Profile For Just me

any Stevens drivers here would like to know what to expect by driving for them

I don't drive for them yet but I am starting school in Denver on the 12th. I have done a butt load of research on them and I might be able to answer some questions for you. From what I have read Stevens is like any other trucking company. You do a good job ( don't crash, take any load they give, and make on time deliveries and they treat you right. I've heard the training is one of the best in the business. You can do a search on the forum by tags.

So I won't sugar coat this at all, but I have a small issue and I would like an honest opinion or two or however many want to come in. I drove for Swift earning my experience and knowledge steps in this industry. I never trained with Swift so I don't understand our know their training routines but that's the one I heat the the most, Sure Wish I Finished Training. I have always been told to get anywhere in life you have to start somewhere and I am grateful to Swift to give me the chance to earn my stripes on the road. My issue is, what does everyone have against starter companies like this and against drivers that are trying everything they too learn and grow in an industry? Just today because I missed the timing of a gear shift going slightly up hill the truck I was passing passed me back, then when we crested the hill and I got back to speed I passed him. As I was passing him an intermodel truck road my back doors close enough I wanted to ask him what my reefer temp was at on the door. I checked my mirror on the right saw I had enough to get over and get out of the bumper rider's way so I moved over and probably had about 10 feet between me and the truck I passed and opening up in distance because i was still going faster than the other truck by about 3 mph, all of sudden the insults about being a swift driver got called out and how I should drive off the nearest bridge to save themselves from me. My question is this what do some drivers or people in general have against the rookies trying to make it in the industry? I mean hasn't everyone been a rookie before and work their way up? Or are the vets that I try to learn from and have been doing this for years just born in the driver's seat and never started where I did and have to work my way up? Thank you for your time and opinions. ..... and Brett just made my first run into New York and I have to say some of the drivers up here driving 4wheel are suicidal when it comes to shifting lanes.

Turn your CB off and problem solved. To hell with what all the "supertruckers" have to say. Just do your job to the best of your ability.

Thanks for the insight. I'll be there in 3 weeks. I'm so pumped

No worries. Major advice I can give is pack warm. I've lived in colorado for about 6 years and you'll be here in time for some of the coldest time of the year. However it's my opinion that winters the best time to learn to drive. Keep studying, it really pays off!!

Having lived in Fla the past 20 years the cold is something I'm not looking forward to. More than half my duffel is filled with stuff like coveralls, thermal underwear, and sweatshirts.

Week 2 has begun. In the morning we learned offsetting, challenging enough without being frustrating, after lunch we started on the shifting track aka actually driving the rigs. Sue was a great instructor, I was shifting almost perfectly smooth by the time we returned to the yard.

That's pretty much it for today.

Looking forward to tomorrow

Thanks for the insight. I'll be there in 3 weeks. I'm so pumped

With a non DOT related drug test where is the database and who maintains it? I beleive if any of this information is given out would be in violation of HIPPA laws. I doubt if any non DOT related drug test results would be given out.

DOT related testing is a whole nother ball game though.

I have looked on Google and I am not having luck finding something, and I am not finding it in my Texas CDL handbook, so I am either missing it, or it is not where I can find it.

Is there a checklist that we can take with us when we take the pre-trip inspection in Texas?

If you know the answer, can you cite a source?

Thanks,

Pepper

Hey Pepper, I don't have a source for the Tx pre trip but I was wondering if you saw this post by moderator Daniel B? I found it very informative and helpful. I hope you do to.

https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-3798/Page-1/pre-trip-inspection-my-way-a-must-see

Being in S Fla I got the same thing a lot but I kept plugging along and finally got accepted to Stevens Transport. Keep at it. There is a huge need for drivers/

Get well soon Pepper

Hey Brett you can see the school name on a smart phone with google chrome when you click the tabs button... I don't know about a pc

There's a few other ways to see the name of the school as well.

Keep that positive attitude and you'll do great Pepper.

With full understanding that it is the drivers responsibility to be in compliance regarding rules and regulations, If you pick up a load from the shipper trailer is loaded and ready to go your job is to back up hook up and deliver it to its destination. halfway through the trip a weigh station says you are overweight. Why should the driver suffer? he did not load it he was just doing his job. I am sure this has been covered but i am new to the site and the industry so any insight and knowledge i can gain would be useful

The driver is responsible for his load regardless of who loaded it or what it is. Don't let someone else ruin your day.

So I just got my CDL this past Friday and I am very stoaked about this.. Now all wkend I have been getting calls from other companies with job offers.. I did a company sponsored program and feel I owe this company a year but some of these offers come with bonuses and more home time, slightly more pay.. I don't know what I should do.. Also how did all these companies get ahold of me so quickly?

If you did company sponsored training aren't you obligated to drive for them until the training is paid for? What company trained you?

You can affect the blood pressure by 10 points knowing a few simple tricks.

Feel Free to ask any questions regarding your health and your DOT Physical Examination.

DrW, "Texas Trucking Network"

What are some of these simple tricks Dr Wayne? I am working on getting my BP down before I report to school in January.

Stevens transportation. I have been searching with no luck. Do they do both or just a UA? Does anybody know?

Thanks for the input guys.. I took their online tests last night and passed them all so im just waiting to hear from one of them so i can go to Millington, TN for the school... Im really nervous and upset that i have to leave my 3 year old boy and 3 month old girl but I desperately need money to give them everything they deserve. They told me the training was two weeks and orientation was the last week? Also im confused on the pay cuts for the schooling... One person told me $30 a week and the computer says $75 a week. ?

If you're worried now about leaving your kids for school. How is it going to be if you're out on the road for 3-5 weeks at a time?