Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

Curljack and BigCountryChef

As for tuition, it will depend on at least two things as I have had it explained to me; First being your credit rating and the second being, and dependent on the first, who they find to finance you.
Your first day you fill out tons of papers, and among them is your application for tuition. Stevens will submit it to as many financers as they need to to get you financed, and if they have to will finance you themself. In the end it works out for most as about $4000 that you pay back via payroll deductions each week until you've paid it all back. Usually about two or three years, and you can pay it back sooner by going to Dallas to fill out papers and cutting them a check.
I will make it a point to get more facts tomorrow if I can remember to do so. Tomorrow we are going out to play with the trucks! Weee! While some are in trucks others will be at the DPS doing tests for permits.
So yes, Stevens is not like many CDL mills that churn out the students in that they WILL get you financed even if they have to do so as long as you've shown promise and such and don't piss bad or dump out on your first week.
Today we did our physicals and practiced the CDL general knowledge and Texas Special sections. The doctor is about as personable and likeable as anyone else here, and thorough. He asked the questions and waited for answers, gave tips and made suggestions, asked questions that obviously weren't part of the exam, and made jokes and small talk even though he had 17 of us to see before lunch time. One student needed help with his hearing and the doc told him three means to improve his chances of passing it his second and last time. The guy has his second chance tomorrow and has a better chance with what the doc suggested, even though the guy didn't ask the doc anything, the doc made the suggestions to him after seeing his hearing marks.
Our teacher is a rare bird! Terry is a southern gent in that he is another Ron White type Texan. Terry however doesn't drink and tells dirtier jokes! He obviously has far more info in his head than he can share with us, and at times starts to say something more but glances at the clock and moves on instead, usually with a smirk that is easy to read as "#### if I only had more time with these sons a #######".
He keeps the class from ever being boring or overly dull, even when he's covering the obvious and mundane. He is looking to get back on the road himself, and my advice to Stevens is to keep his ### in the classroom if they have to bump his salary and throw in comps like a company car or expense account to do so.
Today we lost four more and are down to 13. Unlike at Central, I don't look around the room and nod thinking "he's gone when drug test results come in, he's gone, he's gone..."
Here, no one looks to be a drug user, and I suspect we won't lose anyone tomorrow for pissing dirty.
Today was only the second day and I would call four guys there friends already, another two possible, and another two maybes. You know how it is when you're in a group of new folks, you tend to find guys who think alike and such and end up in smaller groups.
If you guys have any questions I can possibly answer feel free to ask and I'll try to answer or find one from someone here.
I'll probably post nearly everyday about what's going on so you guys can have an idea.
In fact I think I'll start a thread under "Good Companies" called something like "Stevens Transport Training" and you and others can read what the place is like and help you decide if you're looking at places if Stevens might be right for you.
Got to go for now and study the Texas specific areas of the CDL manual so I can pass that test tomorrow and head off to the DPS and get back and play in trucks.

 

Jerry my roommate who is in his third week just gave me this info. If you don't get financed by some bank or something and Stevens has to finance you themself at %18....
$218 a month for three years for just over $6000.
You pay $118 a month and Stevens pays $100 a month as long as you work for them, meaning if you stay with Stevens for three years you pay about $4250.
If you leave before one year, you owe entire remaining amount that is unpaid, not just the $118 a month you would have paid if you stayed.
If you leave before one year and don't work for another trucking company you can continue paying that $218 a month off. If you go to work for another trucking company within a year, you owe the entire remaining amount, not just the $118 a month amount, but the entire remaining amount, all immediately.
If you get financed through a bank or such through Stevens you still have that "no working for someone else in a year" rule, but might well end up with lower interest or higher interest, a longer or shorter payback time, or a higher or lower total financing amount, all meaning you will be paying more or less than $120 a month or so. Stevens will still pay that $100 a month amount though as long as you work for them.
If you leave Stevens and go work for someone else after that one year mark, if that new company pays tuition reimbursement, that new company can pay your payments or part of it for you.
BTW, that 'one year mark' I'm talking about is ONE YEAR AFTER YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS SOLO! Your one year clock does not start until you have done a month classroom, a month with trainer one, a month with trainer two, and three months solo! So, that 'one year mark' is actually your 18 month mark after you start training.

