Heading to Cedar Rapids on the 5th

Been lurking here for a while.
Finally registered.

Heading to Cedar Rapids for 3 day orientation and then going out with lead driver for 28 days.

I've read all the bad about CRST. Not happy about this decision. But with a 10 yr absence of OTR experience I am being treated like a new driver. No one will hire me.

I worked construction for the last 15 yrs. Company I was with for the last 8 years filed bankruptcy 2 yrs ago and I have been out of work since. I have applied to countless companies with the same response. No recent experience,.. no hire. Unless I want to drive a dump truck locally for $10hr.

I have exhausted my savings and investments. I have a family to support. I am desperate,.. so I will be paying my dues with CRST.

I will give them a year. After that I will either stay if things work out or I will move on. From the horror stories I have read here about CRST I am very apprehensive to do this. But I am not in a position to pick and choose. Back in the 80's and early 90's when I first started driving all you needed was a clean MVR and friendly attitude to hire on with just about anyone. Today you are just a number with a paper trail record. No record,.. no hire.

I will post back with updates to give an honest personal experience.

Hurst

 

I'm not paying for school. I've driven commercially since 87 and was grandfathered in to the CDL in 92. How ever,.. I havent driven commercially since 1996. I went into construction with the intention of never getting behind the wheel again. Things have changed and hoping to fall back on my CDL.

Everyone I talk to wants at minimum 6 mos to 1 yr verifiable recent driving experience. I dont have it. I've been out of the loop for so long,.. things are so different now compared to when I was driving last. I last drove for a auto transport company hauling mainly out of auctions and rail yards to various dealers and other auctions. Longest I would be on the road was 3 - 5 days. A few times I was out for a couple weeks. But I was paid hourly and not by the mile so it wasnt like I needed to make the miles. Before that I was driving for tow companies. I have a perfectly clean MVR,.. I dont smoke or drink. I am a family guy. My kids are pretty much grown. So being on the road is not as bothersome as it would have been 10 yrs ago. I would think that means something but it doesnt seem to really matter anymore.

I'm still trying. I put in an app with Waste Management and a local tow company today. I really am fearful of CRST. I dont want to sign any contracts with them where I am forced to stay with them for X number of months if hired. I also am pretty much an independent person and team driving with someone I dont know or trust, and who can cause me down time and lose money if they up and quit is what really bothers me. I dont like depending on anyone except myself. I've worked hard all my life, I just need a break to get my foot back in the door.

Hurst

 

I just talked with a couple guys who gave me an inside scoop on what CRST is and does.

As a new hire coming in with no recent experience, I was berated for 30 mins as why not to start with CRST. If I had 5 yrs recent under my belt then it would be different. But for guys like me I would end up breaking even week to week for the first 6 months or living off of draws owing the company each week.

And then we got into the issue with team driving. Great if your with someone you get along with and works hard. Not so great when you dont. Chances are I'll go through at least 3 - 4 different co drivers in the first 6 months.

So I have decided CRST is not for me.
I have driven for 6 yrs. No accidents. No tickets. But I havent been behind the wheel commercially as a company driver in over 15 yrs. I am currently using my personal truck to hotshot loads for a broker using their authority. But being the small guy I just get left overs. I havent been out in over a month. I am so desperate I was considering CRST.

I want to thank everyone on this site for their input. I believe I have thwarted a nightmarish experience. Laura from CRST is supposed to call me tomorrow (Monday). I am going to tell her how I feel and to forget it. I'll keep knocking on doors locally and pray to God someone gives me a break.

Hurst

 

I will definitely be sticking around.

What I'd really like to do is buy my own rig and a 7 - 8 car hauler and get back into transporting autos. Its hard work, even now with my trailer I can safely load and secure 12 motorcycles. It takes roughly 90 mins to load and secure them. I only get get 80% but the runs I have done usually pay $120 - $150 per bike. Not bad money for 1 - 2 days work. I just need to get in between the brokers and the clients to get some business going.

I still have copies of my BOL's but I'm fearful to contact the clients directly only for them to call my broker and tell them that I tried to undercut them. Then I would be seriously SOL. Just not sure how to go about getting a client base going to keep me in business. I've seen some of the load boards. Some runs pay barely enough to cover fuel. I dont see how people do it.

I'm fearful to take out a loan and not be able to pay it back. I'd rather get back to work and put enough money away to where I can be liquid for at least 6 months. Then I would feel safe taking out a loan to purchase a rig and cover insurance, MC authority, IFTA etc etc.

Someone somewhere will hire me. I just havent found them yet. Seems that when you 'ARE' working, its easier to get other employment opportunities than when you arent. Its like companies dont mind stealing from each other,.. but avoid people who actually 'need' the job like the plague.

Thanks again,..

Hurst