Comments By The Chad

The info I posted is for Stevens Transport, they haul refer loads. Main terminal is in Mesquite (Dallas) TX. Besides having their own driving academy, they do bring in students from other schools...so I think we are taking about the same company. They are good, just the their academy didn't work for me, so I'm with PAM.

So far my time with my trainer has been great, drove 9.5 hours (582) miles yesterday, had short drive today, load is due tomorrow morning. My trainer has me double clutching still, because that's what we have to do to get upgraded to a 1st seat driver. Seen some amazing parts of the country already, and although the weather is warm it's been sunny. Gonna do a little night driving tomorrow, so that will be a challenge. Until next time...

It's a god company old salt, my brother is finishing up his training with them in a week, I think you will be better off going through your college. They have their academy, but I felt limited seat time and my nerves cost me with them. Good luck

So I'm new here. Got accepted to Stevens school through Ranger college. Looking for helpful info. Any info is appreciated . Thanks

Are you going to the main terminal in Dallas?

I will probably go to local school part time and go from there.

Make sure they get you a job lined up, and it is a good school. I've met some people that went to school and it took them a while to line up work

Cool, glad it's going well. Good luck!

Thanks, are you still considering a company?

Orientation was mostly a lot of paperwork. We did have some "classes" with tests that followed. It wasn't difficult as long as u payed attention, plus you could use notes. The class gets split into two groups, so day 1 group 1 is inside and group 2 is outside on the range do skills tests (straight and 45 backing). The next day group 2 is inside and 1 is outside, and we swap untill Friday. Everyone is in class Friday. PAM serves lunch everyday and you also get $25 a day for spending money for dinner....eat cheap and save it!

The hotel is really nice, they serve breakfast in the morning and have a heated swimming pool AND sauna.

Friday of orientation week is when you will find out where you will go to meet ur trainer. New drivers will go to one of the 4 PAM yards in Irving, Tx; Little Rock, Ar; North Jackson, OH and Tonitown, AR. You will wait there in a local hotel until it is time to meet your driver. Some people wait 1-2 days, and some wait 10 days. I have been sitting here at the Days Inn in Irving since the 21st, I have to wait until the 30th!!

You will train for about 2-3 weeks and then go back to one of the 4 yards for your upgrade test, which includes a 70 question general knowledge test, backing test, and a road test.

PAM really wants its new drivers to be team HazMat drivers for at least 6 months. You get a lot better pay, if you do end up solo the pay is a little lower than some other companies, but hey, we gotta get that year somehow.

Once I get on the road with my trainer I will post regular updates from the road...until then.

Oh boy I hit the lottery!! After the two day bus trip from hell I lucked into my own room!

The hotel has an indoor pool/ jacuzzi and this awesome bed:

This week is off to a good start!!

Thanks to that accident I now have an 8 hour layover in Texarkana, AR. I'm so tired, want to be done with this trip already 😕