Hows Stevens Transport
 

looking to start with this compan. Whats the good and bads ??? :D

I'm also curious about this company. Next to SNI, this is the other most talked about company for beginners. I found their homepage (not hard to find) at http://www.stevenstransport.com/home.htm. They have some good information there but nothing as detailed as Schneider.

Maybe it would be easier to get more information from posters here if there are more specific questions. Here are some I'm curious about:

Concerning Stevens Transport:

:?: For company drivers - is the mileage calculated hub to hub or book?
:?: Does Stevens require trainees to pay for the training up front and then reimburse over a period of time?
:?: Where are Stevens Operation Centers? Training Centers? Will the company pay for travel from my home in Southern California to where the training is and pay for a room during my training like Schneider will?

I hear the equipment is real nice with Stevens - but the home time is lacking. Lots of miles - lots of time on the road. For me, that doesn't really matter as I have no kids or wife at home. In fact, the more miles the better in my mind.

Okay Stevens types out there --- where are you? Let's hear from you.

one thing about stevens is they misspelled thier name it is Satan. you go there and you enter the 9th plane of hell. good equitment but thats about it. No home time you have to leave your truck at one of there termials or a kenworth dealer. I have a good friend that drove for them for two years because he sold his soul to them to get his cdl. he had to drive past his home to go 200 miles to drop off the truck and drive back home. they counted his home time from the time he droped off the truck till it was time to leave his home. they would call his house three hours befor he need to go to make sure he was going. Oh the hell he went thru just for his cdl. So if you want to have that much fun just go ahead and sign over you soul.

STEVENS TRANSPORT... SURE IT'S OK TO START WITH....
 

HI,I'M GOING TO STEVENS TRANSPORT IN DALLAS NEXT THURSDAY TO ARRIVE ON SUNDAY FOR THE ORIENTATION ( 1 WEEK),I HAVE MY CDL WITH ALL ENDORSMENTS,I MAY NEED A REFRESH COURSE,BECAUSE I DIDN'T DROVE SINCE I GOT MY LICENSE LAST OCTOBER ...I DID MAKE THE CHOISE GOING WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE GOOD EQUIPMENT AND A LOT OF MILES....BUT THE $$$ IS NOT GOOD 0.25 TO START.AND TIME HOME ALSO..I'M THINKING STAYING WITH THEM 1 YEAR OR 2 THEN MOVE ON FOR ANOTHER COMPANY FOR MORE $$$...THEY 'RE PAYING ME FOR TRANSPORT ( BUS) FROM SACRAMENTO ,HOTEL ,FOOD ..FOR THE ORIENTATION WEEK ..THEN $325 A WEEK..DURING 4 WEEKS ,THEN 2 OR 4 DAYS HOME,AFTER THAT 4 WEEKS AS TEAM WITH ANOTHER STUDENT ..THAN I WILL GET MY TRUCK ...ABOUT THE TRUCK GOING HOME WITH ME :NO ,THERE TOLD ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO LEAVE SOMEWHERE IN SACRAMENTO..I THINK STARTING WITH THEM TRUCKING IT 'S A GOOD COMPANY TO GO WITH ...I HAD MANY JOB OFFER FROM OTHER COMPANY (SWIFT,ORANGE PUMPINK,CRST ...)STEVEN WAS THE ONLY ON WHO WILL NOT FORCE ME TO SIGN A CONTRACT... TO ALL OF YOU: KEEP THEM TRUCKING...... :wink:

all i can say is good luck nomad your going to need it.

Concerning Stevens Transport:

:?: For company drivers - is the mileage calculated hub to hub or book?
:?: Does Stevens require trainees to pay for the training up front and then reimburse over a period of time?
:?: Where are Stevens Operation Centers? Training Centers?
:?: Their website doesn't say what kind of "no touch" freight or "hook & go??" ratio they have for driving. Are they known for lots of driver assisted loading/unloading?

Okay Stevens types out there --- where are you? Let's hear from you.

There are more than 2 threads here stating things about companies. all one has to do is take a lil time and look. there are quite a few here that i tell you to check into Southern Refrigerated Transport. and i stand by what i say. Stevens will run you long. if that is what you want, more power to ya. there are more companies out there than just swift, stevens, werner, and the other driver mills. check out companies that are not all that big or well known. you might be pleasantly suprised.

