Stevens Transport aviary

Well, if you get in trouble for going overspeed Im screwed. Ive hit 75 god knows how many times over the past year and a half lol. Never had anything said to me about it.

As for Vail, I thought we couldnt go over it either, but my DM insisted I could and that I should. He told me to call safety for an I 70 talk. So I did. Safety guy says he doesnt think I can but he wants to make sure. He calls Kip at home and asks him and he says Im good with 1.5 yrs experience. So off I go. I only have 3000 (yes 3000 lol) pounds in the box so I dont think the fuel mileage will be a problem. And I wanted to see the scenery. I hear its pretty through there.

 

The Stevens orientation lies continue to this day. Going a few miles per hour over the governed speed will NOT cause damage to the engine. Any time you are coasting in gear, the engine is using NO fuel. Now cummins does download the information for the motor, and they consider overspeed, over 2000 rpm, a speed that you will only reach in a stevens truck going down a very long downgrade with NO jake and NO brakes.

 

Before I left, they had reduced the time with company to 9 months solo for Vail. It is a great drive, when the snow is not flying.... but you have now entered september, and the Colorado chain law went into effect. All semis MUST carry chains.

 

My or1 trainer drove threw there while I was on the truck, I can honestly say that is one of the most pretty places I have ever seen. It really didn't seem that bad going threw there other than the traffic. We were constantly surrounded by four wheelers. Wish I could upload photos from my phone, I have some good ones from that trip

 

Yes, I have to pick up chains in Green River,UT and drop them off in Denver. Never had to pick up chains before

 

It wasnt that long ago when the didnt even do Trainee/trainee. And a lot of us complained when they brought that back. Now people are upset that they dont get to do Trainee/trainee. Oh well, I dont know. But I enjoyed my time out with my Finish Trainer, and Im glad I didnt have to team up with another trainee.

@AndCoy , what kind of stuff is he having you log incorrectly?

 

it's mainly just the notes, he does not want me to input any notes for line 1&2 unless I am taking my 10 hr break. To tell you the truth, maybe what he is saying is not wrong, but it's just not the way I was taught by my first trainer. I have been on this truck for a little over a week now, and I can just tell my first trainer had his stuff together, not so much with this guy. Maybe I have the wrong mindset, but I shouldn't have anyone watching over my logbook at this point but compliance. As far as the trainee/trainee thing goes, I really think that I know why I am so upset about it. Every step of the way threw all this training, you are paying for it. Now I had to pay money to go threw the school, with the or1 and or2 trainers, you are paying them for their training by running miles for them, or at least that's the way I look at it. None of the trainers are training out of the graciousness of their heart. Not saying that some don't really like passing on their knowledge, but bottom line, they do it to make more money. The way I look at it, that's me paying them to teach me. My first trainer taught me a lot. This guy, not so much. Can't think of one thing he has taught me. Of course you learn something new every day that you drive, but that didn't come from him. So, I just don't feel that I'm getting what I should have out of this whole or2 experience. I do feel like I would have learned more doing trainee/trainee. But, I have less than two weeks left, so I'm just going to go with the flow, then I will not have to worry about trainers anymore.

 

As TLea said, overspeed has very little to do with the actual speed of the truck ... except in some certain situations where they are tied together. Overspeeds are when the engine is running at an RPM at or near red line on the tachometer. Going too fast is simply speeding ... which some companies watch for and note on the qualcomm as well. Think of it this way, if you spin something too fast (eg crankshaft) it will eventually fail and fly apart. Probably not something that anyone out there wants to experience.

One example where speed and rpm are tied together would be an out of control truck in 10th rolling down grapevine or vail with no brakes. Then the speed and weight of the truck will force the engine into a dangerous rpm. That is also really the only realistic cause of engine damage due to road speed. To damage the engine while driving normally would take a failed governor. The governor regulates the RPM of the truck in certain gears by regulating the fuel fed to the engine. You guys are correct in that cutting off fuel to the engine will drop the rpm and would PREVENT damage to the engine. However, if the computer is set wrong, or the governor is malfunctioning, it is very possible to damage the engine by driving at too high of an rpm. But, with all the training we've received we're constantly paying attention to our rpm for shifting and speed control .... RIGHT?

