxes for the whole $400 out of that last chunk, so it's more like $145. I got my last bit of orientation pay on the first payday after I started driving, so a week out.

I really like this company and I recommend them, especially to someone just starting out.
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I should be heading out late this week to W/S for Orientation on Monday. I spoke to the recruiter today, and have a couple pieces of info you asked for. Layover pay is $50 for 24 hours, Breakdown pay is $100 for 24 hours. They do not have detention pay.

There are no APUs in the trucks, but if you purchase one, they will install it for free.

You must provide Satellite radio, TV, refrigerator, etc. for creature comforts.

Shiftin · Jul 2, 2013

And they (W&S) are not responsible for and loss or damage of you personal items in the tractor.

runawayload · Jul 2, 2013

TAJW said: ↑

I should be heading out late this week to W/S for Orientation on Monday. I spoke to the recruiter today, and have a couple pieces of info you asked for. Layover pay is $50 for 24 hours, Breakdown pay is $100 for 24 hours. They do not have detention pay.

There are no APUs in the trucks, but if you purchase one, they will install it for free.

You must provide Satellite radio, TV, refrigerator, etc. for creature comforts.
Click to expand...

Some trucks do have APU's, most do not work because drivers dont take care of them. You have a better chance of getting a truck that has one now then 2 months ago. They are handing out new trucks to senior drivers which make their old ones available.

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