Stevens Transport aviary

Great and wonderful long post Emulsified. I read the great post you couldn't find and this was wonderful. Now if you could be as detailed for those of us heading to the Stevens Driving Academy...

 

Emulsified.

Thanks for taking the time. Hopefully I will see you on the road sometime.

gary

 

I have no idea on the driving academy.
I started driving before CDLs.
Maybe Corp Cleg will chime in.

 

Your headed to Target now? When are you due? I'm sitting at T/A in Ft Bridger, WY on my way to Cedar Falls. I'm due the 14th at 0530.

 

According to Cat, the contract was so they could get me insured on that particular truck. It's working out ok...the truck is a piece of dog doo. It's blowing oil, and is so far out of alignment, I have to hold the steering wheel 1/3 turn to the left just for it to go straight. whoever the previous owner was, he was an irresponsible pig...that's for sure.

I had it out with weekend dispatch tonight. I sent them 2 qualcomm messages (starting at 1400,) and called them twice in an attempt to get $60 for a hotel tonight. The qualcomm messages were ignored, and I was told on the phone that it would be taken care of. Got to the hotel at 2145 and guess what...no money on the card. Needless to say, I ripped them a new one on both the qualcomm and over the phone.

 

Arrive on Sunday and check in to Hotel
They make a shuttle run to WalMart every sunday at 7PM from the hotel
Monday is Paperwork ALL DAY

Tuesday your up extra early to get drug screen/physicals done, then some classroom stuff

Wednesday you will sit down with a lady and gop through your 10 year work history with a fine tooth comb, also should get up to The Hiill (provided you pass drug screen/physical) to have your first experience driving a Truck around the track, no trailer.

Thursday back to The Hill for more driving adding straight line backing and parallel parking and pre tripping truck. Then off to the DPS office for your first crack at the Learners Permit test (section 14 Texas DPS Manual)

Friday more on The Hill and back to DPS for testing (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combo Vehicles, Pre Trip Inspection)

Saturday is a half day Map Reading class

Sunday Off

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Second week theres more DPS testing until you have all written tests done. Faster you pass these the more time you get behind the wheel.
You will go offsite driving this week to Industrial area first. Then out on the Interstate some. On The Hill as well but not as much.

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Week 3 is busy. Monday or Tuesday you will drive the course that DPS takes you on for the driving test so you know the course. You may also get to drive through downtown Dallas (depends what instructor you get). Late nights this week. At nite you will do truck stop parking, Serpentine Backing, OSL backing, NE Dock backing etc... Wednesday you should start doing Road testing at DPS to get that coveted CDL. More classes like Trip Planning Log Books etc ...

Provided you pass and get the CDL on Friday you sign paperwork in the afternoon and become Employees of Stevens Transport. Then you wait for a trainer. Can take a few days but varies. Some get gone quick. Non smokers are usually slower to get out with a trainer.

You may have to fly or bus to trainer. I had to fly to St. Louis.

 

Well we got our load last night and finally on the road about 2000. Stopped at the NM line at the rest area for our 8. That way I could start driving at 0530 and end at 0830. Now he drives for 10 which will get us to Kingman. Then I take over again and we'll divert over the hill so he can do Union Hill for a jake mtn. His second jake will be Cajon tomorrow and then he has all his requirements except time.
Shuffling schedules, but it gets the mountains he needs.
This one is a three dropper so he'll get to see how a contineous seal load works.
Now all I need is a multi pick produce load out of Cali and he's got it all.
Jonathan will stammer at me when I ask for a 3 or 4 pick produce load tuesday.

 

I had a good trainer at Stevens, but not nearly as conscientious or as thorough as you. Keep up the outstanding work!!! Stevens is lucky to have a trainer like you, and your students will be better for it.

I can remember the first time that I pulled into a dusty farm for a produce pickup ... never had that experience before that and felt like a rookie on a new set of legs.

 

made my delivery this morning to target... only took 3 hours from appt time to paperwork back in my hands... 6 trucks, 5 were stevens... 3 of us set in the check in area shooting the breeze while we waited for our loads to be unloaded, and paperwork.

Then a senior driver and I headed for albert lea MN... he has a meat load picking up 90 miles north, and me I have a cheese load 90 miles to the northwest...

It was a windy and frosty slick drive for 140 miles..

Got a cheese load going to Stockton CA due on friday.

My worst week in 8 weeks... 2906 miles, 8.2 mpg.