Stevens Transport aviary

Where did they find the truck?

 

this sort of thing happens in every business. I've worked retail sales, I've worked in mail order sales, advertising, computer consulting etc. Sometimes there are just times when there is no business to be had. When I was working at home, those were known as fishin' days. Of course I would be fishin for new business, or a couple relaxing days fishin for george killians from the cooler. Can't do that now however. But I can find things to do. If you're stuck in Ontario CA, there are cars to rent for cheap money. It's about 1 hour to universal studios. You could tour hollywood etc. Life can be fun if you let it.

The biggest key is to build up a savings that will carry you through these times.

Most likely what happened was not a shortage of freight going out of california, but a glut of freight going in. Produce only grows so fast of course so filling the grocery stores to the east can take some time. The good news is that once you're out of there, you're out and back to where the freight is and chances are since there were so many trucks trapped in California, there's freight backing up outside of california. Even the meat patch will be quick at this time.

Hang in there. things do get better.

 

Got a load assignment at 5pm today. 3 picks, going to los lunas, 1273 miles, delivers on the 25. First pick is 11 miles from my drop, but I am 60 miles from my drop. Oh well. So I back track, make my first pick, and then it is 240 miles up to salinas for 2 more picks. So I will spend all day thursday doing picks, and then have 1000 miles in 2 days plus wait around for the appointment time on Sunday to roll around. Not going to be a productive week again.

 

Good advice, but don't let stevens know you left there equipment unattended at a truck stop for hours and hours. They tend to get upset. I always enjoy my time while waiting, all depends on where I am at.

 

Thank you very much for explaining that too me. Makes more sense. I agree - first priority is getting the CDL and learning all I can from my trainer(s). I'll have plenty of time for the "plug-in's" later down the road. Another question I have is - do you wear those "work boots" they require each day once on the road - or will I be able to wear tennis shoes - or something more comfortable?

Again - thanks!

B

 

I wear my boots virtually anytime I'm on a customer's property. If it's just a day of driving, I may wear my sneakers. My boots are very comfortable. They also protect my feet from all kinds of possible injuries.
My employer does not require me wearing them, I'm just use to it after all these years and seeing foot and toe injuries.

 

Kind of what I was thinking too - when getting out at a customer - wear them but everyday driving I'll most likely not.

Be honest - in reality, what can I expect to make weekly with them. I am not scared to run and have no reason to get home often. I just want to get some "real" information. I have a possilbe offer from a company here (not a driving job) that will pay me at least 10hr and give me 40 hrs a week to start. Am I being stupid taking a driving job compared too driving a truck?

 

That's the jackpot question. It depends how hard you're willing to run, but it's safe to figure 100M miles the first year if you hustle, but not break your butt. You start at 0.26 and at the one year mark you're at 0.30. So figure an average of 0.28 and you end up with ABOUT $28,000 for your first year as a company driver. Since you're new, I wouldn't think about L/O until you get some experience under your belt and decide if you like the business AND the company. (everyone is different)
I went directly into Alliance (L/O) as soon as my probation was over, but I've been around this business since the early 70's and have owned a couple trucks in the past as an O/O, so it was a bit different.
If you hustle as a L/O, you should be able to average (after costs and self employ costs) an average of about 0.48 -0.52 per mile. Fuel is the big bingo there. You have to be able to control your lead foot to make it work.

 

Very good way of looking at it and that about as much as I would make working retail.

Do you drive 7 days a week or try to at least take a little time each week for yourself? I dont mean that in a way of not wanting to drive each day - more of how do you work in a little time to yourself or is the time you spend waiting to get loaded/unloaded as that time? (if that makes sense)

 

When I'm out, I'm driving. Down time is between loads, waiting to be loaded or while having truck serviced. If I have a load,I'm driving.
While waiting, I go for walks, may catch a movie if it will be long enough, read or nap. But driving is first.
If I want time totally to myself, I use home time.
Now often I'll use hometime in a location where there is something I want to do. For instance, I just finished a couple days in New Orleans so I could attend the Jazz Festival. My DM likes it since he doesn't need to worry about getting me 'home'.
Kids are grown. Wife travels with me half the time, so home is often in a KW.