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WSE or KLLM for Newbie?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by moderndrifter, Nov 1, 2011.

  1. Nov 1, 2011 #1
    moderndrifter

    moderndrifter Light Load Member

    208
    86
    Oct 4, 2011
    Colorado, US
    0
    I am a soon-to-graduate driving student. I have pre-hire letters from both Willis Shaw & KLLM. From what I have read here, both are extremely good starter companies.

    The main draw of WSE is that they have the closest terminal to my home (I don't have to try to find a place to park the rig for hometime), and I like the idea of starting out with an auto-shift, though I'm not set on it. I understand that WSE is all reefer (not sure if that's a pro or a con). I also understand that WSE is mostly midwest, south, and east. I'd prefer west and northwest, but I know this may not be realistic.

    From what I understand, KLLM covers 48 states -NYC and is not necessarily reefer. Starting pay is 2 cpm more than WSE, but I'm not sure exactly how miles are figured.

    At this point in my career, having a good company that treats its drivers right is more important than the money.

    Thanks in advance for any input!
     
    moderndrifter, Nov 1, 2011
    moderndrifter, Nov 1, 2011
    #1
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  3. Nov 1, 2011 #2
    moderndrifter

    moderndrifter Light Load Member

    208
    86
    Oct 4, 2011
    Colorado, US
    0
    Also, If anyone knows more about where each company's loads are concentrated. All I have to go off of is recruiters.
     
    moderndrifter, Nov 1, 2011
    moderndrifter, Nov 1, 2011
    #2
  4. Apr 12, 2013 #3
    zoekatya

    zoekatya Medium Load Member

    397
    99
    Mar 15, 2013
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    I drove for WSE for eight months out of school. Not a bad starter company. Trucking is trucking. Driving an automatic straight out of school is something I regret because it limits job opportunities down the road if you have forgot or suck at stick. IT might be more stressful and less safe starting out with stick but I regret not going with a stick company, as a first trucking job at least. Other than that I love automatics.
     
    zoekatya, Apr 12, 2013
    zoekatya, Apr 12, 2013
    #3
  5. Apr 13, 2013 #4
    Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

    5,569
    4,651
    Nov 25, 2008
    Kellogg, IA
    0
    Willis Shaw has some issues.... their SMS scores will make you squirm. They are in alert status in Driver Fitness with a 80.6 score. They are at 60.7 in HOS violations and 51.5 in maintenance. You combine that and a driver is "sniper bait" for any LEO out there that want to pick a truck out to do an inspection on.

    KLLM has its problems also.... on alert status for Unsafe Driving 80.6, HOS 60.7, and Maintenance 51.5. Three areas that make them targets of LE also.

    For me, no brainer. Neither is worth taking a second look at. There are a lot of companies out there that keep their nose a lot cleaner than either of these folks. One might say "so what, it is just FMCSA junk". Well, it also is somewhat of a picture of how they are as a company. if they can't stay on top of the details, then what makes someone think they have it together on how they treat drivers?
     
    Cowpie1, Apr 13, 2013
    Cowpie1, Apr 13, 2013
    #4
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