 

I know but I'll let Jerry answer as he will probably get it %100 right and I will get it backwards. lol

 

Hey Bigowl.

Most of Stevens tractors are blue. For some reason. And I can't answer this question. but the KW T2000's are all blue. The KW T660's are all black. The Peterbilt 387's are all black. Freightliners are blue.
Then there are the Owner Ops and they come in all truck types and colors.

The plain white trailers mostly are preloaded at Catapillar with engines for the Peterbilt manufacturing plant somewhere around Haslet, TX.

Only the dedicated route drivers get those loads. I'm told Stevens pays thousands of $$$$ if one of those loads is late.

As far as the best/worst days . . . I take each day as it comes. Stevens is not an easy company to work for sometimes. You really have to be committed to follow through and do what the job requires.

Even when it seems like Stevens isnt doing much to help you.

I can think of some high points.

1. If you are late with a load. Stevens can usually get you a repower
2. If your truck breaks down. Road Rescue can make phone calls to get you help
3. If a shipper takes too long to load you and leaves you sitting at the dock. You can call the Dispatcher or your DM to get help. Sometimes they can get results from their end.
4. They have periodic workshops, Winter, Summer. Sometimes they have interesting information to put out.
5. Mechanics that for the most part keep your truck running and up to DOT specifications. I don't get DOT'ed very often at Scales or random stops on the side of the road.
6. Free truck/Trailer washes on the Dallas Yard.
7. Pretty good support from the Insurance dept. When you need them.
8. A compliance dept. to tell you everytime you screw up on your logs. Mostly they work with you to make sure you know how to fill out your logs.
9. Safety dept to deal with the inevitable problems and incidents that come up. Just hope its nothing they can pin the blame on you.
10. Drivers Services to give you supplies and sell t-shirts and lots of other novelties.

There is a pretty good support system in place that we tend to take for granted. If you were working for a smaller company or going independent on your own. You would have to do all of this stuff yourself and still try to make ends meet and earn a living.

Then there is . . . "Other Stuff" . . . It just goes with the territory.

Miles are ok. I'm averaging about 2900 per week. Its a constant hussle to keep this truck moving. Get the loads delivered, early if possible, and get the next load assignment.

Stevens provides the framework to work in. Its up to you to take advantage of every opportunity. You need a working strategy.

 

Jerry C,
I believe I want to try out Stevens Tansport. I've been talking to you long enough now to know Stevens can't be too bad. I know every company has it's good and bad but, I'm a positive person with a good head on my shoulders so it should be ok. So, when do you think you'll be in Dallas? I would really like to meet you (I'll even but lunch). I kind of look at you as a mentor and learn alot from the advice you give me. I know that may sound soft but, the truth is the truth. It should feel good to know you impact perople lives in certian ways.
Tell me I'm kind of concern about moutian driving. What advice could you give me as a trainer. (When I get a trainer he may not be as good as you are) I know you are busy but, I do appreciate the time you take to respond to my post.
A few other questions I have are:
1. Fuel policy. Where? When?
2. Do you have to take the route assinged to the load or can you go your own route?
3. % Drop and hook vs. % of no touch freight
4. How do tolls roads work? Do they pay or do you pay?
5. Trailer wash outs. Who pays you or the company?
6. Is there forced dispatch?

I believe I've asked enough for now. I have more questions but, I'll save them until next you reply to my post. And thanks again Jerry C.

 

Smokr, man that's a lot of info but I think it is like I thought - I just couldn't be sure. Thanks for the explanation. That answers 95% of my questions.

Good luck.

 

What I think is the best part of going this way is that Stevens is pretty much recognized as about the strongest training company out there. Not only are they very heavy on safety, but I can tell you they are quite thorough as well, and I've only been here two days.
Not only do you get that CDL and top safety training for that money, you also get two months of over the road training with two different experienced drivers! And you get paid for it! Not a ton, and you often get paid more at other places for a month of OTR training, but not in such great trucks and not for so long or so well.
And you don't get paid as much when you go out on your own as at most other training companies either, but of those training companies, Stevens has by FAR the fewer complaints at forums. And they have pretty much the newest trucks, and they are pretty much the Cadillacs of trucks at that, and they have excellent maintenance as well. Plus they pay for tolls, washes, trailer washouts, pay you to load/unload when you want to do it as much as they would have paid for a lumper to do it when you don't want to, rarely make you do it, and they actually DO pay you instead of saying they will then never doing it. Plus you get paid within 48 hours of the end of your run instead of only one day a week, or worse, every two weeks. And they have very good health insurance to boot.

