Profile For Saxon W.

Get the grant if you can. If not, go company sponsored. But if you are going into trucking for the need of immediate money, you might want to consider other options. It takes time out here to know how to consistently make money.

So I took the plunge and applied to Prime after doing my research. I got a call from them yesterday. They confirmed things I've read as far as training, pay, and questions about the company. They mentioned a TX, AR, OK, LA regional run too (I'm interested in going to all 48 though, as home time isn't essential to me for now). They said if everything on my background checks out, they could have me in orientation on 6/20. I said that's a little soon for me but I appreciate the positive response.

I'm continuing to research companies, and still considering private CDL school, but confidence is high.

I run these states for w/s (for another week anyway) and I can tell you they are great, except OK, I don't like running in OK, even though the coolest truck stop ever is about 30 mins east of Woodward.

AR is pleasant and trucker friendly. Everything in Texas happens quickly....be cautious of the truck stops around Dallas. The north side of LA is cool, the south not so much, but I can bare it better then OK.

So what is the grievance of the the class action petitioners?

I just want to add that Schneider DOES have regional jobs that get you home every weekend. AND last year (when I had only been on the job 4 months) they got me time off for my Son's wedding. It just took a little planning and flexibility on my part. I.e. I reserved my normal home time for the weekend of the wedding and then made sure that if they routed me to the nearest Operating Center, I'd get transportation to the wedding, which was about an hour away. I was out of the truck for four days. No problem.

As for the regional thing; while I know it varies from company to company, if you just want to see what's out there for stuff other than flatbed, you can go to company websites, put in your zip code or city/state and they'll tell you the positions available.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

You work for Schneider currently?

Technically yes, they bought Watkins and Shepard last week.

Watkins and Shepard will have you home every weekend and you can take two weeks off without question any time you want. Get in soon though, because will probably changed that in a year or so after Schneider starts changing things.

Maybe he was on his home time and needed a place to park the truck.

Just kidding ;) LOL

Having been through my share of M&As, my sincere advice is to take a wait and see approach to this.

For what it's worth I totally agree. Don't go jumping off a building just yet. You might be right - it might change everything. But what do you really know at this point about the new opportunities that might come your way because of this? Schneider has a million different things going on. It would be a good idea to at least check it out and see what happens.

And besides, how "family atmosphere" could Watkins really be? Straight from their website:

Since 1976 Watkins & Shepard has been a pioneer in logistics planning, technology implementation and asset utilization that is the foundation of our business model today. From virtually anywhere in the world, our logistics team can bring you closer to your goals. Whether your needs include LTL freight management, distribution, consolidation or warehousing.

They have like 650 trucks and 21 terminals nationwide. Doesn't exactly sound like a rustic little mom-n-pop shop to me.

Obviously it makes no difference to me if you jump ship and I can totally understand the frustration you're feeling when you're already happy with the way things are. But I'd at least wait to see what happens. Schneider is going to care very, very much about keeping as many of you guys onboard as they possibly can. See what they offer you. It might be pretty interesting.

I run ltl/short line out of the same terminal each week. If I call, I don't have to say who I am, they know my voice. Loads are catered to where I like to run, so if there is a such thing as a family atmosphere in trucking, I would say Watkins is pretty close to what it could be without actually being family. I like the job, and yes, as with all trucking jobs there are days you get frustrated. But the good outweighs the bad by far. One thing is for sure, Schneider is gonna have difficulty keeping a few us based on the on-guard, driver facing camera, and 62mph governor alone. We don't have the stuff at Watkins. We run to get the job done. Watkins is very no hassle. I can't see Schneider foregoing their current operating style to suit some acquired drivers.

So disappointing.

Why?

Watkins is a medium sized company with a nitch market and family atmosphere. Schneider is a mega that will change more than I will want to endure.

Having been through my share of M&As, my sincere advice is to take a wait and see approach to this. If you read the press release, the Watkin's brand created this opportunity. If Schneider was smart, and they are, they will do their best to enhance the experience for existing Watkin's customers and invest in expanding the service. I'd give it a few months, keep your eyes open, your ear to the ground, and not assume doom and gloom.

I respect where you're coming from there, G-town. I wish you could read the peoplenet message from Ray ****z that we all recieved yesterday afternoon. It reeks of sweet retirement deal for Ray. I looked at Schneider when I was in CDL school. I didn't want to work for them then and I don't want to work for them now. I chose Watkins because of the Watkins way. I am sure the people that run Schneider know how to profit at trucking. But, I don't see them not disruprting the Watkins way.

So disappointing.

Why?

Watkins is a medium sized company with a nitch market and family atmosphere. Schneider is a mega that will change more than I will want to endure.

I Will be putting in my notice next week. So disappointing.