Is Stevens Trucking A Good Place To Start.
Topic 4064 | Page 1
OK here goes. I have to call this company today. (06-20-14) I am 48yo single femaleand want and have always wanted to be a trucker. Can I get some fast opinions on this company. I have a driver referral from Stevens so its more than likely they will pick me up. I lost my job 3 mths ago and am BROKE. 1. is it a good company. 2. hair follicle testing. Im a bleach blonde does that effect the follicle testing! I was told my test will be negative for everything, including LIFE! lol 3. any info or experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am only looking for free cdl training. Need company thats good. At my age I dont have a long time to waste.
Welcome to the forums..
If your looking for free cdl training, then a company sponsored training program would be ideal.... They put you through training, upon completion, they hire you on and will deduct from your check each week... After 12-13 months they start paying you back. It works out pretty well...
Here's a list of companies that offer this..
I would settle for just Stevens, just in case they don't take you.. you'll have better chances to apply to the companies that you find to be a good fit.
Hope this helps you,
David
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OK here goes. I have to call this company today. (06-20-14) I am 48yo single femaleand want and have always wanted to be a trucker. Can I get some fast opinions on this company. I have a driver referral from Stevens so its more than likely they will pick me up. I lost my job 3 mths ago and am BROKE. 1. is it a good company. 2. hair follicle testing. Im a bleach blonde does that effect the follicle testing! I was told my test will be negative for everything, including LIFE! lol 3. any info or experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am only looking for free cdl training. Need company thats good. At my age I dont have a long time to waste.
Well so far my out of forum research tells me that Stevens is a crapbag job. Im now considering also calling swift. I Will keep you posted on the advances of my research. I am very computer adept and could give a lot of valuable independant info on each schooling. My concern is my age. Should this concern me at all. Do trucking companies not hire newbys at my age?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OK here goes. I have to call this company today. (06-20-14) I am 48yo single femaleand want and have always wanted to be a trucker. Can I get some fast opinions on this company. I have a driver referral from Stevens so its more than likely they will pick me up. I lost my job 3 mths ago and am BROKE. 1. is it a good company. 2. hair follicle testing. Im a bleach blonde does that effect the follicle testing! I was told my test will be negative for everything, including LIFE! lol 3. any info or experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am only looking for free cdl training. Need company thats good. At my age I dont have a long time to waste.
Well so far my out of forum research tells me that Stevens is a crapbag job. Im now considering also calling swift. I Will keep you posted on the advances of my research. I am very computer adept and could give a lot of valuable independant info on each schooling. My concern is my age. Should this concern me at all. Do trucking companies not hire newbys at my age?
Your age shouldn't be an issue.. we have new drivongs comming here that are 50-60.... So long as you pass a dot physical, should be clear..
I drove for swift myself few yrs back.. they are a good starting company.. terminals al throughout the US. Decent miles.
Check with prime, knight, cr England, and any others from the link above...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Well so far my out of forum research tells me that Stevens is a crapbag job. Im now considering also calling swift. I Will keep you posted on the advances of my research. I am very computer adept and could give a lot of valuable independant info on each schooling. My concern is my age. Should this concern me at all. Do trucking companies not hire newbys at my age?
Jocelyn,
Number one, your age is not an issue - that was my first concern as well when I came to this forum. There are all kinds of successful women of all ages driving today. I will make one recommendation to you and that is to check out the company sponsored program at Prime, Inc. It's true I drive for them so I cannot compare to other companies but that does not change the following: 1. I have seen many women come through the training program successfully, 2. Prime pays really well for new drivers (better than most) and 3. Prime seems to make a real effort to support a variety of different people in their effort to crack this job market like the fact that they don't expect you to pay for the tuition unless you don't stay for a full year with them. No "deductions" while you are working for them to cover tuition. Also, keep utilizing this forum to educate yourself about this industry and ask lots of questions and seek lots of advice. Utilize the training available here as well and get your CDL-A permit BEFORE you go to any school or company sponsored program. If you really want to be a trucker, you can. And remarkable quickly if you go through a company sponsored training program. Good luck,
Jopa
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Well so far my out of forum research tells me that Stevens is a crapbag job. Im now considering also calling swift. I Will keep you posted on the advances of my research. I am very computer adept and could give a lot of valuable independant info on each schooling. My concern is my age. Should this concern me at all. Do trucking companies not hire newbys at my age?
Jocelyn,
Number one, your age is not an issue - that was my first concern as well when I came to this forum. There are all kinds of successful women of all ages driving today. I will make one recommendation to you and that is to check out the company sponsored program at Prime, Inc. It's true I drive for them so I cannot compare to other companies but that does not change the following: 1. I have seen many women come through the training program successfully, 2. Prime pays really well for new drivers (better than most) and 3. Prime seems to make a real effort to support a variety of different people in their effort to crack this job market like the fact that they don't expect you to pay for the tuition unless you don't stay for a full year with them. No "deductions" while you are working for them to cover tuition. Also, keep utilizing this forum to educate yourself about this industry and ask lots of questions and seek lots of advice. Utilize the training available here as well and get your CDL-A permit BEFORE you go to any school or company sponsored program. If you really want to be a trucker, you can. And remarkable quickly if you go through a company sponsored training program. Good luck,
Jopa
Thakns Jopa, Honestly Prime does seem to suit my immediate needs. I will call them first! Why do you suggest I obtain the permit first?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Thakns Jopa, Honestly Prime does seem to suit my immediate needs. I will call them first! Why do you suggest I obtain the permit first?
