Stevens Transport aviary

There is a reason he stresses the Motor Carrier Atlas, and it makes sense.
There are plenty of atlasses out there, but the MCA is the only one that not only includes the designated trucker's routes but has mountains of information usefull to every day trucking. Length restrictions, bridge laws, weight distribution and more.
There are several published atlases out there that tout being a trucker atlas but have old or wrong information.
Uniformity is as important when teaching the class. If he tells you to turn to page 14, it's the same for everyone. Precious time isn't lost trying to get everyone at the same place. There is a lot to cover in a short time.
A couple years back, someone at Stevens found another 'carrier atlas' that was cheaper and a bunch were ordered and distributed to O2 drivers. It was later when several drivers were 'caught' in the wrong part of Chicago (east towards Gary) that it was discovered that atlas did not have the listed restrictions for 102" tractor trailers. The fines were pretty good size. Several more mistakes were discovered and the decision to use the one 'proven' Motor Carrier Atlas was made.
Carl (Sgt Major) is also slow to adapt new technology and change, prefering to do things the tried and true fashion.
Keep in mind Carl's group of people are wide eyed and starry still. Overloaded with information, a bit ####y having just returned from their O-1 experience and anxious to get out and learn some more so they can be 'big burley truck drivers'.
Not making fun. We were all there and it's part of the rite of passage. I rather enjoy drivers at this stage for many reasons.
So he is trying to standardize as much as possible, not overload the students with more than they already are and knows that while some of the things he teaches are not going to be used day to day after the first few months (let's face it...how many of us really does a detailed trip plan for a load of produce from Salinas to Cheyenne after the first 10 trips?), he wants the basics there so when you get that load that picks up in Prosser WA and delivers in Green River UT, you can actually open the book, find the two places and put together a route.
Once again, I have to stress that most of the people that frequent this forum are in the top 20% of intelligence and aptitude for drivers.
The greatest shock for me going on the inside is the number of screwups, jerkwads and just plain stupid people out there driving for Stevens.
I'm sure our numbers aren't any different than those with other training companies.
Just a couple examples from last night alone:
The night safety desk is right behind me. I sit next to the dispatch window where you meet Will or Billie.
Driver needs a tow. Drove into a culvert on the side of the road and high centered the tractor. Trailer leaning clear over to the right. Tow driver said it's a wonder it didn't tip over.
The drain culvert is a concrete swail about 4 feet wide at the top and the bottom is about 3 feet below road grade. It's made for serious runnoff. Very little shoulder. Driver is trying to move around a blocking piece of something that had fallen from another vehicle. He made his move very slowly. Asked why he drove off into this culvert (daylight) he responded, "I thought I could make it." I looked at the pictures and figured it would swallow up my mini cooper! Asked why he didn't go around in the oncoming lane he responded, "I didn't think of it."
This driver is a nearly two year veteran!
Another driver had to be towed away from the Holland tunnel. His reason for ignoring his NYC routing instructions? "I don't like high bridges."
Anyone that has listened to Mark's NYC routing knows how thorough and detailed he is.
Last example...my favorite for the night... Driver calls for help in routing. Can't find a street in his GPS or in his atlas. He keeps telling me the name of the street and I'm trying to google it in Fayetteville NC. Can't find it. After a minute I look up the customer file to see if there are special instructions...you know...the 'enter from X street rather than Y street type of directions.
"Driver...your load goes to Fayetteville ARKANSAS!"
"You mean there's another Fayetteville?"
He'd been at Ft Bragg in the Army and figured when he read Fayetteville, he knew where he was going.
Just didn't read the load assignment.
Unfortunately there was a load of banannas sitting in the wrong part of the country now.
So you see, there is a reason Carl runs his class the way he does. Some of us that laugh at his doings have to remember there are a lot of people other there that cannot walk and chew gum at the same time!

 

I'm a 'floater'. I move from desk to desk according to the needs of the night. I don't have a static extension (yet?). I'm thinking that once I've been there 6 months, others will figure I'm going to stay and will find me a permanent desk and remember my name.

 

Sounds like the story about the guy that didn't pay attention to his load assignment and went to Portland, Oregon instead of Portland, Maine

 

I don't think I've ever been 1100 miles out of route. The price of Bananas in Arkansas just went up!

 

Wow, just WOW...

I missed my turn by oh, about three States...

You should really keep a journal and write a book.

 

That one is true, I know because I finally ran him down outside Chicago.

 

Dispatch him to Buttzville NJ or Assinippi MA. Coxsackie NY comes to mind also. Sorry, I write down funny town names as I see them.


Coxsackie NY ( South of Albany)

Buttzville NJ (South of 80 near PA line)

Assinippi MA (South of Boston)

 

And let us not forget Hell Michigan nor Intercourse PA

In fact its not all that far from Bird In Hand to Intercourse which is very close to Paradise...

Those Zany Amish and their sense of humor...

Those are all towns in PA

 

Okay since Corporal Clegg wants to call me out for "stalking the forum" I might as well say hello. I have been solo for one month now and just got the invite from Gary to come over the Alliance. I have had a good experience with Stevens and don't have anything to complain about. I have been "stalking the forum" for about a year now and have gained alot of knowledge about the training process from all of you. So again hello and thank you for all your help.

 

Aren't they near Blue Ball, Pa.?