Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

paid miles by the month for me are,
may 7885, took 7 days off to attend a friends graduation
june 13046
july 9079 took 10 days off to celebrate my birthday
august 11313
sept so far 9089 with 6 days to go

it is not all about the miles, it is also how much each stop pays, how efficiently i operate the truck and how I managed my time.

 

There are many experienced drivers that come over to Stevens, because it is better for them. There are worse paying companies, worse equipment companies, companies that outright lie to the drivers about pay and benefits, they just don't have the freight base to keep their drivers moving....

Yes Stevens is a training company, and their business model reflects that choice. They also have a good safe stat score with the FMCSA, which means a safe driver will not be bothered by the DOT near as much as many other companies.

For many drivers, inexperienced or experienced, Stevens is not the right company for them. For others it is. Gain information that is current, and make an educated decision for your self.

 

I agree. I was company. Did fine. Went to the Alliance. That was better. Started training and with my history of training in a medical setting I chose to train those who are difficult for other trainers. That is an adventure in itself. I love it. Today based on the consistent steady freight and knowledge of the freight lanes Stevens uses, I bought my first truck and it can only get better.

I figure if they have freight to broker out and I'm averaging 2700-3100 miles solo and 4800-5800 miles weekly training, then I'm made a wise choice. I choose not to run my backside into the ground, allows me to focus more on the training for the student.

Getting miles is dependent on your knowledge and willing to get to know sho is who and what division they work in. This way you think two steps ahead and can keep your truck in areas that will get you the loads you want. That takes time but be professional about it and no matter what company you go to you can bet you'll be valuable to them.

Morphinus.

 

Thanks Dryver and TLeaHeart for your input!! I currently have a class B trying to get CDL-A.I have done a lot of research and I have it narrowed down to Stevens and Central,but Stevens is sounding pretty good right now considering I have talked to a few drivers and they are happy with the company. Again thanks!!!

 

It's been 10 years since I've driven OTR, but I remember that the Company I worked for also has these requirements, and if you think about it they make sense. This is a BUSINESS, first and foremost- so I can see why they would want unreliable drivers that are COSTING them money and possibly headaches with their shippers and receivers to quit. I busted my hump in the 10 months that I drove, and sometimes I wasn't 100% legal in my comic book, however the load got there ON TIME! Was/is it a risk? Sure it was, but business in general is a risk. I know this much, after about a month in which I got several Very HOT loads to the consignee just in time, I didn't really ever have to worry about getting miles. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to survive.
I am scheduled to start training with Stevens on Oct. 12th, and yes, I have done the research. From what I have read on these threads (been reading them ALL for the last 60 hours, sleep in between of course) if you do what you are supposed to with Stevens Transport you will be just fine. I've been out on the road (albeit 10 years ago), so I understand that it's tough work and not many people can handle it. I also know that if you turn down a load you, you may be putting the Company in a bind because the load may not get there in time, and that could cause the Company to lose that account, or atleast lose alot of business from that account, which could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. So of course if you turn down loads because you don't WANT (but 'cha want money,right) to go to the NE or NYC, in the future your dispatcher or DM (Driver Manager- all these job titles have become so doggone politically correct. I guess Truckers are officially 'Transportation Engineers') is NOT going to think of you when there is a load that absolutely has to be somewhere on time. I believe it boils down to ' You scratch my back, I'll scratch your back' . It's business remember- and businesses maximize revenue by all means possible, so if you're supposed to average 6 MPG, you better average 6MPG. I think I averaged 6.5 when I drove.

On that note, would someone explain to me how one maximizes fuel economy in a rig? Thanks.

 

So are you telling me that since I already have my CDL AND 10 months total OTR experience, even though it was 10 years ago, that I don't have to go through the full driving school? The lady at Stevens Transport told me even though I still have my CDL and OTR experience, that since my experience wasn't recent I would still have to go through the entire school.
I have applied at a number of other companies, but have only heard back from Stevens and the Red-Coats, albeit I have filled out these applications in the last two days, so maybe some others will still contact me. Though from what I've read in here on The Truckers' Forum, I'm not exactly holding my breath.

 

Delirious, you still have to go through their training, DOT requirement if you have not driven in the last three years. I still have my CDL and have not driven in 11 yrs, everywhere I have applied has told me this.

 

Right. You've got to go through the training program. But not through their CDL school.
CDL you'd have to pay for in one way or another. But you already got one. Training is free. In fact they pay YOU. If I remember correctly it was $350 a week. Someone will surelly correct me on that if I'm wrong.

 

Thanks there Gruffalo. I figured that going through training after not driving for 10 years would be the case, and truthfully, it makes sense. Safety is of utmost importance, since all you drivers know that you are in command of an 80,000 pound missle on wheels.
I have no problem in getting re-trained.

 

Stank0,

From what you are saying, I only have to go back and get on a truck with a road trainer? At that point, from what I understand, is when the company begins to pay a trainee $350 a month. I am under the impression that I have to go through the 18 day Truck Driving school, which honestly I am OK with, although financially it would be advantageous to get on a truck with a trainer for Phase One training and start getting paid right away.