Stevens Transport A year in review

Thanks. Been reading all day. Gonna take awhile to get thru all 349 pages Lots of great info and guidance.

 

Hoping to get a good trainer. Read some bad things on the aviary but sounds like they are the few. I'm a newbie but know what I've learned so far is the basics and not the gospel.

 

Been reading all day. Lots of good info. Gonna take awhile to get thru all 349 pages

 

I am biased too, but it is hard to find a company that puts as much effort into training as Stevens.
Are they perfect? of course not. But they do a darn good job.
Someone mentioned rules.
Yes, there are a lot. But they're for your safety and other than some occaisional annoyance, aren't difficult to follow.
Want some good input? Hang out at a busy truck stop for a bit and talk with the drivers for any company you are considering. That way you're getting it straight from the horses mouth.

 

For me, a whole bunch of "good input" came on my return trip from Oklahoma City last week. It's an 18-hour drive (with fuel stops and such, but no sleep periods), much of which is done in the wee hours of the morning. Being an observant driver, I noted that the big trucking companies normally travelled about 65 mph or so. Some were slower and some crept up a bit, but I passed many of them going the speed limit of 70.

That was not the case with what I can only assume are independent owner-operators. In fact, on I-44 in Oklahoma, the speed limit is 75 and I was passed very often by these smoke-belching super trucks like I was standing still. And later on, when I was driving through the western part of Michigan, about 2-3 hours from home, where there was no traffic and the speed limit is 70, the same thing occurred. I would see lights in my rear view and suddenly, there's this monster screaming by me.

Input like that is very valuable for me and makes the January 9, 2011, starting date I got today a very important date. Now all I have to do is worry about the deaf left ear...the one "closest to the door," as Recruiter Wendy said had to work. She also said the medical staff has the final say, so here's hoping they're having a good day!

 

I am looking to come to Stevens. I have 9 years driving experience but let cdl go back in 2008. I am going through the process to regain it now. Any advice you can give me on what to expect coming on as a new driver.

 

I am looking g to sign on with Stevens. I have about 8 yes ex and let my license nse go back in 08. I'm in the process of trying to regain my license. I started my career with prime Inc and finished With Western trans. Any advance you can give me on the training program and what not.


QUOTE=TLeaHeart;1179011]First full week of the year....

miles driven, 3055, busy week.
Miles paid this week, 1618
miles transfloed, yet to be payed 1026

Finished my run to Charlotte NC, with an all day delivery window. Delivered at 9am, and it was 32 degrees with an open air dock. At 9:30 am I am empty, send in my empty call, and head 12 miles down the road to the Loves, to scan in my trip. Sit and wait until 2pm for a load. Pickup at wilksboro food service #2, wilksboro NC, before 19:00. I can be there by 16:00, no problem...take off. Delivers to Johnstown Walmart NY.

Arrive at Tyson Foods, wilksboro NC. Ugggggggggggggggggg (many of the names in the load assignments are wrong)
Load is not ready, will not be ready until early AM.
Drop trailer, park along fence, send in my arrived message, along with a message about the load not being ready at the scheduled time. This Tyson plant is different, and let you sleep, and the guard will come and knock when your load is ready. He knocked at 11pm. I told him I was out of hours, and asked if I could stay until I was legal to move. He says sure. I get up at 2am, hook up to my trailer, scale it, get my paperwork, and on the envelope, Driver on Break, do not disturb, has been notified.

Guard signs me out, and I head off on my 739 mile trip, (actual 779). to make my 6:30 am appointment I have little slack time, so I run hard, make it to Binghamton NY for the evening, shut down, get up at 2:30 am to finish out the run, 154 miles to go. Good thing I had a little extra time, as I89 was icy and 40 to 45 was my average speed. Made my appointment, got to love swinging a 53ft trailer through old towns on narrow streets. Only route to the industrial park is down main street.

Have a preplan to Rochester NY, pickup at 8pm, going to Laredo TX for a Sunday delivery. No way I can legally make the run. Inform my DM. Shut down for 10 hours, go and pick up my load, see previous post about wanting to wait to pickup, drive to erie PA and shut down due to snow and ice.

Appointment is rescheduled, for Monday, and I spend Friday watching the snow at the TA in Erie PA, and waiting for hours to come back.

I am 617 miles out from Laredo tonight, with an all day window for delivery on Monday. will get to spend Monday night at The dirt chocked laredo Yard.

I have been ran hard this week, and hope it continues.[/QUOTE]