Jim Palmer Wilson Logistics Training Montana

Come to the dark side , Army, we have many fancy skateboards to drive.

Thanks the reply Dave. I am pretty set on JP, but like the idea of flatbed. I still have time to decide lol.

I see there are a couple people on this thread that work for Wil-Trans/Jim Palmer/Wilson. I figured this might be a safe place to ask a couple basic questions. I'm planning on coming on board mid-July. I'm currently on worker's comp and that's when I'm expecting to finally be released to work again. I'm leaning towards doing the western 11 thing. I'm actually looking seriously at leasing. I know people say leasing never works, but I successfully leased before and had my own authority for a while. I know the leasing game well. That said, I'm mostly interested in how orientation and everything on that works. I'll be doing orientation in Missoula, as I live about 20 miles away from Wilson's Pacific, WA terminal. Which hotel do they use? What are the typical days of orientation and what is it like? How do they go about assigning the truck? What kinds of things should I be prepared for?

Now I'll basically give an overview of my resume. I've been driving since 2002. I've worked for Schneider, Stevens, a small company (five trucks), JCT, had my own company for a while, and for the last three years I've driven for Estenson Logistics. Most of that time I was a local driver. From July until I got hurt on January I had what to me was the ultimate dedicated run. My first run was to Missoula/Great Falls/Butte and back home empty. My second run was eastern Washington/northeastern Oregon/northern Idaho. I consistently pushed towards the edge of my 70 every week, but had two days off. It was 2400 miles a week with up to 40 stops. My gross pay was bumping $1800 weekly. Estenson lost the contract in March (after I got hurt) so my position no longer exists. My injury is going to permanently reduce my ability to do some things. I ruptured my biceps tendon in my left arm and it can't be repaired. Most of the local jobs I can pick up at this point are either driver unload and/or very low pay. I don't want to go back to spending 3-4 months at a time on the road. I don't expect to bring in the kind of money I was making, but I need to be comfortable while making what I need to make with the ability to run the crap out of my clock when I want. Everything I have read says Wilson fills the bill. I had considered running PNW heavy haul. (As you can see in my profile pic, I'm familiar with running 105,500.) It just doesn't seem like quite enough flexibility, the trucks are stripped down and older, and I don't need to be home every weekend. I've been enjoying reading the blogs and would love every bit of insight into the company possible. Thanks guys!

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

Dedicated Run:

A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Grizzly Man wrote:

I see there are a couple people on this thread that work for Wil-Trans/Jim Palmer/Wilson. I figured this might be a safe place to ask a couple basic questions. I'm planning on coming on board mid-July. I'm currently on worker's comp and that's when I'm expecting to finally be released to work again. I'm leaning towards doing the western 11 thing. I'm actually looking seriously at leasing. I know people say leasing never works, but I successfully leased before and had my own authority for a while. I know the leasing game well. That said, I'm mostly interested in how orientation and everything on that works. I'll be doing orientation in Missoula, as I live about 20 miles away from Wilson's Pacific, WA terminal. Which hotel do they use? What are the typical days of orientation and what is it like? How do they go about assigning the truck? What kinds of things should I be prepared for?

Now I'll basically give an overview of my resume. I've been driving since 2002. I've worked for Schneider, Stevens, a small company (five trucks), JCT, had my own company for a while, and for the last three years I've driven for Estenson Logistics. Most of that time I was a local driver. From July until I got hurt on January I had what to me was the ultimate dedicated run. My first run was to Missoula/Great Falls/Butte and back home empty. My second run was eastern Washington/northeastern Oregon/northern Idaho. I consistently pushed towards the edge of my 70 every week, but had two days off. It was 2400 miles a week with up to 40 stops. My gross pay was bumping $1800 weekly. Estenson lost the contract in March (after I got hurt) so my position no longer exists. My injury is going to permanently reduce my ability to do some things. I ruptured my biceps tendon in my left arm and it can't be repaired. Most of the local jobs I can pick up at this point are either driver unload and/or very low pay. I don't want to go back to spending 3-4 months at a time on the road. I don't expect to bring in the kind of money I was making, but I need to be comfortable while making what I need to make with the ability to run the crap out of my clock when I want. Everything I have read says Wilson fills the bill. I had considered running PNW heavy haul. (As you can see in my profile pic, I'm familiar with running 105,500.) It just doesn't seem like quite enough flexibility, the trucks are stripped down and older, and I don't need to be home every weekend. I've been enjoying reading the blogs and would love every bit of insight into the company possible. Thanks guys!

