Stevens Transport Aviary . . cont'

yep had two of those type of DM's, one was good, worked hard, and the learning curve was maybe a week... my miles were good... the other one, wanted to micro manage me, and that did not work, and I butted heads, and demanded a new dm... and I got one. At one point in time, I did not know who my dm was, as they were training 4 of them, and I would end up talking to a different one every day... now that was a mess.

 

Stevens is very demanding of the inside personnel, especially those that deal directly with the drivers.
It is a training company in many areas, including the DMs.
When possible, they seek experienced people, but the pay is on the lower side and it's hard to attract good people.
In addition, they try and find DMs with driving experience. The trouble again, is the pay cut for most. Add to that the location change required and you have a difficult combination to overcome.
But to Stevens credit, after you have proven yourself, they are decent with the pay raises and you can make the place a home if you desire.
It's like driving. The first while is very demanding as well as challenging in the pay arena.
You notice the good DMs remain and have been there for years.
There is also the challenge of learning the AS400 computer system. This is the most common system used in the industry, but it's not Microsoft or Apple!
So the learning curve can be longer and much more demanding.
The hours are demanding as well, for many.
It's a proving ground and a candidate has to be willing to work hard, accept they know very little and learn to do things the Stevens way.
I know that will touch a few raw nerves, but for all is said and done, Stevens has systems that have proven themselves over the years.
Can we improve? You bet!
But like any leviathan, it takes time and more often than not, an 'event' to cause change.
Going directly into a DM's position from a lack of experience in the industry is extremely hard.
But like the military, those that come thru are better than the average.
I work with people that have come to Stevens from other 'name' companies and they all tell me that Stevens's stystems in place are so much better than where they came. And the DM problem is apparently rampant thru out the industry.
Best you can do is communicate with your DM. Don't 'understand' what he/she is saying. Ask and be sure.
Be honest and perform as you promise.
It's the key to a good relationship.

 

As much as we complain(ed) about the DM's and other office personnel, there is no way that I could do the job. Most of you guys do a good job and although its rarely said, thanks for what y'all do!

 

Unfortunately, the honesty & upholding promises should be a 2-way street, but more often than not, it isn't. I don't how many times we were promised something by our DM (especially when he was trying to get us to do a repower) and he failed to follow thru!!

 

I experienced the day/night effect with my DMs.
When in Alliance, I could hardly get my DM on the phone, he took forever to answer the QC, was frequently dishonest, unhelpful, and negligent in his performance (Like scheduling RTO). I've come to find since returning to company side that it seems he spends a great deal of time sitting in the break room watching the tube.
On the flip-side, my company DM is awesome! He almost always picks up within the first couple rings, he's informed and knowledgeable and keen to help, and if he can't, he knows who can. He's never cross, always respectful... And he's johnny-on-the-spot with the cash advance messages (I once sat at a receiver for over an hour trying to get my Alliance DM- and then somebody anybody- to get me an express code for lumper fees...)!
And both DMs were drivers with Stevens.
Experience is good. It definitely comes in handy.
But work-ethic is everything. I'd work with the most inexperienced entry-level person with good work-ethic any day over the most experienced lazy slob.
I can deal with learning curve; we all start somewhere sometime. I can have some understanding for newness.
But blatant laziness and complete disregard? I have no patience for that at all. Go collect a paycheck somewhere else on your time... I have a job to do, your job is to assist me in doing my job, and your sin of sloth is interfering with my performance...

 

That wasn't too harsh, was it? Lol

 

After being dispacthed on a load and informing that I did not have enough hrs to make a "OTD" requesting a re-power getting awakened form a sound slumber and getting a" I am not taking this load" from a Aliance driver and communicating (as we were told to in stevens school) I was doing my job to the best of my abbility with little feed back from dispatch until one morning when i spoke with a soul that i will not name who told me " you are TOAST" that was a kick in the ### to me. I stuck the load out and made the 3 drops.. (job done) now for the kicker 6 days on this load and the settlement went to " companydue" I have alot to learn but 6 days with out any pay on "ownership of the load" i do not get

 

Get used to it.

 

I honest to God have only had one trip I sent in that I did not get paid something on and that was a 90 trip back to the yard that ended up asy first of the week and had all deductions taken out of it.

Sorry to hear your issues, it gets easier and better. As you gain some experience the loads will improve and so will your paycheck.