As to the trainer not teaching ... sadly that is a very common issue out on our beautiful highways and byways. With less than two weeks left ... motor through and chalk it up to experiencing what NOT to do if you become a trainer in the future. Let the training department know about your concerns. If you can get through it, do it. But tell them about it in the end. It's the only way to get better trainers out there.

Oh, and BTW, EVERYONE's in it for the money in one way or another.

 

Maybe to make what others have said a little more succinct:
Stevens comes up with stories meant to guide new drivers in a safe manner. Unfortunately, as we grow and learn, we realize we were lied to and it doesn't set well.
Keep in mind Stevens is a training company. The amount of knowledge we gain in the first month is greater than the sum knowlege we gain in the next three months and that is greater than the next 6...understand what I'm saying?
So taking into mind they are handing you an 80,000# truck and trailer worth more than $150,000 plus heaven only knows how much value freight, they are first most concerned with safety.
If telling you that overspeed is recorded and downloaded (and it is) keeps you careful at first, this is considered good.
Logic tells you that that same T700 or Pete or whatever with another name on the door that blows by you at 80mph is the same truck you're driving...only you're limited by the speed governor. You won't blow the thing up coasting down a hill in Wyoming at 75mph. But you may not be in control.
Experience will teach you how to control the truck and after time you will feel comfortable rolling down hill beyond 62 or 66 or whatever.
But you need that experience, and that takes time.
Just like backing. I guarantee you will seldom get out and look after 3 years of backing in a truck stop nearly every night. Your experience will tell you when you need to get out. Yes, those of us that have years of experience still get out and look, but when we know it's needed.
New drivers just don't know yet...they lack experience. So you're required to get out and look every time.
Once you've gained some experience, and that just takes time, you become much safer. You do things with out realizing it. Think of your shifting. The difference between the first day on the truck and the end of week five is enourmous for most drivers. Now imagine how much better you are after a year...or even two!
It's that first year or two that count the most. Steven holds your hand and micro manages you as a driver because that's what new drivers need. But as you gain experience, you recognize your abilities and often we start complaining.
Why do so many companies require a minimum of one year's or two years experience before they will hire you? Because they don't want to be the company that bangs up trailers, hops curbs and runs over poles... they want careful and safe, experienced drivers. That's why I have said over and over that if you spend two years with Stevens you are sought by nearly every other company out there.
Stevens forces you to follow rules, not take chances and drive safely. You often won't realize how much you learn from your time at Stevens until you go elsewhere. And most of you will.
Then you'll appreciate what you've learned.
As for speed? A governed truck gives a driver more time to react to problems or potential problems. As a newer driver, you take more time to think and make choices. You need that time.
Coming up to a traffic slowdown at 60 is much easier to handle than coming up at 70. But once you've had a couple years under your belt, you're just as safe at 70 as you were as a new driver at 60.
Most rollovers are the result of too much speed and that's a result of lack of judgement based on experience. Leaving FedX out of the equation, most rollovers are from training companies.
Training new drivers costs money. If you were (are) driving for a company full of experienced drivers, think of all the people you don't need. No hand holding. Well that has to be paid for and Stevens does it thru two principle methods: Fuel savings (keeping speed down) and lower wages. There is no doubt that a driver that applies himself for at least a year (and two is much better) can move to another company and make more money immediately. There are a few drivers on this thread that have moved and done better...much better. But they'll also tell you that the move was made possible by what they learned and the experience aquired at Stevens.
So don't worry so much about the 'stories' told. You'll learn soon enough what is what. But you'll learn it primarily thru your experience.

On a side note, I have several former students I keep contact with. Some are still at Stevens, some have moved on. It's rewarding to see how so many have progressed. Yes, including those that have moved on. Some have made good choices, other not so good, but when pressed they all agree they gained a lot at Stevens and it helped them in their driving career.
Just be patient and learn what you can, gain the experience you need and you'll do well. Don't think of today only....think of tomorrow and all the other tomorrows.

 

Personally I think that its sad that most of the instructors feel that they have to tell tall tales to get their point across. Once I realized they were full of krap, I took everything that they said as a lie...

Sgt Major or what ever his name is has got to be the worst. Dont get me wrong, I really like the guy but he is so full of it and it seems that most students sucker into his krap.