Newbie - Looking at Stevens

[MikeC]

Hey fellas, been here for a few weeks reading up and boy am I glad I did. I'm about as green as you can get when it comes to truck driving so I needed a company that would train me. I was going to go with CR England but I am not now, thank you all. It appears that I may go with Stephens. I live near Allentown, PA and was just looking for any advice on other companies that would work well. I don't like swift and SNI is taking forever. Any and all suggestions are appreciated! Thanks everyone

[ICS]

Werner has a training terminal in Allentwn in fact a buddie of mine is there right now. if you were ever in he military they offer a good pay. I have heard horror stories about them, but who knows. I actually called Steavens Transport Their training is 3 weeks $350 then they stick you in a truck with another 3 weeker and you drive team for 3 more weeks @ $350. I thought that was crazy. I wouldn't want to trust my life to a newbie. it is one thing to kill myself but to trust a new guy... I don't think so. They have nice KW trucks and outfit them nice. have APU's in them.

[MikeC]

I am an Army vet but does Werner hire people with zero experience? I read that too about going on the road with a newbie, pretty scary.

[Sealord]

Mike C,
"ever in the military they offer a good pay" Werner does hire people with no experience, all truckin' companies love vets for the following reasons, which are just a few. They work well on their own, can routinely pass drug tests, understand responsibility, and focus on gettin' the job done. Werner doesn't "offer good pay", they want you to augment their cpm by using your VA ed benefit cloaked as an "apprenticeship". And what do you do for ed benefits when you decide driving isn't for you and your hard earned VA ed benefits are gone. It doesn't take long for the ten years after your discharge or retirement to go by.
As far as Stevens, you can do better. BOL

[countryhorseman]

If you want proper training going through a company driving school, Stevens Transport of Dallas will be your best bet! The other companies give you the bare minimum and stick you with a trainer that just wants your miles, then when you get in your own truck, your realize you still do not know enough.

The next best option, since you have your VA bennies, is to find a good private training company (Note: Not Roadmaster) and pay for your own training. Then you will have other options besides the big companies, although the pay will take awhile to get in the comfort zone! But that goes with any new driver!

By all means, stay away from CR England and their training and lease program!! I know several guys that are still trying to dig themselves out of a financial hole, and a bad credit report!

I was shutdown at the Pilot in Waco the other night, and watched a trainee with another large carrier, with his trainer standing outside of the truck, trying to back into a rather large spot! IT was obvious the school had not taught him anything about backing, and the trainer was not offering any advice either. One thing about Stevens Transport, when you get done with their program, if you pay attention and apply what is being taught, you will definetly be able to back into just about any hole that the 75 + foot long unit will fit into! Even the worst H.E.B. and Walmart docks.

If reefer transport is not your thing, shoot me a PM with your interest, I can try and help you! I am not a recruiter for anyone! Just hate to see people get promised the moon and end up with dirt!

Have a great day!

[MikeC]

Cool, thanks a bunch. Can't PM you, I guess you need at least 50 post before that. I got a call back from Roehl transport today as well. It seems they pay real well and I would like to get into flatbeds too. I do like the miles Stevens offers but I don't know much about reefer trucks.

[EagleAce]

I'm considering Stevens. I finished school in January. I would've gone with a company right after school had I known my current company was gonna screw me! :evil:

[Whammo]

Hey fellas, been here for a few weeks reading up and boy am I glad I did. I'm about as green as you can get when it comes to truck driving so I needed a company that would train me. I was going to go with CR England but I am not now, thank you all. It appears that I may go with Stephens. I live near Allentown, PA and was just looking for any advice on other companies that would work well. I don't like swift and SNI is taking forever. Any and all suggestions are appreciated! Thanks everyone

I explored all my options and found I was eligible for free training on the government's dime. I am starting a PTDI certified school here near Tobyhanna, PA. If you can get free training or a low cost loan on your own that would be better than sponsored training. Otherwise try Schneider. They seem to be one of the less evil companies with training.

BOL

I wouldn't get out of bed for .26 cpm. Those are some cheeeeeeeep wages, driver.

well lebron james you knucklhead, he is starting...as in brand new driver. you are experienced...that is why you would not get out of bed for 28 cents. but maybe he would, maybe he neads to get started somewhere to get experience, maybe 28 cents and good miles would provide for his family in a good manner where maybe your cost of living is higher than his. when are you going to get over yourself and give some decent advice beyond coolie carriers suck, otr suck,etc. remember it was an otr driver that brought the stuff to you to deliver on your 20 to 25 stops per day job.