Hey Kenworth75- who do you run for? Southern Refrigerated Transport? They look good but I see nothing about them taking rookies and giving them training.

I like the idea of running long. I know I'm gonna get my butt kicked out there in the beginning but I'd rather have too many miles than too few. While I love to drive and I love to travel ... I've gotta be able to make a few dollars out of it. I've heard too much from people who go out there with companies who promise lots of time home and that is exactly what they get. 1,000 to 2,000 miles a week. Hardly enough to make it worth while. My circumstances make my priorities the equipment and average miles - not home time or benefits. So Stevens seems like a great company to train/start with.

So - if there is any Stevens Transport driver out there who might know the answers to the few questions I've posted I'd appreciate your thoughts. I know the answers may be buried in the threads but after doing searches on Stevens & Transport & miles, etc ... I'm still left with these questions. Sorry if I missed them somewhere - I've been searching for a few days now.

Hey, one more question - does anyone know where the Stevens Transport Operation Centers are?

Stevens has contacted me to go over my application. They set up a date for my school and said to "assume everything is fine" unless I hear from them again. :)

:cry: Unfortunately they didn't offer me the opportunity to ask some questions. They say to call them 5 days before my training starts in Texas to do "orientation" for the training and I haven't heard more from them. I called and left voice-mail asking if I could verify my status with the company and to get some questions answered.

I contacted a few companies and I have received some responses. I feel, based on my initial research, that Stevens is a good match for me - but I need some questions answered. My training isn't scheduled to start until the 20th of September - still a month or so away. I would be freaked if I told others that I'm already signed on only to learn that I'm not really signed on late next month. :evil:

Has anyone out there had to deal with Stevens Transport out of Texas? Maybe a current driver for Stevens? Any suggestions :?:

find out who your recruiter is?
 

Patrick, the only advice I can give you concerning your wanting to go work for Stevens next month is find out who your recruiter is and hound him. :!: :!: Don't let him blow you off when have unanswered questions. Do the leg work. If this is the company you want to be with, make it known you have unfinished business. They want you just as bad as you want them. If they can't give you satisfaction its their lost. :roll: :arrow: I know who my recruiter is with US EXpress and believe me I will not let him off the phone until I have the answers to the questions that concern me most.. Check your e-mail. :idea: See you on the big road! :rock:

Map-2-it ???
 

Here is more information about Stevens.

Stevens Transport Recruitment Pamphlet

Does anyone know anything about "Map-2-it" routing technology? Maybe a link to some company or industry information on the web? Have any experience working with it? I'd like to learn a little more about it.

Thanks,
Patrick

Patrick! I never drove for Stevens, and never ever will! :) But i could answer one of your questions. It's never a "hub" miles! Well, at least not with the "big" ones! :sad:

From the PumpkinDriver forums .. here is a very eye-opening account from a Stevens Driver.

http://www.pumpkindriver.com/cgi-bin...c;f=8;t=000074

I don't know anything about Stevens except that when I started with Marten my trainer used to work for them. He spent a very short time with them and said he did not care for them at all. He left them for Marten over four years ago and has been there ever since.

Did he say why?

Not that I'm completely sold on Stevens - I just know that I'll be on the road and not at home. At this point in my life - that is a good thing.

Is there a company out there that has training for rookies that has never had anyone leave their company unhappy? If so, I'd like to talk to them.

Thanks,
Patrick

Patrick, spending time on a road, is not neseserely means making money! I'm home every weekend, for the last 7 years, and making more, well, a lot more 8) , then when i was out for 2-3 weeks at a time! :wink:

darn strait Solo I have made more money doing my local work then I did being out 2-3 weeks at time as well. plus I am home every night and weekends off.

See - this is where people need to remember that each one of us have our own priorities. I WANT to be out on the road a lot. Not just to make money, but to see stuff and drive. I actually do LOVE to drive ... A LOT. Stevens has claimed, and nobody I've come across has refuted, that they have the most average weekly miles of any company that will hire and train people with no experience at all. I don't want to be on a dedicated short haul run at this point in my life. I want to drive all over the place - Mexico - Canada - New York City even! I have no home or family to come back to so I will frequently be taking my days off wherever I am, renting some cheap car and a hotel room and seeing the sites of whatever town/area I'm at. That is what I want.

Based on my desires - does anyone here think Stevens is not a good way to go? Any better companies that will train, provide new - well maintained equipment, and give me the most miles?