Welcome to the forum. Have you thought of applying to Walmart’s Private Fleet? With your experience, you might have a reasonable chance of being hired.

Good luck.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

Dedicated Run:

A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

I don't have a distribution center within a reasonable distance to me. My closest one is 200 miles away. Good old Grandview, which is controlled by Swift. Next closest is Hermiston, which is around 275 miles away from me. My closest Wal-Mart store has no room to park a truck. The next closest store is crime central. I refuse to go near it. I have a friend that drives for the private fleet out of Apple Valley, CA. The last time I had looked, the closest distribution center that was hiring was Red Bluff, which is 600 miles from me. I do know the Sparks one is hiring big time. The private fleet is taking it away from Swift.

I don't have a distribution center within a reasonable distance to me. My closest one is 200 miles away. Good old Grandview, which is controlled by Swift. Next closest is Hermiston, which is around 275 miles away from me. My closest Wal-Mart store has no room to park a truck. The next closest store is crime central. I refuse to go near it. I have a friend that drives for the private fleet out of Apple Valley, CA. The last time I had looked, the closest distribution center that was hiring was Red Bluff, which is 600 miles from me. I do know the Sparks one is hiring big time. The private fleet is taking it away from Swift.

I run Walmart for Swift out of Pottsville Pa. In my 6th year...it’s a great gig. Don’t assume anything you think you know about Swift, or how they work with Walmart, is the truth.

I’m checking on the Sparks DC, I have a good friend working in a planner/dispatcher position for Swift. WMPF hires constantly, only means they are very busy and this job is not for everyone.

I’d be happy to discuss further, if you are interested.

Any updates? Would love to hear how you're doing bud.

Just a quick update, running miles. Last week biggest so far at 6168 miles. It really has a lot to do with conditioning, getting used to being tired, driving at night, driving in varied conditions, conditioning your bladder to hold out for another couple hours, sleeping in a bouncing, moving, loud truck, sitting for long stretchs, and anything else you might think of.

This is most definitely the weed out phase because it will test all aspects of you!

Two nights ago, we had to turn around from Donner's Pass heading to Boise. Chains required, in almost June!! The problem when we went to install the chains, my trainer had been sold the wrong ones. Down and around we went which made for a crazy long trip! We had the appointment moved from 2100 to 2200/2300 window. We swapped seats along the hwy outside of Bend and rolled in at 2227 technically on time! Exhausted but exhilarating from having accomplished our goal.

That's it for now, will update later when this phase is coming to a close.

Cheers, Kelly

Thank you for keeping up on posting periodically about your experiences with Wilson. Been seriously thinking about driving for them as they’re one of the only companies to hire 21 year olds and one of the only “mega carriers” (if you can even call it that) that has a terminal where I’m planning to move to (Yakima, Washington). From Maui, Hawaii. Did it seem like their hiring process was more selective? Saw an interview on their Facebook page where the head of recruiting said they were one of the harder companies to get into.

Not sure about there selection criteria, but I applied and got the initial green light. But had to hold off for a bit longer. I am from Missoula Montana... great college town. It is true there average class size is small..5 a week plus or minus. Company selection should be more about what you want to pull, home time, pet policy to name a few things. My son drivers for Wil-Trans , pulling prime trailers, and his home of record is northern VT.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.