Question:
I'm a newbie driver, graduated from Truck School Dec 12/03, and been trying to find my first job. I've been rejected by many companies for one reason or another, even made it out to KLLM orientation but they sent me home. They said they had some "safety concerns". Don't know if it was my driving test or something on my paperwork, and they're not talking. I don't think it was my driving test, at least I didn't stall the truck like some of the other newbies that got into the company.
Anyway, Stevens says I'm good to go to their orientation. I also tried Swift, and think they'll probably take me, but was on hold for a recruiter for 45 minutes the other day and finally gave up and called Stevens. At this point I'm just looking to get my first company, pay my dues and get a year's experience then move on to a better paying job. I'm aware of all the cons of choosing Stevens, and I'm not going Stevens just for the purty truck, just tired of waiting for something to happen.
So, I'd like some info from any Stevens Drivers out there who can fill me in on the orientation. Besides morning formation, drill, P.T., and inspection (heh-heh) --> what I'm most concerned about is the driving test. My Truck School taught us on some old ten speed Freightliners with the splitter switch for fifth through eighth gears. I don't know my transmissions yet, cause I'm just a newbie, so I'd like to know what kind of transmissions the Stevens driving test trucks use, gear pattern, etc, what the driving test is like, and anything else that might be helpful in regards to Stevens Orientation. Thanks for any info!

Answer:
They're probably just as good as any other entry level company and since no other company is biting you might not have any choice... Maybe you could clue us in on where you live. If you live in the middle of no-where like Arizona or New Mexico or some place like that the Swifts and Stevens of the world are probably your only option. whereas if you live near Chicago or Dallas or Jersey or some other area with plenty of freight your choices are many, the last place you should look if that's the case is the Stevens, Swifts, etc. And with smaller companies when trying to get a job its best to do in person, the over the phone stuff works well with 10000 truck companies. They need to fill truck seats fast but that doesnt cut it at the smaller outfits, you gotta sell yourself to those kind.

Answer:
"My Truck School taught us on some old ten speed Freightliners with the splitter switch for fifth through eighth gears." thats good becaus2e Stevens will test you in some old KW's. Not to bad if you can atleast find the right hole for the gear. They are a bit sloppy at best. Same pattern as what you trained on.
I tried to do a search for you but it keeps locking up. A TruckNet problem for sure. So look above and you'll see a line that has
MyPop™ | register | search | faq | forum home.
Just click search and type in Stevens, lots of info there.
I think Swift would be better and thats not saying much.
-->
"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."
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Answer:
Tuco, I live in central Texas 'bout two hours out of Dallas, Austin area. Any tips on finding those smaller companies? I'd like nothing better than a face to face interview, but like I said, I just want to get the show on the road and wouldn't mind doing a year with an entry level co like Stevens, just want to get out there, be safe, and learn. Money is running out and it's time to find a job or move into a relatives back yard. You've set my mind at ease, Stuffs, concerning the type truck I'll be tested in. Us newbie gear grinders have enough to worry about without having to learn a new gear pattern on test day. Thanks for the info, guys!

Answer:
Any tips on finding those smaller companies?
Sure; yellow pages, drive around to various companies and see whose name is on the trucks, talk to drivers at the area truck stops and the number one answer for finding trucking companies in your area? Go the the library; librarians are trained to research and can help you find anything.
BTW, if you decide to go with Stevens, or any other entry-level company, you do NOT need to stay there for a full year (you can if you want). Many major companies will now hire a relatively new driver with 3 months of experience.
There is no advantage in this industry to staying with any company any longer than you wish to. BOL

Answer:
Thanks, John! Appreciate the info. I'm sure I can hang in there for at least six months with Stevens should I get in if the miles/pay/hometime is better somewhere else. Have a safe trip!

Answer:
If thats the area you live in you shouldnt have any problem finding a decent company. You'll have to expend effort to go out and look for it, look in yellow pages as that other guy suggested, look in your local paper's classifieds or the D/FW paper's classified. All kinds of CDL A dump truck jobs around there, something maybe to get home every night. Dont forget, if you call them and tell them youre a newb they're most likely gonna say "we dont hire inexp'd thanks bye" but if you go in person you might talk them into it. Go in person..

