Watkins & Shepard (WKSH) Drivers?

I am placing WKSH at the top of my list. Any WKSH drivers out there (on here)?

I'm not sure if we've heard much from anyone that works there. That company has been around forever and I'm not aware of anything about them to watch out for, but I really don't know a whole lot about em.

I think Tracy W. drives for Watkins Shepard - That would be the Tracy that looks like he belongs in the ZZ Top band - you know the Tracy with the "epic beard" as Daniel B. put it. If I'm not mistaken he'll jump in here when he gets a chance to tell you all the good news about them.

We had a girl from my school drive with them straight out of CDL school. According to her its a good company with limited training. They evidently test you, send you on local runs for 2 weeks and then let you free into the world.

We had a girl from my school drive with them straight out of CDL school. According to her its a good company with limited training. They evidently test you, send you on local runs for 2 weeks and then let you free into the world.

Hey Gator - I talked to the head recruiter yesterday, and he confirms that their training is only 10 days. I am little concerned about that, because that is not much training time at all. Esp "mountain driving", what ten days of driving only 5k miles.

Everyone has personal preferences. My personal opinion is that no 10 days is not long enough especially when your going solo in winter. The 4 weeks you get in school is basic, the first 2 weeks of company training is practice and the last few weeks is learning. It will be a struggle for sure. Not impossible but definitely a struggle. Id weigh your decision carefully and decide what is best for you.

Gator - I concur with your opinion also. As I have some Vet Benefits that will expire in 2017 I am going to select a company that has the approved VA apprenticeship program to use that money up, it a "use it or loose it" type of thing. Since WKSH doesn't participate, I'll put them in the middle of my list. BTW in case anyone is wondering, starting pay is 29cpm for them.

Yep...I do drive for Watkins-Shepard...and thank you for the Epic Beard comment, Old School!

Here's a link to my posts about the company:

Yet Another New Guy

I very much like Watkins-Shepard. They treat you well, have good loads, and aren't reluctant to trust you.

I've only been driving since July 10th 2013, and they are my first company, so you have to understand my experience is limited.

I'm going to be getting an updated truck this coming week, and am pretty excited.

The last week was pretty typical for me. Deadheaded after 34h from Billings, MT to Great Falls, MT, picked up a load of flour and took to Las Vegas, about 1200 miles. Picked up a load of paper towels in North Las Vegas and took to Oklahoma City, about 1100 miles. Deadhead from OKC to Siloam Springs, AR and picked up a load of furniture for Helena MT, about 1700 miles. The whole thing will take 8 days (ran out of hours after 7 and had to wait a day, but luckily, it was at my Home terminal!). I arrive in Helena Monday morning. Total is around 4000 miles...actually a little more on the trip envelopes I turn in.

I get paid miles for deadheads, and a few bucks for unload time, more if I involved in unloading, loading.

The training is awesome....10 days of initial training and you are on your own. But it's tough training....not everyone passes.

And we do drive in the snow...chaining up is part of life at W/S.

I highly recommend them! Call and talk to Dawn...she recruited me, and told it to me straight.

We had a driver/recruiter from W/S come by the school today. What he said sounded good. He had been driving for them a little over a year and said he got 149K miles the first year. In GA he said he hauls mostly carpet, beer and furniture. The vast majority is drop and hook but the furniture does require some unloading. Since so much of their business originates or terminates near Atlanta he spends the night at home frequently.

The only things that I had some reservations about were the very short orientation time. I'm not sure how comfortable I would be going out on my own after just 10 days of company orientation and 3 weeks of CDL school. That and some of the equipment is older than most of the larger companies offer. But the miles are there and I guess that's what's most important.

Tracy - Thanks for the info, particularly in your other thread.