But I do appreciate your input. And maybe sometime in the future - after I have a few miles under my belt - I may get a little place to call my own and find someone to live there with me and at that time I might want a nice, high paying, local run so I can be home with a hot meal and a big bed every night. It is just where I'm at right now in my life.

well the way you put it you would be happy any were with any company. Just make sure they take care of you. the only person looking out for you is the one who you see in the mirror.

From my company searching and talking to recruiters,this is what I was told each company starts at after being with a trainer:

Stevens: .25 mile

CR England: .24 mile

Werner: .24 mile

USA Truck: .24 mile

Roehl: .26 mile

USF Glem Moore: .28 mile

Schneider: .25 mile

US Xpress: .25 mile

Swift: .25 mile

These are all dry van rates.I have a more detailed list if you want to see it.

If you like to stay out and do coast to coast running you might give SRT (Southern Refridgerated Transport) a call. I drove for them for a while. The home time issue was my biggest problem but doesn't seem to be yours. I ran alot of east west loads and always had good mileage. Their trucks are also newer and well kept. All in all I liked the company and the people I worked with.

I will say one thing about SRT. They haven't changed their web site one bit in a very long time. :D
http://www.southernref.com/

CAD lays it out a little better.
http://www.classadrivers.com/truckin...ies.php?Cid=62


Steven's, i tried them and left during orientation. far to much BS in their over all package and their pay was below most others to start and far to low after one year.

First off and unless I have been wrong for a long time. There is no hub to hub. It is your trucks hub mileage. It is calculated using a mileage calculator attached to one of the drive hubs on your tractor. It is actual miles driven. last I heard is Stevens pays Household movers guide. The worst of the worst when it comes to being shorted miles. No matter whta you will always drive more than paid but HHG is the worse.

Not if you train at their school. But you will be commited to them for 2 years or you will be charged a large sum of money when you quit early.

Only one that I ever knew of. Just outside of Dalls.

They use to and most likely still advocate drivers unloading and making the money doing it as opposed to hiring lumpers. It was suppose to be a great incentive and increaee in pay if you did it yourself. Since they pay drivers less to do the work than they did lumpers I wasn't excited about it at all.

Thats what I know froma brief 4 day stay during orientation. It was enough for me to leave. Others didn't mind and stayed.

Damn if I'm gonna start sounding like a recruiter here!

Okay, here are some things I've learned after starting the application process with Stevens.

Answers are coming from Theresa Adams out of their Dallas, TX HQ.

How do they calculate their miles?
- They use Rand McNally to calculate their miles. I'm not sure if this is better than Household Movers but if Household is the worst then Rand has to be a little better at least.

Commitment for training for CDL?
- They used to require 2 years that they would prorate. Now they have the industry standard 1 year commitment. Any shorter than 1 year and the student/employee is liable to pay for the entire amount of training. How much? Not sure - still checking into it.

Where are Stevens Offices/OC's? - According to their recruitment flier posted on the internet here they are out of the following locations:

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Columbus, Ohio
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Jackson, Louisiana
• Lexington, Kentucky
• Ontario, Canada
• San Antonio, Texas
• Warren, Ohio
• Chicago, Illinois
• Oshkosh, Wisconsin
• Houston, Texas
• Laredo, Texas
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Greenville, South Carolina
• St. Joseph, Minnesota
• Yakima, Washington
• Dallas, Texas - Corporate Headquarters

I'm not positively sure if this list is still completely accurate, I'm not sure how old the posted recruitment pamphlet is.

No-Touch ... Drop & Hook: - They say they pay for all lumper, but will pay you if you want to unload. What exactly this means - I'm not sure. I have been told by one of their drivers that they will pay whatever the lumper asks for to do the work. If you want to do it they will pay you reasonably.

As for SRT - They sound top of the line. I would consider them seriously instead of Stevens, except they do not pay for or provide training for a rookie like me. So maybe after a year with Stevens I'll keep my options open.

Okay - lots of people are talking about the Physical Agility Test (PAT) of companies when they hire. Anyone know anything about the PAT (if any) given by Stevens Transport?

So far I'm still on track to start training with Stevens on the 20th in Dallas. I'll try to keep everyone updated about what happens - but I don't promise a journal :wink:

re
 

Good Luck Patrick

Thanks for all the info on Stevens.