 

Hey Smokr! I somehow overlooked this post last nite. That was alot of research you did. I apprieciate you sharing your information.

I have followed up with Janice. She sits at a desk just outside where the recruiters are. Janice pulled up my contract and told me more or less how the repayment process works.

I remember thinking it was kind of strange when they had me sign a 3 year loan for the school. However, I went ahead thinking Stevens will pay it back after One year of service. I figured I could stick around for at least one year. . .Anyway, What I was told and what is really happening are two different things.

Stevens takes $25 dollars per week out of my settlements That equals $100 dollars that I have to pay.
Stevens is also kicking in $150 dollars per month.
Once I finish paying off my portion of the loan. Which will take about 3.5 years. Stevens will start to re-imburse me $25 dollars per week to give it all back. So it will take 7 years to pay for the loan and then get it all back.

Now, Janice did not tell me about once the full amount is paid Stevens starts paying me back. I was told that by the man who processes the settlements in payroll.

So that is my understanding. Just seems a little underhanded if you ask me.

 

Hey Bigowl! I apprieciate the jesture. I'm always happy to get a free lunch.

You have alot of questions. I tell you what I know.

Mountain Driving . . . The main point you must always be aware of is How Fast am I Going Downhill? Especially if you are not using the Jake Brake. Traveling too fast downhill is the number 1 contributor to friction. Friction heats up brakes. I have an 8 speed transmission. General rule of thumb.
6% grade. Drop two gears (6th gear, 40-35 mph). Use light and steady pressure. 10 psi or less on the brakes.
When using 10 psi or less on the brakes you can ride the brake peddle all the way down to the bottom of the hill. If you use 10 psi to 15 psi the truck will start to gradually reduce speed. However, This is where friction will start to heat up brakes. So watch your speed and try to stay in the 10 psi and below range.

One little tip about brakes. When you first press the brake peddle there is a 2 second lag time when the brake pads contact the drum. Just lightly press the brake. When you feel the brakes grab then apply more pressure as necessary. This will avoid what I like to call "Big Foot, Stomp Effect".
Learn to work with the equipment and apply the brakes gracefully without jerky, hard braking.

The Opti-Stop routing is a suggested route. You can plan your own route. If you follow Opti-Stop it will route you to all of your fuel stops. Also, It will usually route you in areas where you can get Road Side services easier should the need occur. If you go over 10% out of route Stevens may charge you .60 cents per mile for wasted fuel.

Stevens has loads that are drop and hook. I don't get as many as I would like. But it is nice when you get one. Most of the time the loads are live load/unload. So you will spend alot of time at the Shippers/Recievers.

You have the option of unloading yourself and collecting the lumper fee. Me personally I prefer to pay the lumper. I have never unloaded the truck myself. I'll just drive the truck.

Usually you will have to pay cash for Tolls, Oil, Anti-freeze, Fuel additives, Etc. Just keep your reciepts and transflow them for re-imbursment.

EZ-Pass will pick up Toll fees in Chicago area, Ohio, PA, NJ,NY,NH,ME,MA.

Stevens pays for all trailer Washes/Washouts. You will have to get permission (beg) to wash your (Company) Tractor at Blue Beacon. You should be able to get them to pay for 1 tractor wash per month.

You can refuse a load if you want to. But, I would be carefull with that. You don't want to make enemies for yourself. After all. . .we are all there to move the freight the company needs moved. When dispatch has a load for you, you should take the load. . . Its your job.

It cracks me up especially with Alliance guys who refuse to take a load for whatever reason. If you don't have a load you are as good as unemployed.

Good luck. I hope all works well for you at Stevens. Stevens will make a real (And I stress the words "REAL" and "Safe"), Truck Driver out of you.

Hope to see you on the Dallas Yard sometime.

 

Jerry,
Quick question-- Is that what they recommend now on the brakes ?? To ride them all the way down ? Thanks.........