CRST After 3 Months

Thank you for the great info. I am considering the career and starting with CRST. I imagine that no matter where one goes, there is the good and the bad, otherwise we'd be reading about Truck Driver Training Paradise and there would be a waiting list to get in. I am curious as to what level of pay to expect under contract and driving as a team member for those 8 months. I really don't care how much time I have to be out there in order to get what I need.

I will be the ultimate in independence with no children or a wife, so the biggest challenges for me will be the hours driving, working with a team driver, getting comfortable with driving the truck and learning the industry. I am a very focused and driven person to learn and I ask questions when I can't find the answer on my own. I do whatever it takes to know what is needed. I served in the military so I know about sucking it up and dealing with the negatives.

How often do team drivers take turns at the wheel? Is that determined by them or CRST? Does the team driving just go go go or are there stops even with two drivers?

I have seen the fallout rate is pretty high, but I have never faced a test I could not pass and I did have my Class B license years ago. I have started the training course on here and completed the first 1/3 of it today, coasting through the exam questions. So that part does not bother me.

If anything intimidates right now it is learning to double clutch shift and maneuver a vehicle that big in the time allotted. I have driven straight trucks and buses and I have experience at backing up with a trailer, even with my motorcycle! LOL But I am not naive to think that a rig that size is not a new challenge.

I have good coordination and I understand the rpm and shifting steps, it's just a matter of learning the feel of it and getting muscle memory for it....like playing golf or pool or darts. How much does this aspect cause students to fail out? What is the biggest reason students fail out?

The exams? Decide it's not for them? Shifting? The skill tests?

Thanks to everyone providing the feedback needed that helps others so much. And I agree with those that have bragged on this site. It's awesome and well done. Thanks Brett!

Great info, guys, as I just learned I'll be going to CRST's school week after next, and really looking forward to it. This would be perfect for me. I'm not married, have no children, and love to drive. I grew up in CT and I lived in Los Angeles for many years, and drove coast to coast on my own 8 times, plus up and down each coast numerous times. The insight on the physical and tests from other posts was a great heads up and very helpful, especially about the sidewalk and bike path. I'm really excited and looking forward to it.

Thanks to all posts for your insight and feedback

Jim

Thanks for the info. I already talked to a recruiter for CRST and I have been digging a lot of information about trucking companies and reviews and I want to go with them the only thing I'm worried about is that I probably have high blood pressure because almost everyone in my family has it. What would be the minimum acceptable for the company?

Thanks for the info. I already talked to a recruiter for CRST and I have been digging a lot of information about trucking companies and reviews and I want to go with them the only thing I'm worried about is that I probably have high blood pressure because almost everyone in my family has it. What would be the minimum acceptable for the company?

DOT calls for 140/90 or less. I needed meds to get down to this - so I only have a 1 year DOT Med card, until I shave some weight off (without meds, you get a 2 year card). Even if you walk into training/orientation with a current med card, every company is going to give a physical anyway.

"Probably" have high blood pressure? This is something you'd like to know for SURE - for your own health's sake. And also, so you can remedy the situation with medication, if necessary. If you cannot qualify for a DOT med card - you will be sent home until you can.

Better to get this checked and corrected now - BEFORE YOU GO - than run the risk of being sent home.

Rick

I checked my blood pressure today it was 127/83 I thought it would be higher than that , and my recruiter called me this morning I'll be going to Waterloo next month to start my training. Yaaaay :)

I will hopefully be starting CRST school in August. And yes they do seem to get alot of negative feed back. And it mainly seems to come from the fact that they pay lower than most companies/ But people seem to forget, you are training for the job. So yes you should expect to get lower pay at first. But even starting out at lower pay, when you figure up the mileage you put in on an 8 hour day, its roughly around $15 an hour, depending on your speed is. Im not sure of any companies that are going to hire you right out the door at $15 an hour. Even if you had a degree in something, youre still going to have to work your way up from the bottom. Ive had one job where I was making 16 an hour, and that was at the walmart distribution center, but even then I still had to work in one of the stores for a year before I could transfer. So the bottom line is, if youre looking to get into trucking and you dont have the funds to pay for the school yourself, then CRST is the way to go. So what if its only 300 to 400 a week, thats a lot better than nothing. Lets see you make that at mcdonalds or a gas station. Plus you get to see the country and get paid to do it. And finally, all in all, if your 100% not happy with CRST, just remember its only an 8 month contract. Most people work 6 months at a job to see if they can handle it or not. So its really not a long time to have to deal with it

My question is what happen if you have sleep apnea , and high blood presses do you not drive.

I will hopefully be starting CRST school in August. And yes they do seem to get alot of negative feed back. And it mainly seems to come from the fact that they pay lower than most companies/ But people seem to forget, you are training for the job. So yes you should expect to get lower pay at first. But even starting out at lower pay, when you figure up the mileage you put in on an 8 hour day, its roughly around $15 an hour, depending on your speed is. Im not sure of any companies that are going to hire you right out the door at $15 an hour. Even if you had a degree in something, youre still going to have to work your way up from the bottom. Ive had one job where I was making 16 an hour, and that was at the walmart distribution center, but even then I still had to work in one of the stores for a year before I could transfer. So the bottom line is, if youre looking to get into trucking and you dont have the funds to pay for the school yourself, then CRST is the way to go. So what if its only 300 to 400 a week, thats a lot better than nothing. Lets see you make that at mcdonalds or a gas station. Plus you get to see the country and get paid to do it. And finally, all in all, if your 100% not happy with CRST, just remember its only an 8 month contract. Most people work 6 months at a job to see if they can handle it or not. So its really not a long time to have to deal with it

It's a 10 month contract now!

Hey am going to crst next week am military vet an starting out with .36 per mile and a 1500 sign on bonus how true is that

Get my cdl from my gi bill start at 36 per mile with a 1500 sign on bonus is this true or not am a military vet