Stevens Transport

big thanks man it makes me feel so much better about going, from all the post you wrote . ty for all the info and best of luck to you. does anyone know if hunter left yet, and is boog still goin to stevens, well guys good night and wish everyone the best

 

Boog is not going at this time, he is in the middle of moving. I believe hunter is on his way.

 

Gruffalo are you goin to stevens?

 

Hey Big congratulations on a job well done. You have an excellent attitude, and that will get you far in this career, and I'm sure far with Stevens' Transport. I'm sure the trainers and office folks have seen your excitement, 'want to', and courtesy, so I'm sure they will hold you in high regards. Now you just have to prove that you can handle life out on the road. Like everyone has said in here, this is no 9-5 job. I remember back when I drove, I was basically 'working 24/7' as long as I was out on the road and not at home- and lots of times I'd be rolling down the highway at 4am, with 200 miles to go to get the load there on time. I remember one time, rolling northbound on I-81 in Virginia, slapping myself in the face a few times at 4am. I'll tell you though-that night was absolutely beautiful. There was a full moon, the temparature was about 35, and there was absolutely no wind and not a cloud in the sky. The full moon made it seem like it was almost daylight (I think I could have actually driven down the road without my lights on) and the stars were unbelieveably bright. I pulled over for a few minutes, got out of my truck, and stood there looking straight up into Gods' amazing heavens- , wow it was a sight to behold. Moments like these you will NEVER have in any other line of work, I just wish I would have had a good Camera with me. I actually plan on bringing one with me this time. I'm scheduled to start the Stevens training on Oct.12th- hopefully nothing disqualifies me from being brought on. I don't have any bad things on my record-just a back injury that I got 15 years ago when I drove for Schneider, and I drove through that when I worked with Carco Carriers back in '99. I should be ok, I hope.
Sorry for the rambling, I think you'll do a great job and love this profession. Again, congratulations and good luck.

 

Time, I am going to stevens on oct. 5th.

 

gruffalo iam heading there myself it looks like we will be in the same class, im goin to meet hunter up their and maybe if you want we can meet to study and work hard togather so we can get threw the first step on becoming a driver, well right back let me know?

 

Thanks a lot guys, today i got to meet my trainer. Im affortinate enough to have one of the best trainers at stevens ive been told. Hes been with the company for 15yrs. We are headn out tomm somtime, i have to be on the yard ready to go at 8. Im excited. He told me get ready to have a good time on the road, he said were goin to have a blast. I hope so lol. Well guys ill keep in touch as much as i can. Thanks for all teh support, its been nice guys.

 

thats great big, you will kill it man keep us intouch and drive safe bud

 

Hey Delirious-

Not sure if your back injury required any surgery, but having had two back surgeries I can give you a little insight into Stevens requirements. First, take any and all medical releases with you. I had mine with me. My last surgery was a fusion in 2007. Pretty major. However, I'm good as new and in pretty good shape for an old(er) fart. My releases were not good enough for the doc there. He is a nice guy, and will speak plain english to you and give you options. However, he is not just giving a physical according to DOT standards, he is first and foremost enforcing company policy. One some things, their policy far exceeds what is required by DOT. His hands are somewhat tied in that the company requires things over and above the DOT requirements. One thing they require of me before I can return is to take what is called a Functional Capacity Exam (FCE). They have a physical therapist they refer you to to have this done. You must go to their therapist unless they approve alternate arrangements to do it locally before you leave. If you have to have an FCE, you will be required to lift various weighted boxes anywhere from floor level to overhead, and also laterally. You have to squat, kneel, and generally move around. You also have to move a 600lb barrel by maneuvering it from the top rim and rolling/moving from one spot to another. If you are not already in pretty good shape, I would suggest some light workouts before you do this just to make sure you don't reinjure your back. If it were me starting from scratch again, and if I had known about the FCE, instead of being put on med hold, I would've completed the FCE at their therapist's office prior to going. Seeing that you live in Norman, I think it would be wise to take a day and drive down to Dallas (3-1/2 hours to the terminal in East Dallas), and get the FCE done and drive home. Then you can show up with it already complete, and not be delayed. I am not saying your injury will require this, as I don't know what all your injury entailed. However, knowing what I know now, I would do it anyway. My suggestion is you contact the onsite clinic doctor directly, and get his opinion beforehand. I think I have the phone number direct to the clinic somewhere around here if you want it.

Nothing is worse than getting all geeked up to start, and being delayed. Plus, the delay will be on your dime because they will dismiss you from the program until yo uhave your ducks in a row. The FCE exam is also on your dime, I think it's $160. Again, you may not be required to have it, but it's better to know beforehand than to be put on medical hold and have a delay of a week or more. Just my two cents....

Best of luck!
Boogdaddy

 

Also....

As a former driver you may already know this, but Stevens is not the only company that utilizes these outside evaluations as proof you can do the job they ask of you. In doing my research, some companies require it, some don't. And they differ in what they require as much as the companies themselves differ from each other. Many companies will just take the medical release from your doctor as proof of job fitness. For example, Watkins Shepard requires a "Human Performance Evaluation" of their new hires, or at least the ones with prior structural surgeries or injuries like mine. I have a copy of their HPE and what is required. It appears to be much less heavy lifting intensive than Stevens; more body movement-based. Things like squatting, crawling, moving around laterally, climbing ladders and steps, etc.

Hope this helps someone.