Hubby and I are looking to do the same as you. Only difference is we will have to put some roots down where ever our daughter chooses to go to college. For holidays, boyfriend bashing, the normal parent things. LOL

Try to keep posting, stay focused, and remember this is all about you.

Re: re
 

Hey there snow1, are you both going to team drive? I'm not sure that Stevens is the place to go when you want to spend a bit of time with the family, based on my limited research. Are you an O/O team?

re
 

Hey Patrick, no we are not an o/o team. We will be going to training together in about a year. Then we will team together.

We have also tried explaining to people that being on the road/traveling is what we want to do. I was told that trucking is not a vacation. You see the sights through the windshield. Go figure. Read thread Hello by me.

When I said that we would need to put roots down somewhere, I meant we aren't picky. It'll depend on where our daughter chooses to go to college. She will be the one actually living in the "family" home.

While she's in school, we're planning on spend as much time on the road as possible. Figuring in 6 years we can see a lot. But we would like to be home for the big holidays or close to it.

BTW where in Southern Cali are you from. We're in the Central Valley between Bakersfield and Fresno??

Well - it sounds like you know what you want and need out of this kind of job. Reasonable expectations seem to be the best qualification a person can have for this line of work.

Right now I'm based out of the quiet mountain town of Crestline - situated just east of Los Angeles, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Good Luck
 

Well Patrick I hope you really enjoy driving. And dont listen to all the complaints most of these guys are just trying to help. But you have to do what you want

Re: Good Luck
 

Thanks dnc915,

You're absolutely right. I'm thankful and appreciative of all the "advice" others have offered. I know my priorities are not necessarily the same as others so I take into consideration all points of view. I'm still a bit nervous and I hope I haven't made a wrong choice - but I do love to drive, I don't have to worry about being home on a regular basis, and I want that newer and hopefully more reliable ride.

Wish me luck!

Okay ... I started a blog (web journal). I'm sure it will end up in the ever growing heap of abandoned blogs rusting on the side of the information superhighway.

The Boulevard Blog

What the hell is this???
 

Patrick; Patrick; Patrick. What are we going to do with you? The Boulevard Blog (oh mother :roll: :lol: :roll: :lol: :roll: ) What will you think of next? I can see why we seem to get along. We are both Taurus; stubborn, thick headed, one track minded: yeap perfect; we're no damn good. I know the problem. When you were in the Navy, you drank too much salt water; corroded the brain :lol: I can see; in order to keep you in line I am going to have to drive my pretty red US Express truck right next to your Stevens Transport to keep you focused. The Boulevard Blog; I can see where this is going. No; your blog end up in the ever growing heap of abandoned blogs rusting on the side of the information superhighway. On the contrary; its going to be put into a time capsule to be open 1000 years from now. :alien: :borg: You keep doing what you're doing. You want to pursue trucking, pursue trucking. :!: I know what direction I am headed and refuse to be put off from it. We are all prepared for school. Neither you, redsunn21, dave63, or myself are looking at what we're getting involved in as a joke. :idea: On the contrary, we could not be more serious. :| We may be having fun now, in a way to lighten up and take the edge off. However when it comes down to training and be ready for otr we could not be more serious. I do look forward to seeing you, redsunn21, and dave63 on the big road. By the way; of the grouping I just mentioned, you are the only one going to Stevens Transport. The rest of us are going to US Express. We're going to do this, and do it right.
By the way, I am still trying to find out about this P.A.T. and whether or not US Express subscribes to it. I don't know about Stevens Transport. When I find out anything I will let you know. Go safely; see you on the big road :rock: :asta:

I really hope you keep this blog going i am going to be getting back to the states in march after 18 months away with the army for operation iraqi freedom (oif) and am thinking about steven's transport please keep us up to date so i know .. tell the bad and the good .. and be like everyone else in here and no sugar-coating the company..

