Some random thoughts

I wanted to share some thoughts an opinions that I have had regarding the school process and Steven's in general.  I finally received my medical card today.  Awesome!!  Now I can finally say that I am an employee of Steven's Transport, and I can get out and drive a truck.  I believe that what I went through to get it was silly.  It took 6 whole days to get the drug test results back whereas it should've only took 24 hours...48 hours max.  The way that they make us sit here with all of our luggage and wait for a trainer is pretty ridiculous.  I'm sure that there is a method to their madness, but still.  If it was up to me, I would keep everybody at the hotel room until a trainer was available to take them out.  There are currently 97 people waiting to get out.  Rumor has that Steven's school graduates get priority, but we'll see.

The school itself was very organized...almost basic training like.  Keep in mind that they are there to get you your cdl...not teach you to drive a truck.  Yes you get to learn how to shift and parallel park and stuff, but it's the bare minimum to pass your driving test.  The instructors are easy to get along with, but they will not tolerate b.s.  This isn't high school, but you will be treated like a high schooler if you act like one.  It is a rigorous schedule, but it is doable.  Just make sure you get enough sleep, and you'll be just fine.  Don't think that you can come up here and party.  There is a very strict "no alcohol" policy in place and YOU WILL get caught...no if's and's, or but's about it.  There were a few people that came in with the class before me that thought that they could party, and carry on.  Well they learned real fast that they couldn't when Steven's booted them out of the hotel with out a ride and they were stuck begging for money to get home.

The training trucks are older Kenworth T2000's with 10 speed transmissions in them.  They are pretty worn out, but they are drivable.  They have a/c and radios that work.  I didn't see a truck out there that didn't have more than 800,000 miles on it, so not bad.  The 5th wheels were pretty loose so the trailers would slam back and forth between the 5th wheel and the lock.  Nevertheless, they were in better condition than any of the other training trucks that I have seen.

That's all that I think of to touch on.  I'm just going to be sitting here waiting for a trainer...probably for the next couple of days.  We'll see.  I most likely won't update this until I do get out there.  Until then, keep it between the lines.