Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

Yea. That's exactly what I'm saying. All Petes and T660s are black. All T2000s and Freightliners are blue. Whether they are company or alliance has nothing to do with it.

 

I wish you luck Lea. I got lucky only because my new 660 got returned the morning I got on the yard. Had to wait almost a WEEK before they replaced damaged cab extender. C'mon it's like 15 screws and paint over. A week? Well, at least they didn't charge me the lease for that time.

IMO problems with isx might be contributed by poorly retrained or ignorant drivers who were switching from different motors to cummings.
Nobody told me anything is different from cat except for I must use ULSD.
But luckily for me there were still all manuals in the truck so I read them all. Interesting stuff. There is a LOT of differecies.
Most important is you CANNOT lug cummings. It's considered an engine abuse if you run more than 30 secs with full throttle under maximum torque which is with isx 1250-1350rpm. So no more dropping to 650rpm and skip-shift.
Also you don't have to keep it under 1250rpm to get optimal mpg. In fact, the higher rpm, the lower mpg I found so far. I was getting 8.2mpg around 1400rpm (58-60mph) 79000lbs no hills.
On hills you must keep high rpm. Under 1250 power drops significantly but if you manage to get on hill with 1450 and hill is not too steep AND long, you'll probably get on top with 1250 it can hover there for quite long.

The accelerator pedal is MUCH more sensitive than cat's. It'll take quite a while to get used to it.

The horsepower output is surprisingly lower than Stevens cats. Cat=435, isx=400 but torque ir higher.

The only thing I don't like about T660 is that there is no storage space. I had hard time to cram all my crap in it. I don't know how someone can possibly manage to cram two people in there.

The brake pedal in T660 is different and it'll require some getting used to. The previous driver complained on safety sheet "check brakes - truck won't slow down" Nothing wrong with brakes. You'll see what I mean when you get to drive one.


Have fun with it if you get one of those puppies. I surely do.

 

StankO,

Congrats on the new T660- I've read some good things about them. I have a question for you. I'm going to Stevens Academy on the 19th of October to begin training (have my CDL and 10 mos. OTR experience, but it was 10 years ago), and am heavily researching the pros and cons of Company Driver vs. Alliance Leasing Operator vs. Bank Financing Owner Operator.
Can you tell me a little about the Alliance Program? Is there really an opportunity to make significantly more money as a lease operator under the Alliance Program if an individual wants to run as hard as possible instead of sitting around a truck stop and playing video games? Is 3000+ miles realistically achieveable (I've read that the average length of haul with Stevens is 1500+ miles, which surely would help. The last time I was OTR I had mostly 400-800 mile runs and two-thirds of them were live load and unload, and I still averaged about 2800 miles a week)(So 1500+ miles a load would be beautiful comapred to what I remember) and do the other Alliance Drivers you know average 3000 miles a week? Any of them (solo) average 3500 a week?
Another question. Since fuel is L/O's responsibility, do you get paid fuel surcharge on your loads and how much is it? I've read about low-price fuel stops, how much do you pay for diesel there? Also, what's the average weekly lease payment with insurance , and on what kind of equipment?
Lot's of questions I know, but from what I've read on these boards I think I may be asking the right guy. Thanks.

 

Oh, another thing. I know that Company drivers cannot take their truck home, they have to leave it at an authorized secured location during their hometime. What about L/O's? Are you allowed to take your truck home for your days off? Thanks.

 

yeah i noticed it too, for a few weeks now. finally the economy problems have even caught up to us.

 

yes I bought a truck and it seems very soon afterwards they stopped taking outside contractors. It is almost to good to be true right now but I'll give it more time to see for sure. Last trip was 1966mi and after fuel and pymt/INS I got just over a thousand. So I was happy. Then again I'll see how it improves or declines.

 

Opportunity yes. Reality is different for each individual. Look at Lea. She can afford to stay home for 10 days and average pretty decent paycheck. Me, I average right now around 2500 miles/week. I still make more money than a company driver but not "significantly".
Some weeks I'm thinking that returning back to company might not be that bad idea but the very next week I manage to make some crazy miles so I can buy some more crap I don't need and don't have any place to put.
Some drivers can make very decent money, some can barely make the lease.