Good luck

Recent Stevens Grad
 

I am a recent Stevens Trucking School Grad :? I am scared Sh**less. I did manage a grand total of 3 hrs on the road driving time before my CDL test. Some people got less than 2hrs. That?s okay cause I start Orientation tomorrow.
You can not get a straight answer out of anyone over there. The recruiters promise you 3,000 miles a week but I have yet to talk to a driver in the lounge who makes over $600.00 a week, and that?s 2nd year guys too. Some of the new solo guys were talking that it was more like 1,000- 1,500 miles and most of the choice miles and western routes were run by the trainer/trainee teams and the trainee/trainee teams. After you stop the $350.00 a week salary and go on mileage you get all East Coast NYC stuff. And then they charge you for every ding and scratch and post it on your dac. Now some people get what they sow so a bitcher and complainer probably gets the shaft from a dispatcher who is sick of hearing it right. But I did talk to a long time driver trainer who said yes the recruiters will say anything to anyone to get a sign-up and yes they lie about first year earnings.....but.....If you bust your hump, take minimal home time and do everything right......you had a good year if you gross 30k....a bit short of the 35-40k recruiting says huh? I am confused but as I already owe $4,750 for a crap school and I am facing a contract signing with a non-compete clause that scares me. I do not know what to do. If I go on the road for 1 yr. and make $650. -700 a week my family can get by but if I only bring in 300 - 400 a week why did I leave my wife and kids...to go bankrupt and lose my home anyway?
Anyone.....Do you get your miles at Stevens or not any experienced drivers

Hi Tim,

I think I posted this link earlier but it has some information from the PumpkinDriver forums from a user called GrizzlyMan who was a Stevens driver and who is looking at going back.

http://www.pumpkindriver.com/cgi-bin...=000095#000000

http://www.pumpkindriver.com/cgi-bin...=003293#000007

additionally:
http://www.pumpkindriver.com/cgi-bin...=003587#000011

http://www.pumpkindriver.com/cgi-bin...=003572#000006

Anything new I learn about I'll try to keep everyone posted.

This is why I'm losing my current co-driver. My hat's off to y'all Sweetie. God bless y'all, and a VERY heartfelt

THANKYOU

Hey there gschall - Lady18 is right. Thank you for your service. I'll do my best to keep the blog updated and hopefully relevant enough to be helpful.

Patrick

What you hear from the drivers sitting around
 

After driving for Schneider and Stevens, I learned a lesson. When you hear the drivers sitting around the pool table or the picnic table outside the lunchroom in Fontana, etc., they will usually be there every time you swing through. The same ones seem like they are always there. Stevens requires their trucks to swing through Dallas every 90 days, and I discovered that the same group of people seemed to just live there. I averaged well over 3000 miles per week my entire time with Stevens. I consistently saw runs from 1200-1800 miles. I even saw a few 3000+ mile runs. Ben & Jerry's is one of the greatest runs they have. Vermont to Seattle via I-10. And yes, they do pay all of the excess miles. That's over a 5000 mile run. Ignore the complaints you hear at the lunch table. Those are the drivers that expect to sit around, and do nothing, and still manage to get 3000 miles. It just doesn't happen. They are at every company. I've talked to Crete drivers even recently. One was complaining that he never seems to get more than 1800 miles per week, and complaining about his truck, and complaining about this and that. Another Crete driver was talking about his overabundance of miles and how great of a company it is. It's all in your perspective, and how you handle the stresses of the job. Run hard, and they will give you the miles. But learn to play by their rules. (and how to cheat the system) Each company has their own way of doing it if you can pick up on it. Best of luck.
-Bill
AKA Grizzlyman
Rochester, WA

Patrick wrote...
Commitment for training for CDL?
- They used to require 2 years that they would prorate. Now they have the industry standard 1 year commitment. Any shorter than 1 year and the student/employee is liable to pay for the entire amount of training. How much? Not sure - still checking into it.

I just applied online for Stevens, I got called today from one of their recruiters who told me it was a two year commitment, I originally called them because of a internet job site and was told it was a one year commitment and to fill out the online app. Now, it is a two year. What gives here? anyone understand this? I do not have a CDL and was going thru their training.

I just had my last phone interview. I have some questions I e-mailed to them and they said they would respond to them. I fly to Dallas on Friday. I have been told repeatedly that the commitment for training is 1 year - not two.

Also of note: The financial commitment for the school (3 weeks) is $4,500. Additionally, if you need money for food, hotel stay, transportation to Dallas for training, etc ... they tack that on to the amount you owe and charge interest so it is more on the line of $4,750 commitment after all is said and done.

How's that for financially steep? I hope I love this company because I'll have to file for BK if I cannot stay with them for a year! No joke.

See my weblog (link below) for more information. I'll post answers to the questions I've asked as soon as I get a response.

Good luck,
Patrick

:shock: 6 weeks at the community college I went to was only $350 :shock: