Watkins & Shepard Trucking, Inc. - Missoula, Mt.?

Well...guess what?

You've brought to the table a new company that trains driver, and that may be definitely worth looking at.

They have an excellent safety rating, according to SaferSystem, and an ISS-2 of 30, which speaks well of their attentiveness to safety.

The CEO of Watkins - Shepherd Trucking, Inc, Ray Kuntz, is the Vice Chairman of the American Trucking Association.

The fact that you have not found anything negative...is a positive.

I was not aware that they offered carrier based training for newbies.

They specialize (In the van division) in the transportation of furniture and other household goods items, like carpet and tile. It's decent work, and depending on their pay structure, it can make for a good paycheck each week.

Like yourself, I have heard nary a bad word on this company, so I'd definitely be talking to them if I were in your shoes.

By all means, check 'em out, and if you decide to go with them, please do us the service of writing reports as you are able to, which will help others learn about the company.

 

That is one good one, I have not found anything bad about Them.
sounds ok Good Trucking To You
fifthwheel@myway.com

 

I post this to some risk of my employment but do so of my own free will.

This is a great company, whom I currently work for. Great training for someone getting into trucking.

The good points:

In their school, you will learn to DRIVE. city driving, highway driving, mountain driving, passes, chaining, etc. they cover the whole nine yards. I wish when I went to a CDL mill I would have went there first. Being a school graduate, I had a 10 day oriantation with Watkins Shepard which I learned more in that 10 days the I did in the month at the school.

Most all drivers will help students is they are not pushed for time, I have help students work on thier shifting, backing, and general questions about the company or trucking in general.

The equipment is maintained, yes things break but the Missoula Shop, and the Helena shop are the best in my book, sometimes hard to get your truck or trailer in, but if you can the work is A+. The mechanics want to know what you hear, see, or feel. A great crew, Hats off.

Dispatch, atleast on the flat side, I started Van side, and it just didnt fit for me, treat their people well, there is one %$%^^$#%$% that is a load finder on the flat side, but if you talk to other flatbed drivers they will explain to you how to deal with that person.

The safety director, is a good guy, and a honest man, he is also the driver's main contact if there is a problem, and basicly availible 24/7. On the Flat side, the Head of flatbed is another honest man, which you find is a man with common sense. He has backed my calls in the field more then once. Again hats off.


OK, the bad points.

You will run hard, dont play games. If you dont feel good, they will understand, but if you play games they will know it.

On the van side, you will deliever to mom and pop stores in B.F.E. backing down goat paths and dealing with people that dont understand a semi-truck isn't a geo metro (Beware of customer directions you get).

I have heard, so take it as you will, that you may be told to something that you feel unsafe. Again this is what I heard from a new driver so take this for what you will, but you need to understand that you are the captain of that ship, it is your call if you feel it is unsafe DON'T DO IT.

They do routing, to a degree, use it, but double check it. When I started I remeber being sent down a KY road and the routing told me to take X-x-x exit, I did and found myself on a 2-lane which was never ment for a 53' trailer (steer tires in one ditch and tandem trailer axels in the other ditch).

They have company paper logs, which is good to a degree, but I run two log books. I use software on my puter to do my logs. I do wish they would allow computer logs that are printed by the driver.

They will run you hard, for the first couple weeks they only run you as hard as you allow, but they will push you.

Dont be surprised to do a drop and hook with a trailer that has huge issues.

All in all, be safe. They may not be the highest paying company in the game but they are in my opinion a good company.

 

I don't see anything up there that would endanger your job. It's an honest assessment of the company as you see it, and nothing less.

There are companies that scour the net for input like this, so that they can have some understanding of what areas within their companies need attention. This kind of input is something that they cannot get on a personal level.

 

Thought I would post a reply to this thread rather than start a new one. I just passed CDL tests and have been offered jobs at H.O. Wolding and Watkins Shepard (as well as some others I would not even think about working for). I think both companies are good prospects, one is regional with more home time and the other pays more.

The other main difference is the new hire training. One does a 10 day training and out making milage, The other a short orientation and 3-4 weeks OTR with trainer. I think both methods must be OK as the safety records are comparable.

The only other real difference is one requires doubles and hazmat. The other does not. The endorsments are not a concern, but not sure how I feel running doubles without a lot of experience.

Looking for comments on what others think on these points/issues.

P.S. Also any feed back on how the recruters are, as far as honesty, with these companies.

 

The pulling of doubles will give you good experience. I learned more pulling sets then a straight 48' or 53' vans.

As far as which company to go with, as a newbie you may want to go with the one with the longer training period. That way you can pick up more information..

 

Thanks for the feedback, I think my better half would prefer the regional so that makes the choice easy. They don't do the doubles but would like to try that down the road. We all make choices and hope they work for the best.

 

Just an update.

I went with Watkins Shepard for various reasons. The orientation is 10 days, and if you take advantage 10 full days. They washed out about 25% for various reasons. The good thing is you don't have to go through a "trainer" as they have instructors evaluate you/teach the way they want it done. They do not tolerate log violations, and check log/mileage for "speeding" which works out to about 5 below speed limit or 60 mph whichever is less. I feel someone who is comfortable with jumping in after some real world hands on would like the method, certainly not for everyone!

After 10 days if you make the cut, you get a truck and a load somewhere.

 

is watkins shepard the same as watkins? the one being bought by fed-ex?