Watkins shepard

Okay, for anyone interested I'm finally starting my W/S orientation which is going to get under way on Monday 6/30/08 in Sayerville, NJ! I got my Class A CDL w/all the endorsements and look forward to learning as much as possible during the 10 days I will be spending at orientation. According to Holly I will be one of 5 or 6 students in the class. I can't wait to meet my fellow class mates! I hear the instructor Jim "Vern" Butler is a great guy. I've spoken to him a few times on the phone and he seems really nice and easy to talk to. I will admit after going through the W/S physical it was a bit more rigorous than I was prepared for! Although I got through it okay, it did give me lots of incentive to go back to the gym! Anyway, if anyone else on here is scheduled to attend shoot me a message and introduce yourself. W/S has been great to deal with so far, Roxy has been terrific and I look forward to meeting more people as time goes by. Hey Danc? Do you ever get up to the Sayreville, NJ terminal? I have been an avid reader of your posts and you were right on about this Company! Thanks for all the valueable information...without it I may have never ended up with this exciting opportunity. I will keep you posted on how things go once I get underway. Until then I'm packing, making all the last minute purchases and preparations and getting myself ready to take the next step.

 

Well now training with WS and eventhough it is only the second day I must say I made the right choice.

 

Glad to hear you are happy with your training so far! What facility are you training at? Are you doing the ten day orientation or the full class? The lifting part of the physical was crazy! What did you think about it? It definitely got my heart rate up! Good luck and keep me posted as to your progress.

Joe

 

You liked the physical too ? I thought they were going to ask me to bench a 300 lbs before it was over with LOL

I'll be in Sayreville Tuesday myself. For about 3 minutes I hope

 

Hey...I just spoke to a recruiter from W/S today 6/30/08. Really close to submitting my app to them. I spoke to Kenny who is a recruiter in Montana although he said I'd be running out of the Santa Fe Springs, Ca terminal. Just curious...just HOW BAD is this physical they give. Im in my 50s and NOT in great shape. Just how bad is it? Thanks!!

 

Wow...as luck would have it, I shattered my left heel about 13 years ago and have trouble doing just that. Other than that it doesn't bother me too much. Can someone tell me how many times a trucker has to stand on one foot in the course of his job....maybe it's me.....I don't know!

 

SoCal - FWIW Watkins Shepard is one of those companies that ask the "Have you ever..." questions on their application.

 

I guess Im getting confused with the pay system. I think a while back, numbers were tossed around like an average of 43k with WS...then I heard numbers like people could get 1k a week which would be 52k a year. Then Im hearing the stop pay (aka, non driving money) adds up to be 1/3 of a salary, this from veteran drivers.
Well heck, Im making more than either of those figures working at Schneider and Im home daily with 2 days off each week. It seems as if you have to stop alot, getting a multiple stop load or whatever, then that comes in fine and dandy with the pay because its additional pay, however if thats the only way to make a decent pay check...something doesn't add up to me.

 

I am doing the 30 day training in Missoula, Mt. with 2 other students. I am my CDL but the other 2 don't. So far the training as been great.