Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

my advice to anyone, go to your local community college for school, then you are not a indentured servant to the company for your schooling. Usually cheaper, more grants available, but they take longer. Or find you a PTDI certified school, which are 4 to 5 weeks but around $5000 too.

Then pick the company that you think you will fit with. Most of the negative posts are from people who have never worked for stevens, or broke their contract, but want to blame stevens for their failure. Make sure you read and understand the contract before you sign it,

 

I agree with TLea. If there is any way to go to a private school, rather than company school, DO IT! It leaves you many more opportunities and avenues.
Many states will pay your entire cost of a school if you're on unemployment. VA pays for many vets as well.
If you absolutely have to go the route of a trucking company school, get a copy of the contract in advance and read it thoroughly. Understand what you're signing. If need be, pay an attorney for an hour to read it and explain it to you.
Know what you're committing to and then live up to your agreement.

 

Its all about the attitude, YOUR attitude while going through training. Have an open mind and keep a good attitude about everything and you will sale through. Any other kind of attitude ie, "know it all", "It's all about me", "chip on your shoudler", "Mr impatient" etc and it will suck for you. After sitting in the classroom of 35-50 people for the first 2 days you can pick out of the crowd those that will make it and those that will not.

 

couldn't agree more on your comments Dryver. I am sure training is intense as boot camp. there is a million lines I could use to sum up that statement. I have said to myself recently that if you have a negative outlook on training...you are just training yourself to fail at school...

"For the good old American lifestyle: For the money, for the glory, and for the fun... mostly for the money."

 

again after reading the forums throughout the lists..I see there is a lot to consider with trucking in general...

 

If you can secure financial help in obtaining your CDL through a school. Then do it. I can't figure out why someone would drop $5,000 for a CDL. Choose a carrier and go through their training program. Leave the $5,000 grand at home with the family because what do these companies pay you during training, 50 bucks a week? If it doesn't work out THEN quit and pay them. Your not going anywhere any better with less than a years experience anyways.

 

would thay send a rookie to nyc??

 

Part of the training for recruits is to drive in the Northeast and 'bump' a dock. This usually happens in NYC or Boston. Sometimes other places, but they try and get you in there to see what it's like.
As a grad fleet driver (first 90 days solo), you may be dispatched to NYC.
No big deal. What you learn is driving in NY or any other eastern city is just like Atlanta, LA, Denver and other cities, except the streets are tighter.
So the short answer is 'yes', but not without training first.

 

usa sends me thru NYC, like i drive thru it on 95 (the cross bronx expressway)

But we never go into the city itself. But even going on the cross bronx is an ordeal.

I have been to newark, NJ. and that place can get confusing. there are like 20 ramps going to and from the highway.

 

should i quit my job at walgreens making $9.50 a hour worked there 3 years to go to stevens training school i want to be a trucker i have no wife or kids i dont want to pay rent on a place im only going to be at 2-3 days a month i would live in my truck for the year training time?