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MikeC
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject: Newbie - Looking at Stevens |
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| 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 |
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ICS
Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 154
Location: New York
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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MikeC
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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Sealord
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 1695
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:00 am Post subject: Stevens/Werner |
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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 |
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countryhorseman
Joined: 04 Jan 2005
Posts: 696
Location: The Great State of Texas - Seguin
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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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! |
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MikeC
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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EagleAce
Joined: 28 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Yosemite, CA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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| 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: |
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Whammo
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie - Looking at Stevens |
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MikeC wrote: 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 |
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LeBron James
Joined: 22 Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Location: Coolie Campground
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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| I wouldn't get out of bed for .26 cpm. Those are some cheeeeeeeep wages, driver. |
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jedfxg
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 553
Location: se buckeye
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:05 am Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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Orangetxguy
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 1471
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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jedfxg wrote: 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.
:lol: :lol: :lol: 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 |
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belpre122
Joined: 14 Jul 2004
Posts: 283
Location: Back home again. In Indiana!
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie - Looking at Stevens |
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MikeC wrote: 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 |
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LeBron James
Joined: 22 Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Location: Coolie Campground
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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.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$hit 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 $$$ at a higher rate for less hassle? 3,000 mpw reefer miles at .26 cpm is a whopping $780 on the gross….not even jed in his doublewide with the polyester curtains and redwood deck would be living high off the hog.
You’ve got to get the best runs for the best rate. The idea is to run less for more -not more for less. Bear that in mind and you'll come out smelling like a rose! If reefer is your bag, then at least try and hire-on to a better paying carrier like Marten or Shaffer. |
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countryhorseman
Joined: 04 Jan 2005
Posts: 696
Location: The Great State of Texas - Seguin
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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LeBron James wrote: .26 cpm…you'd have to be retarded to pimp yourself out hauling groceries for that kind of chump change. Better off going down to the nearest rest area and drop your pants and bend over a fuel tank. Christ what a chicken$hit outfit! Plus I heard they install grass burner exhaust systems…who the hell is the moron specing their trucks? Probably never drove one in his life
Why run your tail off for .26 cpm when you can make the same $$$ 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 - $1200 - 1500 a week!
So life is not all that bad at the Stevens sweat shop! There only problem is the same as all the other reefer outfits - they want you on the road 4 - 6 weeks without home time! But that is standard with the big fleet reefer outfits, including Martin and Schaefer, unless you get on their dedicated regional stuff - which with 0 experience - he wil have to wait a while for that!
Fire away! |
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MartenDrvrCA
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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countryhorseman wrote: LeBron James wrote: .26 cpm…you'd have to be retarded to pimp yourself out hauling groceries for that kind of chump change. Better off going down to the nearest rest area and drop your pants and bend over a fuel tank. Christ what a chicken$hit 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 |
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