Enjoying Star

I am still a rookie, I started out with TMC in April and hated it. I couldn't stand how strict they were always leaning over your shoulder just waiting for you to screw up.

I've seen several posts from guys complaining about sitting with Star waiting for loads, the most I have ever sat waiting for a load after delivery was 7 hours and that was on a Sunday. I average 2500 miles a week not bad in my opinion.

As far as home time goes, they have kept their word on what their recruiter told me. Three out of Four Weekends home, no problem I have been home every weekend since I started here in June except for the one mentioned above and that was because I requested to run. Also I have had a recent death in the family, I called my dispatcher informed him and he asked if I needed to get a plane ticket or if he could route me home.

Also someone stated that your idle time has to be under 30% or they charge you, that is incorrect. They don't want you to go above it but its not always preventable. If its hot and you can't sleep idle, same way if its cold. They consider this part of driver safety, if you can't sleep at night - then you sure as hell shouldn't be driving an 80K lbs truck. All you have to do is send your dispatcher a message on the qualcomm stating that you have to idle due to temp and they take care of it. My dispatcher already takes care of this for his drivers every week in the summer. Our newer trucks have APUs.

I do have a few lists of negatives.

Communication - good luck trying to get in touch with someone on the phones. Qualcomm first and call later. Night dispatch never forwards any messages, ever. Some of the communications problems are due to the buy out by Covenant. Our old breakdown line doesn't work - you have to call Covenants, that sort of thing.

Trip Packs - One thing I really miss from TMC is Transflow. Trip Packs suck, Transflow is much better. In order to get paid we have to have our trip packs in by Monday and they don't reimburse you for mailing them. They usually get you by a terminal a couple times a week so this is really not that big of a deal.

No West Coast - Maybe this is more personal but driving on the East side of the Mississippi all the time gets boring. Texas is about as far West as we go, of course we occasionally get those sweet long haul runs to the Gold Coast but... you gotta be real lucky in the right place at the right time.


Anyway I am enjoying working for Star and I really don't have that many complaints. They held up their end of the deal and I am holding up mine and if this keeps up then I am planning on staying here for a while. I love my truck - Freightliner Columbia so much better than that crap Peterbilt 379 I had with TMC. That pile of junk was always breaking down. I have a great dispatcher and the company lets me drive the truck. None of that micromanagement crap that TMC was pulling (ie. stop here for 55 gallons of fuel etc.). Anyway I am a happy Star driver message me if you have any questions etc.

 

The main thing driver is that YOU are enjoying it and feel comfortable....no company is a one size fits all not everyone here will agree with you but that's why there are so many trucking companies out there

 

What Nik said. Glad you like you gig!
Be safe out there!

 

Om my way to Nashville for orientation on 9-8, now I'm reading negative stuff. It could be attitude where a driver despises a company so much, or could a company really be that bad? I've been driving @14 years so I know no company is prefect (I've worked for a few) so I'm going in with a positive attitude. Read where Covenant bought Star, and Star bought a Jax company, Camp Transportation with # 50 drivers. I do agree with Nik, that it's a matter of what works for the individual, not all companies fit all drivers.

 

For no other reason, I'm curious why TMC or any company for that matter would have you stop for 55 gallons of fuel. What was their reasoning behind that?

 

Positive attitude! That's the ticket!
People will post negative waaaaay more than positive. It's a way of venting. In fact, sometimes I think guys won't post positive as they don't want to get flamed by all the previous negative posts. I think you see what I'm getting at here. Positive attitude...you've been around this stuff more than most, especially those posting negative.....

 

Probably to get cheaper fuel until they get to another place with cheap fuel. Some companies have deals worked with certain truck stop chains and only fuel at those places.

 

Gottcha.....Thanks

 

I have a pre hire from Star so my list has narrowed to them and H.O. wolding star is the front runner since i live 20 min from nashville

 

Hey..Coyote..its nice to hear good news on a company..I just finished school and leaning toward Star also looking at Pam..Question is were does
Star run... I'm out of Tampa