Can trainers make good money at crst?

Discussion in 'CRST' started by Young_Gun, Apr 21, 2015.

  1. Young_Gun

    Young_Gun Light Load Member

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    Hiyas everyone! I hope the day, or night, has been treating you all well!

    I have a wild hair, and am thinking about becoming a crst lead driver (trainer), but... I'm not sure if I would be making more than I am currently (42 cpm, avg 1,100 per check). I would hate to sacrifice what I have at my current employer to hop back into a mega carrier, only to find n that I make less money for doing more work.

    So if there are any trainers out there that can shed some light on this, please help me out.

    Thank you in advance!
     
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  3. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    So your goal is to just make more money? Stay at your current job
     
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  4. Young_Gun

    Young_Gun Light Load Member

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    So... In your mind a trainer should train because of the greater good, and for the love and training. The proud sense of accomplishment of teaching a student to fulfil his or her dreams of becoming a safety oriented driver.

    I share you vision and goals, I believe most trainers do. However, is it possible to have these goals and beliefs and still ask how am I going to support my family?

    But good work with your very opinionated response, I'm sure you thought alot about it.
     
  5. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    When the first question is about money then yes it's apparent training isn't the most important thing in your mind and thus you should stay at your current job. That's not necessarily a bad thing...if you can't live off the lower mileage weeks you may get from training then it's not gonna benefit anybody.
     
  6. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    I think trainers make good money at most companies. My trainer showed me his paycheck after teaming with his last student and it was over $2,000. Its been 2 years so I don't have an exact figure. The first 2-3 weeks of training isn't teaming so all your paychecks wont be that large but overall.....you can make good money.
     
  7. Young_Gun

    Young_Gun Light Load Member

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    I understand how you could jump to that assumption based off my original post. Some people should never train, but due only for financial reasons. Teaching has been a passion for me for awhile, and a reason I was a teacher for a couple of years before driving a truck (politics of teaching...).

    However with that being said, even with a passion to pass on knowledge, and to help students become safe, and a successful drivers, I could not do it if it meant my family suffers.

    You mention low mile weeks. I'm assuming you mean that the miles aren't there, or the fact the student may not be ready for a full 2500_3000 mile week (which is fine with me. Rather him/her be ready first). I would be fine with a situation of the latter. However... As I stated before if I am going to be receiving a 500 dollar pay check for two weeks, then I couldn't do it, purely for financial reasons.
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2015
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  8. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    Well unless CRST has changed in the 4+ years I left (yes I admit it. I worked there). You won't be able to properly train a student and make money unless you go into full team mode. If they were fair about it they would pay the trainer all the miles because theoretically they are supposed to run solo miles for the first 7 days or so but they still split the miles so basically a trainer is getting half the miles he should get as a team. So you either have to sacrifice pay or safety.
     
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  9. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    From what I understand other companies have more incentive for trainers to train properly. If CRST hasn't changed from what I said in the above post then personally I wouldn't do it.
     
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  10. Young_Gun

    Young_Gun Light Load Member

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    That is what worries me... And a question I asked the recruiter. Why in the hell are they allowing students to team after two weeks of on the job experience? Unless the driver was their only for a refresher training, I couldn't sleep while a student drove.

    I would however be comfortable doing what is called super solo (us xpress term), meaning a load could have around 800 miles. The student drives the first leg, 500 or so, then I drive the rest. Then we wait for the student to reset his hours, and continue. Therefore I could be up with the student while he was driving, at all times.

    If they are willing to do that, then that's fine. I teamed for a year and a half with us xpress, and it took me 6 months to completely trust my Co driver.
     
  11. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    Young Gun, keep in mind....its up to the trainer at most companies to decide if they want to start teaming with their student or continue to remain solo until that student is done. My wifes trainer at US Xpress didn't like teaming with his students. Teaming with the student is where the money is. You're gonna get good and bad students. You as the trainer must decide if its safe to team.
     
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