Debating If I Should Join CRST ?

Hi everyone. So I’ve been contacting a few truck companies and so far CRST had the nicest recruiter. CR England and Swift both had recruiters that were either just rude or didn’t answer any questions I had. It could just be the recruiter themselves not the entire company. So I wanted to get insights on current or recent graduates from either CRST, SWIFT, and C.R England and let me know how it’s going so far especially with the work, pay etc... I’m planning to start next month in September and I’m hoping I make the right decision.

Also if anyone would like to be a team with me let me know. I’m very detail oriented, responsible, and hard worker. Thanks to anyone who provides feedback as well.

I recommend selecting a handful of companies based in which company may be a good fit for you.

1. Do you want to team and do you really understand what teaming is like?

2. What type of freight do you want to haul?

3. Does the company need to have a rider program or allow pets?

4. How often do you need to get home?

It's knowing the answers to questions like these that will help you make the best decision for you. Everyone's personal needs are different so a company that is a great fit for one person, could be miserable for the next, if that makes any sense.

Remember, you are looking for a company to drive for, not a recruiter to talk to. Check out these company reviews:

Trucking Company Reviews

Also, the members of Trucking Truth represent many companies. Ask more specific questions to get believable answers. I work for Swift Transportation. I don't have any reason to change from Swift.

Jess, welcome aboard!

It's a common mistake to misjudge a company based on your interaction with the recruiter. Trucking is a completely performance based business. Ultimately, you end up getting what you deserve in trucking. Once you're a driver, none of the people you've had any interaction with will have much effect on your success. Your great recruiter will be nonexistent. Your trainer will be absent. Any success you have will be on your shoulders.

I think you should broaden your search. Don't limit yourself to three companies. Do you realize that you will have to be a team driver at CRST? My personal opinion is that starting your trucking career as a team driver is a mistake. If there's one thing about teams that holds true, it's that most of the time they break up. The reasons for that are what makes teaming as a rookie really a tough gig. There's a lot of misconceptions concerning team driving, foremost among them being that you'll be making a lot more money.

Personally, I think team driving is best left to experienced drivers. There's plenty enough challenges to getting this career underway without adding all the problems associated with teaming into the mix. Here's some links to some very helpful information you should invest a little time in as you start this career.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Hey Jess, I just remembered that we have a great article about Making The Mistake Of Choosing A Company Based On Your Experience With A Recruiter. Take some time and read that. It's got some really helpful information in it.

Thank you! Yeah I was thinking CRST but hearing about the teaming where some people will slack off and that doesn’t seem fair on the miles being split evenly. I’m also very neat and don’t like messes and I’m hoping to not get anyone who is sloppy. Do you know if CRST would help change who you team with if there were any problems ?

I was just checking Prime and I’m interested in that company as well. The pay seems better. Any thoughts on that?

I recommend selecting a handful of companies based in which company may be a good fit for you.

1. Do you want to team and do you really understand what teaming is like?

2. What type of freight do you want to haul?

3. Does the company need to have a rider program or allow pets?

4. How often do you need to get home?

It's knowing the answers to questions like these that will help you make the best decision for you. Everyone's personal needs are different so a company that is a great fit for one person, could be miserable for the next, if that makes any sense.

Well all I can say is take your time and choose wisely. You will really need to stay with the company for at least one year. That helps your trucking career more than you will realize until you hit that mark. Like Sue said there are many variables in companies. I was trained by and drive for CFI. I love their training and the company. However, you can find many people who will say CFI sucks. Prime is an excellent company with many perks. Their training is all one on one. How often would you like home time? How long would you like to stay home? Can you take your truck home? Can the company get you home in the date you request? Different companies have different bonuses. There are people who love and people who hate every company out there. Like the others said, don't limit yourself to just two or three companies. Good luck.

Jess try not to focus on first year pay too much. First year pay will work out to about the same for any company you choose; an average of 40,000+ annually.

Invest quality time in the links Old School sent you. It will be time we’ll spent.

Good luck.

I got my CDL with CRST and to answer your question yes they will change your codriver. And while I did like the crutch of having someone to help get backed into tight spots, after awhile it was aggravating for someone to wake you up because they couldn't get into a spot.

I caught on a little quicker. And I did change codrivers often. Some drove themselves home and got off the truck. I had only one goal. Make as much as I could and learn to drive and back as well as I could.

With all that said. Really think about rather you'll be able to sleep when someone else is driving you down the road cause it took nearly exhaustion for me to.

All the big companies are good companies, your job at this point is to make sure you are a good fit for them.

While in any company sponsored school you'll find fledgling terminal rats. Try and distance yourself from them.

Brett... I think we need terminal rat added to the trucking dictionary. (Thanks Old School)

Yeah I know. I just like having someone to talk to as a recruiter that will be helpful enough. Thank you. What do you like about Swift ?

Remember, you are looking for a company to drive for, not a recruiter to talk to. Check out these company reviews:

Trucking Company Reviews

Also, the members of Trucking Truth represent many companies. Ask more specific questions to get believable answers. I work for Swift Transportation. I don't have any reason to change from Swift.