[Orangetxguy]

well lebron james you knucklhead, he is starting...as in brand new driver. you are experienced...that is why you would not get out of bed for 28 cents. but maybe he would, maybe he neads to get started somewhere to get experience, maybe 28 cents and good miles would provide for his family in a good manner where maybe your cost of living is higher than his. when are you going to get over yourself and give some decent advice beyond coolie carriers suck, otr suck,etc. remember it was an otr driver that brought the stuff to you to deliver on your 20 to 25 stops per day job.

Your shorted the count there driver! It was a bunch of OTR drivers, that provided the stuff, fer ole FrostyMug to make his 20 to 25 stops per day!!


And...Ole FrostyMug(....LeBron James fer you newbies) keeps failing to mention not only which OTR company he gained his driving experience from..but he never mentions which unionized LTL carrier he drives ......or works the dock for !! :P :P :P :P

[belpre122]

I was going to go with CR England but I am not now, thank you all.

You are headed in the right direction Mike. Glad you listened. Now just make sure that you continue to disregard the mysterious "CALLER NUMBER BLOCKED" solicitations that will begin to come your way from the sewers of J.B. Hunt.
BOL

.26 cpm…you'd have to be retarded to pimp yourself out hauling groceries for that kind of chump change. Better off going down to the nearest rest area and drop your pants and bend over a fuel tank. Christ what a chicken***** outfit! Plus I heard they install grass burner exhaust systems…who the hell is the moron specing their trucks? Probably never drove one in his life

Why run your tail off for .26 cpm when you can make the same $$$ at a higher rate for less hassle? 3,000 mpw reefer miles at .26 cpm is a whopping $780 on the gross….not even jed in his doublewide with the polyester curtains and redwood deck would be living high off the hog.

You’ve got to get the best runs for the best rate. The idea is to run less for more -not more for less. Bear that in mind and you'll come out smelling like a rose! If reefer is your bag, then at least try and hire-on to a better paying carrier like Marten or Shaffer.

[countryhorseman]

.26 cpm…you'd have to be retarded to pimp yourself out hauling groceries for that kind of chump change. Better off going down to the nearest rest area and drop your pants and bend over a fuel tank. Christ what a chicken***** outfit! Plus I heard they install grass burner exhaust systems…who the hell is the moron specing their trucks? Probably never drove one in his life

Why run your tail off for .26 cpm when you can make the same $$$ at a higher rate for less hassle? 3,000 mpw reefer miles at .26 cpm is a whopping $780 on the gross….not even jed in his doublewide with the polyester curtains and redwood deck would be living high off the hog.

You’ve got to get the best runs for the best rate. The idea is to run less for more -not more for less. Bear that in mind and you'll come out smelling like a rose! If reefer is your bag, then at least try and hire-on to a better paying carrier like Marten or Shaffer.

I believe they are the same company now, unless they split the sheets again! First, he will have to find an accredited school that is on there list, seeing as he has no experience! Then, he will get hired on and be with a driver trainer for 6 weeks - last add showed making $250.00 a week! Then, when he gets his own truck - he will be making a whopping >01 cent more than Stevens.

So while you advice has some merit, it is not completely on the level! With no experience, he will be in the .26 - .28 range for at least 6 months to a year! Remember - you were there once!

I ran for Stevens when I first started OTR, and yes, my average pay on the company side was around $750.00 week! Was in some of the best company spec equipment on the road, with an excellent maintenance program. In 3 months, I went to the Alliance fleet and was taking home - look and read - taking home - after expenses - $1200 - 1500 a week!

So life is not all that bad at the Stevens sweat shop! There only problem is the same as all the other reefer outfits - they want you on the road 4 - 6 weeks without home time! But that is standard with the big fleet reefer outfits, including Martin and Schaefer, unless you get on their dedicated regional stuff - which with 0 experience - he wil have to wait a while for that!

Fire away!

[MartenDrvrCA]

.26 cpm…you'd have to be retarded to pimp yourself out hauling groceries for that kind of chump change. Better off going down to the nearest rest area and drop your pants and bend over a fuel tank. Christ what a chicken***** outfit! Plus I heard they install grass burner exhaust systems…who the hell is the moron specing their trucks? Probably never drove one in his life

Why run your tail off for .26 cpm when you can make the same $$$ at a higher rate for less hassle? 3,000 mpw reefer miles at .26 cpm is a whopping $780 on the gross….not even jed in his doublewide with the polyester curtains and redwood deck would be living high off the hog.

You’ve got to get the best runs for the best rate. The idea is to run less for more -not more for less. Bear that in mind and you'll come out smelling like a rose! If reefer is your bag, then at least try and hire-on to a better paying carrier like Marten or Shaffer.

I believe they are the same company now, unless they split the sheets again! First, he will have to find an accredited school that is on there list, seeing as he has no experience! Then, he will get hired on and be with a driver trainer for 6 weeks - last add showed making $250.00 a week! Then, when he gets his own truck - he will be making a whopping >01 cent more than Stevens.

