Stevens Transport Aviary . . cont'

Stevens is a training company, really don't have much need for seasoned drivers.

 

I don't know if you're being facetious or not, but something tells me you are generally being serious. Or if you're speaking in Stevens' behalf as a Stevens driver, or just making a comment as a forum member. But, this statement is very disturbing when you think about it in the context of which it is noted.

I understand the sentiment behind the statement because I get that there are "training companies" and non-training companies. But another part of me doesn't understand how some players in a huge industry that is begging for drivers can place such a "dim view" of experienced drivers. So about all I can do is shake my head, chuckle, and acknowledge the industry has been turned upside down and inside out ... apparently to pursue the almighty dollar by way of cheap, inexperienced labor creating more inexperienced labor that will work for cheap.

When you continue the cycle of poor "breeding" practices, you end up with crap stock in only a matter of a several generations. I feel sorry for those who come in in another 20 years. It will truly be a sad situation in the trucking world.

 

You do understand their intention is not to hire experienced drivers right? They are a training company, they make a significant portion of their income from. Training and need trucks for the students. They want to train you and send you on your way.

 

My limited experience w/ Stevens is they do have drivers who have dedication to the company. Then I see my cdl buddies who have moved on within 6 months their orientation. Training company? No they move refrigerated freight, 90 per cent of the time judging from my loads. There is an opportunity for training others, " in which your money problems will disappear. " as one trainer put it.
My trainer has been with them for over a decade. Their Alliance lease is somewhat forgiving if you need to walk away. People do sign up for the lease because they think they will make more money. Another seasoned driver thinks that you will make just as much as a company driver. You will get miles with Stevens if you do all the tasks, weigh, communicate, use your load locks, and drive hard every day, with every load.

 

I'm throwing this out there cause I recently got stuck in the Bronx for an additional 2 days, so 6/7 days was spent on this one job. Detention was $400 but my check was for $76. The worst part about it was handing a tcheck over $300 after they held me up for those days and I could tell that I was the last to unload, based on what I saw in hand with a lumper that worked there. Now they wanted me to go back. I loved going to the Bronx, until this last trip. And it is a way for me to get home in the southeast. Needless to say, I would rather go back to Laredo and Georgia, Atlanta traffic really sucks, almost worst than NYC. The Bronx is a main customer, and a first stop for new guys at one of their customers there.

 

They absolutely are a training company, its part of their business model. They do not expend a lot of energy in the Driver retention field, some stay, most move on, and they expect and count on that to have trucks availible for the next round of grad students going solo.

The do not advertise for experienced drivers, they make no extra effort to recruit them. Their recruiting dept is focused on new drivers that need training.

That's not a bad thing, and its not a knock, it is however reality.

I was there close to 3 years, I left on good terms, owing them nothing, they owed me nothing, I have no ax to grind.

 

Their leasing department is a focus when you get there. It makes sense in the age of Obamacare IMO, which believes that independent contracting is the way to go to not be limited to a 30 hour week. Granted with trucking, you can work as much as you want but there will be days where you think that part time minimum wage or driving for Uber will be a better deal, especially if you have a family. Eating at truck stops if you aren't making food for yourself is a huge expense.

 

Yes I am serious, Stevens does not want nor recruits seasoned drivers... Just stating the reality of the market. Stevens business model is as a training company that happens to move refrigerated freight. Training is a profitable business model for them.

The industry really does not need more drivers, but there are those that profit from that perpetual lie. Stevens being one.

One year of accident free, claim free service is required before a driver at stevens can be considered for the training position. There are some who make a good living and enjoy training and sharing the limited space with a new stranger every 6 weeks. Those tend to stay.

As for your 20 years down the road, drivers will not be needed anymore than an engineer is needed on a freight train.

I am a former Stevens Alliance driver, never trained, always ran solo, and stayed for 5 years. Enjoyed my time, put money in the bank, and it worked for me. Left to ride the boom cycle of the crude hauling at home.

 

Come to Stevens, get a good start to your career with good training, then move on. Stevens is not a long term career company for 99%+ drivers, but it can be your starting point.

 

That's true. Though it was short, they gave me my start as well. Now I have a great local job that I'm proud to be working for. Thank you Stevens for the excellent training.