Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

You must have pissed off someone. I ran a dedicated run out of Chicago for 3.5 years. I got hpme every other weekend and two or three times a night. I also ran a lane on the east coast that did alot of drop a.d hooks in and around ATL,GA.

 

My first post and i'm bumping an old thread... however I thought some of you might find this interesting.

Steve got into the business via his father in law, Sam R. His father in law sold meat... in Paris, Tx, I believe. If I recall correctly, albeit grossing $50M or so in sales one year, the company folded and Steve was left with two trucks and one contract. He bribed a meat inspector to get the meat for a cheaper price, and ended up spending a few years in timeout. When he got out, he managed to get the money together to start Stevens Transport, and, he grew it to what it is, from, essentially a bus ticket back to his neck of the woods and the shirt on his back. If you consider this, you will be able to infer from it if you are the kind of guy who would fit in working for Stevens. Many things have changed, but the origins of the company are still in the DNA of it, to be analagous.

 

OK I have read from start to now and have a couple questions, but beforehand thank you to everyone that has replied, either good, bad,or ugly~~~

OK my questions are:

I lived in Thailand for 8 years with my wife and then we moved back at the end of 2009, I had a few months job at Mcdonald's then in the end of 2010 I pulled a rotater cuff and labrum (the deepest muscle in your shoulder that is the hardest to fix) I was in a sling for about 14 months then had 9 screw/anchors put into my left shoulder and then by doc's orders was off doing anything for another 14 months. I am going to "International Trucking School" for 5 weeks for CDL-A as the State of Michigan "Michigan Works" Employment agency footed the $7,500 bill.. I am curious if I will able to get a job since I have not worked in the past three years and before that only a few months.. before them few months I was in Bangkok for several years (if that makes sense sorry lol) I was reading that gaps of employment will cause issues?

My other question is I am on low dose blood pressure meds, I see that blood pressure is tested? Does that mean I cannot work there because I take blood pressure medicine and therefor it is COMPLETELY controlled? Or would it mean I cannot work there IF it was NOT controlled?

I am quite worried about this although the first issue about being overseas my counselor at I.T.S called 6 major companies and none of them said it would be an issue with me getting hired, BUT reading here I just want to make sure..

Also is things with Steven's better for those that go to them with a CDL-A in hand? I wanted to work for Steven's (before reading negativity although I read nice things as well like APU's and what not new vehicles etc. etc.) or The Pumpkin people as I can do regional Midwest solo with sign-on bonus's as well..

has anyone heard good or bad about N.T.B? I ask because they have a DC in Lansing,Michigan right near my home..

Thank you everyone!

 

Just bring copies of the doctors orders etc accounting for being off work. Unemployment records or workman's comp. Whatever shows what you were doing, or not doing. As long as your bp meets dot standards its fine.

 

Never quit a job without having another lined up. I had the brains to leave DeBoer with Roehl lined up first. First time Roehl checked my dac it was clean. Second time they checked it, there was a false "quit under a dispatch" on my dac. It is my understanding that you must CONFIRM acceptance for a load before you are considered UNDER it. Of COURSE a midwest regional guy isn't going to accept a load to southern Az from Wi, when orientation for the new company starts in three days. Especially when he couldn't make more than $550 GROSS per week at the job he's quitting. They can't even dispute my response to their dac which states: "Totally false claim, bordering on libel. No load was accepted after they were informed of my decision to quit. More correct would have been to state that I "quit without notice". Although a week constitutes notice, it isn't a full two weeks. But no new DECENT company will argue with my reasoning for quitting.

 

Yes, Stevens has held many employment verification forms when requested. I have found that they often do this, while the recruiters attempt to contact the driver that quit to see if they are willing to come back to Stevens. If drivers do not accept before they release the EVF, then they will hold it for another 2 weeks. If a driver accepts their return offer, they release it and immediately state that the driver has been rehired so the other company shows that the driver declined their offer. Once drivers return, they remember why they left and rarely last beyond 6 months. This also makes the driver look as though they are job hopping and many companies will not consider them for employment because they fear that the driver will quit in 6 months or less. It's truly unfortunate. I hope that you have found a place to call home and that supports you, your family, and your goals! Best regards.

