Stevens Transport - Dallas, Tx.

They are probably self insured on accidents and cargo as well to a certain point.

They like alot of other big carriers will pay out of pocket most of the major claims.

Then they use an underwriter for anything let's say over 1 million dollars.

That's where Great West or any other insurance company pays out on the claims.

 

ALL Training companies chew up and spit out drivers. Your opinion that they are dirtbags. I only want to see the truth stated, and not garbage about any company out there. Company drivers get what the company wants to provide, now if you think that is stripped down junk, again your stinky opinion.

Wonder where you got your start in the great world of Trucking?

 

I got my start at Schnieder in 2002. I agreed to a year in exchange for free training. Drove 131,000 miles that year. I had to stay out for two weeks at a time, it was a doozy I tell ya. I kind of chewed them up and spit them out when I found a regional job after fulfilling my obligation to them.

 

Times have changed from just a few short years ago when their was more freight than drivers. It was a drivers market back then. The ONLY reason new drivers are brought into this line of work is too drive wages down even lower. Then you have companies like Stevens and Prime actually making drivers PAY them to do...what ?What in the hell are they doing exactly ?

It's all here on this website. If you think you can do it go for it but leasing a truck is the most foolish thing you could possibly do to your credit, livlihood, family, and this industry all together.

 

Good for you, got what you wanted, so now you go around bashing companies that you have never worked for.

 

Yes times have changed, and industry wide, 80% of all drivers that enter from driving schools do not make it 3 months. They do not realize what this industry requires.

Yes it is ALL here on this web site, the ugly, the bad, the good.

I do do it. I make a better living doing this with Stevens than I did working For YUM brands as a store manager. And I work less hours now. So your opinion from the views of a local driver, that has been out of OTR for 7 years, means nothing to me.

 

Actually I am a regional driver. As in Monday through Friday. Texas to wherever and back. I don't have to lease a truck to know it's a rip off. I am not doubting your success but considering Stevens is counting on a driver to fail, why would anyone want to do it ? The success of small business in their first year... I don't know what, 95% of them fail ? Leasing a truck is probably closer to 99%. Funny thing is, go try to open a Subway or any other franchise. They will be more than happy to tell you your not qualified. Why does Stevens make it seem all glitzy and full of glamor ? It can be a dismal pathetic life and if you don't like then your trapped just like a caged animal. Oh FUN TIMES !

Do you know how many times the phrase "Who knows why he did it, it's all right here for anyone to see but yet people still flock to these fleece scams like their the best thing going" has been uttered and muttered around here. Stevens profits on the failures of others that is what their business is based on. That's my opinion and as always I look forward to yours as condescending as it is sometimes.

 

Covenant used to do the same thing back when they had their schools. They had a CDL class , they took you down to get your learners permit. On graduation day, the state came in for the driving test. Providing that you passed, then they took you down to get your CDL. It didn't matter where your state of residence was, you still got your CDL

 

oops, my bad, not local, but regional. Good for you. Small businesses fail, and I think you are about right on the percentage.

Good question why so glitzy and glamorous? It fits the dreams of so many that think they want to be a big bad ### truck driver. All the Lease companies seem to do this too, so as a way to market a product, it works.

Stevens makes a profit from efficiently moving freight. Just as Schneider, and the company you work for do. Stevens adds to the profit from the school, and the government programs.

Any and everyone who asks me about becoming an alliance driver for stevens, (it is NOT a purchase program), I ask them if they have any idea what a profit and loss statement is? Do they know what their biggest expense is? do they want to be home with family? Do NOT believe the hype from the Alliance TEAM, or your trainer, as he is trying to get $1000 bonus for you joining alliance. Me, I have NO referral bonuses.

If they want to sit down with me, and see what I do, and why it works for me, a single guy with no ties, I am happy to show them.

As barnum said, a sucker is born every minute, and a con artist is born every minute to take advantage of them.

Buyer beware, read and understand before signing, which these training trucking companies try to not give one time to read and understand.

So for me it comes down to personal responsibility for ones life. Don't blame the seller, as their is information out here to help one see the truth, but the truth does not fit with the dream.

 

I applaud you TLeaHeart for knowing what it takes to make it, and your attitude towards those that criticize Stevens. With your mindset you'll do just fine once you got your time in and can move up and on.
As a 20 yr OTR driver till 94 when I got a local union gig,thought I'd retire but was just recently laid off. After looking into a Craigslist ad stating "Truck Driver Jobs-No CDL required" I was led here and other posts where you describe your week/month progress with the co.
I have to disagree that they profit from efficient freight moves as much as taking advantage of new drivers in a week economy.
Of course I'm not privy to a private co.'s financial records as one might be with a publicly traded carrier but margins in the industry have grown increasingly thin since deregulation and in an economy that provides more trucks than freight. Look at Arrow, not that your owners are crooks.
It reminds me of an outfit called Midwestern Distribution out of Ft. Scott,KS back in the late 70's whose ad stated if you had 15 months of work exp.(not driving just work) you could be a co-driver for 6 months and at that time you could buy/lease a mid 70 bare bone IH for 1 dollar. Many tried and many died as they became the butt of trucking jokes back in the day(much like Schneider and Hunt in the 80's&90's)
Now I mean no disrespect to you but IMHO their business plan is flawed and is not good for the industry in general.I know that they take the training program serious and that bodes well for you.
But you said yourself you get little respect and they show no regard for your efforts that provide them a paycheck each week.
That being said If the new driver can bite his lip and remain objective,get the year or two of exp. in they will get out of Stevens what they signed up for.
Good luck and drive safe.

P.S. After reading them all it's no wonder ST has the most pages and posts in a bad company thread.