Stevens Transport aviary

When arriving early into a receivers city, try and call and see if they will take the load early. Be professional, courteous, and ask, they worst they can say is no, and nothing is lost. I have good luck in getting unloaded early, if I call in advance and talk with a dock supervisor. I have been told no too, but I lost nothing. Do not depend on stevens to do everything for you, as they are overwhelmed, and if you not late, they are happy to let you sit for a day. DM's tend to say things to drivers on Friday, and then expect the short handed, over worked weekend crew to make it happen.

I was told a long time ago, that after sitting on hold for 30 minutes, I could send in a QC message stating I was on hold for "talk" and am now going to safely roll. As time has passed, all those safety weather talks are not enforced if you prove to stevens that you can handle your trip planning.

The only one I MUST call in for is the HAZMAT talk. So now I call in as soon as I get to the shipper and know what my numbers are, that way I don't waste time after being loaded waiting for safety, which on weekends is long. there is only 1 safety guy on sundays, and he does not start his day until 10am.

Oh and the dreaded produce loads and talks before dispatch...uhgggggg

Sitting right now at Hershey, Ogden Ut being reloaded, as I was NOT california legal on the weight. Bumping the trailer now, I sure hope they cut some product, or I am going to be doing the 50 gallon shuffle.

Be safe, keep the wheels down, and remember, use the QC as much as possible, as that way you have a written record that you did communicate. No load is worth your life, or even a stressful day.

 

Well, here I am back in Dallas at the luxury accomodations better known as the AmBest. This past week I was able to enjoy some much needed time off with my lovely wife and son. It was a great week with the family and I have a whole new appreciation of my wife and son now that I am on the road.

Tommorow morning I start the second phase of training with the few days of classroom instruction and then back out with the finishing trainer.

Overall, I really did not have anything to really complain about with the first phase.

I feel that I was fortunate to have a fellow contributor to this board (wgcarver) as my second trainer. If any future student who reads this board gets him for a trainer they will know just what I am talking about. He actually teaches his students the art of safely driving a truck and how to run the truck as a profitable business on the Alliance side. What is most impressive about him is his never ending generosity. He is always willing to lend a hand to a fellow driver or anyone else. He treats everyone professionally with dignity and respect. Thank you Bill.

 

I'm starting my third week of school tomorrow and I hope I get a trainer like wgcarver. I have read his posts and he truly seems to want to help and make sure all of us who want it, succeed. I'll just cross my fingers and hope because although there are good trainers out there I have heard some horror stories about some.

 

Of course Barracuda was in no way influenced by the 17 HP Pro-XL Model
DR Field & Brush Mower with 17 HP Kawasaki V-Twin Cylinder, Overhead Valve, 4-cycle, Electric-Starting Torque: 27.70 ft. lbs Cast-iron cylinder sleeves Full-pressure oil pump Spin-on oil filter pulse type fuel pump In-line fuel filter Dual-element air cleaner Rotating grass screen 12-volt Bendix starter 13-amp charging coil 61-ounce oil capacity 2-1/2 gallon fuel tank. Yes he suffered through three weeks of Car Talk on PBS.

Seriously, aww shucks! Thank you Barracuda for the vote of confidence. Your professional attitude will give us drivers a good name among the non-trucking public and your stories of the prior career were enjoyable and interesting. Barracuda's a fun buy to be around and a definate family man.

I'm truly glad you got to spend a good quality week with the wife and of course "Gregory (aka little man)

 

Well I found out today that I was not accepted at Stevens, so the hunt for a good company continues. I had Stevens high on my list of companies based on some of the good comments on here about their school. Still looking at Prime and Central.

 

Why you were not hired

 

Anyone else notice, since some positive threads were started about Stevens, from those of us who are enjoying our time at Stevens, the negative bad mouth posts have disappeared? I don't think Stevens has magically changed in the last 2 years
Flat fifth wheel, low blinker fluid and no brake fluid, I am in trouble today....

 

Glad to see that things are going well for you!
I found out today that I am on my way to little rock (That is where Maverick Headquarters is for those who do not know)
I get to eval out and get my own truck! I am very excited about this!
I always think of you guys whenever I see a Stevens truck out there!

God Bless!

Jim

 

I happen to have one of those DR's!

 

pretty much most jobs transportation or other wise are what the individual makes of it of we all have our ups and downs its not how many times you get knocked down it how you respond to it.