3 Months In And Questioning Things...

Hello all, Halo here. I just recently made it to my third month of driving with CRST... With complications. Now some of this may be seen as bashing the company, but keep in mind this is how things have worked out for me, and the observations I've made. If your wondering why my CB handle is Halo.. I'll explain. I have sunglasses that reminded people of Master Cheif from Microsofts Halo series. Back to my main post though.

A few months ago I contacted them to begin my new career, was real excited and getting prepaired for my new life.

Training was the simple part for me. CRSTS training is a 16 day CDL. Very fast paced. I flew threw the course and passed everything my first time. Road test comes up and gets passed as well. Wonderful.

Orientation comes and again... Very quick one week, and paperwork and I've got the job. People have started meeting their Lead Drivers. Except me, a week after everyone got their Lead I finally get mine. No complaints there. I can't be around smoke so I can wait.

During my 28 days with my trainer, I learned how to perfect my 49 Degree backing and do strieght backing as well. No attempts at 90 degree backing, no tips about winter driving, no chain training. However I was learning how to shift and keep in my lane, Along with other things.

My lead liked to hit casinos, which ment in the long run the truck wasn't moving all the time.

I finally get off with my lead and get assigned my co driver. An awesome laid back guy, unfortunately time didn't matter to him and most our loads barely made it on time. I drove with him up til last week.

It all changed for me last week.

The first incident was us being over weight, my co drivers fault for not getting the load checked... I got stopped on the scales in GA and got the citation.

The next issue, was my fault, we got stuck in Mud. No problem we were taken care of within the hour.

The final issue I encountered, was getting a hole in our trailer. Now I have reason to believe that it was my fault, that I may have hit another trailer in a parking lot, but couldn't find any trucks with damage... So who knows... This took 5 days to fix and on the final day my co driver quit.

So here I am as a solo until next week.

This company in my personal opinion is too big, and turnover is the major issue. I am also under contract but have gotten offers to drive as a solo driver. I'm not sure what I want to do, nor what I should do.

I know I need to pay more attention as far as my trailer goes, I can't speak for many, but I know sometimes we forget one time or another that we have a trailer behind us... I haven't been fired, but I'm not getting a lot of money. I have debts to pay, and school loans that will be due soon.

Do I look at my other options, start with a better paying job that has already offered me a position (as a solo), make a payment arrangement with CRST to pay for training.

OR

Stay with CRST for next 7 months and then find a new company.

Any help would be great. Thanks!

My co driver quit, by the way because how long it took my company to get us back on the road, but also because he too wasn't making any money

I drive for crst and say wait... Now I know its hard but you can't forget about that trailer (smith system) check your mirrors.. Slow down and stay calm... It sucks making 23 CPM I know but if you can stay safe and reliable the money will be there.... My co driver quit a few weeks ago and I was stuck in iowa till I found one and got offered a dedicated FedEx load for 5 weeks at 900 bucks each a week... Hang in there... You can pm me if you want and can point you to the right people... Who's your dm

During my 28 days with my trainer, I learned how to perfect my 45 Degree backing and do strieght backing as well. No attempts at 90 degree backing, no tips about winter driving, no chain training. However I was learning how to shift and keep in my lane, Along with other things.

You won't usually get winter stuff unless you're in it. I've been driving for 8months now, and I've never really needed the 90 degree backing.

My lead liked to hit casinos, which ment in the long run the truck wasn't moving all the time.

Can you believe it? He must have been making more money at a table than on a truck! NOT!

I finally get off with my lead and get assigned my co driver. An awesome laid back guy, unfortunately time didn't matter to him and most our loads barely made it on time. I drove with him up til last week.

As long as you're the driver when the loads get there on time, you're doing your part.

The first incident was us being over weight, my co drivers fault for not getting the load checked... I got stopped on the scales in GA and got the citation.

The DOT isn't interested in "fault" except it's all on the guy in the driver seat. If you're team, it's best both of you make sure the load is right. That goes for all the other pre-trip things - lights, tires, etc. When you get any DOT check, everything goes to the driver.

The final issue I encountered, was getting a hole in our trailer. Now I have reason to believe that it was my fault, that I may have hit another trailer in a parking lot, but couldn't find any trucks with damage... So who knows... This took 5 days to fix and on the final day my co driver quit.

So here I am as a solo until next week.