So while you advice has some merit, it is not completely on the level! With no experience, he will be in the .26 - .28 range for at least 6 months to a year! Remember - you were there once!

I ran for Stevens when I first started OTR, and yes, my average pay on the company side was around $750.00 week! Was in some of the best company spec equipment on the road, with an excellent maintenance program. In 3 months, I went to the Alliance fleet and was taking home - look and read - taking home - after expenses - $1200 - 1500 a week!

So life is not all that bad at the Stevens sweat shop! There only problem is the same as all the other reefer outfits - they want you on the road 4 - 6 weeks without home time! But that is standard with the big fleet reefer outfits, including Martin and Schaefer, unless you get on their dedicated regional stuff - which with 0 experience - he wil have to wait a while for that!

Fire away!

Not necessarily

they are makin some damn nice doublewides nowadays!!!!!

[Snowman7]

remember it was an otr driver that brought the stuff to you to deliver on your 20 to 25 stops per day job.

I've read this a few times here lately. Not true, at least not in LTL. It may happen on occasion for some long haul or where there is no return freight but for the most part we pull our own freight beginning to end. What do you think we're doing all night long with all those doubles? As a matter of fact our contract forbids outside carrriers unless there is no return freight or everyone and every truck is being used. We have sleeper teams that run Harrisburg, Fontana, Dallas, all over. We have laydown runs, meets. We are a trucking company ya know. Not that I have anything against OTR but I dont know where you guys are getting this from. I'll bet contract carriers pull less than 10% of our freight. Maybe more at smaller companies, I dont know. But every LTL company has a city operation and a linehaul operation.

[TimberWolf]

yep, snowman is right to bad Orlando is a no return frieght site as our yard is full of contract carriers, the local says to give them some time and they will be gone but UPS is not a stupid company they know how to play the game.... As far as wheter or not CFM is workingthe docks or driving it does not matter he is still making the same pay if he is working UPS Freight, I am a $20 an hour dockworker now with garanteed 40 a week and getting 10 to 15 ot every week, not to bad for moving frieght with a fork lift, it is hard work but so be it I don't mind with all the benefits I get the pay off is worth it....

Timberwolf

[YoungZ.W.]

yep, snowman is right to bad Orlando is a no return frieght site as our yard is full of contract carriers, the local says to give them some time and they will be gone but UPS is not a stupid company they know how to play the game.... As far as wheter or not CFM is workingthe docks or driving it does not matter he is still making the same pay if he is working UPS Freight, I am a $20 an hour dockworker now with garanteed 40 a week and getting 10 to 15 ot every week, not to bad for moving frieght with a fork lift, it is hard work but so be it I don't mind with all the benefits I get the pay off is worth it....

Timberwolf

The teamsters must not know the difference between a dockhand and a truck driver. They start you guys off load the trucks before they even let you drive one. Whats next are you guys going to be dockhand/driver/mechanic all in one. CFM preaches his bs that the drivers should pay the mega carriers that they work for, but yet you guys pay dues for your boss's salaries every month.

[TimberWolf]

Hey Young ZW,
When I started at UPS Freight in July of 2007 I started right off driving, no dock work what so ever, I started at $18.58 an hour, now at just 10 months of employment I am making just under $20 an hour, OT kicks in at anything over 8 hours a day, My family health plan is a garanteed $100 a month with no increases for the next 7 years, That in and of itself is huge..... Before the union I paid $195 a month for health insurance. Now it is a total of $1200 a year for a great health insurance plan garanteed not to rise in price for the next 7 years.... not many companies can do that.. I am paid for all holidays including little ones like July 4th and my birthday. in July I will have two weeks of paid vacation along with the 4 personal days I can take at my discretion. I have protection from a boss who is having a bad day and feels like making the **** roll down hill in my direction. Plus a whole host of other benefits to numerous to get into. As far as my monthly union dues go it is just under $50 a month for now even with that I am still coming home with an extra $45 a month in my paycheck, go figure, just for your information my dues do not go in my bosses paycheck, where did you come up with that one?????? they go to the union and yes they are getting rich, but at least I know for a fact that for the next 7 years I am garanteed 40 hours a week of pay can your company garantee that? Yes I may have to work the docks for a while due to my senority rating but what the hell it is what it is I am still making the same cash and benefits. You have to look on the bright side my chances of getting into an accident have just been reduced drasticly. I have no problem working the docks in fact it is helping me get into better shape. I am still home every night, and on the weekends and when it comes to holidays I will be home as well getting paid. At some point I will be back in the drivers seat it is just a matter of time. The Union has good and bad just like every other factor in life but at least being in the top 90% I know I have a garanteed paycheck coming in for the next 7 years... You cant beat that in this day and age.....

Timberwolf