Which Companies Should I Look Into For...

Brett, it is really sad that this vicious circle has been created in the industry. I am convinced that far too many drivers become negative because they are not looking at the big picture from all sides, and/or they just entered a type of job they were not suited for in the first place. I just can't believe a company like CRST would benefit in any way by treating their employees badly. They would never have lasted and been profitable. I am determined not to let that way of thinking affect me. Mistelle, please don't mistake Brett here. His advice is solid and makes a lot more sense than listening to malcontents blowing off steam on an internet forum and seeing only one side of the equation.

I took his advice and went to a truck stop and spoke with drivers. In fact, the very first I spoke with was a driver from CRST. He had been with the company for eight years, and was happy. He said of course their were problems, but he dealt with them and stuck it out through thick and thin. That particular driver really bent my ear. He was basically saying the same things Brett does, and he was not the only driver I spoke to that said similar. I am much more likely to believe a driver I spoke with in person and eye to eye than a anonymous person complaining on TruckersReport.com, etc. While at the truck stop, I also spotted the type of person that likely spreads the negativity on the internet. He was the loud, obnoxious type of person that most folks try to avoid. I listened to him complain about every little thing to another driver. I could not help but hear him because he was so loud. This type of person is not limited to trucking. I have known them all my life in every job I have had. Mistelle, I hope this helps, and good luck to you and your husband.

Troubadour is one of those guys running teams at the moment..look him up and shoot him a PM, I'm sure he would be happy to give you the straight dope on it...

Thanks! I'll give him a call once I get closer to my end date.

I would like to clarify a few things real quick...

I wouldn't mind staying with CRST. Thus far, I've been really nice in my reviews because I am hoping that once I actually get to working for them it will be better. I have had multiple issues myself with just the recruiting process. That could be that I have had a couple of not so good recruiters. I had one good one thus far (yes, that's right, three of them so far) and she just got promoted.

I realize that I have a contract with them and I won't run out on it. I'm not that kind of person. But I do like to know what the other doors are before I shut them. I figured when I do get some downtime, having some places to start comparing, would be good.

Old School, Thanks for that bit of info.

I'm sure we are in for a rude awakening once we get on the road. I want to know as much as possible so that once I get out there, it won't be so much of a shock.

I've edited and re-edited this so that I don't step on any toes. I think the words I have chosen are as nice as I can (unfortunately typed word, doesn't express the emotion behind them)

Brett, it is really sad that this vicious circle has been created in the industry. I am convinced that far too many drivers become negative because they are not looking at the big picture from all sides, and/or they just entered a type of job they were not suited for in the first place. I just can't believe a company like CRST would benefit in any way by treating their employees badly. They would never have lasted and been profitable. I am determined not to let that way of thinking affect me. Mistelle, please don't mistake Brett here. His advice is solid and makes a lot more sense than listening to malcontents blowing off steam on an internet forum and seeing only one side of the equation.

I took his advice and went to a truck stop and spoke with drivers. In fact, the very first I spoke with was a driver from CRST. He had been with the company for eight years, and was happy. He said of course their were problems, but he dealt with them and stuck it out through thick and thin. That particular driver really bent my ear. He was basically saying the same things Brett does, and he was not the only driver I spoke to that said similar. I am much more likely to believe a driver I spoke with in person and eye to eye than a anonymous person complaining on TruckersReport.com, etc. While at the truck stop, I also spotted the type of person that likely spreads the negativity on the internet. He was the loud, obnoxious type of person that most folks try to avoid. I listened to him complain about every little thing to another driver. I could not help but hear him because he was so loud. This type of person is not limited to trucking. I have known them all my life in every job I have had. Mistelle, I hope this helps, and good luck to you and your husband.

Thanks for this, I just noticed this one. I didn't listen to all reviews on only one site. I've researched around the web and have talked to a few crst truckers. They are the reason that I even got this far. I'm hoping that maybe there were one or two really tech savvy truckers that hit up 8 or 9 different sites to complain. But a few truckers I spoke to in person had some pretty serious complaints. But it could have been they had a bad experience.

I'm scared right now of just about everything. I'm terrified of getting into a truck with a guy who is going to hurt me. I'm terrified of making a mistake by sneezing at the wrong moment and someone dies. I'm scared of my brakes not making it all the way down the mountain. I'm scared of a lot of stuff. The ONLY thing I have to help allay those fears is asking questions of everyone I can that I think might know the answer.

Brett, it is really sad that this vicious circle has been created in the industry. I am convinced that far too many drivers become negative because they are not looking at the big picture from all sides, and/or they just entered a type of job they were not suited for in the first place. I just can't believe a company like CRST would benefit in any way by treating their employees badly. They would never have lasted and been profitable. I am determined not to let that way of thinking affect me. Mistelle, please don't mistake Brett here. His advice is solid and makes a lot more sense than listening to malcontents blowing off steam on an internet forum and seeing only one side of the equation.

