Stevens Transport Aviary . . cont'

I have mentioned the need for a flux capacitor one or twice.

 

Emulsified, Yeah I actually just got off the phone with the county career assistance place in Riverside and they basically said that California is broke.. LOL. So no help from the state. But its ok, Im not worried about having to pay back a loan as long as its fair, and I receive the quality schooling I am paying for. Actually I spoke to a recruiter for Central Oregon Trucking Company today and she asked why I would bother going to one of the schools anyways. She said that you do not really learn to drive a truck in cdl school and that I may as well study and pass the written test then borrow or rent a truck to do the driving test myself. I laughed..but there is a little bit of logic there. I have been a tow truck driver for over 8 years now so I have had a few opportunities to drive big wreckers with previous companies..so I wouldnt be completely lost behind the wheel. Or I could just finance a local school but from what I have read. They really are not the best... So I am not sure what I am doing.. It is nice being able to chat with you inside guys. If anyone is ever near Temecula or within 50 miles or so and bored Id love the opportunity to buy ya a cup of coffee, and pick your brains.. see the truck etc.. I am still amazed with how friendly the trucking community is..even though half of you dont seem to know how to merge when Im on the side of the freeway changing a tire or loading a car.. lol but its ok my customers tip more when they feel I am putting my life on the line for them lol...

 

i hear you dodger i also started my career in towing back in st louis and know your pain

 

And here I thought those flashing lights were a target.

 

Yeah, I actually really enjoy towing.. Just sucks there is no money in it anymore.. When I started I was seeing 70k a year easy, now I am lucky if i take home 600 a week. And thats working a 12 hour day shift then 4 or 5 more calls during the night.. So it is time to find something bigger to drive.. Just waiting for these #### points to fall off my driving record.. what is Stevens requirements are far as driving history?

 

In should he passing through Temeculanin an few days, but I really do not think I will have time to stop. An old friend of mine from HighbSchool lives there two.He is big into softball. Or was anyway, I think he got hurt.

 

Dryver, Yes sir, I don't think I could possibly have lower expectations as to the first year of driving. I told my lady to pretty much consider me unemployed for my first 6 months on the road...I have been researching truck driving and getting my class A for like 3 years now I really don't think there is anything that could surprise me at this point.. Lately I have turned to networking within the trucking world. I meet a lot of people as a tow truck driver so I have met driver managers and higher for a ton of different local, and LTL companies. So far my favorite new friend is an executive at Con-Way transport.. from what I hear those guys pay pretty #### well. I just have to get the experience. I also have family that is a 35 year truck driver at Walmart.. and friends I have made with local fuel tanker, and grocery companies.. Hell even the food service companies don't seem like to bad a gig to me as long as you don't mind working nights.. So basically At this point I am just looking for my starter company.. And they differ so little that more so I am just looking for a good group of people to work with.

 

Dodger...I'll say this again, and I say it often.
It doesn't matter where you go to school for your CDL, so long as you get it and so long as it's accepted by the company you start with.
You never see drivers (or recruiters, et al) sitting around talking about their CDL alma mater.
No one cares.
The school's duty is to get you a CDL. Period.
Your 'starter' company will teach you to drive, how to log, what the rules of the road are, how to do about everything you need to know.
Yes, it's pretty easy to read and pass the written tests on all the assorted things you need to know. This web site has great practice tests.
But you need someone to teach you the pretrip. CA as well as other states are especially hard on 'self taught' persons and will make you do that pre trip, yard tests and road test perfectly in order to pass you.
But it can be done.
However...and this is a BIG however...
The insurance industry rules this business. All starter companies are self insured. Quite frankly, I am not aware of one insurance company that will cover brand new drivers. The insurance industry requires a driver has completed at least one year of driving as well as passed a certified training course (CDL school) in order to be covered. Or two years experience and no school.
When I had my trucks, the insurance company required me to submit the applicant's H-5, experience and employment records and license number. They verified, then gave the OK to hire them. (It was usually 24 hours or less to get this done)
So realize you CAN go the self taught route, but it's much harder. CA especially, makes it harder. I swear they are in league with the schools, but the truth be known, there was probably a plethea of untrained drivers when the CDL kicked in back when and CA decided to set hard standards.
Personally, I can tell you the days of the ICC and pre CDLs simply didn't have the required knowledge and skills required to drive. My test was 6 questions and bobtail around the parking lot while the examiner stood out there with a clipboard.
So that being said, I maintain you aquire your license from the cheapest school you can find. Check with the top three possible employers and see if that school is accepted (as your having graduated) and you're good to go.
Two years experience on the road and the school is not required nor will anyone care.

 

Also, keep in mind, that all stevens cares about is that you make the first delivery on time. After that, they can blame everyone else for you being late, due to their incompetence in understanding hours of service, and time and distance. Of course, you the driver pays the penalty for being late, yelled at, turned away, waiting for another day...