Stevens Transport aviary

But honestly, I thing we started off on the wrong foot. Hi, ...my name is Robert!

 

Mistermino (Robert), I stayed out in OR-1 for 58 days. I am in OR-2 now with a 1 million miler as a trainer and boy what a difference. I know the feeling...but you must remember what you came to Stevens for? I am still Pissed at my first trainer because he keep me out for 32 days without gitting all my requirements (two Mt. NE & NW). But when I did get my requirements and went home, then and only then did I remember why I went to Stevens training. To drive a nice truck and to make money. I raised a stink a time or two, but nothing outside or the policy or common decency. Others on this post gave me good sound advice... that is hang in there and keep your goals and family in mind.

 

You will find that when it comes to spending money the first answer is no. Also the "counslors" are worthless IMHO. Take this as a lesson for down the road when you need to get home. Do not let them step on you, be proffesioal and firm.

You get treated as a number and a robot for as long as you allow it.

Setting in the dock here in geneva I'll (chicago). Been on the owl shift for thhe past 3 days. Only have 1.5 hours left for the day and no preplan. Going to be some wasted miles and time this week.

 

There will be times like this, even after training. I only drove for Stevens for six months back in 2008 (family drama cause me to need to be home), but I can remember sitting for 72 hrs in Garden City (Meat Patch) and I sat for 4 1/2 days at the Petro in Joplin, MO (no real reason for that other than my big mouth cause me issues ... LOL). So, that all said, best thing to do is get trough the training anyway you can. By hook or by crook, but don't piss anyone off in Dallas.

Once you're on your own, make your DM your best friend (even if you can't stand to talk to them). It's important to point out here that I'm NOT accusing any DM for pulling favorites. It's simply a fact of Human Nature. You are more likely to do kind things to familiars and friends with out realizing it. So, making friends won't make a big difference to your paycheck, but it may cut down on the amount of waiting for communication and or phone calls. Just that simple thing can make life on the road a lot more enjoyable.

Just my 2 Cents.

The last bit of advise I'll give everyone ... there is no need for hostilities on TTR. We're all here trying to help and give sound advice (most of us anyway ... stay away from the haters) there's no need to get hostile ... even if you feel it's warranted.

 

No wasted miles or time, but i wonder about dispatch. On my arrive call I show 1.5 hours left on my 11. Then when empty I again let then know I am short on hours. Send me to ottawa to tyson for a 900 mile trip to MD due at 0700 monday. Now I only have 7 hours for sunday so even if I start monday at 0001 I will still have 500 miles to do. Might make it to the southern tip of the pennisula by 1100. So say hi if you go by the clock work shell in ottawa. I will be here all day

 

Too bad you didn't decide to 'play nice' before being nasty. No need for name calling AND, I am a DRIVER while you are still a STUDENT. After you've been driving a while you will be as tired of the whiny, 'poor me' attitude of those students and drivers that feel as though they are special and therefore entitled to special treatment. We all have to take our lumps and wait our turn, that's just they way it is. When I went through my training, Randell went on vacation, so when our class was ready to be sent out with trainers there was a back-log of approximately 90-100 previous students that were sent out before we were. Returned for O2/finishing trainers and essentially the same, about 50-60 waiting for finishing trainers. And a 3-10 day wait for trucks once you were ready for Grad fleet.

As a couple of the other drivers had posted, you came to Stevens for your training and for employment so you will have to learn to 'go with the flow' on the way they do things. (Unless the recruiter came knocking on your door begging you to please consider becoming a trucker and come to Stevens. If that is the case I apologize and agree that you are due special treatment)

And as one of the other drivers commented about his experiences, be very careful about being the 'squeky wheel' or you may find yourself sitting for days on end watching the other Stevens trucks roll in and out of the truck stop.

 

Maybe you should use a calculator before you spout off as well. 23,000 minus 19,000 is 4,000, interesting that you think you can do 4,000 miles in 5-6 days (667-800 miles per day), especially if you are in a Stevens truck. And if by chance you are able to get in 667 miles per day while in training because your trainer's truck is turned up, don't expect it when you get your Grad truck that is governed at 62 with no cruise control. Compliance will bust you on averaging 60mph every time.

 

Children, children, children!
Let's stop all this dittybooting and play nice!

That being said. Finished my 6 pick produce load by 10pm last night. All six picks in the produce section of LA plus Riverside and Rhco Cucamonga. I had asked for a multi pick produce load so I could show my student how to handle it all. Worked out really well.
Then the good part.
Scaled out 59,700 gross, and an 1800 mile run to Cedar Falls! WhooHoo!
But alas..
Yes, the fickle finger of fate struck!
Repowered load in Barstow this morning. Truck broke down with a Peterbilt load and those of us that have been around a bit know what THATmeans!
So here we go...off to Denton for a 1400 delivery tomorrow.
yes...tomorrow.
Told them the best I can do is about 1600 or maybe 1700. They got us a couple extra hours to run. (T2 student, only allowed 17 hours per day).
Amazing what a Steve Aaron load can do?!
None the less, not too heavy. Only 21,000 in the box so good mileage on this one too.
Solves the problem of what to do with the other load. We were faced with a day and a half of sitting there waiting to unload.
Well it's nice to run the 40 this time. Been running the 80 so much lately, I'm beginning to see corn fields in my sleep!
Well, everyone stay safe.
And play nice!

 

I hate weekend dispatch and crew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
More things get screwed up due to the attitude in dallas of hurry, got to get home by noon....
Picked the load up, and parked, out of hours... send in running late, being a consciences driver... repower on the way... 2200 tonight...
and I get a 23 mile cosco load, that delivers on Tuesday 0600..... argggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone every have any luck in getting cosco to take a load early? I have not.
And we all know how the repower request goes when one is waiting to delivery for 2 days... it gets ignored, as it is NOT a priority in Dallas.

So once again, I get screwed by the weekend crew....

Now this aviary is for everyone, former, current, and future drivers, to learn, to share, to lend support, to air grievances, to blow off steam... Does NOT matter if they are a student or a driver.
I am blowing off steam, just as mistermino was...

 

See, I went through something similar. I had a load offered to me on a weekend from Joplin, MO (Repower) going to ... wait for it ... the caves just north of Joplin, MO!!! I refused it, told the weekend dispatcher where to put it, and for my trouble I ended up sitting until Wednesday at the Petro in Joplin with no communication from mother hen. I definitely learned my lesson regarding my big mouth that day.

Sorry you're getting the crap end of the stick TLea. Hang in there, I'm pullin for ya.