Cedar Rapids training center lowdown

Ok so here is what I have seen since arriving last Sunday. Arrived at the airport and contacted the shuttle for pick up. Took an hour or so for it to arrive and took a couple of calls. After the second call the van was there within ten minutes or so. Ok no biggie I know everyone was arriving that day and they were probably busy. Arrived at the training housing center and had a quick welcome meeting for people who were staying on site. Most went to outside hotels since the center was full, but those were told they would be in crst housing dorm by the end of the week. After meet they fed everyone dominoes pizza and was plenty to go around. I myself have bought my own motel room at one right across the street from crst terminal/training center. I made a good choice from what I have heard from others in class this week. Now, this is what I have heard not experienced since I am not staying on property: three beds to a room. No storage but they have a small closet. No food in rooms and students are to keep their room clean. Communal restrooms and showers men and women's of course. Kitchen area has 6 or 7 refrigerators and 3 microwaves grills outside. Heard about folks having there food stolen by other tenants and employees throwing food out because they purge the fridges every week supposedly they go by the date you write on your bag of foods, which sometimes the dat is not noticed and just thrown out. A few have colds and sinus issues some say from the air ventilation system, mold or whatnot. Hot showers seem to be an issue for those at night after class and you have to wait till 10 pm or later because of others arriving before them from earlier class. It is definately communal living and there are alot of people there. Monday drug test and physicals was a little unorganized but when there is 100 people that is expected. I would suggest to have a physical before arriving then you just need to take a drug test which took about 10 min as opposed to the huge amount of people waiting in line for physicals. First week or refresher, which I am, bus pick up is 5:30 am and in class till 6:30 pm. The lunch crst provides seems to make it to the school sometimes and sometimes not or way after lunch break. Bring your own lunch to be safe and probably better that their sandwich and apple. Dinner is your responsibility. Breakfast is cold cereal and starts at 4:30 am till 6 as far as I've heard. I made the right choice getting my own hotel room at about 35 a night. Nothing fancy but fridge and microwave and my own bathroom. That's the story so far. Sorry it's a huge post but I wanted to post the "facts" as I have heard and seen. Sorry for my spelling my iPhone auto correct does not work too well.

 

Well like I said I have not been at the center at all since I have a hotel room. So this is mostly what I hear from people who are staying there. If I didn't have the support behind me to do that I would be right there with everyone else. Mostly the post was for anyone thinking about coming here and what to expect, not what a recruiter might or might not tell someone. I'm not company bashing but some things are a bit ridiculous.

 

Thanks Pattyj. I'm doing my best and what I have to do right now. Ill put in my time and then move on but maybe not either. It's all about what I put into it. Who knows I might like working for these folks and just keep going after my commitment is over. It's been a long three days this week with being in the classroom " refreshing" my mind with the things I already know. I must say though, I do learn something everyday. I just pay attention and keep my mouth shut unless I have a question. I feel bad for some of these students, and a bit scared, because they think driving is all fun and games. They won't listen, they disrupt, and some can't even turn the cell phone off. They don't understand that these instructors are trying to teach everyone to be safe and smart about how trucking works. They have been told if they act up like that in orientation these folks will not hesitate to boot them out. Some people you just can't reach I guess. The thing that gets me is they think cause they drove for like 50 hrs or so last week they know everything now. Scary. I know what it's like out there and it's no joke. Learning to navigate a mountain grade is serious business but some won't realize that till they are coming down that hill with smoke pouring off the tandems and dents in the steering wheel from being scared sh&$less cause they don't know what to do cause they were goofing off in class. No wonder the csa rating here is so bad. I'm not judging but I wish some could understand its their life and mine and others that they could be putting in jeopardy. Maybe I'm just a bit older now and have a hard time dealing with the younger generations. I will keep you folks updated as I progress through my madness! Lol

 

I know my posts are long. I'm gonna work on that. Sometimes I get going and can't control myself

 

I didn't have much choice. With my amount of unemployment and not being otr for almost nine years. I had to take what I could get. As far as the pay, I know it is not good but it is better than what I'm making now which is nothing.

 

Ok. So road test taken on Saturday. No problem piece of cake, well for me not everyone. Monday first day of orientation. Today, Wednesday, last day. Typical orientation. The kirkwood school pretty much covered most of the log and hazmat and safety stuff so kind of a repeat. Seemed like the students from the other school were not as informed on these things like we were. Then company stuff; polices, insurance, payroll, and such. We were assigned lead drivers today for our 28 "training" days. No complaints. Just like a typical orientation. They have started serving hot lunch since last week so the first week with the sandwich thing was revised I guess. Nothing great but usually choice of chicken patty or hamburger and some days big hot dog or Italian sausage sandwiches with a side of slaw or pasta salad or potato salad. A big step up from the first week, someone must have complained. So much for me avoiding the "center" sickness, as we have come to call it. I managed to avoid it by staying away from the building since the first day, but, since orientation is in that training facility,Monday night I could feel it coming on and was full blown yesterday. Much better today. So if anyone is coming here prepare your body to fight off the"center" cold. Lots of vitamin C !! Other than that it has been good and all the staff is very approachable and helpful. Will let you know how I progress out on my "training" time. Don't be scared, I am a pretty good driver, not a student, just stepped out for a while. In fact, I could have more road experiance than my lead driver because at 6 mos with 4 months winter experiance you can be a lead driver. Although we were told they have changed that in the last thirty days. True? I don't know. That's all for now