Jocelyn,
The reason you would want to get your permit before going to training (and this goes for any company you are considering) is because now that is 1 less thing you have to worry about once you are there dealing with all the things you will have thrown your way.
I also did my training through Prime (started at age 56 in Oct 2011) so I can say that their program works very well and they treat folks fairly & honestly (at least that was my experience with them).
Ernie
OK here goes. I have to call this company today. (06-20-14) I am 48yo single femaleand want and have always wanted to be a trucker. Can I get some fast opinions on this company. I have a driver referral from Stevens so its more than likely they will pick me up. I lost my job 3 mths ago and am BROKE. 1. is it a good company. 2. hair follicle testing. Im a bleach blonde does that effect the follicle testing! I was told my test will be negative for everything, including LIFE! lol 3. any info or experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am only looking for free cdl training. Need company thats good. At my age I dont have a long time to waste.
I chose stevens last month and I'm still new but I can tell you one thing...I didn't know anything about a truck.. I never even driven a clutch in my life and they have taught me a lot. Besides them "stretching the truth a lot"and the living arrangements at the school and in Dallas it was worth it. There's bad news everywhere... U just gotta figure out how and when to make lemonade out of lemons
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thakns Jopa, Honestly Prime does seem to suit my immediate needs. I will call them first! Why do you suggest I obtain the permit first?
Jocelyn,
Just like Ernie said, that is one less thing to worry about when you get where you are going. If you take the training here at TT for the permit test, you can take the test at your speed and have that step out of the way when you get to school/orientation. It doesn't matter what state permit you have it will work in Missouri and then you'll get a Missouri license when you take the test and you can then transfer it back to your home state (in most cases). The training here will set you up to pass with flying colors. I've seen many people comment that (and myself included) the DMV staff is blown away when you breeze in, sit down and finish all three parts of the test in less than a half hour and pass with flying colors. They are used to people failing and having to retake the tests. Same thing at the Prime orientation. Since you are expected to learn this on your own, I've witnessed several people having to take the test several days in a row in order to pass. If you do the High Road training here (go through at least two times) you will KNOW this material - a much more difficult chore if you just have the handbook to study on your own. Also, I put down my own Prime experience in the CDL Training Diaries so you can read the 4 part series where I describe the Prime, Inc. "orientation/training" process. This will help you make a decision as to where you want to go. I called them:
"A Primer on Prime, Inc. - My Experiences and Insights, Part(s) 1-4." Part four has an A & B cause I was so long winded I ran out of room.
Hope this helps . . .
Jopa
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Well so far my out of forum research tells me that Stevens is a crapbag job. Im now considering also calling swift. I Will keep you posted on the advances of my research.
Jocelyn, welcome to the forum!
I just couldn't let that statement go without a response. If you do any internet research on just about any trucking company you will only come to the conclusion that they are all "crapbag" jobs. I happen to work for one of those "crapbag" companies, and well, let's see - I had 3,677 miles on today's paycheck, oh and I just got dispatched on a job with 1400 miles, and when I sent in my loaded call and started rolling they sent me a pre-plan load with a 2,400 mile load on it - yep these guys suck, but for some reason they sure do treat me good!
Jocelyn, your age is not a problem. I started this as a second career at the age of fifty three, and the very week that I got hired they also hired a man who was 72! The only problem you are going to have is if you believe all that drivel on the internet about trucking companies. Your success at this business lies in your own willingness to succeed. Trucking is a serious career for serious people who understand that it's not easy, and there is no one out here to hold your hand when you get yourself in trouble. It takes a fiercely independent person who can stand on their own two feet. The problem with all those internet reviews is that they are all written by people who couldn't take the heat so they bailed out of the kitchen. The people who are out there making a living day in and day out aren't sitting around writing internet reviews, they are busy making money and turning their wheels. They haven't got the time or the inclination to write sweet little stories about how great it is to be working here or there.
Trust me on this one truth. If you want to succeed at this career then you can. I absolutely don't care where you take your start at. All these companies want to have is a driver who will take the bull by the horns and make things happen out there. If you think you've got that type of mentality then you will do well at Stephens, or Schneider, or Swift, or Prime, or even Western Express.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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OK here goes. I have to call this company today. (06-20-14) I am 48yo single femaleand want and have always wanted to be a trucker. Can I get some fast opinions on this company. I have a driver referral from Stevens so its more than likely they will pick me up. I lost my job 3 mths ago and am BROKE. 1. is it a good company. 2. hair follicle testing. Im a bleach blonde does that effect the follicle testing! I was told my test will be negative for everything, including LIFE! lol 3. any info or experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am only looking for free cdl training. Need company thats good. At my age I dont have a long time to waste.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: