Stevens Transport aviary

Wow lol. So if u wanted to go home once every four weeks, will they let u. I start orientation next month

 

I'd sooner believe 5 to 6, but then they don't go to s. Texas much except laredo. I deadhead from there.

 

Anyone know if we go.to Alaska? Lol,

 

You can't expect to be home every 4 weeks, you might be but don't count on it. Christmas, Thanksgiving, July 4th, kids birthdays etc are not guaranteed either. Put in for time off and they'll get you there around the time you requested give or take a week. If you live in Dallas or along a major Stevens freight lane it is easier. Sorry, that's trucking. If you are with Alliance you plan your own time but being home that often with Alliance and you'll be broke.

 

Ok, I'm a little late to the dance but no discussion of best burgers is complete with out mention of 5 Guys. Absolute best fast food burger known to man.

 

been home once since feb when i started with stevens and that was the time between training and grad fleet im sitting about 45 miles from my place now but not getting home this time either unless i get a repower near st louis since i dont have the hours to make atlanta by tuesday. weekend crew is "working" on that happening lol at least im gonna be near a white castle to get some lunch.

 

Ok, here's the way it was when I worked there. Ideally they would like you to stay out from day one to the end of your training (All Phases). Then once your assigned a truck they will try to get you home, or at least through the house, as soon as possible.

During the meat of your career at Stevens (or pretty much any starter company) you'll want to stay out as long as possible. This gives you as many miles as possible during the first year or two and it builds your reputation at Stevens. Like it or not, reputation is everything. I stayed out for two to three months at a shot. But then I don't have children ... just an extremely understanding wife.

The fact of the matter is, you're out there with a training company to learn the job and the culture of driving professionally. The first few years will be the most trying for you and will be the hardest on your family. Once you've built your reputation you can look for something regional or local that will get you home more often. Your work ethic and your dedication to getting the load delivered on-time or early will allow you to virtually write your own ticket later on. In this business you really have to earn your rep. Nothing is handed to you and no one is going to baby you along. I'm not trying to be harsh or rude here, it's just a fact of life on the road. Remember, most of these folks (management, mechanics, shippers, receivers, and drivers) all have family that they're working for the betterment of. I assume that you're trying to do the same. If your single, you should be virtually living in the truck to get the hard part of your career out of the way before you have a family to worry about.

If getting home often is a large part of your decision, you may want to think of working in another career before trucking. It is possible to get involved with a local company right out of school with a dripping new Class-A, but that is extremely rare. Most local companies look at your rep (the "Is this driver rehireable with your company?" question), and your work ethic (logs). That coupled with a clean DAC and driving record is what gets you in the door with a reputable local company. All things that you must earn.

So, best of luck. The best advice I could give you is go in with eyes wide open, ready of anything, and prepared for a rough ride and you'll be fine. There are going to be pot-holes along the way, but with a well prepared family most of these things pass by unnoticed and your time paying your dues will go by with a modicum of ease. If they truly understand what you're trying to do (my wife did) they will be happy to see you when you do get home-time, and are less likely to argue about the length of time you're away.

Good luck.

I had heard that a few years ago there were a couple of regular runs to Alaska, but that may have been short lived. I believe that the closest we get now is Vancouver, BC. But as far as I know ... we're no longer going to Alaska.

 

If you're overly concerned about getting home on a regular basis, in short intervals (4 weeks), then OTR is not for you.
Like RB says, your first couple years are the hardest. You build your rep, you learn your trade and and you gain experience.
Getting home regularly isn't in the new driver playbook.
Once you have a couple years under your belt, there are plenty of companies where you can get your home time, local jobs and regional gigs. But they all want experience and PROVEN history of on time and safe work.
Sometimes you can find that job after one year, but more commonly it's two. Many insurance companies (that drive this industry) require two years of recent verifiable experience to cover a driver.
When I had my trucks, I had to submit the driver history and DMV report to the insurance company for final approval. More than once the driver had lied to me about something and when the report came back from the insurance company 2-6 weeks later, I had to let him go.

Stevens is a starter company. They take people with zero experience and train them to be safe and accomplished drivers. As I've said before, sometimes a few of us find a home there, however, for most it's a launching point.
If you don't have the commitment and desire to put two years into this business, don't start. You'll end up as so many others have...the bleached bones on the plains of despair and failure.

 

If you do get assigned a load to Anchorage, you will take it to the Lyden Transport terminal in SEATAC for transload to one of their trailers. They put it on a Marine ferry. Done this many times. Especially ice cream.
Farthest north i ever went was a PPG load to Edmonton, AB.