Questions for Stevens drivers!

I had a guy come to our class that graduated two classes ago and he drives for swift and now I am kind of thinking about going with them. Shoot. Decisions decisions. They have a lot of drop and hooks and will not have to sit too long. I do not know. What do you guys think?

 

Swift not set too long...better talk to the drivers. Stevens also has drop and hook, but until you have proved yourself to be reliable, you will be stuck doing live loads, and unloads. Now if that is your deciding factor, I suggest you really reevaluate your decision to be a truck driver.

 

Thanks, Keep with the updates if you can as I'd like to get a feel for it ahead of time as to what to expect.

 

Yeah. I know there will be down times when driving and sitting I just thought there would be less sitting with drop and hook. So, stevens does have some drop and hook once i prove myself? Also, does stevens have a card where when you put a certain amount of fuel on there you get a free shower? I know some companies do and I was curious. Also, does Stevens have showers at all of their terminals? I thank ya'll for your help. 7 more days of school until I do my skills test, pre trip, and road test.

 

It doesn't matter which company you work for. They all do the same thing: give the rookies the bottom to start with and earn your way up. As you prove you are dependable, make deliveries on time, don't complain too much and are a team player, you will notice better loads and more miles. You just have to earn your stripes. I have to say, tho, even from the first day out in Grad fleet, they kept me busy and have been good to me. Those drivers I have heard complain have either been sloppy with procedures (failure to do daily check calls come to mind), have been late with deliveries, or just plain have a lousy attitude.
Stevens has one terminal: Dallas. Yes, the driver's lounge has showers, laundry, tv and vending machines.
As for showers on the road. This is an enticement program by the major fuelers. Each time you purchase 50 gallons of fuel, you recieve a free shower credit. Just so you understand, that's one credit for each fueling, not each 50 gallons.
You need to apply for each fuelers card. They're free. You can do this at each location as you start out on the road or you can apply in advance by going on line to each respective web site.
Stevens fuels most often at Pilot/Flying J, second most common is Loves, and then lastly is Petro. There are other places, but these three are the most common.
Pilot and Flying J are interchangeable now, so you only need the pilot card.
The shower credits are good for about 5 days, depending on the provider. Then they expire.
So stay clean!
There are other benefits to these reward programs, but the shower credits are the most commonly used and needed.
Normally, when you go out with your trainer, you use his card and he provides your shower credits to you, so don't worry about that. Just be sure and apply as soon as you can.

 

Stevens has a fuel card, but that is not where you get your showers. Every truck stop chain has their own driver reward card, that you get points and showers on when you fuel.

Yes stevens has drop and hook...rail yards, kraft plants, some walmarts. I wish Stevens would change their web site, They have ONE and only ONE terminal, that is Dallas Texas, and yes it has laundry and showers, although locker room style showers, not private showers like at the truck stops. Drivers lounge and shop also.

There is a "drivers lounge" at the laredo drop yard, with showers and laundry when they work. Everything else Stevens lists as a terminal on the web, is a drop yard, where they rent space for trailers and tractors to park. There is NOTHING else available for the Stevens drivers at those locations.

Drop and hook does NOT always mean no setting. You may have to wait for the trailer to be loaded, or have to wait for a trailer to be unloaded so that you have an empty to take to the next shipper. Trucking includes setting. The key is being able to manage your time, within the governments rules of when we can and can not drive.

There are many nights where my 10 hour break is while being loaded or unloaded, I am in the sleeper while they do their work. And I get paid detention pay on the unload, while I sleep.

Try and keep an open mind, as trucking is a fluid environment, where one has to be able to adapt to the changing needs of the customers.

 

I thank ya'll for ya'lls help. Stevens has been a lot of help when I call them. I know they are pretty busy but the lady I talk to has always been nice and professional. I will apply to the fuel card as soon as I pass my driving and get my cdl a licenses. Oh yeah, I learned that stevens will reimburse you up to 200 dollars if you rent a car to drive to dallas for the orientation. So you do not have to take the bus. I called today and asked. This is a great thing. I have heard that it can take a good while to get to places on a bus(stops and etc.). So, if anyone was wondering, this is what I was told. So, does stevens have dedicated accounts? I will be going with Stevens unless something changes. Hopefully i will pass my driving skills test. Another 6 days and I will be taking it. Well, I'm off to school. Thanks again everyone. Us new people need lots of help in understanding driving. I was reading up on keeping up with my driving hours and logging in my workbook we got from school and it can be a little confusing. lol. well, bye bye

Chad

 

Does Stevens pay the $25 a week student reimbursment while in training?