Might be the new kid..Need paid training..is Crst the best?

Lightweight, the companies who do pay for training are ALL going to be bottom feeders. That being said, I have seen great drivers do terribly with a company; or, terrible drivers do great with a company. It all comes down to your work ethic + your dispatcher. I wish you the best of luck, but no matter where you go it's a risky venture when you sign the contract.

 

I don't think you can say ALL about much. Roehl Transport offers training and it is excellent. It is better than any training you will get at a CDL mill. They have issues with micromanaging but their training program is top notch.

 

If you have a choice between Roehl and CRST take Roehl trust me I've done the CRST thing. Now I didn't do their school but I did sign on with them as a new driver. I have spoken with many of their students and never heard a good thing. I also rode with some of their students and they couldn't shift, navigate, back or anything that they should have learned. I did 9 months with the "gold rush" and got out, there's a reason they average 120% turn over per year. There is also a reason that they start between 75 and 100 new drivers 51 weeks a year.

Now, I know little to nothing about Roehl from first hand info, only having talked with a few of their drivers. One was a young lady who had started with them as a student, and she spoke well of them.

 

There will always be someone that will bash a company and call it a bottom feeder.
I do not, nor have I ever worked for CRST. I have a friend that did (and speaks positive of them) and know a recruiter for them (just a friend).
ALL starter companies are bashed. More than half of all people that come into trucking leave it brecause it isn't what they expected. It is a cruely hard industry that gives no quarter.
That being said, when so many of these people leave, they cannot blame themselves, they blame the company.
Hence all the bashing and bottom feeder quotes.
No matter whether you get your CDL on your own, or go thru a company program, you will start at a training company. CRST, Hunt, Swift, Rhoel, Stevens and more are just such companies.
Odds are, no matter who you start with, you will leave them by two years. If you stay in the industry, you will simply move onto another company that does not deal with newbies, and you will likely be happier.
Your first year in this industry is brutal and your first company usually gets the blame.
Just the nature of the beast.
Now that being said, I'll give you my opinion:
If there is any way to obtain your CDL OUTSIDE of one of these training companies, then do it!
You will then be able to pick from more choices. You will not be locked in a contract with a company and feel like and indentured servant.
Company sponsored schools often will simply get you your CDL.
Private schools usually get you your CDL plus all major endorsements such as Hazmat, Doubles/Triples and Tanker.
While you may not need these right away, they often become valuable down the line.
Most states will pay for your training at a private school thru federal dollars if you are on unemployment.
community colleges offer courses that are very affordable.
If, as a case of last resort, you must pick from one of these companies to obtain your CDL, read the contract VERY CAREFULLY. They all lock you into the contract much like Pertrucio. They will get their pound of flesh if you fail to complete it's terms. They are not forgiving.
Some companies will have a habit of getting you thru the CDL course and then finding a reason not to hire you, then charge you a huge school fee.
So find out what the percentage of people completing and obtaining their CDL thru their school are hired.
I work for one of these training companies, and can tell you that everyone that graduates from our CDL school is hired. The only exception is if they have lied on their application and discovered later, or if they fail a subsequent drug test.
There are other companies out there that do the same.
Just check out your potential company carefully.
Training is hard and many people drop out. They simply don't like it, or they have a bad trainer or something happens at home where they MUST leave.
If you obtained your license independently, you won't owe a zillion dollars.
I see private schools charging $3,500-$5,000, but if you leave these company schools you owe $7,000-$10,000!
Now one last answer to your question concerning CRST:
They are a solid company that has been around for years. However, they are a team operation. Are you prepared to not only share 28 square feel of living space with a stranger, but trust them well enough that you will sleep while they drive?
Team is not for everyone. Most people just don't handle it well.
I drove team for the first two years in the business and did well, however, I know that most people just don't like it.
Keep these things in mind as you make your decision.
Good luck.

 

I drove for crst for about a year. They kicked ##### when I was there....if I needed something BAM! It was Done! Office staff are all great down to earth people! Just the best...mt old dispatcher robert ran my ##### off so, and I quote"so you can get your max pay erick" I was REALLY HAPPY at CRST til I decided to go solo, and short haul trucking...

 

crst is one of the best trucking companies ive worked for, in there with jb hunt and conway, theyre awsome, and treatment is unmatched bro.