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.