Stevens Transport A year in review

As one who has recently completed the training program at Stevens, I can give you my impessions and opinions.
I came to Stevens with a CDL.
I cannot think of one instance where the process was not done in a professional manner. The training is longer than most companies, but everything they required me to do, made sense in retrospect.
I found them thorough and patient.
Now I will say my trainers in O1 and O2 were both excellent. Both were patient, explained processes and got me thru the training with minimum scars.
I know of several trainees that went thru less happy periods, in those cases having multiple trainers taking more time than the minimum. I can't pass judgement on those cases, as I wasn't there and there are two sides to every story. I do know that the training department responded to my questions promptly and contacted me immediately in regards to my O1 trainer evaluation, concerning a couple things he had done. (I didn't know they were on the edge of Stevens policy when I wrote them down). So that indicated they watch trainers carefully.
But like any organization, there will always be bad apples.
I think the attitude of the trainee is more important than anything when getting thru the system. I have seen guys in the process that were not flexible and they didn't make it.
Now I may be a bit different than most people in the 'newbie' field, in that I have more than a million miles under my belt, retired a few years back, but have returned. Since I was out of the field for more than 2 years, every company considers me 'new'.
So I have had to run the same course as anyone fresh out of CDL school.
Maybe I did better because the first recruiter I trusted got me a tour director's job in SE Asia back in '69-70. I don't believe recruiters now, so I basically didn't pay attention to any promises.
I also looked at the training process the same way I survived boot camp.
This too will pass!
So far, my equipment is good (2009 T2000), loads are good (averaging more than 11,000 miles per month) and home time has been fine. (I go home about every 5 weeks for 5 days.)
Haven't had trouble getting home ABOUT when promised, but I'm pretty flexible.
My kids are raised and my wife doesn't mind my being gone. She does travel with me once in a while.
I chose Stevens because I wanted a refer company and the other three companies I talked with (that worked out of my area) either were not hiring or never responded.
That's my two cents.

 

Got called by a 2nd recruiter today and she gave me an interview over the phone. Asked me about my jobs, why I left, etc... asked me about my driving record, drug use, etc... I know they have to ask that and no worries there. Just was suprised she asked me if I attended the training academy I had to bring 3 years of my tax returns. Is that normal? Just curious.

Sorry earlier TD.... I meant for my previous post to be directed to TLHeart....my bad.

Emulsified---- Any tidbits you can give me on Stevens Training? Class size? Student to Trainer ratio? Are the trainers patient especially on learning the truck, yard maneuvers, backing, and the like? Thanks. Also how many dropped out and how long did it take you to get assigned your own truck? Thanks.

 

Here is my previous post TLeaHeart.... I know you are busy... no rush... just wanted to hear your thoughts.....

Enjoyed reading your posts and I have given a lot of consideration about joining Stevens before I read your posts. I realize they are a "training" company and I heard a decent one. I have been offered to attend their school in Dallas, and was wondering if it was really worth it all. I know each company has their disadvantages/advantages and their own horror stories from drivers, etc.....I really believe it is based on one's ability and determination. Each company will have a different fit for the individual. I think it is what you make of it that counts. So with that in mind.....just an honest opinion if you had to go through it all again, would you choose Stevens? If so, why? If not, why? Also if anyone is out there who went to training at Stevens, can you give any insight to instructors, training methods and/or such? Thanks for reading this and look forward to hearing from you and reading more of your posts. Safe trucking out there!

 

You are welcome for the kind words TD....however it was meant for TLeaHeart.....Sorry about that... Hahaha!

I am looking into Watkins-Shepard as well on your recommendation. Also I have been looking into FFE. I was seriously considered Stevens Transport, but a lot of threads urging me to stay away! I am looking forward to life on the road, and hope I can make the best decision that is right for me. Thanks.

 

The tax returns are to prove your last three years income and employment. I found several companies asked for this.

As for tidbits? Well, let's see. There were 65 that arrived on the first day of orientation (sunday). 32 went out with trainers thursday. Some were for drug failure, some for health, some for failing to disclose minor things like DUIs or felonies on the original application.
As best I could tell 22 finished O1 and went into O2.
Don't know any details about the ones that didn't make it.
Don't have any numbers after that. Your start for O2 depends on when you finish O1. In my case, I made it exactly at the minimum...35 days. One other from my class was in O2 with me. I saw another who was starting O2 the next monday.
The training really depends on the trainer. My O1 trainer was pretty patient except he didn't like the way I set myself up for backing, altho my backing was in his words, "the best he'd had with any student".
Both my trainers were very good in explaining policies and procedures. Both were patient.
Now keep in mind I'm older and so were my trainers, so we matched well.
For the most part I enjoyed my trainers and the training period.
I also enjoy dental work.
My best advice for people starting out is to have patience.
Hope that helps.

 

TLeaHeart, do u ever make it to the east coast? Seems like all your threads that I read are keeping you on the west coast, is this the region you choose to run the most seeing as how you live in Wyoming, it is Wyoming right? Anyway, I run I-10 in the panhandle of Florida all day and see Stevens trucks constantly, but I think I recall you saying you had a black t-660, I've only seen one of those so far and your current post had you on the west coast somewhere, so I figured it couldn't be you. Good luck with things, if you get on the east coast in Florida I'll give you a shout on the radio if I see you, I drive for Pritchett pulling a long dump most of the time, but when I'm not doing that I'm pulling a trash trailer, can't miss us you'll usually smell us before you see us

 

Thanks again for your brutal honesty. I know that it is a career choice that cant be made hastily. I guess as a new trucker you want to go to a place where you have the best training and be safe on the road. Great equipment is key as well.

My neighbor is a truck driver for JB Hunt. He drives locally, used to be a O/O but was never home. He advised me to either work for Schneider, Swift or Stevens to get the best quality training. He's been a truck driver for 30 years.

 

hi Emulsified bigdognyc I'm starting Stevens in July 5 in Dallas i have my CDL 1 but Ben driving a school bus the last 2 years so i have to go to there school when the class is going to the dmv for there permits what did you have you do. thank you