Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

the lease option at Stevens is rough to say the least! But some make money doing it and like it. Many don't but usually because they run it poorly. Or run into lots of troubles, their fault or not. Both my trainers were L/O and liking it and training half or more of the time. Both owned homes, had families etc and did well enough to keep wanting to do it for a few more years. Both had ten years with Stevens doing it.

 

This is driving test week for my class at HCC Houston. The teacher in the classroom portion said that when we get to Dallas (Oct. 2, fingers crossed), the first day of orientation 25% will wash out. The next day more will disqualify. He said that only 15 to 20% will get a training driver.
Is that true?? I would like to know what to expect in Dallas. I have driven the truck for about a total of 8 hours in 4 days. I still tap some curbs when I turn right. I still have to use a cheat sheet for pre trip.
There are only 7 of us left from the 9/13/2010 class. I think 3 of us will pass, 4 will have to wait another week.

Thanks

 

There are a lot of reasons people wash out of training. The fact is, 90% of people that start will not be in it a year later. Most of them just don't like the industry and had no idea what they were getting into.
I think the most common reason I hear for people leaving is they just can't handle being away from home/family so much. It really can be tough, especially if you have a young family.
I've been married 40 some years. After a couple days at home, my wife asks me, "don't you have a run to make, or something?"
Really, tho, it's a tough lifestyle for a young family or young couple.
Another very common reason for washout is failure of the drug test.
All I can tell you is if you've disclosed everything (not hiding a felony conviction, espionage arrest warrant, DUI...or the like), can pass your drug test and are in reasonable physical shape, and have your CDL, you should make it to the trainer.
Now whether you like the industry, can hack the demands or live on the pay...only time will tell.

 

I think you said it true. I am going back to otr after being off the road a couple years. Now I will go through the Stevens training because I do not have the money to go through school again. I kept my CDL up but is to old for the new law. I am glad for the opportunity and agree from what little experience I bring with me, Every job has whiners, You can listen to em and chance getting sucked into their attitude, or you can be around the ones that like what they are doing and know the word WORK means just that. I choose the last. They rite the check, they make the rules, be satisfied with the deal or leave.

 

Definitely staying away

 

Emulsified is right ,just as long as your not trying to hide anything have been up front w/anything that would disqualify you,then you should be fine.Its the guys that think they are gonna slide something by that they are not disclosing that get disqualified.Stevens is not gonna spend the money to check all that and you start going through the process,that doesnt make good business sense.These guys that wanna blame everything on the trucking companies because they didnt make the cut,are usually leaving key points out of their stories,because its never their fault.

 

Kirk,

Thanks for your messages. A family member of mine will be going to Stevens for training on Monday and I was a bit nervous. I read most of this discussion and got the impression that most that had bad things to say, probably hadn't worked more than a few months at any other job. A lot of the complaints are issues that happen at every other employer. And everyone out there I respect truckers very much. There are a few jobs out there I don't think I could ever do, and being a trucker is one of those.

 

I understand there will always be some unhappy people and views of a company but it seems Stevens has a disproportionate amount of negative views compared to almost any other company I researched...I may have to take them off of my list unless they're my last resort...

UPDATE: I just spoke with the recruiter again in regard to reimbursements and such...You only get a TX CDL if you got ot their school in TX using the hotel address and switch to your home state afterward, that makes sense...As far signing an IOU, that too only applies when you go to their school, if you show up with a CDL and are only their for orientation, the transportation, hotel and food is covered and not expected to be paid back...If she lied, I have it on tape(which I'm allowed, my recorder is furnished by the FBI as part of my current business)...Still not saying they are the best around and the mrs isn't crazy about so much away time in a row, but I'm keeping all options open still...

 

The recruiter told you the truth, I had my CDL, flew to dallas and was reimbursed $200 for the cost of my travels. Never saw a bill for the hotel or food. Now if you have a receipt showing what you actually paid to get your CDL, Stevens will pay you $25 per week as a reimbursement for that CDL.

Time out with Stevens is difficult and hard on families. Why many people do not make it.

 

Stevens is hiring in my area. I'm going to a tech school for free for my cdl and after reading all the comments, I'm not interested in working there. I check the forum for every job and so far Schneider sounds the best.