One thing that's easy to forget is just how long the car you're driving is. In a lot, always look in your mirrors as you drive around. At those low speeds you are actually driving so that the rear tandems stay out of trouble.

This company in my personal opinion is too big, and turnover is the major issue. I am also under contract but have gotten offers to drive as a solo driver. I'm not sure what I want to do, nor what I should do.

CRST isn't too big, though Swift and Schneider may think so. Turnover is a big issue with all the "starter" companies that hire people fresh off the street.

You are on a contract, probably for your school tuition, with CRST. Do plan to stick with CRST for the term of the contract. If you jump to another job, that switching stays on your record, and as a job hopper, later it may be harder to get the job you want. And CRST ain't all that bad.

I know I need to pay more attention as far as my trailer goes, I can't speak for many, but I know sometimes we forget one time or another that we have a trailer behind us... I haven't been fired, but I'm not getting a lot of money. I have debts to pay, and school loans that will be due soon.

Do I look at my other options, start with a better paying job that has already offered me a position (as a solo), make a payment arrangement with CRST to pay for training.

OR

Stay with CRST for next 7 months and then find a new company.

To recap and answer the direct questions, yes you do have a ding on your safety record (the trailer hole). It's good you aren't fired. Most companies expect a few mistakes, but you only get one or two before the heat under your frypan gets turned up. I'm not clear about your school. Non-truck school, or your CDL classes? CDL from your company should be covered by your contract.

But the money thing is true. As you keep driving, your cents per mile should go up, and you should get more miles. (If you jump to another company, you may have to tart with a lower pay scale again.) Make a decision to stay with CRST, solo or team at least till our contract is up. Who knows, by then you may actually like CRST. At any rate you'll have a better understanding of what to look for in your next company.

I drive for crst and say wait... Now I know its hard but you can't forget about that trailer (smith system) check your mirrors.. Slow down and stay calm... It sucks making 23 CPM I know but if you can stay safe and reliable the money will be there.... My co driver quit a few weeks ago and I was stuck in iowa till I found one and got offered a dedicated FedEx load for 5 weeks at 900 bucks each a week... Hang in there... You can pm me if you want and can point you to the right people... Who's your dm

Haha funny you must have been offered the FedEx lanes my truck was supposed to run... Of course we lost it as my co driver quit. My DM is Alex... A newbie like myself...

I drive for crst and say wait... Now I know its hard but you can't forget about that trailer (smith system) check your mirrors.. Slow down and stay calm... It sucks making 23 CPM I know but if you can stay safe and reliable the money will be there.... My co driver quit a few weeks ago and I was stuck in iowa till I found one and got offered a dedicated FedEx load for 5 weeks at 900 bucks each a week... Hang in there... You can pm me if you want and can point you to the right people... Who's your dm

Haha funny you must have been offered the FedEx lanes my truck was supposed to run... Of course we lost it as my co driver quit. My DM is Alex... A newbie like myself...

I lucked out cuz my co driver was offered it before his co driver quit lol...all we run is air freight runs...

Are you in cedar rapids if so drive the shuttle and make 7.25 a hour till you find a co driver... If not ask to be routed there to find one..

Can you believe it? He must have been making more money at a table than on a truck! NOT!

Funny, he actually did quite well... In the 28 days, he managed to come out with 5-6k of extra cash... He was an O/O... So he didn't care if he ever lost.

As long as you're the driver when the loads get there on time, you're doing your part.

Cool... That's good to know

The DOT isn't interested in "fault" except it's all on the guy in the driver seat. If you're team, it's best both of you make sure the load is right. That goes for all the other pre-trip things - lights, tires, etc. When you get any DOT check, everything goes to the driver.

Does my company pay the $116 citation?

I'm not clear about your school. Non-truck school, or your CDL classes? CDL from your company should be covered by your contract.

Was a trucking school out of Jacksonville Fl. Jones technical school/JTECH

Are you in cedar rapids if so drive the shuttle and make 7.25 a hour till you find a co driver... If not ask to be routed there to find one..

Ive got a replacement already... He lives in Atlanta while I'll live in between Orlando and Miami. Looks like I get to take the truck home now lol

Are you in cedar rapids if so drive the shuttle and make 7.25 a hour till you find a co driver... If not ask to be routed there to find one..

Ive got a replacement already... He lives in Atlanta while I'll live in between Orlando and Miami. Looks like I get to take the truck home now lol

Oh and I'm in California right now, so I'll be picking him up this week hopefully.