Question:
Any info good bad or indifferent would be helpful to a friend who lives in Crossville,Tn and is going back on the road looking for a company to hook up with.

Answer:
I use to drive OTR for Star. They are not that bad of a company. They get you home almost every weekend unless you want to stay out longer. I ran the East Coast a lot though. Mostly NJ. The only problem I had with them is at the time they had a bunch of trucks ordered, and I was breaking down a lot. First truck made it 139 miles. I went through 3 trucks in 3 months. They kept telling me I would get a new truck as soon as they came in. I got tired of the break downs and finally quit. About a month later the trucks came in.
They have been calling me, but I started some where else and I am home everynight. The first truck broke down in KY. It then broke down in PA. Then broke down in W. VA. I made it back to Nashville and switched trucks. Same problem. Switced trucks again, and drove the last truck for a few months with minor breakdowns. I finally quit. If I had a new truck I would have never left them. Last I heard they have 70 brand new trucks on the lot.

Answer:
I had researched extensively after CDL mill, and Star was the only place I applied. I started trainee period with them in Jan.
Had family issues and had to put OTR on hold for awhile, and then wound up doing the FedEx thang...
I have nothing but kudos for Star, though. And one of the best payrates for newbies around. Everyone with whom I interacted was just fine.
If I were gonna jump into OTR again, they'd still be my first choice.
M

Answer:
Is that your FedEx van in the pic? If so, do you lease that van and can you give some of us info on how the package delivery handlers are paid?

Answer:

All FedEx Ground (and Home Delivery) drivers, are contractors. We buy the vehicles whether tractor, straight truck, van, whatever. Although some drivers are actually working for a contractor, driving his equipment, and paid by that contractor. I'm a contractor and bought the van.
Payment for my type route is a complicated combination based on per pickup, per package, core zone payment, fuel rebates, various bonuses, and other odds and ends. Weekly paysheet is a full sized detailed spreadsheet, really!
M

Answer:
I understand why FedEx is being sued by it's "contractors" who believe they are so controlled by FedEx that they are actually employees and not contractors.
Advice: I would not be too all fired quick to join up with FedEx Ground until the lawsuit shakes out.
MrClark—Groucho Marx 1890-1977

Answer:

Might be years getting settled, might be relatively quick, might make for sweeping changes, might mean no changes at all, who knows.
I've no idea whether we'd be better off as "employees" or not, but if it goes that way, it seems pretty certain that SVC (single vehicle contractors) won't lose anything truck/investment wise.
M