My Experience with Lone Star Transportation

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by American-Trucker, Dec 1, 2011.

  1. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    My Continued Blog from: My Experiance with Watkins Shepard!


    As most of you know I’ve decided to give flat bedding a try. I've spent the last few months searching for a decent company to go to. I was originally going to switch to the W/S Flatbed Division, but do to little to no turnover I was put on a list, which could take a longgggg time to get to me. So I decided to look elsewhere.

    Most flatbed companies that train you to flatbed are governed at 62mph, run e-logs, tarp EVERYTHING, most don’t even pay that good, have sheety trucks, etc. And are among the BFI's listed here at TTR. After months of research it was looking like I either needed to wait for my number to be called or suck it up and go to a BFI.

    Then a member here mentioned Lone Star Transportation. I had heard about them a few years ago, and favorited their website since I was a few years to young to work for them. I looked them up again and found out that I now not only meet/exceed all of their requirements, they now (temporarily) are training experienced drivers to flatbed!


    About 3-4 weeks ago I decided to fill out an Application with Lone Star Transportation, the next morning I received a call from a Recruiter. She called to let me know that they received the application and she had a few questions for me (I had my questions answered the day before when I called them).

    2 Days later I received another call, telling me my application was accepted and asked when I’d like to attend Orientation. She gave me the dates of the next few orientations (they don’t do it every week like allot of companies do). I asked for a few days to think about it, she said no problem.

    I called them the next week and set my orientation date
    12/05/11. Then I called my company and gave my 2 weeks notice.

    They told me they'd call me a week before. Which they did on Tuesday, to make sure I was still coming and told me they would have my travel info for me today.

    First they do not do the grey dog :biggrin_25513:, they are FLYING my from NC to TX. Then they are renting me a car to use while there. AND they pay for their drivers to have their OWN room at the hotel (no sharing!) :biggrin_25525: By the time they issue me a truck I figure they'll have $1,500+ invested in me That right there says allot about the company.


    Orientation is 3 days in Fort Worth, TX. Then since I have no flatbed experience they said 3-5 days of Flatbed training at the terminal (I believe it’s at a different terminal then the one they do orientation at).



    Anyway so I fly out Sunday afternoon, I'll be posting my experience here just like I did with my Watkins Shepard Blog.











    American Trucker
     
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  3. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    impact5988 Thanks this.
  4. jeff1981

    jeff1981 Light Load Member

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    Congrats on the new gig. How long do they put you with a trainer once you go through orientation?
     
    American-Trucker Thanks this.
  5. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    according to the recruiter no time on the road with a trainer...




    American Trucker
     
    walstib Thanks this.
  6. jeff1981

    jeff1981 Light Load Member

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    Huh, that's a surprise. When I started I didn't have a trainer either, but in retrospect I wish I had. Some things just don't behave the way you'd expect them to- greasy steel and oilfield pipe both come to mind, as well as boulders....

    I would guess it'll be a pretty intense securement training then.
     
    mDub Thanks this.
  7. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    i hope so lol. I wouldnt have complained about a week or so with a trainer (although i would rather go without) as long as they didnt run them as teams. I can't sleep while the truck is moving.




    American Trucker
     
  8. Jarhed1964

    Jarhed1964 Road Train Member

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    Kewl deal!

    I used to see a lot of those LoneStar drivers all over TX and NM when I was flatbedding. Great bunch of dudes.
     
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  9. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Lone Star is generally considered pretty good around here. They were real big into wind a few years ago. That has died out quite a bit. They moved to Ft W from original headquarters in Gainesville, TX a while back. They bought the old Ceramic Cooling Tower headquarters at 820 & Blue Mound Rd in Ft W. If you do well they will get you into over dimension . That is what I like best. Good luck!
     
    Blyth and American-Trucker Thank this.
  10. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    the recruiter said 6 months of legal loads, then they will slowly put bigger loads on me. I'd be happy pulling a step with legal loads :biggrin_2559:.




    American Trucker
     
  11. jeff1981

    jeff1981 Light Load Member

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    If you get into over size, make sure your pilot car drivers are good- they will make or break the day for you with a big load.
     
    American-Trucker, alex94 and WideSkyND Thank this.
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