I guess that I need to blow off a little steam but maybe this can serve as a heads up to others as well. Last weekend my trainer had to go home for a couple of days and he dropped me off at a nice little motel. I enjoyed the time off. Stevens paid for the room through a cash advance. I actually had to pay about $10 or so out of my pocket but thats not that big of an issue. I was told to fax the receipt to Stevens to be reimbursed. We faxed the receipt before I ever left the motel. I look at my check last night and it's $55!!! They didnt reimburse me for the room! Now I'm pissed! I am already in the hole at the bank and have bills coming out on Monday when the money actually hits the bank. I really dont know how we are supposed to live on a measly $350 a week to begin with especially when you have to eat out every day and that aint cheap! Right now I am somehow making on a $50 a week cash advance. But it sure makes it difficult when they take charges such as this out of our checks. Just be aware that Stevens will mess you around on payroll if you dont pay attention.
stevens has always done that. if you dont cross every t and dot every i they will do it. and then they wonder why drivers call in to the office upset. they arent 1000 miles from home with no money and a need to pay the rent payment/car/food/etc.
Cash Advance>advancing an employee money on their NEXT check Chuck, are you still believing in the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny or do I need to explain those myths to you also?
Would have been better to take a transflo sheet and send the receipt via transflo... Then you have a record of stevens actually getting the receipt, and it goes directly to payroll, while a fax lays in the in box for days... Just a heads up for next time you can't afford a small check... Yes $350 a week is hard to live on, but there are ways, and One does NOT have to eat out every day... A respectful trainer will get you to a grocery store, walley world, where $50 buys a lot of food... Your rant is due to needing the money for bills... I have been there. Your first months solo will also be tuff, on the money issue... I stay on top of Stevens, and rarely have had any payment issues. They happen yes, and only once was it actually their mistake..
We have been to WalMart twice now. The first time I bought a case of water and a little bit of food. The second time I was broke. I have to buy things that dont have to be refrigerated because there isnt one on the truck. Thats hard to find as well as something that doesnt have to be warmed up. I did buy some cans of Ravioli and warm it when I can find a microwave. Somehow Im close to living on $50.
Every truck stop has a microwave you can use... and so do most shippers. Don't need a frig to eat good. Dryed meals are available in just about every taste these days.. and shelf stable milk if you like a bowl of cereal. It is just learning what is available. And yes it is hard to live on $50 a week.
$350 per week isn't easy, however, you knew the amount before signing on. As TLea says, there are plenty of dry foods, soups, PB&J that don't need refrigeration. You will need to learn to be creative and conservative to make it in this business. Keep in mind, most people are strapped when they come into this business, then being cooped up with a stranger 7/24 in a space smaller than most bathrooms for 5 weeks ain't easy! Add the immediate change in diet, away from home and all the other pressures, and it's really tough! Just be assured these first 5 weeks are the hardest. Like boot camp. But once you're thru that, it begins to get better. Feel free to rant. Letting off steam helps. And feel free to ask for advice on how to get thru this time. We've all been there.
Nascar, I feel for ya dude. I been there myself. Seems that everytime my trainer would drop me at a hotel, my next check would be screwed. Its mostly due to the timing of when the cash adv comes out and when the reciept gets to payroll. Call your councelor and they will get it straight for you on your next check. But yea, it is hard. Very hard. Just hang in there dude. You will make it through.
Corporal is right,sometimes its just how it falls,I understand its tough,been there done that.But if done what your supposed to have done you will get reimbursed.Stevens is not out to screw you out of money.Not a lot of jobs that you get payed to train.I know its not a lot,but it gets better.Hang in there.Never had a situation that my pay was shorted when it wasnt my fault in some way.Relax Nascar Stevens,regardless of what someone puts on this forumn,is not out to take money from you,if anything just the opposite.Some suggestions,soup,tuna,canned chicken,peanut butter,any canned goods,ravioli,spaghetti,bread,etc,etc.Plenty of dry goods that you can eat.Every truck stop has a microwave.I carry one on my truck,and when running solo carry a fridge also.Its almost over Nascar,if you cant handle the stress now,your gonna have a rough time out here,hANG IN THERE.
