Failed My Backing...is This The End?

I want to be a truck driver more than anything in my life.

No, you want to be a truck driver for CRST more than anything in your life. They said no. You keep going on about them. You won't let it go. It's game over now.

If you are willing to forget the name CRST and try applying to multiple other companies, then the quotation above will be closer to the truth. How many companies have you applied to since CRST sent you on your way?

Callie, if we take everything you say at face value - they lost your drug test, instructor was too inexperienced, unprofessional behavior from the management, equipment breaking down, etc. - one has to ask... Why in the world would you want to work for such a hypothetically unprofessional outfit? Certainly you dodged a bullet when they released you, didn't you? Here's your big chance to go somewhere better, yet you are complaining that they won't take you back? You're just wasting more time and that isn't doing your suffering family any good.

I have submitted applications to other companies...im being rejected! They must have observed some form of determination as they allowed me to test 10 times. I agree that I struggled however was I suppose to hop in a truck and start backing without the instructors? The last two days I was there an instructor named Walt instructed me and guess what it all clicked. I was able to preform an Alley dock with zero points on test 9...yet I acquired 14 points on Straight line...it had been over 2 weeks since I'd straight lined...test 10 I pointed out because I had to reset but I did get my Alley dock completed, I gave a thumbs up after setting my breaks and went to pull out and accidently put in reverse and pulled past the boxhe pointed me that was it...Walt while a bit crude was an excellent instructor...im not trying to ***** about the lack of training...but they lost the drug test...not my fault...they didn't give me those 3 days worth of practice I missed they did force me to test on their schedule even though I told the director I was not ready to test....im ****ed off at myself and frustrated that they refuse to allow me to come back. I came here to find out if this rejection was normal after attending a company sponsored program.ive been to two private schools locally and called the local community college about classes. I don't have the money to pay for Napier or drive 160 ( although drive 160 does have a payment plan available, it's not do able at this time) PAM, Swift and Wilson all said that I wasn't able to be accepted at this time...id gladly pay CRST if I owe them, they haven't sent a bill as of yet. I was told by a recruiter that I didn't have to pay them for the training because I failed...but that I do owe for room and board ( which I hardly ate) and I owe for drug test fees and the med exam. I'm trying to figure out how to get back to CRST to fulfil the supposed contract or how to go elsewhere...ive been asking owner operators to train me...offering to pay them...all I really need is an automatic semi to take the test on and I know damn well I'd pass this time!

Callie, listen to yourself. You have got tons of excuses.

"They lost my drug test."

"I got started late."

"My instructor was new."

Look, I'm sorry about your disappointment. You sound like Doug. You and he always came back to this line...

I showed improvement.

Would it surprise you if I said it wasn't improvement that they were wanting to see? I think you and Doug were lacking the same thing. It's something my grandpa called "grit." That is a fierce determination to get something done. It's totally different than just saying...

I want to be a truck driver more than anything in my life.

Let me explain it. When Doug had his disappointment at CRST he did nothing but tell others about it. Kind of like you are doing. I kept expecting to hear him say something like, "I've moved on and I'm over at company "X" now - I'm determined to make this happen." He never did that. You seem content to just keep blaming the issues on CRST. That gets you nowhere.

You made this unusual statement for a person who couldn't pass the tests...

I came into this knowing it was going to be hard. In fact it was much simpler than I expected.

Really?

I think you've completely misunderstood what is required to make it in this career, and I'm quite sure that the folks at CRST saw that lack of fortitude. I'm sorry to sound harsh. I went through plenty of disappointment myself when starting this career. I got sent home like you did from three different orientations. I never let even a week go by without getting back in the game. I never blamed anybody. I kept moving forward until I got what I came for.

Get on the phone. Pay your contract if you owe it. Do whatever it takes. Move on girl. That's what will tell me you really want this.

I want to drive...mdrive...my father died a week before his first long haul...Ihaul...I have no real need for CRST, it's just that that I'm being rejected when I apply to other traing programs, I wasn't being rejected before. I'm trying to figure out how to get other companies to accept me. I've no criminal back ground, no tickets, no at fault accidents a current permit and med card. Yes I failed BUT I also learned finally at the end how to back. Thanks to Walt , I figured it out! He helped me so much and if I'd had a chance to practice all 3 moves as on the testing area I know I would have passed my final test...but I Failed...now how to get into another school!!

I want to be a truck driver more than anything in my life.

No, you want to be a truck driver for CRST more than anything in your life. They said no. You keep going on about them. You won't let it go. It's game over now.