3000+ a week was realistically achievable. Right now there seems to be more shorter runs (800-1500miles) though different drivers might have different experience.

I don't know personally anyone averaging 3500 miles a week solo. I know a few who did average 3000 miles a week but as it was said here before, it slowed down a bit.

Yes, you do get fuel surcharge for your loaded miles. Right now it's I think $0.23/mile.
I don't know about low-price fuel stops. We have to use in-network fuel stops where they are accepting T-check fuel cards.

I don't know about average but I was paying for my old 07 Pete $763/wk. That includes every charge except those based on mileage. Just lease $575/wk
For my new truck I pay $828/wk. Just lease $590/wk
Brand new is $695/wk just lease.

And yes, you can bring your Alliance truck home. Just got to find a secure and approved parking for that trailer
Now I didn't have any problem parking the whole thing at home (even loaded) 'coz my DM is pretty cool but different DMs, different approach...

One more thing. I don't usually have to wait for load assignment long. (unless I'm in some black hole) Usually if I unload say tueseday afternoon, I'll pick up wednesday morning. Lately though, there was a lot of loads with way too much time on it like 1000 miles with 3 days to deliver.
Also waiting at shippers can be quite annoying. Like last time. My appointment was 3P.M. My load got ready 2A.M next morning. That's where you wasting your time/money and Stevens has nothing to do with it.
In addition, I didn't get any sleep during that 11 hours period because the shipper (Florida's Natural) won't let you know when it's ready. You have to personally watch them to bring your trailer across the street to their dropyard.

I hope I answered all your questions satisfactory.

 

StankO,

Thanks for a most excellent and thorough reply, you have answered many of my questions and I am beginning to understand the program a little bit more. I am still very leery of the Lease (or as many here say 'owner fleece') programs since I have read alot of negative posts about these programs, though mostly from other companies like Prime and CR England. I know that lease payments are MUCH higher than conventional purchase payments, though I am still a bit confused about the tax benefits of leasing. Is the entire payment Tax-Deductible? Let me also ask you this, or any other Alliance Lease or or lease driver could answer this for me, at the end of the year with the many deductions and write-offs that are avaiable to an independant business owner- do you claim any net profit? I ask this because in my 12 years the the Automotive Retail Industry, I have seen Credit Applications from many self-employed folks that actually showed very little net profit , so their tax liability was very low, yet they in actuality they made very good incomes. Is it similar to this instance as an Alliance Lease operator?


You say that the $763/week you paid actually covered everything except the mileage costs or deductions. Can you expand on that?? So the $763/week covers your Truck Payment, All Insurance, Base Plates, Permits and the like? I have seen in some leases that the company charges 9cents a mile for something that I couldn't understand. And still don't . So basically Alliance Lease Drivers get paid .86 Cents a mile plus .23/mile loaded fuel surcharge. So that would be $1.09 per loaded mile, is that correct? It seems like that with fuel, maintanence account and other overhead an Alliance Driver would have to get at least 10000 miles a month tho make a decent living- am I close to being correct about that?? Oh, yeah, another quick question. The new Alliance lease drivers would most likely getthe 07 and 08 models correct? Not that I would be too picky, though when you're actually leasing you better like what you drive, but the last truck I was OTR with was a basic 1994 International 9400 with a series 60 Detroit - it was 365hp 10 speed. Had cruise but no Jake. So any rig I would get, say a 2007 Kenworth T2000 or a 2007 Pete 387- well both would be like Rolls Royces to me. I know you are in a fairly new Kenworth T660, which I really like those trucks and the T600. Which trucks do you actually think are the best out of the T2000, T660, and the Pete 387?

Another thing, when last I drove, my truck was governed at 67mph when MPG was less than 6.8- now once I was over that it went up to 72 MPH. That really helped get miles. I know that newbies at Stevens, even Alliance Lease Drivers, are governed at 62MPH. Is there any way around that at all? We all know that when you're running out west and the speed limit is 75mph on a straight, level highway with very little traffic, 75 MPH is a safe speed even for a big rig. What is your truck governed at??

