My Time At Steven's-Advice: RUN!!!!!

The dedicated fleet I'm on expects 2,400 a week. If you don't run that, you get a call the next Tuesday asking why, and you better have a reason or you'll find yourself back on OTR. New guys get a month to get up to speed, and by then you're running 2,400+ or you're heading back to Dallas and a different DM. It happens almost every week. We get new guys almost every week, and we get calls from the ones who are going to work out asking advice or directions. The ones we guys with some time on the fleet never hear from usually are off the next roster of trucks after four weeks or so.
Now, I've not hit that 2,400 target more than once, and I've even had 1,500 mile weeks, but not because I took 15 hour breaks instead of 10, or because I stop after 8 hours instead of 11 if I can run all day. Breakdowns, bad weather, shipping/receiving errors, double-booked loads, waiting for an empty trailer in Groveport or Aurora, etc etc etc.
Had Monday off, did a half day Tuesday, it's now end of my Friday, 2,014 paid miles and tomorrow I'll shuttle empties about 94 miles round trip, making excellent MPG and being paid flat rate for each one I move to Morris. About $600 in mileage, something between $50 and $200 more tomorrow.
I'm pre-planned for 357 miles Monday, and I'll do a 204 mile deadhead probably (or most) also on Monday, then another 273 back to Chicago for Tuesday and probably a load from Morris back to Columbus of which less than half will be on Tuesday, rest of it on Wednesday. Both pre-planned loads are drop and hook.

 

Who are you,my numbers are right on.Run it every week.And what about what I said was B.S.

 

I'm lookin for a company that I can get my cdls with... stevens just went off the list thanks so much for posting... hope everthing works out

 

It's too bad you havent' read posts under Stevens Aviary. You'll get a whole different perspective from drivers still there.
As far as companies that will train you, including CDL school, Stevens rates right up there at the top.
However, I advise people to do it on your own rather than ANY company sponsored school so if you don't like whom you're hooked up with, you can go it on your own without penalty.
Most states, veterans Admin, will pay for your CDL school if you're on unemployment. Takes a few weeks to work thru the paperwork, but most states will pay.
Once you've obtained your license, pick a training company that will do a GOOD job of training. You can't be trained in this business by spending a week or two out with a trainer. There's a lot more to it than that.
There are several good companies out there with good training programs...Stevens, Schneider, Prime...just to name a few.

 

wow your post is like several others I have read concerning stevens transport only more details. unfortunately they were on my list as possible employers but NOT now. way too many complaints and grievances. even the bbb has had complaints on the way they do business. I'm starting to think the only safe way to get trained is find a junior college and go through their program with the help of grant money. thanks for the info

 

thats about the 30th bad review i've read and they far outway the good ones so they are officially off my list as prospective employers. their sponsored cdl training was going to be at mtc school in hazelwood mo and i've heard nothing but bad stuff about them too. unfortunately another company im looking into called tmc transport uses the same cdl school. any info on tmc or mtc school would be great. thanks all stay safe

 

you are always gonna hear the complainers more than the positives, i dont care where you go. stevens is a training company, nothing more, nothing less. train there, and you can make it anywhere.

 

Good plan. Stay away from the bottom feeders like Stevens, CRE, FFE, Werner. You start w/ rats and you'll likely wind up w/ rats. There are a lot of different levels of trucking. They are one I would not choose to be part of. No concern for their employees what so ever. Just chew them up and spit them out. The scum companies have ruined a lot of peoples lives and credit ratings. Many of the ones they ran off could have become good drivers if brought along correctly. You sound like you have a good head. Use it. You can believe the recruiters or your own lying eyes. Good luck.

 

Or you can believe guys like this that have no idea what they are talking about.

 

People like this always make me wonder. Where do they get there information and who does the thinking for them?
Yes...a lot of people go thru Stevens, but it's a TRAINING company, folks!
Their business model is to train and equip new drivers in the trucking field, and they do a #### good job of it!
People that complete training and get some miles under their belt here at Stevens are equipped to go nearly anywhere in this industry and have a great jump ahead of others that started with companies that don't ingrain the basics of trucking, (such as safety).
Some of us find a home here and stay. We're happy and CHOOSE to stay.
Could we go elsewhere? of course!
But we are happy here for various reasons.
People that bag on Stevens are usually ignorant of what the company is all about, repeat gossip they have only heard and have to find fault with the company so they feel better about their choices.
Get the facts from people AT Stevens. Not some two bit Tommy Super Trucker that doesn't know the difference between a slack adjuster and a vacuum cleaner.