Stevens Transport aviary

I would give the most 'weight' to the 3rd option.

Example: My hubby and I got a new truck in Dec. Went to pick-up the permit book, etc, asked for our EZ Pass, "Sorry, we are out of EZ Passes and don't know when we will be getting them in." Let me get this straight, 'someone' at Stevens orders X-number of new trucks, arrangements are made to put the appropriate decals on, etc, permit books are put together, ... but nobody bothers to order EZ Passes. We told our DM, 'No loads to the northeast until we get an EZ Pass'. We have contacted planners, guess where they all try to plan us to!! We had one planner 'in essence' tell us it wasn't their problem, they would send us where they wanted to send us.

Oh, BTW. it is now about 6 weeks and we still don't have an EZ Pass. We call weekly and they still haven't got them in.

My suggestion in case of future need is to fill out the 'rider' paperwork if you haven't done so, that way your wife can meet you anywhere in the country at anytime. Stevens says they will 'work with' you in special circumstances, but normally if it isn't 'life or death' they don't try very hard.

 

Sounds like your close to where I am. Im in Napoleon, Oh on US24. Deliver at Campbells here in the AM then a load going to Minnesota

 

I'm heading to Stevens on Frbruary 6 and was wondering...is it true that newbies no matter what company they work for, can make $40,000 their first year? I have my doubts. What is the "average" for a newbie at Stevens for the first year?

I know there are a lot of variables to that question but a rough estimate would due. Looking forward to February 6! I going to study more this week and Friday the 3rd I will go and take my CDL permit test since Stevens told me I could do that before coming since I have a Texas license already.

Thanks!!

 

I really appreciate all of the information you share Smokr. Thanks! I figured the $40,000 a year was not true but that is the case in any industry. I'm looking forward to working for Stevens and I hope everything works out for me.

I have some bills that will be coming due but they'll have to wait. We all have to start at the bottom when starting a new career. I wouldn't mind staying with Stevens indefinately if things work out. Is it possible to stay with Stevens for example and make more money in the future? I would think so.

Thanks again Smokr.

 

Since I do not have a APU I am using a Honda EU2000i generator with a stand up room A/C like you are looking to buy. I have the gen chained to the cat walk and just have a ext. cord run into the bunk. When the A/C has the compressor running (85% load) the built in tank will last for about 5 hours (1 gallon tank) when the compressor is cycling on-off like at night I have had that tank of gas last almost 10 hours.

I also picked up a 6 gallon marine tank that is plumbed into the top of the gen tank (7 total gallons of gas) With this set up I can sit for darn near 2 whole days and run the A/C and charge my batteries at the same time. The cost of fuel and the set-up came out of my pocket, because when my company had fuel bonuses I would get them every quarter and it paid for it self. Now my company does not give fuel bonuses and I am a L/O so this little set up really helps with my MPG and I make out like a bandit.

Total cost was 800.00 for the gen, 50.00 for the ext. tank, 10.00 for the ext. cord, 150.00 for the A/C. (at Wal-mart), 60.00 for the inverter. Total $1070.00 out of pocket. Total weight less than 200lbs (all on the drives). Almost 4 years in service with out a problem!!

For winter I have a bunk heater so I only run the gen when my batteries get low from the electrical load I am putting on them with all my goodies. Also bought a volt meter that I have hooked to my battery bank. When it hits 12.4V the alarm goes off and I know to start the gen or the truck (if I am lazy) to charge the batteries. I have yet to drain the batteries down to where I would require a jump and the batteries last longer if you only take them down to about 12.4V. Lower then that and you are killing your batteries.

 

How often do you service this Honda generator 60mph?

 

Twice a year I change the spark plug ($3.49) a piece. Change the oil (1/3 qt.) every 200 hours or so. I use Mobil 1 syn oil to extend the change time on it. I also clean the spark arrestor and the air filters when I change the oil. Maintenance on these little gens take less than a .50 hour to do and you only need a couple hand tools to do it. These little Honda's are straight forward and very easy to do maintenance on.

Hand tools required for all maintenance on the Honda's are: 10mm socket, 6" 3/8"" ext bar, 3/8" ratchet, 3/8" to 1/4" socket reducer, 5/8" spark plug socket, flat head screw driver and a small wire brush and some carb cleaner.

The only thing that I might of done differently was go with a the 3000 watt gen for the sole reason those can have a remote starter added to it. I am lazy and will let the gen run until I do my P.T.I.

F.Y.I the reefer running is louder than the Honda at full load!! So noise should not be a problem.

 

The only thing I'd be careful about in putting the generator on board, is placement.
I'm hearing more drivers telling me they are being cited for 'stuff' on the catwalk. Load bars, etc.
The driver next to me last night had a honda. It was in a steel box fixed to the side of his catwalk (replacing the steps). He told me he was cited for having it on the catwalk in Ohio, so he had the box made to hold it.
I know the regs say you cannot have anything on the catwalks. Apparently it is becoming an enforcement issue.