Question:
I just completed 5 weeks of training at a local community college, past my cdl test and signed up to work for a company called Watkins and Shepard.Is anyone willing to explain to me what to expect and give me some tips about how to conduct my new profession. note: I'm 52 years old, single and out of a job as a production supervisor of 30 years. Any comments are welcome, Thanks, Jim

Answer:
For starters your first priority needs to be safety. Do not let schedules,dispatchers, your own snese of wanting to do a good job and get every load picked up on time, "make" you do anything that is unsafe or illegal.
Secondly you MUST learn to say NO!!!!! You know your limits both personal and legal and there will be times when you can not do what the company wants you to do because it would require you to go beyond those limits. They will try everything from threatening you with your job, make you feel incompetant, to laying a guilt trip on your door. Just remember that no life is worth what is in the trailer. (Note I am saying this as a general statement and not about any specific company)
Be and act and look professional at all times. Not only do you represent yourself but also the company you work for and the trucking community as a whole.
Next assuming that you have a "I want to learn so please teach me" attitude the time you spend with a trainer is your time. Get as much practice in as many types of situations as you can, and if you get a trainer that you feel can not or will not teach you and you can not work it out with him then by all means request a new trainer.
As far as keeping your money in your pocket goes I would strongly suggest you get in the haabit of buying as much of the supplies you will use on the road (that the company will not reimburse you for) at your local Wal Mart (or wherever you prefer to shop). The items will be 50-80% cheaper there than in the truck stops.
Now here is what to expect when you get to orieentation. You will have a physical (more than likely) and a drug test (definately). You will fill out paperwork, paper work and more paper work including a new application (so be sure to bring ALL your employment info, drivers lisc, soc sec card, etc). You will watch a ton of videos, sit through lectures about safety, company policies, DOT rules and regs, logging, etc, and possibly have a road test (and yes some companies will road test newbies just to see if you can be safe and then road test for proficiency after training). After probably three days you will be assigned a trainer and off you go. (At least this is the way most companies do it.)
Unfortunately I have never worked for Watkins Shepard so I can not give you specifics about what to expect but this at least will give you a general idea.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
I appreciate your honesty. I have every intention of pursueing this profession with all the safety and professionalism I can muster. So many questions....I felt I had a couple good instructors at the college. They both had atleast 10 yrs. OTR. Speaking of safety, is it legal to carry a flare gun in the cab with me? One of my instructors said it was a good Idea? He also said I should be just as cautious about checking the tandem release arm as well as the 5th wheel. I.m going to spend the next couple hours cruising this site because from the little I've read it is a wealth of info to someone as myself and likely have most of my questions answered. Thanks again uturn2001

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I personally wouldn't. If you ever went off the road in a big truck, which is the only reason I can see you ever needing one, it is unlikey that you would be able to get to it let alone use it. A handheld, 12v, rechargeable spot light would prob be more useful, especially if you keep it close at hand.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
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I meant the flare gun to be used as a weapon, god forbid.

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You can carry a flare gun without violating the prohibition on firearms. And in fact, it can be used as a weapon -- it'll 'light them up. that's for sure! Probably more just a prop to threaten someone breaking in your truck. I was advised the same thing, but I wouldn't carry one. I might use it on someone, and then I'd really have a problem!
If someone demands your truck or stuff with a gun-- give it to them. Things can be replaced. You can't.
I was just talking to a driver with Watkins and Shepard the other day while we were loading at the Simpson paper mill in Tacoma WA. He seemed like a nice kid who was really getting into his job -- had a cool trailer with air-operated tandem pins, nice touch!!!
He said the solo drivers get older trucks, but he had no complaints. I see their trucks now and then, think he said they have about 600 (?).
uturn2001 gave you a good run down on what to expect - nothing to add. Just go with the program and give them your best. Eat light. Sleep heavy. Do those pre-trips religiously, especially with their higher-mileage trucks. Like uturn EXPLAINED, safety is EVERYTHING. Good Luck!

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thanks alot for that info, this is really a great site.

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Watkins Shepard. They treated me good. As you know, you'll go to Missoula Mt. for a 10 day orientation then out on your own. Unless they've changed things in two years. Volvos. The shop does a great job keeping your truck right. While you're there the housing is upstairs, two to a room. kitchen combined with a drivers lounge. Two yard pick ups for running into town for groceries etc. You can practice skills in the yard after hours if you want. Good instructors. The 10 days and on your own is not a program for the timid. But it worked great for me. You'll make a run or two to Seattle or Portland with an instructor at the end. Lots of friendly help from other drivers, you just have to search them out. I was easily making a $250 to $300 bonus just by turning in accurate logs and trip envelopes. Make absolutely sure to introduce yourself to whichever gal in the office building they assign to check your paper work and paysheets. I called mine often just to say hello and what can I do with the details to make her day easier. You'll be surprised how far that attitude went to getting tips on doing better books etc. Those gals determine what you get paid so remember it. I beleive the van side gets drop and hook pay, $10 or $15 for every dock you bump and I'm not sure about what else. You got good advice above regarding dispatchers willing to run you to death. Watch your logs close, do good trip planning and ask questions from other drivers and right here. On a lighter note the Missoula yard has a very active railroad track on the north side, the airport on the south side and the building you'll live and learn in surounded by big trucks all hours of day and night. If the dust is flying DO NOT open the window in your room. If I can answer questions about W/S just holler.
Character: Doin the right thing when nobody's lookin..JC Watts

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Also make sure to use TruckNet's "SEARCH" Feature(click here) ,you should be able to find a Lot More info by using the "Search" feature, here on TruckNet.
Feel free to ask as many questions as possible.(about ANY thing)
BE SAFE & HAPPY TRUCKING
SMYLE!

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...and she means ANY thing!
Anything at all!
Some of the best (or heated) discussions start with a very simple, unassuming question.
So fire things up and ask ANY thing.

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tkachuk... when you get with a company trainer, be sure to ask, ask, ask...questions: about weight, about what to expect at weigh stations, about a host of things. On your first day out with him/her, let the trainer know you are really serious about gleaning all you can while the two of you are together. Unfortunately, the trainer I rode with, while being a great guy on a personal level, taught me next to nothing. I was along for the ride, so to speak; and, so was he. Only later, when I was by myself, did it occur to me that I really hadn't been taught didly-squat (sp?). Sure, you're gonna' learn something new all the time as you drive, but it sure helps to get a leg up by having a trainer who really 'trains', not one who pockets some extra cash because the two of you cover more miles than one person can during the week. You might even ask the terminal mananger where you begin, which trainer he/she recommends, who'll give you a real run for your money, info-wise.
Best of luck, out there.

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Thanks an awful lot you guys and Gals, I've been notified I'm shippin out of Detroit by greyhound this Sunday bound for Missoulla. I'll let you's know how I'm doin in a couple weeks when I run across a computer terminal web access site. Thanks again, tkachuk

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when I was there they had a computer and net access there in the lounge. They also have wall jack cable hook up if you have your own laptop to get to the net...
Character: Doin the right thing when nobody's lookin..JC Watts

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You might want to be careful about carrying a flare gun in your truck.First, check with the company you drive for on their policy.I know you can't carry road flares in a truck.Also if you are carrying a Haz-Mat load, you can't have carry road flares, just red triangles.I would think twice about carrying a flare gun.I can see alot of problems.