crst orientation

Discussion in 'CRST' started by Temptinfates, Apr 21, 2010.

  1. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Hi all. been talking to crst, filled out application and trying to get everything squared away. I have a question about orientation.

    If I go to school through CRST and pass--which I am sure I will (have 7yrs previous exp and need refresher for no recent experience), what should I expect at orientation?
    If they bring me to orientation in Oklahoma city, does that mean I should get employment? I am a little bit nervous about agreeing to go through the refresher course and me getting to OK city and not having a place for me. Is this a realistic worry for me?

    Temptinfates
     
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  3. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Heck with that. I would not go that route. Esp. if I had 7 years exp.
     
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  4. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Its not recent, Its over 15 years old. So, no one will touch me without recent experience. Wish it was different.

    Temptinfates
     
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  5. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    I would look around first. Maverick does not require recent or a refresher. I have pulled a lot of steel out of your home town. Getting home would be a breeze. In fact I have delivered lumber to your town.
     
  6. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Thank you, will look them up.
     
  7. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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  8. deeproller

    deeproller Bobtail Member

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    If they've offered you the refresher course, that means your info is already verified, and you will definitely be employed after the refresher. As a lead driver with the company, I had many people on my truck who had the same problem as you, Temptin. All you need to do when you get there is pass the physical and drug screen and refresher course. Medical and drug problems are the only reasons that I've ever really seen anyone in your predicament get sent home for.

    Notarps, I'd have to disagree about what Maverick allows with you. Since they're website lists "1 year of over-the-road experience within the last three years" probably means what it says. That's a pretty standard requirement across the industry.
     
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  9. Temptinfates

    Temptinfates Light Load Member

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    Apr 21, 2010
    Cartersville, Ga.
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    Thanks for all responses,

    I will be going to CRSt refresher course this Monday. I am a little nervous about the DOT physical, since I am 47 years old and counting--hehehehe. I have no problems passing drug test. I can pass the refresher course. I even went and got a cdl book just to read up, though.
    I am going to have a positive attitude in all this, even though I dislike not being credited for any part of my 7 years driving as experience. Times are different. I'll be paying my dues all over again.
    Just got a call from the school guy. he gave me his cell to call if I have any problems before monday morning. So, I have that. Since I already have my cdl, he says he'll have me doing pre-trips, backing exercises and driving. That's fine with me, I can do all those things. Never had an accident or damage doing any of those things in 7 years driving.
    What really sux is that I was having my mother's estate settled two years ago and the probate lawyer sold my mother's truck and trailer. Is it ok to say Grrr here? We were in corporate world, then, so didn't fight for the truck.
    So, I am still going to be positive about it all. I am not a newb, but I'll have to be treated that way for awhile. I am going in with a positive attitude. I am a tough old bird, btw.
    Hope to meet you out there Deeproller, if luck has it. I've been through some misery in the trucking world before, stupidity from dispatchers. Back when the hurricane/tropical storm flooded out Macon, they had the road closed going in to deliver a load. I asked them to let me take it to the yard in newnan, and let someone deliver it when the waters receded. So, I left the truckstop to be turned around and told the road was closed. They had to call texas dispatchers to see what they wanted to do. I mean, it was ok if they wanted to pay me layover pay and a motel room for the next couple of weeks (which actuall took like 4 weeks) to sit until the load could be delivered. I was like " Don't you guys watch the news"? Finally, they decided for me to take the load to the yard in Newnan...Duh. Glad you guys thought of that..Sorry, just one of many experiences.
    So, I have to go through all the name tis, touch this, and what are you looking for, and what is acceptable stuff again. No biggy. I get to go play with cones again, no biggy.
    There are a few things that I feel will be of interest. I've never put on snow chains, because I always shut down when the roads were bad. I would drive like #### to get a delivery done, but, once the ice was on the road, I shut it down. Don't know what CRST's policy is concerning this. So, Winter driving is going to be fun. I have drove in it though.
    I had a load that I had to pick up one time that was going to get me home for xmas one time. I was in michigan with the snow-effect snow coming down with snowflakes as big as I had ever seen. Visibility was low, the snow made it impossible to see lanes, so you just followed the tracks in front of you. I had my blinkers on going about 35 mph, with people passing me as they did 50-60 past me, shooting me the bird, etc...but I needed that load. About two miles down the road, I saw most of the people that had shot me the bird in the ditches. Now they wanted me to c.b. for help. That was a lot of vehichles out there in the median. The police were there, but it was going to be awhile before they got towed. I did my 35mph, got my load, and I felt safer with the weight on my trailer and headed home. Yeah, they can drive in it up there..pfft.
    So, thanks for the welcomes and replies to my postings. Don't know when I will be able to post again after Sunday. Hopefully, I won't have any problems with the DOT physical. I should be ok with the refresher course, though. Too bad, I couldn't just come do a pre-trip, take a road test and go with a trainer if needed. Oh well, I am determined to be successful in my endeavers.
    Hopefully I get a good trainer out of OKC. The money is not going to be what I used to make, but, a year down the road, things will be better for me.
    They advertise 99% no touch freight and 80% drop and hook, so, I'll have to see if that's reality. Dang, A job, where I mostly get to drive? I can go for that. I used to drive 15 hours, get 1 hour sleep, unload the trailer, call dispatch for next load, drive and get my load to DH home, drive till I got tired, then pull off to get sleep. Wow, a job mostly driving, that sounds easy peasy.
    I think I can make this work. I am sure gonna give it another shot. My wife is happy there will be someone else on the truck. That part might take some getting used to for me. Oh well, at least I will be rolling again soon. Dang, now I have to think of a CB handle again. Oh yeah, I guess my name will be "driver" ---just kidding.
    Hope this wasn't too long. But really, the last co-driver I had was from AR and he let me know he had animal porn. I was so glad when that ended. He was a nice guy and all, I just wouldn't have told that one, hoss...
    Hope everyone stays safe. Don't worry, I should be out there soon.
    I did do a search on Maverick, and it seems they require a year. Found a lot of good reports on them, I also found a bad report on them by a guy named Ollie (could google it, I suppose about maintenance and faulty equipment--mainly trailers).
    Gonna end this post. Sorry for the length. At least I should be able to get used to the truck before I have to drive in winter--that's a plus.

    Catch ya on the flip-flop
    Temptinfates
     
  10. deeproller

    deeproller Bobtail Member

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    Congratulations on the decision to give a try, and kudos on the great attitude about the situation!
     
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  11. KBOOGIE

    KBOOGIE Bobtail Member

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    Aug 22, 2009
    RALEIGH NC
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    Take the refresher get it over with and move with your driving its really a small thing
     
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