>>1949989>>1950333I could write a book based on my time at WTB. Much of what youve heard is true, though probably exaggerated, and things were getting better in the last few years before I left.
They used to hire 100% through nepotism, and if you werent a captain's relative or friend you could expect to be treated pretty poorly. They expect a lot of work out of new hires.
The owners are very anti-union, you are expected to do anything and everything the client asks, you have no contract defined duties so it varies widely depending on the captain and your own personal status with the company what you can get away with doing or not doing.
Set schedules are very rare, as the only scheduled runs are the container and rail freight to Alaska. Positions on these boats are hard to get. New hires usually get sent on the one off jobs to bumfuck west AK, or the summer red dog runs. These take 4-6 weeks or even more. The company doesnt do crew changes outside of seattle, youre in it for the duration.
On the good side, they have the best equipment in the industry, bar none. Its maintained to the highest degree by their excellent in house CAT and Schottel mechanics. They have engines stacked in a warehouse ready to go and can do a swap in 24 hours if needed.
Youll get anything you ask for as far as supplies or equipment, and quickly. The food provided is excellent, though the new guys will be cooking and under the magnifying glass of long term captains who can be very demanding.
WTB's method is to refuse to increase pay or bennies until company morale is in the shitter and people are quitting, then give 90% of what the unions are getting. There's also an attitude of "youre lucky you got anything" and "you can leave if you dont like it" however lots of people have left in recent years, so they are hiring from outside these days.
You either click with WTB and stay for life, or leave in less than 2 years is what i saw. I couldve stayed for life but i was tired of Alaska.
