crst school

Discussion in 'CRST' started by Dawg Gone, Jun 23, 2010.

  1. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    Also, i think Millis has a good training program/school up in Cartersville, Ga. Read a thread about it and the guy seemed happy with that. That may work better for you. But, in all things driving, investigate alot before you jump. The CRST recruiter I had with CRST was Kyle. He was as up front and honest as I could expect a recruiter to be. Overall, it hasn't been too bad at all for me going the CRST route.
    Temptinfates
     
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  3. fender211

    fender211 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 25, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga
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    hey Temptinfates, I C your up i75 in Cartersville,Ga, how do you like working for CRST and where do you work(terminal or yard or something?) near ATL,? didn't know where CR is? you said for orientation...would like alot more info ..I appreciate it
     
  4. fender211

    fender211 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 25, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga
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    yeah, I'm investigating alright..LOL...i'll check on Millis now

    by the way ..I live off 85 and Indian Trail in Lilburn
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2010
  5. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    Even if you aren't in school yet, you can get a booklet from DMV for the CDL tests. It's free and usually laying on the counter, just go in and pick one up. Studying that may help keep your mind focused on your goals. You don't have to wait for school to start learning. When you do finally go for CDL, remember to Get out and Look. Do this everytime--before you blow the horn to indicate to DMV person that you are done. Temptinfates
     
  6. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    I know where that is. No matter where you go, things may get tough. You will have to tough it out and get at least 6 mos. to a year under your belt to be able to move on to bigger and better things. Learn to manage your money well. Save for slow weeks, etc.. Just trying to help is all.
    Temptinfates
     
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  7. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    Well, I can't really say how I like working for them yet. I finished my training stint and waiting on my co-driver to get back home so we can start working. But, so far, it hasn't been too bad.

    CR is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The other orientaion place they have is in OK city.

    I have driven before, but had to go this route because of no recent driving experience. I used to make way more money than I make now. But, I have to go through it like I have never drove before.

    At first. driving can be fun and exciting, adventurous, etc...The real test comes when it gets old hat. You have to love it to stay with it. There are going to be days where things will not go right, and in truth can get darn right ugly. You have to keep a cool head and keep things in perspective. Don't burn your bridges-you may have to cross them again.

    Get in the habit of watching and reading all signs you pass, using your mirrors, etc..

    Every company has its own personality. with that, you can sometime make things work better for you. The whole thing is being able to deliver freight safely and ontime. Sometimes you can call a shipper or reciever and see if they will take it early-sometimes they won't and you will have to sit and wait.

    You may see some people laugh at a new driver for backing skills. Guess what? Some million mile drivers have trouble backing trailers in some spots. The main thing is to do it safely. All the laughter stops when you finally get it in there safely. Then they find something else to amuse themselves with. Don't take it personally or get upset. Just do your job. If you aren't sure, get out and look. Most accidents are caused by people that refuse to get out and look at the situation they are in before they decide to back up. And set-up and knowing how to set up is a majority of the maneuver. I am actually pretty good at backing, but Even so, I will get out and look anytime I want to. Screw what you may think others might think. Get OUT AND LOOK!

    The maneuvers are to help you hone your skills. That's great with cones, but one day, instead of cones, it will be real world stuff like trucks or buildings. If you are in a tight spot, don't feel awkward- ask another driver to spot you. They can only say no. The point is, most drivers will help you out. We all need help sometimes. Might not want to admit it, but we do.

    I have not really made a decision on CRST yet. I do know one thing--the truck I drive adds to the company's safety factor. That's because I work at being the best I can be. If a trailer spot is too small, don't try to force it. Look or get out and check out where you are going to back into--sometimes there may be a chock or other debris there. I like to say that laziness has its own rewards. You will have to develop a sense of how large you and your trailer is--never forget it. You NEED space, and your trailer tracks wider than your tractor.

    As far as CRST, I will have to wait and see, but up to now, I feel they have been fair with me. This business can be tough. Sometimes there really is no freight in the area-lol

    Temptinfates
     
  8. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    As far as out of a terminal-not sure they have a terminal in ATL. I think they have a dropyard somewhere close to Morland Ave.

    I tried getting my FM to route me to a term like OKC or CR and then perhaps getting my co-driver there so we could get a truck there. Seems they didn't want to do that. So, I was four days ahead of my co-de=river, waiting. It seems after he gets through and they get him home, they will get us a rental car to go pick up an abandoned truck somewhere. Not sure if this is actually how I will get a truck, just what I was told..

    I know this-I can run. I can run safe.I hate to sit. My co-driver is someone with prior experience also. We somewhat trust each other and see a lot of things eye to eye. This helps. So, I am on a learning curve here as well. Never had to go out and get a truck in all my other trucking endeavors. So, I spent my time at home by getting my Hazmat test done at DMV and getting fingerprinted for the background test.

    I am a little bewildered about CB usage. In the old days, drivers would chat once in awhile. seems they will come on when there is a back up. It is just strange that part of driving seems to have fallen by the wayside. Used to be all you had to do was get close and someone would always help you with local information.

    One thing about driving--you get to see some of the most beautiful sights that attest to the grandness of this land we call home. I am still amazed at how beautiful this country is in some areas. If all you have done is live in one section, you learn to appreciate some of the others.

    Every scalehouse is different. Why? Some are rolling, some want you to stop, etc. I ran into NM or AZ I think. They had a big stop sign on the barricade. The girl in the booth is waving her arm. My trainer was telling me to stop from the sleeper. Geez. She is waving me on dude. Still hard to decipher correct protocol for each of the scales. I will not say that my trainer blew by a scale. Muahahahaha. He was nervous till we crossed the line. It wasn't intentional. Do you think he will live that down with me? Nope. I have his phone number. hehehehe. Things happen out there. Sometimes you aren't sure what to do. That's just scalehouses. So, you have to keep learning.
    Temptinfates
     
  9. fender211

    fender211 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 25, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga
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    Hey Temptinfates, thanks. That is good info. I was taking a practice test online and made a 95%..dude...the answers are in the paragraph at the top of the page!!! but it was still interesting stuff( brake and trailor psi limitations on how much you can lose with motor off and pedal down) but that was pretty kewl....I have seen some beautiful places, mostly east of Miss.(I was Born in Manchester England) lived in Ga for 35 years.
     
  10. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    There comes a time when you do your actual DMV test during the air brake section of your pre trip....if you turn the key off then touch your brakes (to pump air pressure down) without turning key back on, it's an auto-fail. Please keep this in mind.
    Temptinfates
     
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  11. fender211

    fender211 Bobtail Member

    11
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    Jun 25, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga
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    ok will do,turn engine off,then turn key to accesory? then pumpdown brakes? or turn key to "engine on?.and start truck?......obviously I have never been in an tractor....

    so you finished your training? so you just jumped into a truck somewhere in Cartsvlle? and took off for 3 or 4 weeks?....recruiter said $350 week for training to me???is that for 7 days straight? or 5?....
     
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