Stevens Transport aviary

I had a meeting with one of the 'kids' last week. This very subject was broached. I was not given a direct answer, however later, a supervisor explained it this way: They're making money. They can afford to hire people like you and me and seem to be able to find replacements for us as much as they need. Until one of those two variables changes, why would they do anything?
You know....he's right.
A hard concept for people to accept or even grasp is the primary goal for so many businesses: Make money!
The byproduct of a successful business is jobs for the 'worker bees'. The worker bees have jobs because they make money for ownership...whether that company is Apple Computer or Stevens Transport.
And there is nothing wrong about making profits.
Profits and treatment of employees usually have opposite and conflicting relationships. The question becomes: What does ownership value more?
Would I do things differently? Most definitely. But then in this business environment, I would likely be savaged by a competitor that is as astute and focused as Stevens.
Everytime I get frustrated, I recall the primary business purpose of Stevens Transport (after making profits)~Raise up and train new drivers.
The University of Chicago doesn't have the world's best engineers working for them. They TRAIN the worlds best engineers.
As long as Stevens' business model makes money, I don't expect it to change.
Personally, I'm too old a dog to start over. I've built my empire and suffered the carnage. My stated ministry in life now is to assist drivers become the most successful they can be. I expect each and every one to eventually move on to (better) digs, but I'm happy to know that their moving on and up becomes possible in part by my contribution.
I'll continue doing that, keeping my favorite Latin motto in mind: Illegitimi non carborundum (Don't let the ######## wear you down).
See what 6 years of studying a dead language can do for you?

 

I am finding this to be true where Im at now. We have around 80 company trucks and 70 or 80 O/O, so we are a fairly small company.

Out of the yard that I pull out of mostly we have three drivers that think they are Gods gift to car hauling. Funny how these three drivers are always making stupid mistakes. They have the most damages and missing items, Will drop a car off of the load because its out of gas (not even attempting to put a gallon of gas in it) or needs a jump start, dont turn paperwork in, etc. Its always something.

One of the owners sent an email out yesterday stating that he is tired of the BS and your warning will be a few days off and next time termination. Its about #### time!

BTW, I found out that we had a driver lose a pick up truck from the top rear position of the trailer and he never knew it. He got to his receiver and the truck was gone. They still dont know where it is. How can a truck fall off of the upper level of a car hauler and no one know for a few hundred miles???

 

Gives a whole new vision of Drop and Hook!

 

Well this load is turning into a clusteryouknowwhat... 550 mile deadhead (628 but whose counting)...

No destination so no recommended route or fuel stops. Good thing I do trip plan, because the GPS went out this morning. Not to worry, I have the route memorized up to the exit on I40 in NC and wrote the rest onmy wimdow.

I call the fuel dept at 0800 cst and tell them my red light is on... I plan to stop at the Loves 50 miles away... 5 minutes later the guy tells me to stop.at the loves 45 miles away... got it!

1142 am I get a qc message and a call... stop where you are someone apparently thought you were a team... now I will be the first to admit I am carrying a few extra pounds, but a team?

1146 phone call and qc message, continue on to shipper... no problem, stop get trailer washed out and rolling again.

Appt. time is 1700 at 1619 I am three miles from final exit, 6 miles from shipper, phone call and qc message, head to truck stop, load may not be going... 28 miles to TA and i park... 22 minutes left on my 11.

And I still have no idea what the final destination is.

On the bright side... I got out of Michigan ahead of that snow storm. It's 53° here in Whitsett, NC.

 

After ALL of that stupidity I would be finding a bottle, a bar or a 12 pack to keep me company.

Absolutely mind numbing how utterly stupid some carriers and SOME of their staff are.

 

Hey, all. Just finishing CDL school and starting orientation in Mesquite on April 6. LOTS of good stuff in the past 878 pages. Looking forward to shutting up and listening a lot. Even I can learn that way. Thanx.

 

Who are you going with in Mesquite? Stevens is in Dallas. Waka Waka.

 

Not by much

 

That's why I gotta listen better!!! But, the bus ticket that Lisa is sending me is from Flint, MI to Mesquite, TX. Will wear my hiking boots.

 

The bus station is in Mesquite, the hotel in Garland, and when get to the Dallas City Limit sign, look to your right and you will be looking at the yard. It's all only a few miles apart.