If you are willing to forget the name CRST and try applying to multiple other companies, then the quotation above will be closer to the truth. How many companies have you applied to since CRST sent you on your way?

Callie, if we take everything you say at face value - they lost your drug test, instructor was too inexperienced, unprofessional behavior from the management, equipment breaking down, etc. - one has to ask... Why in the world would you want to work for such a hypothetically unprofessional outfit? Certainly you dodged a bullet when they released you, didn't you? Here's your big chance to go somewhere better, yet you are complaining that they won't take you back? You're just wasting more time and that isn't doing your suffering family any good.

Callie, all you can do is keep applying everywhere. There are many other training programs out there:

Paid CDL Training Programs

If you approach other companies and blame CRST for your failures, they won't have any interest in hiring you. People who blame others for their failures rarely do well at anything. They don't believe they're the problem so they don't learn the way they should. They don't listen well and they don't apply themselves.

You'll fare much better if you learn to take responsibility for the outcome at CRST and let other companies know how eager you are for another shot. If I was doing the hiring and you approached me the way you've approached us here there's no way I would hire you. I wouldn't hire anyone who points fingers and places blame on others when things don't work out for them. That's not the type of person I'm interested in teaching. I want someone who is eager to show me what they can do, not someone who is going to blame me for their poor performance.

Keep applying everywhere and make sure you don't blame CRST when you talk to these companies. It will hurt your chances.

Thank you...for all the in put. I take my responsabilty in my failing the backing. I did feel I wasn't listened to when I told them I wasn't ready to test...I have been practicing backing since I drove home...im alot more confident since the last two days of training I received. Walt at NADTA was the best trainer I encountered, I was placed with him the last two days. I just felt I needed more time to grasp the concepts and they were not able to do that due to staffing issues, and I do feel that the training needed more consistency. If I had known I wasn't going to get the same amount of practice following the loosing of the drug test, I would have left and went elsewhere, but I was told they couldn't make up for those lost days when I spoke with the director before the first test. I'm a hard worker and have always done well in any position I've trained for and worked in. I put myself through college and I have 5 degrees. If you truly knew me you would understand who I am and that I'm relentless in getting what I want in life. I will not give up on this...it will be a reality for me...I will get my CDL...I WILL BE A TRUCK DRIVER!

I did feel I wasn't listened to when I told them I wasn't ready to test...

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the others here trying to help you are feeling the same way by now.

...they were not able to do that due to staffing issues

...I do feel that the training needed more consistency.

If I had known I wasn't going to get the same amount of practice following the loosing of the drug test...

...I was told they couldn't make up for those lost days when I spoke with the director before the first test.

It's looking more and more like your instructor was right when he said no amount of practice will help you. How many more times are you going to repeat the wrongs of CRST? You need to practice not doing that anymore. Seriously. Let. It. Go.

Brett said what I held back from saying:

I wouldn't hire anyone who points fingers and places blame on others when things don't work out for them.

I completely agree.

Hi Callie. I went to Prime with a one on one instructor and failed the backing test.

I got 2 hours of backing before going OTR. Ran 3 weeks with almost 10k miles doing all of the real world backing with the instructor saying "left left right" and when we got back to the terminal , i had 4 hours of backing practice that frustrated me.

I knew i wasnt ready and tested and failed. He was upset and said "i guess you are blaming me?" nope. i blamed myself cause i shouldnt have tested until i knew what i was doing. He gave me 2 more hours of backing but he didnt use the prime reference points (which i didnt realize until later) he created his own way.

After i failed, i refused to test. When I asked other instructors for help, mine got almost jealous... like i was betraying him. He taught me great when it came to driving and i told Prime that. he was an awesome guy too. I went to the operations manager and informed him that by signing the contract, i was a paying customer and i wanted satisfaction. I then pointed out to him that only the instructor had observed me, and i asked for an independent instructor who didnt know either of us. He confirmed i sucked at backing. He showed me the prime reference points and 2 hours later i had it down. i passed with zero points.

They couldnt "make me test". And after expressing my concerns to someone with authority and providing a reasonable solution, I got results.

THAT is what I think some of these comments are concerning responsibility. If you never rise to the occasion to make your needs known to the proper people, without putting the blame on others, you will not see results.

Maybe speak to the CRST recruiting manager. Maybe call the director of training and see if you can sign an additional contract.

I never give up. Perhaps request in writing for written proof you are not indebted for the contract. That way you can show other recruiters.

Also understand that companies sometimes wont take someone they think is a waste of time. That may be why you are hitting a brick wall. one of our members was sent home from Prime and only PAM and CRE would take him.

Good luck.