Stevens Transport aviary

Got to the QC repair in denver today. I was the 4th Stevens truck in this week with a bad install. Took 3 hours to actually hook up the correct cables to the correct locations. So once again stevens is wasring money by NOT doing things correctly the first time. Setting in cheyenne waiting to deliver in the am. Now that the QC is not beeping squawking at me all the time, I can work and roll. Stevens should have a station like for hazmat for the driver to learn and play with an actual QC 200. Would sure help with the learning curve and the comfort level with the new technology. But I am just a driver, what do I know?

 

Now on Day 3 of waiting to be loaded for CT. At 330 this morning the 2nd shipper knocked on our door, told us they didn't have the product and we had to leave. Back to Flying J at Lodi where we luckily found a spot. Called Produce when they finally got in, explained the situation, they said they would get back with us. They called back later, said how many pallets have you got on?? Reply, Zero. Produce, Shipper said they partially loaded you. Reply, we haven't even been in a dock!! Produce, We'll get back to you. About 4 hrs later, get a QC, Shipper says they will load you between 1700 & 1800 PDT. Called shipper at 1500 to see which facility we should go to, SURPRISE, no body there has any idea what's going on!! Got a bad feeling we may be stuck here thru the holiday weekend.

 

OUCH!!!!!!! Produce has no clue what they are doing any more. The tension in the office building can be cut with a machete, just to get down the hall ways... and one has to be careful what question they ask of who... and DON'T bring up the water trucks with anyone, you get your head bit off.

And I would be on my DM about layover pay, due to the total screwups.

 

Oh, we are getting layover pay, but they only pay us the same as a solo driver!! Already told him someone is gonna have to do more!! The problem is the quality of the product at the shipper is not up to standard, plus as usual, 'they counted their chickens before they hatched'!!! We emptied out over 60hrs ago, allowing 12hrs DH and loading time, we have already wasted 48hrs.!!

 

What speed transmissions do Stevens have in their trucks?

 

R they all 8 speed or do they have 10 speeds also?

 

I am in school here and they are giving us the 10 speed road ranger gear pattern and speeds to memorize, but to be honest the first two trucks I drove around the course are 8 speeds.

 

They have a new 680 on the yard out in front for everyone to touch, smell, sit in and crawl thru.
Told today they are replacing the 700's and the 660's with the 680 and the Peter counterpart...589?
Keeping things simple.
Really nice inside. this is the production model like we'll get.
Paccar here today for negotiatioins. Probably will order 500 to start.
Interestingly enough, the payment (Alliance) will be 680.00

Finally cleared. Will pickup my load from Taylor Farms on saturday 1300, heading to Salem MO.
Don't know where that is, but we'll see where I go after that.

Got tired of waiting for Bay 22 to get my QC fixed, so I kind of jury rigged it to the control box. Working right now, but no bets when it's bumping down the road.
Will keep parallel paper in the meantime, just in case. Got a feeling.

We have a new director of Service. Apparently been here about a month now.
I had a chance to sit down and talk with him for about 45 minutes and he seems to have a grasp on things.
He's rolling out some new programs.
As an example, all trucks coming on the yard will be classified as to the types of service they need and put into a rotation schedule immediately.
He wants to do away with the 'priority' program. His goal is to have 80% of the trucks ready to roll by the time the driver is cleared. No longer waiting.
He's changing the process of how things roll thru.
i.e. Level 2 PMs are done by teams now. One topside, one under. Each truck must be complete within one hour. I watched serveral of them go thru and sure enough, it's taking about an hour for each one to finish.
Refrigeration dept is disbanded and that bay(s) being made another service bay like 6 and 7.
Hope he can pull some of this off.
Oh, BTW, RR is under his wing now too. As well as warrenty.
We'll see how that one goes.

He was service director for US Express previously, so he comes with experience.
Stay tuned!

 

Yea, that 680 is sweet. I love that swiveling passenger seat and the desk. Plenty of storage. And the radio/cruis buttons on the wheel. Cat said it will be a year before we get them in fleet though as that one is a prototype.

I heard about the new service guy in the Alliance (propaganda) email Newsletter lol. Sounds cool though. I hope he can implement that stuff.