Husband is a new trucker, please help!

Talk him out of the lease. It's a ripoff and benefits the company, not the driver. He's with Stevens, so indulge him to stay there, at least for a time. Jumping ship looks bad. Do some homework, check out options and, if after a time, you find something better, move to it, but only move to it after doing a ton of homework.
Like I said before, stay away from the lease program. Tell him to be a company driver. That way, if something goes wrong, it is their truck and they can pay for it.
Native Dancer made good points. Ask questions here, you'll get all kinds of answers, but you'll be able to determine what advice is sound.

Good luck to you.

 

Look on the bright side, at least the poor chap didn't go to C.R England and is contemplating fleasing.

 

I will talk to him about it in the morning since he is asleep right now lol, he is NOT in the lease program yet, just considering it, somehow they make it sound good to him but actually taking a second to think about it myself it doesn't sound the greatest lol. He had a jumpy job record before trucking, I think the only thing that got him accepted to the school was his perfect driving record and how good he did once he was there. If we can get over these next couple months not seeing eachother that much then I am definately pushing for a least a year there, I just think jumping companies is bad in general, trucker or not.

 

KC1109, iam also going to stevens next week on the 27th. I also went to school near Detroit, Mi at U.S. Truckdriving school. I have been doing my home work and still think stevens has the best training out of all the big companys. Hope every thing goes alright with your husband at least hes almost done thou. you guys will be getting on eachothers nerves in no time LOL.

 

KC1109, hey any good info about orentation in dallas texas you could fill me in on would be nice. i,e hotel, food, people in general???
thanks!!

 

KC1109,
you use the phrase "lol" quite a few times. There is nothing worth laughing about condidering what you and your husband are about to encounter.

 

Sure, right now I only got things I remember from my husband but when I talk to him later I'll try and get more details if you have any specific questions.

He never really complained about the hotels, the first one he couldn't get internet except in the lobby, so far the rest he's been able to get it in his room. You will be roomed with someone so expect that. He didn't and it kindof bummed him out. Expect to spend money there, when they say they pay for your meals, they mean barely, I think he got one meal a day? There are stores like a mile or two away you can shop at, or you're going to do alot of vending machine eating, which adds up quickly.

The training is pretty much exactly what you did in school, except with different trainers watching you this time. So if you did good in school, you'll do fine. There are some days you will be sitting in a hotel all day, there are some you'll be in a classroom from 8am-11pm lol, those days sucked for him. You're a bit luckier it's probably cooling off down there too, for him it was upwards of 100 degrees. No matter the weather if you are supposed to be out in the yard with the trucks, you're out there.

I don't know if it works out for everyone there, but if you can, find someone you get along with well and who's a good driver there. He found a friend early on and they kept in touch making it so they finished their time with the trainer at the same time, then they did the student driving together. You'll want to pay attention to other drivers so you know what you're in for if you get teamed with them, I've been told there are some horrible drivers that never should have passed school even.

You could get very lucky or unlucky with the trainer you get. Hubby got his trainer because the came back and dropped off his previous student because he was so annoying and a bad driver. (It happens more than I would've thought, so if you do get a good trainer don't be stupid lol.) Now he got lucky his trainer was really cool, they got along, and he was a good driver. I say you could get very unlucky because the his friend who he planned on doing the student driving with got a ###### one. The guy got LL's, even took two days off to hook up with a girl he met online, all while my hubby's friend waited in the truck. Hopefully you get a good guy because I think it really set the tone and made it easier for my husband to get through.

Now after that 35 days you can come home, before the 21 with the student. BUT while you're out there it's going to be pretty much explained to you that it would look much better for you if you just stayed. Lots of factors get "better" if you stay. You look better in the company's eyes, you get a week home, and you get to keep the truck you're given when you leave. (Usually you would lose your truck if you take more than 3-4 days off in a row I think.) He opted to stay just to get the training over it. Not knowing if you have a family at home, it REALLY sucks, but we got through it, and we're even newlyweds so time apart was harder.

Again, expect to spend money. He seemed to get by on spending like $50-70 a week while with his trainer, BUT his trainer was really cool and paid for food alot. After that he spent upwards of $100 sometimes weekly (might not be much for you but on $350 a week *before taxes* with a wife at home full of bills it kindof sucked lol). They seem to run you almost like team drivers, so don't think you're gonna get showered and grocery store food every other day.

Once you're back to TX for the week in between trainer and student driving, it's more paperwork, more of the same moves you've been doing, with some new ones thrown in. You'll probably go over everything ALOT because you won't be driving with someone with much experience so it's annoying but I see the point.

There were a couple days of waiting around for a load once DH and his buddy were in the truck, but as long as you both know what you're doing you'll get the miles in. He did have to be stopped at a certain time EVERY NIGHT so that was different from the trainer driving.

Hmm I think that's all I got for now lol, if you have any specific questions I'll be happy to ask him if I don't know.

 

I didn't realize it meant I was laughing at the situation? Sometimes the best way to get through hard things is with a sense of humor, what do you suggest otherwise?

 

iam taking a plane down from detroit to texas saturday did ur husband take the bus? they say they will reinburse me for my ticket up to $200 i found a cheap flight anyway. my recruter said they provide 3 meals a day but i knew that sounded funny tho it would cost them a fortune lol. ive heard so many horror stories about all these companys i think am prepared for any thing!!!

 

Yea he took the bus, he never put up any money for the ticket though he just picked it up at the station so not sure how it will work with you.