I took his advice and went to a truck stop and spoke with drivers. In fact, the very first I spoke with was a driver from CRST. He had been with the company for eight years, and was happy. He said of course their were problems, but he dealt with them and stuck it out through thick and thin. That particular driver really bent my ear. He was basically saying the same things Brett does, and he was not the only driver I spoke to that said similar. I am much more likely to believe a driver I spoke with in person and eye to eye than a anonymous person complaining on TruckersReport.com, etc. While at the truck stop, I also spotted the type of person that likely spreads the negativity on the internet. He was the loud, obnoxious type of person that most folks try to avoid. I listened to him complain about every little thing to another driver. I could not help but hear him because he was so loud. This type of person is not limited to trucking. I have known them all my life in every job I have had. Mistelle, I hope this helps, and good luck to you and your husband.

Thanks for this, I just noticed this one. I didn't listen to all reviews on only one site. I've researched around the web and have talked to a few crst truckers. They are the reason that I even got this far. I'm hoping that maybe there were one or two really tech savvy truckers that hit up 8 or 9 different sites to complain. But a few truckers I spoke to in person had some pretty serious complaints. But it could have been they had a bad experience.

I'm scared right now of just about everything. I'm terrified of getting into a truck with a guy who is going to hurt me. I'm terrified of making a mistake by sneezing at the wrong moment and someone dies. I'm scared of my brakes not making it all the way down the mountain. I'm scared of a lot of stuff. The ONLY thing I have to help allay those fears is asking questions of everyone I can that I think might know the answer.

I certainly understand your fears as well. I have some of those myself. Many fears are overcome simply by gaining experience, and learning through others. That is why I value this site so much. I want to hear the positive aspects of the industry and learn from successful veterans that have been through it all and know what it takes. I want to hear the things that I need to do to succeed. If I listen to all the negativity, I fear that I will fail just like the negative folks are doing or have already done. When I think of what will happen to me at 58 with no job and the money running out, I tell myself that failure to get my CDL and overcome those fears is just not an option. I will do whatever it takes to get it done. Keep the faith, Mistelle. If truck driving is really what you want to do, then give it your all.

Brett, it is really sad that this vicious circle has been created in the industry. I am convinced that far too many drivers become negative because they are not looking at the big picture from all sides, and/or they just entered a type of job they were not suited for in the first place. I just can't believe a company like CRST would benefit in any way by treating their employees badly. They would never have lasted and been profitable. I am determined not to let that way of thinking affect me. Mistelle, please don't mistake Brett here. His advice is solid and makes a lot more sense than listening to malcontents blowing off steam on an internet forum and seeing only one side of the equation.

I took his advice and went to a truck stop and spoke with drivers. In fact, the very first I spoke with was a driver from CRST. He had been with the company for eight years, and was happy. He said of course their were problems, but he dealt with them and stuck it out through thick and thin. That particular driver really bent my ear. He was basically saying the same things Brett does, and he was not the only driver I spoke to that said similar. I am much more likely to believe a driver I spoke with in person and eye to eye than a anonymous person complaining on TruckersReport.com, etc. While at the truck stop, I also spotted the type of person that likely spreads the negativity on the internet. He was the loud, obnoxious type of person that most folks try to avoid. I listened to him complain about every little thing to another driver. I could not help but hear him because he was so loud. This type of person is not limited to trucking. I have known them all my life in every job I have had. Mistelle, I hope this helps, and good luck to you and your husband.

Thanks for this, I just noticed this one. I didn't listen to all reviews on only one site. I've researched around the web and have talked to a few crst truckers. They are the reason that I even got this far. I'm hoping that maybe there were one or two really tech savvy truckers that hit up 8 or 9 different sites to complain. But a few truckers I spoke to in person had some pretty serious complaints. But it could have been they had a bad experience.

I'm scared right now of just about everything. I'm terrified of getting into a truck with a guy who is going to hurt me. I'm terrified of making a mistake by sneezing at the wrong moment and someone dies. I'm scared of my brakes not making it all the way down the mountain. I'm scared of a lot of stuff. The ONLY thing I have to help allay those fears is asking questions of everyone I can that I think might know the answer.

I certainly understand your fears as well. I have some of those myself. Many fears are overcome simply by gaining experience, and learning through others. That is why I value this site so much. I want to hear the positive aspects of the industry and learn from successful veterans that have been through it all and know what it takes. I want to hear the things that I need to do to succeed. If I listen to all the negativity, I fear that I will fail just like the negative folks are doing or have already done. When I think of what will happen to me at 58 with no job and the money running out, I tell myself that failure to get my CDL and overcome those fears is just not an option. I will do whatever it takes to get it done. Keep the faith, Mistelle. If truck driving is really what you want to do, then give it your all.

I'm being as positive as I can. It gets hard at times when I stall out the truck or have to fight with the insanely hard to press clutch. My leg hurts from this thing! I have to literally stand on the clutch to get it all the way down to clutch brake. Damn near impossible.

But thank you for your boost of faith. At your age, your patience will help you a lot. That seems to be what is going on in my class.