Should I do training with PAM transport or Steven Transport in the dallas area?

I've heard that Stevens ends up pairing "new drivers with new drivers" in one of the first few phases of training and to me this just doesn't make sense and seems a bit twisted. Not sure if they are still doing this, though. That issue alone would make me think twice about going to Stevens.

I also suspect Stevens will blow up your phone and consume your personal time trying to talk you into leasing a truck at some point in the not-to-distant future if you stick around a bit and/or as soon as your truck comes up for retirement ... "they won't have any more company trucks for a while but they can put you in brand new lease truck tomorrow!" Beware! But many carriers who have large lease driver fleets do this, this is not unique to Stevens.

 

I went with Stevens. (Central was my first choice).

Stevens will not pay you well, but they have a quality training program.

I learned more in the dumb and dumber stage (2 students) than I did with my trainer.

Dont be an idiot and sign a lease, do your 6 months and move on.

Cant speak to PAM, no exp. with them.

 

Heard Pam starts at .25/mile probably do better with Stevens but I heard its hard to get home with Stevens not sure bout Pam never driven for either go to YouTube and search for Mark staite or trucking his videos r sure to come up he used to work for stevens

 

Yeah, Stevens will not get you home. Ever. And then they will want you to park 100 miles away at a "secure" lot.

 

I thought PAM was team only ? Well thats what C1 driving school said anyway.

 

The rule of thumb is company offered training will cost you dearly!!! Are you familiar with the terms Indentured Servant, Pimped and Slave? They will be familiar if you enter into a one year nightmare. I don't fault a person for doing what they need to do, but go in to this type of deal with caution. Often they treat you like crap and hardly pay anything. If it is a option get your own training and keep your options open! Try community college or last resort get a loan, a loan won't be cheap but it can eliminate a whole lot of drama. If the company you choose is a nightmare you can move on without any obligation. Use these boards and do some searches on the companies you considering. Good Luck!

 

From what you posted, I'd go with Pam. Get right to to field and skip the classes, plus start on the 28th. Look at it this way, neither company is one you will make a career of, in most cases, so get started on your new career with Pam. I'd rather be hauling auto parts with Pam than stuck at some meat packing plant with Stevens.

 

My first driving job was with Stevens, and I've never regretted it. I worked there for 2.5 yrs. their OTR training is among the best in the industry. Emphasis is on teaching you to be a safe and courteous driver and the company culture around this is very strong, it's not just lip service. As far as the lease program, they will push it hard. But they will not penalize you if you decline. Non of the "no company trucks available but you can sign a lease and be in a truck today" such as I've heard goes on at England and others. Don't sign a lease.

pay is not great. There are companies out there that pay new drivers more, but IMO, the training you will receive will make it worthwhile. You don't have to work there forever. Hometime, as others have said, can be an issue. They expect you to stay out 5-6 weeks at a time, then get 5 days off. But since you said you visited the terminal, I'm assuming you live near Dallas. If you live in north Texas, you will get by the house a lot more often.

if you have any more specific questions, I will try to answer them. But it's been over 2 yrs since I left, so some things have likely changed. Best of luck.

 

Since you have already done the written tests, and doing the road test on your own, Is stevens saying you have to go to their school, or to orientation, and hit the road? The insurance company for stevens is the deciding factor.

If it is orientation, and hit the road, you will receive $400 a week, before taxes while training... 3 to 5 days at the yard, minimum 5 weeks with a trainer, another few days at the yard, and 3 weeks with a trainer... then solo...

dumb and dumber, two students in the truck, has been used, dropped, used again... not sure where they are at now with that program.
Living in the dallas area, you will get home every 4 to 5 weeks... park the truck at the yard, and go home...

Stevens will present you the option of the lease deal... they do NOT push it, if you know how to say NO professionally.