Questions about Star Transport

Star Transport (red logo on the trailer) is in Morton, Ill. Star Transportation (blue logo on the tractor door) is in Nashville and is owned by Covenant. so many people get them confused.

now having said that, i just graduated CDL school from Chattanooga State Technology Center and got my CDL yesterday. i had a prehire letter from Star in mid april. the recruiter came and talked with us for about 2 hours. very straight forward guy.

the biggest positive point he made during his visit was that the drivers attitude and relationship with the dispatcher will make or break you. if you have a sorry attitude, haven't showered in a month, look like Cooter Davenport from the dukes of hazzard and have the personality of an anal wart, then yes, you will not be liked and will not be around long.

many bad reports on companies are usually the result of poor performance on the drivers behalf. poor attitudes will come back to bite you. new drivers like myself have got to take a position with whoever will put us in a tractor to get that coveted one to two years of experience. you have to bite the bullet and just do the job. do it great and it will reward you in the long run.

i called them yesterday, and have arranged to be picked up late next week. i asked for a driver to pick me up, as they offer that option. so that gives them a week to get someone close to me because i just hate riding greyhound. i see no sense in making a 9 or so hour trip in a day and a half.

my brother inlaw worked for them when he started driving years back and he loved them. but like i said, each experience that everyone has is a direct result of your personal attitude and approach to your job.

i know that companies can and do screw drivers, it happens. so dont think i am saying that all companies are gold. truth be told, there probably isn't one of those out there. it would help if people approach driving as a career and not just a job. a job will barely pay the bills. a career will take care of you as long as you love what your doing.

 

If you want a good relationship with your dispatcher, you are signing with the wrong company. Most of the dispatchers and Star have never driven a truck and don't know the problems we run into. Most of them are just plain incompetent. Very few are any good.

 

True some drivers end their own career, but you have to realize you are sitting in the student chair at the classroom. The guy speaking to you gets paid for you to come to his company. He needs to sell that co to you. Do you think he is going to lean more to the co as being the blame for loss of driver retention or blame it on the drivers? He is making a sales pitch. Just remember that.

 

Caddilacdude,
which Star do you have a pre-hire from?

 

the prehire is from Star Transport in Illinois.

 

I just cant belive the negativity. Cadillac dude just got his CDL and seems to have the right attitude for any job. I have no doubt with that attitude he will go far in the trucking industry. And yes getting along with your dispatcher dose matter. This is the guy you depend on to get you good miles and home when you need to be. Why would he put any effort into it if he dislikes you? Divers here avg. between 2500-3500 a week. A truck driver is on the companys front line he is the one our customer see most often. When a diver shows up at your business clean, showered (pilot offers free showers if you buy fuel) with a positive attitude not only makes you look good but the company you represent. While yes, Every business has its good and bad points a good attitude goes a long way to make your job the best it can be. As for the recuiter it is his job to sell the benefits of his company. Just as its your job to sell the benefits of yourself to a prespective employer. It sounds like Cadillac has alot to offer and he will go far. Best of luck Cadillac! The industry needs more with your attitude.

 

starboy, what all do they do in orientation? is it classroom or do they make you climb like a monkey to see if you can get in the tractors and trailers? there are so many places that do wellness tests, but there is no telling what battery of tests one may be subjected to taking.

i dont think any of them will kill me, i have a few extra pounds on me so unless i have to run a 4 minute mile i should be good to go.

 

It's easy to have a good attitude when you haven't driven a mile. I agree that having a good relationship with your dispatcher is important. It's just that dispatch at Star sucks. That's not saying that there isn't a good dispatcher there, but most of them suck. Also all communication has to be done over the qualcomm. When I was with TMC, I had a great relationship with my dispatcher, he always called before he sent me a load and gave me the run down. Star is impersonal and sometimes they can be really demeaning. I say that from experience, not because someone told me or a recruiter said something. Also, Stars training is a joke, Three days of classroom then they throw you in a truck with a trainer with only one bed. You better hope the trainer you have runs 24/7. Mine did, but that was because I already knew how to drive. The problem is if it runs 24/7, he isn't really training you, he's sleeping. So, goodluck and hopefully your experience is good. I have had no problems with the shop or safety, their both solid. I just dislike my dispatcher. I also dislike the attitude I get from night dispatch.

 

LOL Cadillac no 4 minute miles! But getting in and out of the truck is improtant LOL Not to worry no timed entry/exit tests. Your first few days will be mostly classroom, Great movies and some procedure tests (nothing you dont know already) After those few days you will be assigned a driver generally he will live near you in your home state. You two will be run hard the next few weeks. Your time with another driver can be anywhere from 3-5 weeks (depending on when you stated) This will be probabally the hardest thing for you as in having to be with someone you dont really know. Not to worry ushally the driver you go with has been chosen ushally because he has a agreeble personality and demeanor. Although I do have some funny stories (just ask) After completion you will be bought back and assigned a tractor and introduced to your dispatcher and others at the shop. The first month or two you should concentrate on your time management skills and perfeft your own "style" as a driver. A few things you may want to bring with you are a IPOD, CELL PHONE, LAPTOP COMPUTER (Verizon offers a nice phone/wireless internet package) PORTABLE GPS UNIT, A PDA is also nice to have. You have graduated from a very reputable school so I have no doubt of your ability. Best of luck keep us posted of your progress.

 

Kindsoul, While I am not familiar with TMC's dispatch procedure. A dispatcher (primary) handles many drivers and customers needs. Its hard to call a driver before you get sent a dispatch. You CAN call him/her should you have questions or concerns with a dispatch. Your dispatcher counts on you for their own pay and bonuses. There is no reason they would not be happy to take your call or question. In this age of text message and Qualcom. sometimes too much reliance is placed on it. As far as night/weekend dispatch is concerned that is a whole other issue. I can delve into that if you wish but I am sure you already have a good idea as to why those issues occure. (not incopetence) And while I do not know your individual issues between you and your dispatcher. If you belive this is keeping you from being the best you can be, Request a new one you can do that. But be certain when you do that your issues are real and can't be adressed between the two of you. When you deal with so many different personalitys (Drivers) it can be hard. It's important for both of you to meet eachother somewhere in the middle. Both of your pay depends on it. Best of luck to you. I hope you can work these issues out.