Answer:
Originally posted by John C.:
There is no advantage in this industry to staying with any company any longer than you wish to. BOL
Thats flat out wrong. You cost yourself a lot of money hopping around from job to job with all that downtime. Also you'll never top out hopping and skipping everywhere and when a cherry teamsters job comes up youre SOL they get to pick and choose who they hire they dont need warm bodies and people with shoddy work histories. Stick it out with whatever company you hire onto, vest yourself in your 401k then get yourself a better job that is a true step up wages, benefits that are truly better not f**** over re-hashed "top industry pay" bull..

Answer:
Thats flat out wrong. You cost yourself a lot of money hopping around from job to job with all that downtime.
BS. Plan it right and the downtime is no more than your normal time off. Never leave one job without having another one lined up.
As for the teamster's job, you can spend your whole trucking career building up a "job history" for a job opportunity that may never occur. I've been involved with unions for most of my adult life and I'd much rather know someone than have to rely on the "hiring process".
There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Answer:
Originally posted by John C.:
Thats flat out wrong. You cost yourself a lot of money hopping around from job to job with all that downtime.
BS. Plan it right and the downtime is no more than your normal time off. Never leave one job without having another one lined up.
As for the teamster's job, you can spend your whole trucking career building up a "job history" for a job opportunity that may never occur. I've been involved with unions for most of my adult life and I'd much rather know someone than have to rely on the "hiring process".
There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Most companys "orient" you for a day maybe 2 or 3. That's downtime. Youre benfits likely wont kick in until 60 or 90 days, what if some family medical emergency occurs. How can you ever build any retirement that way? You'll never top out job hopping, tell this guy the truth, it doesnt happen. You'll always be stuck at the lower end of the payscale. I know drivers at my company thatve been doing it for 20 years and theyre making 33 cpm because whenever they think they can get a penny more over there or they think someone in dispatch has their number they quit.
If I spend my whole career at one company and never go to a teamsters outfit I'd be fine with that and a lot better off than someone who built a career with 15 or 20 different outfits. Teamster "job opportunities" are out there and I do intend to get one. As for the "gotta know someone" people always say that about unions but I dont believe for a minute that those are the only people who get jobs there. Does it go on? Sure, but not for every single position youre surely stretching things. A driver where I'm at now used to work for CF before the big bankruptcy, he just walked in and got a job there about 5 years ago, didnt know a soul that was a teamster so he said. But honestly if I must know someone I got that base covered one of the local politicians my family is tight with her husband has been with yellow for 25 years. I dont intend to ask for any help though. Thats a last resort act of desperation. I can get one on my own I am certain.
[This message was edited by Tuco on January 24, 2004 at 22:59.]

Answer:
Orientation at Stevens begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday, 5 PM. Expect Monday through Wednesday to last until 10 PM. Lots of work on the lot after 5 PM doing all sorts of things with the trucks. Don't sweat the road test. Just relax. If you do lousy, they will probably take you back out again during the week. Your trainer is the one responsible for teaching you to drive. Just be sure you can shift. That means downshifting, too.
Stevens uses Kenworth's T2000s. Regular 10 speed. They have a few T600s, too, for the school. Their orientation is exhausting.
If you don't leave with a trainer on Thursday, you return Friday from 8 to 5 practicing backing. Half day on Saturday. Back on Monday and so on until you get your trainer.

Answer:
Thanks for all the usefull info, guys! I'll stick it out with Stevens (if I get in) for a while till I'm satisfied that I'm a safe, competent driver, then maybe think about moving on. The only thing that makes me think I would want to go to another company is some of the comments I've read at this forum and others about the payrate/miles/hometime that Stevens drivers get, but who knows, I may like it and stay. I need to find all this out for myself and then make a decision on my own experiences and the needs of my family.
As far as searching for local work, seems like all the local dump truck-rock hauler positions in this area want you to have at least 1 yr otr exper, so I'll just go otr first and see about local work after I get my feet wet, besides, I want to try otr first and see if I like it, then maybe try for a dedicated, regional or local job later on so I can be closer to home.
Thanks for the orientation info, jester! I'm gonna call up my school and ask if I can get a day of driving in before I head out. Great forum, I've learned alot over here! Thanks again, guys!

Answer:
I may like it and stay. I need to find all this out for myself and then make a decision on my own experiences and the needs of my family.
That's the key to it, Dave. I dislike reefer outfits because I hate food warehouses; you may find it acceptable.
Tuco and I disagree on some points based on our own experiences and how we each prefer to do business but neither of us is entirely right or entirely wrong. We're just trying to point out different ways of reaching the same goal. Good luck.