My "Rotten" CRST Experience

Discussion in 'CRST' started by Rotten, Nov 25, 2011.

  1. Rotten

    Rotten Light Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2011
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    This is going to be an honest (as possible) personal assessment. I will try to post without personal bias. I was promised .31 cents a mile, my girlfriend was pre-hired to be my trainer After completion of training we were going to team together. This is the only time I would team with anyone. I wasn't wanting to drive teams, especially with a stranger. This is not my style. I have always wanted to drive and left a teaching position to do so.
    Day 1 (Sunday) - Arrived at CRST Training Facility. The facility is Dorm Style housing and the cost is $150 a week while a student. There are 4 category's of student's . 3 week student's (those without permits from their own states), 2 week student's ( 2 sub-category's of these, are those with permits in hand and CDL refresher's) and the 1 week refreshers. You live with 2 others in your room. These very from trainers, to students to drivers who are on worker's comp. The guy that was in our room was on workers comp and didn't sleep at night. Up, down, up, down. Slam....not much sleeping here.
    Day 2 (Monday) - 6:30 meeting and briefing in the East Building. This is meeting consisted of those with CDL's and those with out of state permits. You sign a Pre-employment Contract with CRST stating that you will pay $3950 plus additional expenses incurred (DOT physical $50, Piss Test $50, $150 for a room per week, and of course the cost of your transportation, you know that fabulous bus that you ride. Oh yes, you get to pay for that bus ride!) if you do not complete your 8 month contract and the Residency Paperwork ( a form stating that you are going to work for CRST and change your residency to Iowa). At 8:00 AM, Mike from Kirkwood Community College comes in and has you sign another contract with Kirkwood (This one basically states that you will be subject to paying Kirkwood $2050 if you do not complete the program or take a job with CRST). You sign, then basically race, or walk fast back to the CRST Training Center where you stand in the west line first (the wall closest to the TV room to get your BP, height, weight, eyeballs checked). Then to the east line to get your piss test and see the M.D.) This takes a while. At 2:30 we were taken by Kirkwood bus to the college. We wrote the notes on the PTI and listened to a lecture over the rules. John, the director of the Transportation School came in and gave us a run down on how the course runs and welcomes us. Out at 9 and then back to CRST and hopefully you don't have an early 5:30 pickup.
    Day 3 (Tuesday) - 7:30 Pick up for me. There are various pickup times for students. The first bus is 5:30 AM. Then several others during the day for pickups. You are assigned a time. Those with out of state permits go to the DMV to take the tests over again. I took it and didn't pass the combo the first time. You are to keep the paper from the DMV with your number so they can look you up again when you go back, otherwise you start all over again. You spend at least ½ the time practicing pre-trips and the rest in the truck with 3-4 other students. You maybe get 1-2 hours driving per truck per day for the 7 days. The instructors (for the most part are pretty cool). I spent 1 hour the first day driving. 3 times around the range and then out on the road. I drove a Prostar with 3 others with Greg as my instructor.
    Day 4 (Wednesday)- 7:30 pick up again.(I drove myself to CRST. I wasn't going to take a bus and I was supposed to be there with my girlfriend) so I drove to the DMV. Passed the Combo Test in around 3 minutes. Perfect score (I studied my ### off... I hate failing). Then drove myself to Kirkwood. Stood around doing PTI's most off the day. I had been feeling ill and it hit me. Dizziness, nausea, man I couldn't stand up. Sick of my stomach. Da**ed flu! I ended up leaving before I could drive, had to use it as a sick day. If you don't drive it count's as a sick day. 2 sick day's and then you are recycled. Ouch.
    Day 5 (Thursday) - 7:30 pickup! Thank God! Although I can't sleep passed 4:30 anyway! My body is still on Eastern Time. This come's in handy for the rest of the weeks. Pre-trip for a few hours then in the truck with one other student! Drove around 2 hours today! Boy did I need that! I got Greg again as an instructor....good guy...good instructor. Went through down town and got a lot of practice stopping do to the #####****'s on the road. Switched out and the other student drove back. Then we drove around the west side out in the country and practiced shifting. Arrived back PTI for an hour and the bus back to the facility.
    Day 6 (Friday) - 5:30 pick up. Pre-tripped and in-cab inspection's practice then off with Gary and 2 others. Gary is a good guy and laid back. Fun to be with and makes you feel good when you screw-up. Overall a great instructor. We drove back to the Taj Mahal.
    Day 7 (Saturday) - 6:30 Pickup Everyone. ½ or more of the class head out to drive for the day. The other half (I was in ) practice the skills portion of the test. I got 1 and ½ hours in of backing practice. Wow...now I am a master (J/K)....Well at least I learned a little. 2:30 everyone goes home.
    Day 8 (Sunday) - 6:30 Pickup again.....This time the other half drives and those that went out on the road stay and practice skills. Me and three others go out and practice on the road with Gary. I was having problems shifting in the Volvo, but after practicing skills in the Volvo the day before I got the clutch down better and am doing much better. Gary gives me some pointers and after the day I feel better. I get around 3 hours seat time this time. Testing starts tomorrow and I pray I get a Volvo. I haven't driven the Freight Shaker yet and don't know the clutch on it. We do laps around the CDL road test area. We have been practicing it most of the week. We head back on the bus at 2:30.
    Day 9 (Monday) - 6:30 Pickup Everyone - PTI's start today. Took and passed the first time. Skill's are tomorrow, then road tests. Did a logging class. I get a call from Brock my recruiter that my g/f is no longer coming to CRST and now I am at .22 cents a mile. Wow.! I should have went with Prime! .22 cents!!!! I have signed the agreement and am stuck here!!!! He offered me an out, I can leave , but I still owe the money. Should have stayed teaching!!! Still 2 more tests to take. I will worry about it later.
    Day 10 (Tuesday) - 6:30 Pickup everyone. Took the skills and passed it, passed it, first time. Only lost 2 points. Took the road test and failed. Loaded truck, and screwed up on remembering the splitter. Stalled the truck, automatic failure. Had mapping the rest of the day. Left around 4.
    Day 11 (Wednesday) - 6:30 Pickup everyone. Mapping again all day. Took the road test again and passed it. We leave the school around 2:30 to go to the DMV. The bus dropped off those that are going to get thier licenses (for those that passed and then back to the Dorm. Make sure you have all your paperwork. SS Card, birth cert. etc... otherwise no license. Normally Friday is license day.
    Day 12 ( Off do to Thanksgiving) otherwise we would be at school.
    Day 13 (Friday) - 6:30 Pickup everyone. Safety class. Hookup class and off at 9:00. Wow it's over. Talked to the woman in charge of contract's. I am stuck with .22 cent's a mile. Not happy with it, or the situation. Training was to fast, not enough hour's in the seat, but I guess that is what the 28 day's are for. I will keep you all updated from the road.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2011
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  3. Awesome Possum

