Stevens Transport aviary

I can only speak for myself, but I am getting in the same range as Crazy A and I am a company solo driver. I didn't start with that but it's built up pretty steadily month by month. Last month was 3200 per week average. I have been solo.for 7 months is all.

Just run the loads, be on time for pick ups and deliveries and the miles will come. I am not a fan of running at night, but if that is what the schedule calls for... that's what I do.

It is what you make of the opportunities as they present themselves.

 

those are solo miles, I am alliance, but I am becoming less enthusiastic about it.

 

As far as trainers go, its the same pool of people they draw from some just are alliance others are company, both sides have good and bad trainers, the debate on wether to drive alliance or company also good and bad points to both YOU have to make it work for you though. Do whats in your best interest and watch your bottom line

 

why is that? if you dont mind saying so

 

Things are going really well. Enjoying the time I am putting in. I came with my cdl so this is just a refresher as had no over the road experience and had not driven a trialer since May of last year. They do cater more to those that do not have their cdl's when they come, but that has been ok with me as I have mine and am just doing the school for a refresher. The instructors are good, some better than others.

 

Well, I got a load, picks up in Ne going to Laredo. 300 miles the other way dh to get it and the dld is 2 days out. maybe it will be ready when I get up there tomorrow. I had 3+ hours left on my 14 when I got the load but my day started at midnight last night. Only drove 275 today but did 2 drops and that stretched the day out. So I went to the Star t/s here in Olathe. Only parking for about 25-30 trucks max, but there are quite a few places to eat and a nearly empty mall across the street. It does have a theater and I went to see OZ. I enjoyed it, a good prequel, although like the original they never mention the good witch of the south....

 

thank you i did have my cdl i surrenered it in sept not thinking i was gonna drive again but here i am driving is in my blood now so gotta do it but thanks for info you stay in a hotel there or no and if so is it decent

 

Because basically all a trainer is is someone with X amount of time driving for stevens, safe record and a few other things, they apply to become trainers, some happen to be alliance, others happen to be company. The only real difference in the 5 weeks you receive will be some helpful hints of operating on one side of the fence or the other. Other than that your required to do the same amount of miles, bump your NE dock, and do your 3 mountains 1 with jake 2 without. An alliance driver yeah they get paid more per mile but they have more risk, ie fuel cost being the biggest one, your also paying your own insurance, and they nickle and dime you for other things like maintainence fund, depreciation etc. If u get good runs and get good MPGs you will make bank, but if you get stuck on a loop where your MPGs go to crap you will lose your butt. But back to the original question the difference between an alliance and company trainer....alliance just has Contractor division on thier door oh and you can refuse a load where company most often cant refuse a load, they are goverened by the same safety policies and proceedures as a company driver, the training and background is the same except an alliance driver is driving for him/herself as a business. The trainer nightmares yeah they are out there but there are just as many trainee night mares if not more, gotta remember for any trainer, it is stressful letting a 21 day wonder come and start driving your truck, not only do you gotta drive your own miles to make the truck roll, but they have to drive thiers and you gotta monitor what they are doing and be up when they are doing certain things, ie mountains. Usually the major issue with trainers that I have heard and seen is cultural issues and personality clashes. I know some trainers that flat out hate having someone of a different race on their truck, some are dirtier than others but honestly for the most part abpout 90percent of the trainers out there are not bad, and will impart good experience to you Its like that in just about every profession, you get out of training what YOU put into it ask questions, watch and learn. Watch and learn from other drivers when your parked at the truck stop watch em back in see what works and what doesnt. Be diligent to what you want to get out of it. Take your tiem dont let anyone rush you, and do it right. Dont be afraid to call for clarificaton except the fear of that long que to get it answered, and if it dont feel safe or right dont do it call safety.

 

just letting anyone know that i wasnt a trainer on truck whatever that was mentioned a few pages ago. kinda figured id never run into another with the same name lol

 

One of the yards true pleasures... the 2:30 am we have a work order knock...