Stevens Transport aviary

You need to understand how the system works so you aren't surprised.
The recruiter will check out your H-10 (driving record for last 10 years), work history and other pertinent work.
Then you are 'invited' (not hired) to come to Orientation. Stevens will pay your Greyhound ticket to Dallas, or you can come by any other means you choose and they will reimburse you UP TO $200. (so if you fly and it costs $300 they will pay $200 of that, or if you drive, save your gas receipts)
Upon arrival, they will pay your hotel bill (you will have a roomie), shuttle from the hotel to the yard and provide two meals per day. The first meal is a sticky bun or bowl of stale cold cereal at the motel. Lunch is provided at the yard, it's a hot meal prepared on site. If you have night work to do (mondays and tuesday nights) they will provide a second hot meal around 5pm, then you are 'on the hill' until about 9pm, before being shuttled back to the motel.
Sunday is a bunch of paperwork, talks (such as from the safety dept) and some movies to watch. Tuesday morning you pee in a cup, then see the company doctor for height, weight, BP. Additonal skills work is done monday evening, tuesday and tuesday evening.
Now here is the part to pay attention: If you pee dirty...you go home. If you have high BP, you will be put on med hold, given another chance and if you still don't qualify, you will be sent home to see a doctor and get it fixed. if that's the only problem, you will be invited back.
If you fail skills tests...and they give you all kinds of help and chances, you will be sent home.
If you have lied on your application...for instance, failed to disclose a felony, DUI or other serious issue, you will be sent home.
You will need to provide a copy of your CDL and graduation certificate for driving school (if applicable). You will also need your SS card and birth cert. But Natalie will provide you with a list of what you need. Just be aware that if you 'forget' your SS card, for instance, they HAVE to send you home. It's the law.
Any of these things can cause you to be sent home.
The skills tests involve very basic skills like a road test and basic backing. As long as you don't miss more than half your shifts, don't drive on the sidewalk, or run grandma over, you'll pass. They don't expect expert drivers. They know you just came out of a CDL school. They are looking for the basics to build on.
IF..and I stress IF, you pass all these points, you will be hired wednesday afternoon (officially) put on the payroll and assigned a trainer. You may go out anytime from wednesday night to saturday, as trainers are available. Usually 90% of people are out of there by friday afternoon.
While you are waiting for your trainer, your motel, shuttle, breakfast (?), lunch at the yard, are covered.
If you go by averages, roughly 60 people come into class sunday morning and 30-35 go out with trainers.
#1 reason for being sent home is peeing dirty. Don't kid yourself. They will catch that.
#2 reason for being sent home is failure to disclose serious issues such as felonies, DUIs or having been fired from a previous carrier for abandonment or such.
Those two issues account for about 90% of the people being sent home.
If you can't pass the physical, you will be sent home. Biggest reason for failing the physical is weight....grossly overweight.
When I was in orientation, we had one fellow who bragged about his 62 inch waist. He weighed in over 400#. What failed him is he couldn't physically climb into the upper bunk of the cab, or get down under the tractor to inspect the brakes. (he literally got stuck under the framwork of the chassis trying to scoot under to see the wheels...stomach too big)
These are basic requirements for DOT...you have to physically be able to do a PTI.
Another candidate weighed in over 350#, but he was able to do the requirements and went out with a trainer on thursday. So weight isn't all of it. You just have to be able to physically do the job.
I never cease to be amazed at the number of candiates that fail due to drugs. If you smoke grass, you will test positive up to 30 days after smoking. Don't even think of using the poppyseed muffin excuse.
The drug test is a DOT requirement. They are very strict on that.
If you have disclosed everything to the recruiter, if you can do a full PTI, climb into the upper bunk, climb in and out of the trailer. If you don't pee dirty, you will almost certainly be hired and out with a trainer.
BTW, minimum requirements for BP is 130/90 (I think) Ask your recuriter if that may be an issue.
More than 50% of new recruits that are hired are over 50 years old. Age isn't an issue. (they hired me and I was over 60)
Feel free to ask any questions here on the forum. We are here to answer them correctly...not hearsay from other drivers at other companies.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Do you have a start date yet?