    Awesome Possum Light Load Member

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    Aug 15, 2011
    Ft Lauderdale FL
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    So what happened with the gf?
     
  4. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

    10,371
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    Nov 8, 2009
    Charlotte, North Carolina
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    this is EXACTLY why you shouldnt sign a contract! When will people learn :biggrin_25513:. I sure hope you werent a math teacher




    American Trucker
     
  5. Rock & Roll

    Rock & Roll Bobtail Member

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    Nov 11, 2011
    Madison wi
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    did the girl friend make it or kick out?
     
  6. Rotten

    Rotten Light Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2011
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    Actually, Social Science 6-12. The G/f had a prehire and told them about an old conviction. She has been driving for 27 years. She called to make sure before she gave notice at her job. They told her no at that time. I had already started school and the contract was signed. I was offered an out but I was already testing for my CDL. The out would have cost me 2450 or $160 a day for everyday at the school. With the completion of the CDL it is costing 3950 after I pay $40 a week for 10 weeks for my housing, physical, and drug screen. This way I at least come out with some experience. Costing me more than that when you figure the .22 cents a mile. The reason I came was the G/F. Would I do it all over again? The answer to that is no. CRST may be good for some, but not for me. Will I stick it out for a while? Yes. I will pay CRST for the schooling. I will ride it out and do my job. But, I will pay it off early and move on. I am not upset with CRST just not happy with the situation I am in now. .22 cents a mile is not .31 cents. I left the job to be with the G/F and drive. Right now I can do one and not the other. I will do it well and professionally.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2011
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  7. dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    Sep 10, 2009
    Dallas, Texas
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    .22 CPM sets you back about 15 years (or more). I'm sorry you got caught in a contract trap, that sucks.

    Is anyone paying attention here? Consider the cost of living increases since the last time .22 CPM was normal pay and we'll all realize driver's pay has gone down. Way down. Way, WAY down.

    More solid proof that the artificial driver shortage is actually an abundant surplus of trainees.

    Rotten, you're going to turn out all right, it really sucks that they have to start you out so low but you're going to work your way up and use them for the experience. Soon as your debt is paid I hope you can team with the GF, life is sweeter when you're locked in a box with someone you actually like and respect.
     
  8. rocknsand

    rocknsand Medium Load Member

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    Dec 28, 2007
    Tonganoxie, KS
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    Jeez, you have to pay for the school and all that other crap and still only get .22 mile.
    Its no wonder these BFI companies want to keep running students thru, its a complete "profit center" all in its self.
     
  9. Rotten

    Rotten Light Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2011
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    The .22 cents goes up according to thier pay scale. Unlike Swift they do not take money out for school. But you end up paying for it at the .22 cents. They do make sure they get thier $400 bucks back or more if you took thier bus ticket and of course didn't come with an out of state permit. Of course it takes 4 months to make .23 cents.
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2011
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  10. Cowboy Pastor

    Cowboy Pastor Bobtail Member

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    Jan 19, 2008
    Central FL
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    So how are things going bro?
     
  11. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    Dec 23, 2008
    Katy, TX or Swedesboro, NJ
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    Yeah, agreed .22/mi is low. But if you stick it out, you pay nothing for school while at least getting experience and scratching out enough to pay the bills. In 6 months you will be up to .30 and can start making a little more money. Stick it out a year and your options are wide open. When you really think about it, its a small price to pay.
     
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