CRST Malone (Flatbed Division) SUCKS!

Hey Red!

I saw your question and figured I would help you out. No one ever responded to my post, however I have learned A LOT about being a contractor with Malone in the last few weeks.

My husband started almost a month ago, I will tell you everything is very good, no bad things have happened, everyone at Malone has been great to deal with and honest, thus far. Contrary to a lot of other posts in this thread. I will also preface all that I am going to tell you with a bit about myself and my husband, so you will know who to believe. I have owned and operated two successful businesses of my own and I was in executive level management with a large company for quite a few years, I have a very smart brain for business, in other words. My husband and I went into the Malone venture, as it has always been a dream of his. We work as partners to make his business successful, while he drives and networks, I take care of all the financials and numbers at home, while networking and helping him to book loads.

The first two weeks were challenging, as you are now responsible for running your own business, you no longer have a Dispatcher telling you what to do, we knew that going into the venture, but we were figuring out the system as well. He had a few trips where he sat a bit, not good, but we still pushed ourselves to figure out the system.

#1 DO NOT depend on your dispatcher to help you book loads, this really isn't his job, it is yours.

#2 NETWORK with all the CRST Agents as much as possible, email or call them to introduce yourself, build relationships. They will in turn be calling YOU many times a day to book loads, once you show them you are a go getter, trustworthy, responsible and get the job done right.

#3 When it comes to the load boards outside of Malone's, in my opinion, they are a waste of money (if they charge a membership). I spent 2 weeks trying to work the outside load boards and typically all they have is CHEAP freight. Every once in a while you will find a good load or broker to keep in contact with. That is about the only thing I have found to be good about the outside boards. YES, you can book loads with outside companies and brokers, but they have to be approved companies (due to creditworthiness) with CRST. Most companies are approved, but you have to get all the load information and tell the outside agent you want them to hold the load for you and then have your dispatcher call the outside agent and set the load up for you. It is much easier and more profitable to work with CRST agents.

#4 Depending on what part of the country you live near or like to run in, you have to figure out a lane to run that is profitable and has tons of freight to run with constant turnaround. Basically, there are lanes from the South to the Midwest that are constantly running. Just pinpoint the areas you want to work in and the cities or areas that stay busy, use your agent list to network with the agents in those areas and you will have loads.

#5 You MUST PREPLAN your loads! This is crucial. I have it now so my husband is booked out 2-3 days ahead of the load he is currently working on and I try to keep that going. You just have to master the logistics of it all and build those relationships with the agents.

I could go on and on! I have learned so much and would love to share info with you to be able to help. I can also tell you, my husband made a few friends who started with him at orientation and they are also doing well.

You just have to really be a good businessman and work hard to network and build relationships with the agents.

If you have any other questions, just let me know!

 

I spoke with a O/O signed on to CRST Malone.
He said that it is like pulling teeth to get them to cut loose money for things. He said tires was on thing for sure.
What has your experience been with them doing things on the trucks?

 

What do you think you can realistically NET doing the Lease with Malone?

Thanks!

 

Jim-
Realistically, you can do very well, however it all depends on your work ethic and having a good mind for business and the business of trucking. You don't have to run a ton of miles to make good money. If you were running about 2500 miles a week, you could net $1400-$1900 a week. The variance depends on mileage pay per load and fuel surcharges. This is AFTER all expenses and taxes set aside. I don't include the cost of food while OTR as an expense though. You just have to plan, plan, plan intelligently and get the trick of that. I would say if you are smart and run your business professionally, network superbly with the agents, then you would be able to have that type of steady income within a month of doing the lease purchase contract.
Ashleigh

 

32swife
ive been with crst for about 4 months done alright till my dispatcher had to have surgerysince he is not at work i have gone down hill cant get help from the guy who is filling in (not mentioning any names) i have sat atleast 1 day a week since i started and no one with crst can give me a honest answer about anything all i am saying is take care of yourself and dont take their word serius. i am currently sitting in a truck stop for the 2nd day beside another crst o/o that has been sitting here since saterday night with his clutch out of his truck crst will not help him let alone give him any answer about getting someone to cover his load, he has not asked them for any money just to get someone to cover load so he can go get his truck fixed. the driver beside me has a militery load on and it has to go, crst does not care.

 

Red
Listen sweetie, seems like you still have a company driver mentality. I don't know you or your background, but it doesn't look like you have really read all that I have said. YOU are your own boss now, your dispatcher is not responsible for getting loads for you, YOU are. If you do not network and call, call, call the agents, you will not be successful. My husband is 4 weeks in and onto a great start. I devote at least 4 hours a day to networking with agents and reviewing load boards and making calls, to make sure he is always on a load. He has already made a contact with an agent within CRST that is ready to give him a dedicated lane. You have to work! You cannot wait for a dispatcher to tell you what to do, YOU do what you want to do. Drive and determination make you successful. I would love to help you, just let me know if your mind is in the right place and maybe we can connect so I can give you the best advice. I believe in Karma and I would love to help.

 

how are you supposed to get a load if nothing is there, atleast thats what they r saying

 

i am new to being a o/o i will take all advise i can get, i done ok until my dispatcher was off having surgery when he was off i got no help at all finding loads i understand that its not there responsability to keep me moving but on the other hand if i need help thats what they are there for when you sit for 2 - 3 days a week thats not good, it really hurt me when he was off

 

if their logistics /load planning is'nt working out, why are ya'll paying 25% ?

 

been there done the 25% deal and scramble for my own loads!!! An they just recently sent me a e-mail come on back avrage load $1.83 mile as a o/o ....i ran my butt off for 3 months not going home at all and came home with my tail between my legs!!!!! think about this $185 a week for a trailer, thats almost $800 a mth when you can make a deal on your own for $400 mth ....just my opinon an exspirence...but will never work with them again