 

Good answer as always emuslified..
Remember too that some of the things they do, seem to make no sense at the time. You are being observed for your reactions to different situations also. They are going to intrust you with $200,000 worth of equipment, and more than that in cargo... they need to see how you will handle stress, and unexpected events.

With that long of a post, you must still be in Lexington emusified.
Thought I would pass you on my way to Cheyenne for a drop delivery on Thursday, and then taking the weekend off.

I tried to tell a CRST truck this afternoon about the flat tire on his trailer, but he did not answer... the tire was very shiny on the inside where it was rubbing too... expected to see a gator up the road from him. This was just before the Iowa 80 TA...
My fuel stop was the Bosselmans in Altoona, and guess who was setting there waiting on the shop, to not only fix a tire, but a missing mud flap, and a hanging break chamber... The gator was wrapped around the axle and the hanger. His loss, but I keep the CB on, usually low, it can be of help.

Setting at the bosselmans in Grand Island tonight, love that the WIFI is FREE at all bosselmans too.

 

Thanks emulsified, I have been doing my research for over a year now on Stevens- I have a fairly good idea what to expect. You have been one of the truckers I have followed so it is a compliment you took the time to respond so thoroughly, thanks. I have no felony's, dont drink or smoke grass, do have a love affair with nicotine. Never could understand how a guy can take a drug test knowing full and well that his system is not clean, blows my mind how thoughtless some can be!!! I am only 26- 210 pounds 6'1'' tall with good health, so I am not worried about the physical aspect of things. I really appreciate you writing all this out, it has eased my anxiety ten fold. I have enjoyed working with Natalie thus far, she seems to be a no Bulls*** kinda gal- she doesn't want people coming down that she knows wont make it!!! I am scheduled for the beginning of Oct, but may move my time to a sooner date depending on how long it takes me to save some dough for the wife to live on while I am training. How has your first year gone, are you leasing? I would like to remain a company driver through my first year atleast. Thanks again for all the help, if anything pops in your mind you think I should know feel free to let it out again!!!

 

I wish to thank emulsified for that very informative bit of advise. Im in the beginning research phase of this and have narrowed a school down, and hope to begin Sept/Oct?? I have an interest in Stevens and possibly several others...this site is TRULY very helpful...I have actually learned more than I expected..thanks again for the insight into Stevens!!

 

Yup...still in Lexington at the Nebraskaland.
Finally got a load assignment. DLD of 0340 friday morning.
DM put me in for Layover. We'll see if that comes thru.
Of course, I won't be running this load. Have to be in Dallas on saturday, so we'll see what tricks they come up with.
Wave as you go by in the morning, TL. Im the middle Stevens truck lined up by the pumps.

 

Sorry emulsified, just noticed that you have been trucking for 38 years, allow me to specify- how was your first year with Stevens?

 

First year was better than most. I didn't have any illusions about what this industry is all about. Stevens has been good to me.
I recommend them to people that want a good start into a career in this business. They are thorough, stress safety and methodical operation...a secret to sucess.
Stevens will teach you how to do it right and give you the necessary tools to go anywhere in this industry.
(and as of June 6th, it's 39 years)

 

Waved at all the trucks setting around lexington this morning..
Dropped my trailer at Wally world, and they were very happy to let me bob tail out, leaving an extra empty there for the weekend.. she said it will greatly help with all the drop loads they have coming in.. Besides I am taking the weekend off in the Cheyenne area. Due to the holiday, and then the opportunity to take the weekend off that I just could not pass up, only 942 miles this week.
All good though, as my transflo is 2000 miles, so the truck payment is covered, and some spending cash will be available.

 

My DLD is 0340 friday am. Looks like they're going to push right to that.
Then off to Des Moines to repower and head for Dallas.
So far, my only miles this week is the 278 mile deadhead from Cheyenne.
Let's see how that layover pay works.
Two 34's this week so far! Looks like I'll end up with about 1100 miles this week. The worst since I joined the company.
c'est la vie

 

Well, finally got out of Dodge..er Lexington.
Load call at 0200, went out there and had fun hooking up around Lake Tyson there.
In Des Moines now waiting for a repower.