Stevens Transport

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by trainee, Jul 10, 2007.

  1. redneckolson

    redneckolson Bobtail Member

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    Jul 15, 2008
    baytown, tx
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    also, do they have terminals in houston to drop off trucks? i live outside of houston and i am wondering when i get a trip home, if i will have to hitch a ride from dallas back home to houston...thanks in advance!
     
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  3. TomVamp

    TomVamp Bobtail Member

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    Jan 26, 2009
    Ocala,Fl
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    redneckolson well what I understand from the guy that came to my school you can take the truck home with you
     
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  4. T-2000

    T-2000 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2009
    USA
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    You can take the truck home only if you have secured parking with a locking fence. Otherwise they will tell you park the truck at the KW dealership or other safe haven while your on home time.
     
  5. jgrasse

    jgrasse Bobtail Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Dallas, TX
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    The only way you won't make it through training is if you don't listen to the instructors, or just plain stupid. My 3rd week in training with Stevens now, about 50% of the original enrollees are gone, and 2 were rolled back a week. Study, listen and pay attention - that's all you have to do to be successful. Most students bring their old habits to class and soon find out that they don't work on worn-out 10 speed Fullers. (training trucks) Yes they are hard-core old-school "pick a switch" type instructors, but you will appreciate it, believe me. 2 weeks ago I have never been in an 18 wheeler, now I'm driving it in city/hwy traffic in rush hour without making any mistakes. Also holding a CDL now - passed my driving test today. The training is worth the price. (however your fuel bonus's will pay for your training if you play your cards right)
     
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  6. Gingerbreadman

    Gingerbreadman Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2009
    Dallas, TX
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    Glad to hear training is going well for you. I remember being where you are now and watching the other students drop like flies. Good chance you'll be seeing some fuel bonuses, too, since they dropped the speed to 62 mph for drivers with less than two years experience. Be aware though that your fuel bonus is calculated by your fuel purchases vs. your dispatched miles. What this means is you'll need to have a 6.3 or 6.4 mpg avg, according to your hub, in a non APU truck at 62 mph to hit the $50 bonus for 6.0 mpg.(depending upon your variance- sounds like you know how to read a map, though.) Perhaps you should read my "Dealio" thread. Something to keep in mind - after 1 year ticket and accident free your insurance rates go down considerably and you become much more marketable to other companies. You might find at that time it'll be more profitable to make more money somewhere else and pay off the balance of what you owe yourself rather than continue the payroll deductions on what Stevens will pay you. Its too late for me, I'm almost done with my third year, so no point in leaving before its over. Maybe you can learn from my mistake, leave when the getting is good, and spare yourself a couple of years of headache. Best of Luck.:smt079 And don't let those instructors whip you too bad.
    P.S.- Not trying to scare you. You will make money with Stevens, but it is a training company. After a while on the road you'll see there are lots of options for you in trucking. Explore them, don't wait around like I have.
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2009
  7. GlobalWarmer

