Stevens Transport

hey fozzy,hows things going in grad fleet?

 

Well guys today was fun. Ran around the course today with our trailers connected. And i got to do a straight line back and parralell. Finally. Wasnt too bad. The only thing that does suck about today was went to dps and passes my pretrip test, but i failed my combonation test. So all my tests are done except combo. I know all the questions in the manual but i still failed dont really understand. I do know a couple of the questions i dont even remember seen in the manual. O well, ill pass it tomm i guess.

 

I feel bad for Big and the other guys that are here right now for training. I've lived here for 20 years, and in all that time I can't remember one time when it rained for 5 days consecutively. I mean it's been raining almost non-stop! I hate this weather. I feel like I'm living in Seattle or something. It's really depressing not seeing the sun for 5 days. You guys are getting some good wet weather driving in, I'll say that!!! Well, hopefully we'll have a break in the weather tomorrow, it's supposed to only be a 60% chance of precip!!!

The real joke is that for those that live elsewhere or don't know, we here in North Texas are in a drought. LOL Our city is in Stage 2 drought regulations- We are only allowed to water our lawns one day a week, and we can't wash cars in our driveways or use any unnecessary water. $2000 fine for violators. Meanwhile, my backyard is a lake. I guess I don't need to worry about watering anytime soon.

 

So far so good. Did a repower of my load to San Antonio and got sent to MI with a late produce load. Sitting at the first drop waiting to see if they will unload me.

 

Lol thats funny boog. Well today went really well. I did great on my driving and on my straight line back and paralell. Tomm a few of us including me get to drive off yard tomm hell yea cant wait. O yea i passed my last test today thank god. Next step is to just get my cdl. Cant wait. Thinkin about goin with alliance. Any idea guys.

 

yeah dont jump in too fast why not learn the ropes and driving first for 6 months to 1 yr and then figure out alliance not too much too fast

 

btw what kinda thinks are they tellin ya about alliance. weekly cost? avg earnings potential etc etc

 

Hey fozzy did you take the bus from davenport, if so how long was the ride? I'm from davenport also and looks like I might be starting on the 28th.

 

I know alliacnce starts out at 85cents a mile. But u have to think that u have to pay for everything, maintnance, truck payment, fuel. Lots of guys ive talked to are goin to alliance. Idk what im goin to do right now. Prolly just drive for company right now. Then after maybe a year think about it. Then maybe ill be a trainer by then. For the guys comin to stevens from the get go the best advice i can give is show them u want this, keep ur head up and have a great attitude. Show the instructors ur here not to just drive a truck but for a career. If u show this then u will earn there respect. Trust me. They dont want to hear boo hoos. Just do what ur told and ur be just fine. So far ive had a great experience.

 

Well, take it for what it's worth...I'm not a L/O and won't be for awhile, so I have no experience. I just know what I read and am told by the L/O guys. Most are struggling right now. Freight rates are low, and things have a tendency to flow downhill, and usually to the driver. Fuel prices could spike, you could get hit with unforeseen maintenance expenses, or you could just not get the miles you need. I want to have a little bankroll going when and if I take the plunge. I want to know I won't have to sweat that lease payment if I don't get the miles for a few weeks. I will have the same options available to me shortly, and I for one, will be driving as a company man for a good while until I'm convinced the economy has turned around and fuel prices are stable.

Good luck, Big, on your upcoming CDL test and your career. See ya down the road.