Watkins shepard

I remember Vern talking about opening a truck driving that really teaches what drivers need to know. It'd be expensive but graduates would know how to back into any space, how to drive up and down grades, light maintenance, etc. There are way too many people that have gone through CDL mills and still don't know how to drive. I think it's a great idea and I'd love to see somebody do it. Of course, some of the community college courses or the longer private schools may be exactly what I'm talking about. I don't know, I went to a mill myself before coming on to W/S, mostly because I've had a CDL since 1997 and needed a refresher more than anything else. I can tell you without a doubt that W/S's 10-day training is way more educational and useful than the schooling that most drivers get before obtaining their licenses.

 

I am in Missoula now 10 day will be finished in 2 days, it feels like we have been thru trucking Boot Camp---but I think all 6 of us made it thru. I cant believe how much stuff /info has had to be processed and at ...at warp speed.. I wouldnt change a thing. Kelby and Dick teach at a maniac level but with total knowledge and both have a very cool sense of humor ---well Dick is who he is and even though I was dreading the drive with Dick, it and he proved that I was really over thinking it, even though people talk about the "brashness" of him it really wasnt that bad.....SORRY Dick -(if u read this) I know you have a reputation to keep and have worked long and hard for it but I found your company and ways, pretty cool and I enjoyed the conversations in the truck when we were all driving with you. Kelby is also a really good guy ..lots of experience, lots of tips, and a great teacher---even though I struggle with the LOGBOOK assignments I went to him on lunch break and he helped me figure out what I was doing wrong---now only if I remembered what he said I would be better off and I will have it made....He will be my new Qualcomm buddy lol.... I hope keeping a real time log is going to be easier than the 3 day log assignmets we had to calculate
I think the only "test" we have left is backing to dock and into a trailer slot.
The downhill / uphill op's, were done on our second day........I dont care what anyone says about how its a bad idea to shift going down a steep grade I AM GLAD we were taught it,. ( it was an adjustment though hitting the crest of a 6% grade at 60 in 10th gear ---it was pretty funny cuz yer gut is saying SLOW DOWN but the instructor is saying SPEED UP..... think it is a very valuable thing to know and cant wait to practice it when I get my own truck. I think it is what makes the Watkins Shepard drivers maybe a "click" above those that ,cant, dont or wont shift when needed coming down a steep grade.....to know how to be able to really handle a truck coming down a grade is priceless as opposed to only relying on jakes, brakes and "having the right gear" it is, in my opinion an excellent procedure to know and really probably the best way to be able to handle your rig. All of us in the class feel the same way.......very good to know. Espeacially when dealing with the numerous mountains.
We signed our employee stuff today - but not the official "you are hired" papers, just all the insurance stuff etc.and we all got our pictures for the employee file.
It looks like Friday we will be out of here, and since know one knows yet where their trucks are, the days following will be up in the air.
All the drivers I have talked to in the drivers lounge all reaffirm my decision to go with Watkins Shepard, it truly is an "open door" company, You can walk right up to the office of anyone here and say HI. All the drivers concur that this is a rare kind of company in todays age of big trucking companies. They do what they say!! and everyone so far has been great to deal with.
I will update later, it has been a very busy here , homework is the norm and many tests completed..... aaahh it will soon all be over..

gotta say HI to S2b, snakeskin, lynchmob, Warpdriver, Mike NC, 6309 etc etc and thanks for all the help, advice, and knowledge you have given me in this last 2 months of question after question....Snake-call me again tomorow..I know the decision is hard to make and there are alot of different opinions, options, pros, cons etc to it all, I do have a little more info for you though pertaining to it.

 

Hey Jmurmun,my girlfriend and I went All-State in Balto.We sent i an app to W/S and got turned down,they said we lived to far from terminal.

 

oh no...that sucks. IIRC the nearest terminal is Sayresvill NJ, that's not that far.

 

Soutbaydad, i started to wonder as to where u went too.... i didnt realize that you had started already, glad to hear u did, and got things under-way, keep up the good work, and dont worry about the logs, the real deal is easier, and more serious then practice logs, and if you have ANY problem, walk into the drivers lounge at night, youll find a driver or 2 or 3 sitting their, ask them for some assistance explaining it to you.... question for ya, u talked about dick and kelby... what about Mark??

Jmurman, accodring to my PC Miler program Baltimore is 160 miles away from the terminal. company policy is to leave the truck at the terminal when on home time, the hiring area is up to 120-130 miles radious to the nearst terminal.... it depends on the person, its still worth the shot, and considering that both of you attended All State should be more then enough for you to get hired.... ill have to talk to someone about this and get back to you on this issue... i gotta call saftey today anyway, soo when i do ill ask them about this...

 

Awesome post SBD...that told me a lot about the 10 day program. I concur with what's been said about people helping out....I'm not even an employee yet, but so far everybody I've dealt with from WS had been outstanding! Well, except maybe for S2B...he sent me a real virus, I think I have his cold. LOL Just kidding. He's been so much help to me so far and patient in answering all my questions. Lynchmob also, but he's been a little MIA around here...probably getting killer miles!

Keep it up SBD and let us know how it goes the rest of the way...see you out there!

 

hahaha... warp, just wait till ur sick out on the road!! ooohhhh how i love roman noodles... haha... resettting it up in dalton

 

S2B, I'm in Conover and could just about use a reset. Ran out of hours 100 miles short of my delivery and had to drop my trailer at the terminal so one of the local guys could deliver it. And I only pick up 16.5 hours over the next two days but after that it's solid 11s and 12s for a few days.

If you know a tall Croatian that runs 1666 out of Sayreville, he was in my 10-day in Conover back in July. And since you're in Dalton, the only other guy to survive my 10-day is one of the local drivers there. He got that spot right out of training. Me, I like OTR wouldn't want a local gig.

SBD, that hill training is indeed very valuable. I can't tell you how many times I've seen trucks with smoking brakes going down grades. Obviously each truck is different and each load is different but I've never had to use my pedal more than my jake on any grade. And if you ever find yourself going downhill and the jake's not kicking in, reach your foot behind the clutch pedal and pull out just to make sure the pedal's not sticking a little. You can also try that with the go pedal. As I'm sure you've learned already, those pedals are very sensitive and the slightest pressure on either will keep the Jake from engaging.

 

thanks soon2be...I appreciate that

 

S2B, Im in Knoxville now, got empty this afternoon but no load, KH2 said they might send me to Dalton or Conover tomorrow

Henley...I smell a 34 hr reset