    GlobalWarmer Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2009
    Denver, CO
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    I have worked for Stevens Transport for just about three years now and have been a trainer for nearly two. Let me first tell you to beware of what any company recruiter tells you. I know for a fact that many of these people are less than truthful. They will tell you just about anything to get you to sign up with their company. Face it, that is how they get paid. All of the new drivers that I have trained have been paid $350 per week. The Stevens training program is as follows. First you go through ORI (orientation one). This is four days of filling out paperwork, introducing you to company policy and procedure, drug screens and a DOT physical. If there are no problems with your background check and you pass the drug screen and physical (some people will require extra time on med hold if high-blood pressure or blood sugar levels exist) you will be ready to be placed with a trainer. The first training is a MINIMUM of 35 days, during which you will be required to log at least 8500 miles, drive down two major mountian passes and hit all four regions. You will be required to drive and bump at least one dock in the Northeast, Northwest, SouthEast and Southwest. After all of these requirements are met you will go back to Dallas, TX for ORII. During ORII you perform skill tests on the yard, learn trip planning, take a road test and have classes on the Thermal King refer units. Basically it is a review of everything your trainer should have taught you during the five weeks you were out on the road. The next phase used to be to place two trainees together and have them run for three weeks, however a new system has recently been put in place. After completion of ORII, new drivers are placed with what is called a finishing trainer for 4 to 5 weeks. I have been selected to be a finishing trainer due to my safety record, job performance and the fact that I have had students on my truck for a average of 23 days. This is a very good average as it includes students that just needed to go out and get a region or a mountain. The finishing trainer just makes sure the student driver is competent in all areas of the job. I am there to answer questions and give advice while making sure the student knows company policy and can safely controll the truck. After the finishing trainer signs off on a student the student is routed back to Dallas and graduates. You are then assigned a truck and placed on a Grad fleet. This is where you start to be paid for your miles. Grad fleet is a probationary driver that lasts for at least 90 days. You start as a G1 and each month if you don't have any problems with log book compliance, safety and trip planning and are making on time pickup and deliveries you go through G2 and G3 on then become a company driver.
    Needless to say, this is an intensive training program but it is designed to keep you from failing. I have seen other companies rush people through a training program only to have a serious accident and then have their career ruined by a DAC report. I can't stress the importance of getting a good trainer. I have taken on students who spent time with trainers that were only interested in keeping the truck rolling. Many of these trainers were lease operators and training was secondary to making the miles. If your trainer isn't teaching you anything but how to hold a steering wheel on the Interstate for 11 hours, get off that truck. One other thing to take into consideration. Stevens Transport does have tuition reimbursement. They also have their own training academy. Many of the students I have trained have gone through the Stevens academy. Recuiters have told them that they only have to work for Stevens Transport for one year and the loan with be paid. I know that most of these people signed a 36 month contract with the lending company. If these drivers leave Stevens before the loan is paid off they will be responsible for the payments. That may be no problem if the company they move to has reimbursement options. I do know Stevens isn't in the habit of making loan payments for ex-Stevens drivers, so think about that before you make your move. Good luck, be safe and I hope the best for you.
     
  8. Gingerbreadman

    Gingerbreadman Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2009
    Dallas, TX
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    Ho there Global Warmer! Its the Gingerbreadman :biggrin_25523: Catch me if you can!! Haha was trying to IM you but it seems you have to make 50 posts before you can graduate to that level. You guys listen to Warmer here. He is wise.:biggrin_25514:
     
  9. tland

    tland Bobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2008
    Ware, Ma.
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    Hi GlobalWarmer. Thank-you for a very informative post about the current training program at Stevens! Do you have a recommendation as to whether it would be better to go through Stevens cdl training or to get my cdl in my home state. I guess what I would like to know is who, you, as a finish trainer, would prefer to train? Someone that has gone through Stevens CDL training or has gone to a cdl mill. Thanks for your help!
     
  10. jgrasse

    jgrasse Bobtail Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Dallas, TX
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    I need some advice out there - please. I'm almost done with my 3rd week training with Stevens and I just got a job offer as a local flatbed driver requiring a CDL. I have the CDL thanks to Stevens, and the job pays .32/mile with $10/drop - average about 1500 miles a week with 24 drops. The best thing is that I will be home every night for dinner. I have a wife and 3 children, one is a teenager. Should I continue with Stevens and eat drywall for 8+ weeks, or take the local job? The local job has benefits, 401K, etc... Help please!!!
     
  11. jgrasse

    jgrasse Bobtail Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Dallas, TX
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    If you get your CDL in your home state through a school, you can come to Stevens and jump right into Orientation, then OTR training. Otherwise you have to go through the 3 week boot-camp to get your CDL (which you will, they take you to DPS, give you study materials, provide the road test truck) You can then take your Texas CDL and convert it back to your home state when you make it through there. Its up to you. The 3 week training is $3000, hotel, food money and shuttle service provided through promisary note. Good luck.
     
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