Again thanks StankO for all the info- I know it's been a thousand questions. I hope the road is treating you well and that you're having fun and making money.

 

I haven't been with the Alliance long enough to answer this one.

Yes. It covers all the above and then some. There are 3 mileage based charges. Wear and tear, fuel tax and one more I'm too lazy to try to find my lease docs to find out. They are $0.045, $0.03 and $0.015 a mile.

Pretty much. Around 2500/wk is ok paycheck. Not decent; don't get me wrong.
Don't forget that the fuel surcharge is variable and is calculated according to national average fuel price. So basicaly it means the more expensive fuel is, the less you have to pay for it. Provided you can make decent mpgs.

Every and each truck got something I like an something I don't.
T2000 - decent storage, pullout desk to eat, write or put your crap on, one closet. Worst lights of all three.

Pete - two closets, no desk. Ample storage. Good lights. No in-dash computer. Comfortable driver's seat.

T660 - a few shelves, no room to put your TV on, poor storage design overall IMO. Excellent lights. Excellent dashboard - reminds me of my Audi. The driver's seat makes my butt hurt at the end of the day. I still hope it's not broken in completely.

Unless you manage get the one with Cummings in it (and I don't think you have chance as a new driver) they are virtually the same mechanically. 8 speed transmission and Cat.
My new T660 has in-dash computer which tells you everything. Very useful for monitoring your mpgs. My Pete didn't have it.
Try to get one with APU. You won't be sorry for that $50/wk extra when you'll be in -20 weather (or +120 later for that matter)

In gradfleet you'll get your jake and after 90 days cruise.

All Stevens trucks are governed @62 mph. After, if I remember correctly, 3 years, they will increase it to 66 mph.
There is no way around it and you'll have to be very carefull not to exceed your average speed over 60 mph. The compliance will catch it and you'll get your butt chewed out. Over 70 mph - your qualcom will send a message to safety and you might get fired. You can get away (if you ain't no screwup) with 65 going downhill. They don't want you to exceed your governed speed even for short period of time and they have ways to find out if you do.
I know a driver who did 72 in 75. He was called to the yard and put on safety hold and on probation. He was lucky not to get fired.

Thanx. Glad to shed some light without all the bullsht, excuses, blaming and misinformation.

 

Stank0,

Thanks again for the reply. It sounds then to me that if an Alliance driver runs 10,000 miles a month that he/she will take home about $4-5K a month, is that about right? To me that is pretty decent money- not great money but very decent when you factor in that you don't have a boss/bosses breathing down your neck and stressed out the minute you walk into work, wondering if you'll even make enough $ this month to cover your bills. I know that life on the road can be very tough- but it also gives one some breathing room and much time to think about things, not to mention all the interesting people you meet and sights you see.
You say that an APU is charged at $50/wk?? I guess that would be worth it if you are in inclement weather and sitting for 10+ hours. From what I remember, idling burns about 1 gallon diesel/hr, so 10 hrs. X 1 gallon X avg $2.50/gallon = $25 in fuel to idle one 10 hour break X 7= $175/ week vs. $50 + $2.50fuel/night = $65/week for the APU. Saves $110/week on average, sounds like a good deal to me. What about power inverters? How much are those to run let's say a TV , Game Console, laptop, Coffee maker, and microwave?

It looks like safety is of utmost importance to Stevens Transport, which I feel very good about. I can handle the 62MPH deal. That is plenty fast for 80,000 pounds rolling down the road on 18 wheels, and sure beats the 55mph I was governed at when with Schneider back in 94-95.

Bottom line, seems like Alliance Drivers make a bit more money than Company Drivers, and in turn have more responsibility as far as keeping tabs on receipts, maintanence, and fuel mpg. Plus Alliance drivers get to take their trucks home- and I imagine drive newer equipment. Makes me kind of lean towards Aliiance, as long as the miles are consistently there.

One more question,- do they have Satellite TV for trucks yet? And if they do, how much is it. The only thing I really watch TV for is Sports (NFL Football) so just curious. Thanks.