Question:
I am a new driver and have graduated from an approved 140 hour course in Vermont with all of my endorsements.
I have beent o truck net to seek out work and I have been contacted by a few companies. The only one who seems "readyto hire" is Stevens Transport, Dallas TX.
I spoke with a recruiter there and was told I would ahve to work for the company for 5 weeks in a training mode. Meaning WITHOUT pay. I'm told they furnish meals and lodging, but what gives. It sounds like they want me to go through the CDL class all over again with them. Am I on here or is this normal for someone with no experience to have to do to get experience.
I know I am green but I have been around the block a bit and I feel a bit manipulated. Whats your take on this practice? Thanks for the advise.
"So shines a good deed in such a weary world."

Answer:
I've Never heard of NOT getting paid for Training.(is it Over-the-Road Training they are talking about or is it classroom training?)
Granted, most carriers do Not pay Much for OTR Training, but at least they DO PAY Something.
Take Stevens OFF Your List & Keep Looking.
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(2pgs)Past Posts about Stevens(click here)

Answer:
Training for 5 weeks with no pay?
Second question how long ago did you complete CDL school?
This is typically the deal.
Upon completion of a CDL school you hire on with a "training" company...ie a company that hires newbies w/no exp.
You attend orientation with that company. This lasts around 3 days which you may or may not be paid for.
Next you are assigned a trainer. You go with that trainer and pickup and deliver real loads until you have completed the training program. This is on the job training. Training last typically 4-8 weeks depending on company. You are usually paid a salary for this (300-400 week depending on company) time though some companies pay a low milage rate...ie 10 cents per mile or something.
After successful completion of training program you are upgraded to driver status and assigned your own truck and you pay starts at the entry level pay which generally ranges from .25-.28 cpm depending on company.
It sounds like to me either there was a misunderstanding or two somewhere or the recruiter you were talking was new and really didn't have his/her facts straight.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
It does seem like a misunderstanding. Stevens has a 2 week school. Then a 3 day orientation. Your most likely not being asked to do the scholl thing. The first week you'll have 3 days orientation. By the time you get a trainer it will usually be a week. Your not paid while in orientation or waiting for a trainer. Your trainer couild also show up before orientation is over. I think they were being realistic by calling it a week. Then you have 4 weeks OTR training with a trainer. You can then take a couple days of but they don't like it. Then you will go out for 4 weeks with another student.
Realistically, one week orientation, 4 weeks with a trainer and 4 weeks student/student. They seem to have left out the last 4 weeks. Your paid for everything but orientation.
I'll give an honest opinion of the company from the little I know. They have a very well laid out training program. They do lots of long hauls but new drivers won't get them until they feel comfortable with you. They have lousy benefits, self insured with to many restrictions. Their pay schedule has to be one of the worst there is. You will buy every piece of equiptment you carry except the truck and trailer. Load locks, meat locks all come out of your pay. They must have the best load locks on the road, $40- $50. Meat lock, trailer door lock is made of gold, $70.00. You will be charged for shortages/damages and the cash taken out of your pay. They tell you this in orientation.
Probably the cheapest company on the road. Good Luck.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Most of them pay you a stipend of $200 or $300 each wee you're out with a trainer.
You now know about the equipment and the regs, but you're not ready (yet) to run real loads all by yourself.
You'll live with a trainer in their truck for 4 to 8 weeks, while you watch him perform the job, paperwork, QualComm, routing, terminal procedures, etc, and you'll start doing most of the work. It's hands-on, and it's essential training/experience (whatever you want to call it).
Then you'll be road and paper tested AGAIN....and THEN they'll give you your keys to your own truck.
But in the meantime they'll only pay you this weekly "stipend". It's usually enough for your personal road expenses, but not much more.
You're still in a learning mode right now -- a dime a dozen, frankly -- and you won't make a real paycheck (such as it is ) till you go through the company's "training" process and get your own truck.
It's standard newbie procedure explained on most recruiting brocures, and surely talked about at truck school ?