 

Make sure you have you documentation for the periods of unemployment. While most companies frown on these gaps, if you can explain them, then they will usually work with you. Yes, it is better to go to any company with your CDL already in hand. Stevens will most likely put you on a dedicated Canadian run where you will hop across the border and come back to relay a load that another driver cannot take (for whatever reason) across the border. You will get home a more regular basis, but I would not recommend this company. They had a turnover rate of 104% less than 6 months ago.

Most trucking companies have a high turnover rate. Especially, the larger companies. I started with Schneider National (the Pumpkin people) and had a great experience. They also have a terminal near Monroe. Schneider will still have you undergo training per say because you do not have experience as a driver (local or OTR), but they will take care of you. I stayed with them for 3 years and have little negative to say about the experience.

I'm not certain about NTB. Though if they have a DC (distribution center) they work similar to Walmart and Walmart requires a lot of experience before being accepted. I would recommend Schneider for a year minimum so that it can open your possibilities to other companies. However, you may find that you enjoy it considerably and find a place to call home. Best regards!

 

I have also found the financing rip off true with Pam/Driver Solutions and I have found a school in Tyler and Dallas that charges $3,200 up front. $3,200 is a long way from 5000 plus ripoff interest. Makes you wonder what business they are in.

 

2 things: They promise that if you stay with the company the training is paid for and they are in the training biz and the Fed kickbacks that come with it. Stevens is a very profitable company, the model works.

 

I can let you know as an X stevens student, that everything BB has said is true. Had I known I would not have gone. The 3 week course is a joke its not CDL training its new hire training for stevens. The 5 weeks with a trainer is hell, no hotel and you have to sleep in the truck with the trainer. imagine 2 grown men living in the space the size of a single occupant bathroom for 5 weeks. Female students get a hotel once a week they have to pay for. I didnt make it to the 3 week with a student part I got fead up with it and quit. but the trucks are governed to 62mph. The pay sucks the crappy handout they give students during the 5 weeks is crazy, and the trainer told me that co drivers make hardly any money stevens favors the lease guys over the co drivers. You are paid by the mile not much compared to other Co's out there. If you refuse a load you sit until they give you another one. Basically co drivers get the leftovers from the lease guys. And you as a driver have to pay for everything, except fuel...lol, before you leave the school on your own you have to have 3 different maps a special lock and load locks for the truck which they charge you for. to get money off the the fuel card that is yours you have to pay atm fees non reimbursible, the list goes on. they nickel and dime you to death. Granted you can save your receipts and right it off at the end of the year on your taxes, but who wants to work all year to get paid at the end of the year. And you will practically never see home again. I have heard they can make it difficult for you to find work. They will lie and put false info on your DAC report, and forget about references. I have my new job thanks to a guy I knew before going to stevens. And they pursue the money vigorously when you quit. It wasnt a week after I got home (which itself was an ordeal, I actually spent 6 weeks with the trainer because they wont take you home or back to dallas. I was suppose to do the 5 weeks go home for a week then do the 3 weeks with student. nope didnt happen and when I asked about going home they told me if I got off the truck I had to find my own way home. So the closet I got to home was Atlanta GA, So I got off the truck walked 2 miles to a truck stop and my awesome Bro in Law drove 10 hours to pick me up and take me home. ) ok back on topic home the collections calls started. Fool on them though, I have had some law classes and did the info research. They will intimidate and harass and lie but thats it. The way I figure it they scare ppl into payin it back. Here are the facts, they will say they can garnish your wages, they cant. They say because its a school loan they can take your federal tax money, they cant. They say they can take your CDL, they cant. The stevens loan is considered a private school loan so it is not applicable to the federal law, it is illegal in most states including TX against wage garnishment, and the CDL is a legal ID document between you and the issuing entity stevens has nothing to do with it. Essentially it ends up as nothing more than an unpaid debt on your credit, yes it hurts your credit and its there for a long time but all they can do is fuss and fume over it. Hell I dont even think they are fool enough to sue anyone, if so then all the things they are doing in the school that is illegal will come to light. thats just my opinion though, the last sentece the rest is personal experience.