To Stevens or not to Stevens

Its all up to you, if you have a decent trainer, and learn fast and absorb what you learn, it wont really matter which company you start with. I have heard Stevens is decent.

 

You are beginning a new career. Don't shortchange yourself and be sorry later.
What's the difference in a couple extra weeks when you consider the years ahead of you. Pick a company that will train you in all the nuances of trucking. Learning to shift gears, back into docks and fill out a log book can be learned almost anywhere. But will the company train you on DOT regs? Will the trainer teach you how to secure a load, slide tandems and fifth wheels to adjust weight centers?
How about insuring you do a proper pretrip, trip planning and efficient use of YOUR time?
Too many new drivers look at less training time so they can get their own truck and make money.
Look for a company that will train you properly so you don't fear scales, DOT inspections, procedures and more.
There are some good companies out there that will assist your learning the trucking business and Stevens is one of them.

 

Are they your only choice ??

 

Don't let them fool you with a "deadline"... They're always hireing. They are pulling your leg if you think that if you don't sign up NOW you missed any opprotunity to work for them!

Steven's is FAR from perfect.. trainers are students themselves with maybe 1 year of experiance.. Whoever you go with you better not need any $$ for the first 6 months you work for them... They pay you next to nothing, and what you do get paid goes into food and stuff. Theres nothing left to send home..

Out of your list Steven's probably has the best maintained equipment..USA, Bowman, Werner.. the worst.. (banged up equipment, missmatched tires, ect.) BUT driving a shiney truck won't make you any $$. Think about your choices, go out and talk to actual drivers that work for them at your local truckstop... Do some homework!

 

Check into crete some more !!!!

 

While it's true there are some trainers with Stevens that have just over a year of experience, most have multiple years and some (like myself), many years.
The pay amongst most of the training companies is fairly even. Around $350-400 per week.
No, you won't get rich on the training pay, but what some posters don't take into consideration is that $350 per week for some new drivers is as much or more than they've ever earned.
Again, I stress, look at the training program first and foremost. Odds are you will not be with your original training company two years from now. Often, one year.
You move on.
But the original training will dictate largely what options you will have a year or two from now.

 

I for one am pleased with my stevens experience. I recently graduated from their CDL program and am now in my second week of otr training...and loving it! I knew I wasn't gonna get rich on my training salary...I'll save those hopes and aspirations for my first year solo...lol just kidding.