Stevens Transport Aviary . . cont'

Discussion in 'Stevens' started by Dryver, Jun 4, 2013.

  1. nascarchuck

    nascarchuck Road Train Member

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    Sep 2, 2008
    DFW, TX
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    They have gotten so cheap that they dont give the drivers an itty bitty bite size piece of candy anymore? Wow! Made the Edwardsville to Ogden run. That was nice.
     
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  3. nascarchuck

    nascarchuck Road Train Member

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    Sep 2, 2008
    DFW, TX
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    Cant be pickey when he is FedEx'ing me a case of candy for free! :D
     
  4. nascarchuck

    nascarchuck Road Train Member

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    DFW, TX
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    So, how did you like that traffic by Coca Cola? Welcome to Ft. Worth, huh? :D I sit in that every day.

    As far as NYC, I hated it but honestly it wasnt near as bad as I thought it would be. Just call and talk to Mark and he will give you turn by turn directions. I always missed the exit right after the bridge and had to go in the back way. Mark is a really nice guy and will be patient with you even though you are nervous as hell! :D

    As far as Alliance, I always recommend that the folks stay on the company side for a year or so before making the jump to Alliance. This gives you the opportunity to learn the business before trying to run your own business that you know nothing about. You get to talk to Alliance drivers and learn from THEIR mistakes.

    Take care and stay safe!
     
  5. Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    Nov 30, 2008
    Sioux Falls, SD
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    Gloves and a coat/hoody. Yes even in the summer as you will be in and out of cold storage buildings, counting product onto your trailer etc, not just a bit chilly but #### freezing.
     
    TRKRSHONEY and Curb Thank this.
  6. Corporal_Clegg

    Corporal_Clegg Road Train Member

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    Raleigh,NC
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    I hope you all are doing well. Im at home (yes again Emul lol) relaxing at the beach :)

    Yall have fun now.
     
  7. tntrockstar

    tntrockstar Light Load Member

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    Apr 17, 2013
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    My appt was for 5pm. It took 2 1/2 hours to get from the yard to Kraft just to get my trailer so I COULD pick up. I got there at 6 and loaded at about 9:45. Slow going around there for sure. I think the traffic moved faster.
     
  8. nascarchuck

    nascarchuck Road Train Member

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    DFW, TX
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    Did you notice a ton of new cars across the fence from Kraft? Thats where I load. Must have been a wreck or something because going from the yard to Kraft normally isnt to bad especially now that the 114 construction is pretty munch finished.
     
  9. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2010
    Dallas, TX
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    Alliance isn't for everyone. If you (or your wife) are not sure, don't do it. Just wait until you get your feet a little more wet and can make some value judgements. Alliance will ALWAYS be there, you can join it any time.
    Some points to consider when looking at Alliance:
    If you have a young family or hometime is very important, Alliance may not be right for you. The first year you will need to be out there a lot more as you build your 'business'. Figure going home every three months for 3-5 days.
    Alliance requires dedication and commitment. You can't do it with half heartedness.
    If it fits you, you will likely make more money than on the company side.
    If you decide to stay company, you will want to revisit it if you become a trainer.
    The stories you hear, "Alliance drivers get better runs", "Company drivers are the last dispatched", "Stevens will make you sit until you join Alliance" are just not true. Dispatch largely depends on being at the right place at the right time.
    Certain loads are reserved for teams, such as cross country or high value. Dispatchers get to know drivers and if you have a poor reputation or multiple service failures, the dispatcher will use you last.
    You can make decent money as a company driver. Trucks are the same.
    So take your time, be sure of your choice and good luck with your career.
     
  10. discodubber

    discodubber Light Load Member

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    Jun 22, 2012
    New Boston, TX
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    The load I'm on is a Tar Heel load.
    I get there, wash and drop, park, check in, and hit the sleeper.
    The appt time was 0900, I got there at 0430, and the DLD was 1900.
    I finally send in my loaded call @ 0015 the next day. Yep... 5 hrs late.
    The best part is I picked up the same POS 9000 series trailer I dropped.

    Anyhoo, this load is headed for Sioux Falls @ 0700 in the morning, and it's not only gonna be on time, it'll be. 3 hrs early -- despite a trip to the shop after the first 250 miles (blowout).

    The frustrating bit about all this:
    This is what I do. No service failures. I drive hard, work hard, and make my word my bond. Once I say I can do something (like make OTD), and barring unforeseen external circumstances (weather, mechanical issues, accidents), I make it my personal matter of honor to make good on that promise.
    But lately, my DM doesn't seem to remember this.
    I bust my ###, and this jackwagon treats me like I can't do anything right.
    And on top of that, I'm not sure what his "job" is, anymore.
    My miles have been suffering, and I called him to see if he could help.
    "I don't do anything with dispatch. It's not my job."
    I hate that attitude.
    And just what is his job? I thought the DM was the driver's liaison to the inside...
    If his job is to just sit there, send me "I show you 900 miles out with del in 3 days. Is all good for OTD?", then I don't need him...
    Wifey wants me to call in and get a different DM. I don't want to rock the boat and get a really bad DM...

    Sorry. That turned into a rant...

    Anyways! Y'all be safe out there!
     
  11. KMac

    KMac Road Train Member

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    Jan 26, 2012
    Waxahachie, TX
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    I wouldn't mind a Souix Falls load... have family up there.

    I was getting dinked and dunked on 2 day 500 mile loads for about two weeks. I was scheduled to start home time today, and my DM has been trying to keep me close to home so he could get me there. Two weeks and just over 4000 miles was not cutting it, so after I left Tar Heel Monday I repowered that load to pick up an extra 280 miles... yeah, that desperate. So when I emptied I waited for two hours then called the dispatcher to gently nudge him, "Just want to make sure I am in the radar" etc. Turns out he wasn't even aware I was in his territory, He asks if I was tying to get home, I told him I had a dentist appt next Thursday, so he gave me a load to Florida, 2 days 1000 miles. My DM called me pretty agitated about not telling him I had changed my home time date etc and I would be lucky to get out of Florida yada yada... I fold him I appreciated all his efforts on getting me routed home, but hanging around the south east doing these short little runs that don't pay crap right before I taking a week off makes the wallet a little thin. I also pointed out that I live in Delaware not North Dakota... Get me to the meat patch, I can be hme in 4 days, how many loads a week do we have going to NY, NJ, Philly and DC?

    So anyway now I am in a 3 day 1400 mile run out of FL to MA. So the long and short is since I left Tar Heel Monday morning, I have already logged 2500 miles with another 700 to go before I deliver Sunday evening, this 3200 miles will include 3 live loads, 1 drop and hook, 2 live unloads and a repower. All because I made on phone call, and I am still on the East Coast and should be home on my next load.

    Sometimes you need to go right to the source, The DM's have a lot of drivers they are baby sitting.
     
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