Stevens Transport A year in review

How do you feel about the Alliance leasing program? Do you think its a smart move? Is there really as much potential to make the kind of money they make it seem like you can make? I do understand you as an alliance driver are responsible for maintaining the truck. So if you can give me a percentage of hoe much money you bring home versus how much you spend on fuel and maintaining the truck. Also how much does it cost to insure the truck? And anything else you can help me out with. Would you recommend becoming a trainer while being an Alliance driver? It seems like that the way to go if you want to make good money.

 

I'll throw my two cents in here...
To be successful with Alliance requires discipline, organization and commitment. It is largely a self employment type position.
You are responsible for your costs, your operation and making good decisions. There are people there to help you make those decisions, but ultimately you are responsible.
I'll tell you right up front, if you are not willing to be out longer and more, you probably won't be successful, especially your first year. So if wanting to be home every four weeks is important to you, Alliance probalby isn't your best choice. After you have built up reserves, learned the system, etc, home time can increase.
If you follow the Alliance system, are good about on time deliveries, pickups, etc. If you don't complain all the time and accept your load assignments, you can average ABOUT 0.33-0.38 per mile during your first year. That will increase a bit over time as you tune your driving skills.
Insurance, truck payment, maintenance and more is all covered under the program. Fuel costs will vary most according to your driving style. You have to drive for mileage to be successful. That is the single largest variable to your income. The difference between 6mpg and 7mpg with an average of 11,000 miles per month is nearly $10,000 more in your pocket per year (based on 3.00/gallon fuel). So just increasing your mileage by half a gallon by disciplined driving can mean another hundred dollars per week in your pocket.
Training is a personal decision. I don't train because I like my alone time. As a trainer, you are paid the miles of your students. That doesn't mean you get 8500 extra miles during their 5 week stint, but you might add another 4,000 or so per month. Trainers on this board can give you a better idea. It does make more money, since your truck payment and insurance is already covered by your miles. If you decide to go that route, be sure and question other trainers IN ADVANCE so you understand what you're getting into.
I've trained in the past (not for Stevens) and enjoyed it, but at this stage in life, I don't need the money and I enjoy my time with me.
I have noted that the most successful Alliance drivers seem to have had some kind of management training in the past that required keeping track of operational costs such as former small business operators, restaurant managers or supervisors that were responsible for department budgets. That training instills certain disciplines that help you. However, it isn't necessary to make Alliance work. If you follow their plan and don't try and reinvent it, you can be successful as well. They will train you how to think as a business owner.
If your eventual desire is to be an O/O, then Alliance is a key component to your training to reach that goal.
As a driver at Stevens, you are welcome to attend any of the Alliance business classes when you are on the yard. Check them out. You can learn a lot from them, even if you choose not to go that route.
Just be sure to tell Major that you're there because trk 9346 sent you.

 

out for a min of 4 weeks for a measly .33-.38 cents a mile! Hell nooo!

 

It is a lifestyle choice, there are a lot of guys around here that have no need to be home, kids are grown, not married etc etc. Those with families that need them around and those that need to make as much as possible as quickly as possible probably should look else where.

 

Okay. I thought at first WHAT!!

 

OR, they may have been transflowed but not processed at Stevens to be paid.

 

TLeaHeart I just finished reading about 40 pages of your posts. I am constantly amazed at your patience in answering the same questions over & over from newbies like me. I want to apologize for all of us for not reading all the former posts like we should have before asking questions, but I guess some do not have time for that. Regardless, you are a wonderful resource for us & I really wanted to say thank you. I am just getting started & am still considering whether to take the plunge. I have been investigating all the schools & companies. Your posts were a real education all by themselves. It's hard to stop reading them. So here is my question to add to the mess.
What schools/companies would you recommend for a brand new driver from Missouri? Home time, safety, & cost are more important to me, than money. I am leaning toward Witte Bro's, since I live only 3 miles away, but my other choices are WIL-TRAN or Hogan so far. Some pro's & con's would be appreciated. Also hidden pitfalls to avoid that know one tells us about? Thanks again, so much. Kiralee the wannabee

 

Here is my thoughts on your question:
Research first the companies you are most interested in driving for. (I think my son, the English professor would hang me for that last sentence)
Ask those companies which of your selected training companies they will accept. Some companies won't accept some training companies.
Then, based on your money and time, select accordingly.
Everyone has different needs. You need to make your own decision based on your particular situation.
I have always suggested a person obtain their schooling separate from a trucking company, but not everyone has the ability to do so. By coming to your company with your CDL in hand, you have the option to leave and go elsewhere as you might need. If you accept training from a trucking company, you are committed to them for a predesigned period of time, or face an horrendous school bill for the training you did receive. Many companies will reimburse you for your schooling at a rate that will make the payments for your student loan.