Don't know. I have likely run into him before and spoken with him. I'll ask around, and I wouldn't be suprised if I actually do know him. If I run into him, I'll let you know.

Also, I'd like to add that for my first company, I really don't think I could have done better than Star. It has been a far from perfect experience, but judging from what I've heard about other companies that take new drivers, Star is far better than most.

But believe me, if after September things start getting really stupid, I'm going to start looking around for something better.

I asked the lady that did my tax forms this year what are the best-paying small companies around. She should know since she sees all the W2's. But honestly, I probably couldn't get one of those better jobs without a few solid years of driving experience (without job-hoping) which I was able to get at Star.

So . . . Basically it's going to be up to Covenant which way the company goes from here, and whether or not I stay.

He called me the other day. He turned in his truck and went to work for another company. Said his miles had been cut way down. 1000 or less. Plus he was getting less miles and not getting in on the weekends anymore. Less miles, less hometime. Said even trainers were only getting about 1000 miles. They used to be a good company. I was wondering how long it would be till covenant showed through.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Yeah, tell me about it...

I got laid over in Dallas a while back. Spent 2 weekend nites there. Every fifteen minutes some crack ##### knocking on the door.

Man if you go into the downstairs dispatch area you can just feel the negative vibe. Very differnt than it used to be.

But my miles have been picking up recently! Maybe because there's nobody left to do the loads! I went 3 weekends w/out getting home (but I did get to stop by my house on a Monday once).

I'm trying my best to stay as long as I can, but i just don't know how much longer I can take it...

I Have Been With Star For 1 Year And It Has Been Hell.if You Wanna Make Some Money Star Is Not The Company For You.i Spend A Majority Of My Time Sittin Waitin For A Load.i Have Two More Weeks With Them And One Of Them Is My Vacation.i Plan On Goin With Shaffer Doin The Same Southeast Regional But Gettin Paid .39 Instead Of .32....the Only Good Thing About Star Is That They Get You Home Every Weekend Other Than That The Stink After Covenant Bout Them Out.please Listen To Me Star Is Not A Good Company,i Run Out Of Atl,ga But If You Stay In Fl You Will Never Get Home Because There Is Limited Freight Going To Fl And Comin Out Of Fl.if Anyone Wants To Know More Please [ask here].

I have been with Star for many years. I have been in trucking even more years than that. Star is about as good as they come. They treat you well and respect your home time needs. I quit once and went to about 4 other companies, all offering practical miles...the miles were less so per mile didn't matter and I was having less home time. I have not seen many changes due to covenant and expect not to. The changes are happening at covenant, not Star. Covenant is getting rid of their southeast division because the bought star, who does southeast with great success. management at star is the same now so it still feels the same to me. nobody should be afraid to go to star. miles are low at every company...that's the economy and poor housing market, not star or covenant. at star, they do have a new recruiting manager and she insists on honesty. I was talking to her (and a few drivers who know her) and while she is tough, she'll never lie to a recruit. Her husband drives for star, too, and she respect's what we all do. call her and see if she paints the pretty picture most recruiters try to convince you trucking is. she won't and that makes a difference. star still has the lowest turnover of any of the companies i have been with. Yes, classes are bigger, but they were having open trucks sit around before. now the trucks are filled. that's not increased turnover. as for waiting on trainers, the more you put restraints on them, the longer you will wait and that's on you, not star. If you demand a certain trainer from a certain area, they will do as you ask. And then you complain that you had to wait. Most companies won't even try to do what you want...at least star tries. will they screw up? yes, they will, but they try not to and that's more than i can say for the other 15 ccompanies I have worked for...i am stying at star. no need to search further. (AS an extra bit of advice, star promotes drivers to local, dedicated, and sometimes to office jobs such as dispatch or orientation coordinator. it gives you room to grow as a driver.)
Be safe and sane out there.

I started my driving carreer with STAR last year in may. They were a good company to work for back then. The only issue I have with them is that they terminated me when I became ill in November. I guess they did not want to continue paying on the insurance. I have recently been layed off(yay,strong economy),and am considering working for them again,as long as I can make a decent paycheck,and see the house on the weekends. I was doing local work.

Does anyone have any new info on Star TN? I heard from a recruiter today and he said between 2200 and 2500 miles per week for the southeast region. He said he could not guarantee home on weekends but it would take a special situation not to get a driver home on weekends. He said they were fazing out the Volvos and would not have any of them by year's end. They were going strictly with freightshakers with 10 speeds. He also said that training was 4 weeks and 8500 miles. Both would have to be accomplished before you are sent out solo.

Are there any current drivers hear that can add to this?
Thanks.

I just left them last month.

Don't count on anything over 2000 miles/week as Southeast Regional. Yeah, sometimes you might get more than 2000, but not too often.

Best to run OTR, even if you live in the Southeast, and you will still usually get home weekends and get more miles. But then again, don't ALL Star drivers live in the Southeast?--except a few oddball drivers from New Jesey and Baltimore?

But beware if you don't like the Northeast, because STAR just LOVES to send you to the Northeast. No big deal, the Northeast is better than Atlanta, in my opinion.
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Yep, no more Volvos. I loved my Volvo: small wheelbase, smooth ride, and QUIET! Frieghtliners seem like that have more space in the sleeper, and they do, but there is far less storage space, and the ride is loud and "shaky." Also, Freightliners usually have Detroit engines, and they are sooooo weak. The Cummins engines in the Volvos blow them out of the water!
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Star pissed me off to no end, but I still recomend them to a new driver. Star never intentionally screwed me over. It's just that after a few years experience, I can make so much more money, and that's why I left. I may come back someday though. Overall a well run company, I'd say.
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I don't like Star's customers. HEAVY!!! I'm a master at pulling heavy loads and adjusting tandems. I must have every CAT scale trading card ever made! Expect lots of paper loads, bottled water, lead, zink, dog food, charcoal, Pepsi, you name it. Oh, and I hope you like C.H.Robinson!
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True story: Within a single day I was at a nuclear power plant making a delivery. The guards were armed to the teeth and had mirrors under the truck and checked everything. That same day I was at some dude's front yard loading old car batteries to take to Exide in Baton Rouge. His whole damn family came out to load me: no loading docks, and I had to back a half-mile down a dirt road to get there!
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One things for sure: you will learn how to drive at Star! So in closing, a good company to start with, and it is unfortunate they sold out to Covenant.

Thanks for the info MXH. That is a lot of help.

I drove for Star from March thru May before I left for Fedex Ground. I can agree with the quoted statement below except for the miles. The last three weeks I was at Star I got less than a 1000 miles per week -- no freight. I have talked to my trainer and he is not getting any miles to speak of either. His miles are now less than 2000 a week.

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TNtrucker07
CDL A since 02/07
(Yes, I am a newbie)