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

majortom · Sep 12, 2011

Erick chapel said: ↑

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.
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bucksandducks · Sep 15, 2011

Lightweight said: ↑

Wow thanks Maxwelltie this was very helpful, I agree getting my cdl independently is the best way to go, but I owe my last school money that I don't have to pay back and I don't have up front money for a new school, the little bit of money I do have goes right to my current bills. Lol living check to check. The only reason I considered trucking is bc my bro did it and in just a couple months he was pulling up in a new ford 150 he said money was good ( he worked for swift) but then after like a year and some change he joined the Air force, I don't get y he left a job he said he like to go work in such a controlled environment, he says he likes the military too but said after his 4yrs is up he's getting out. Lol he confuses me sometimes. See he's the type who never complains but its obvious there was something about swift he didn't like. I told him I was considering trucking he started laughing bc I guess he can't imagine me behind the wheel of big rig. He told me the same thing your telling me that everybody bashes everybody, he's like it just a matter of what your plans are n where you want to be in life that gives you the will power to su it up, eat your veggies first then you'll get the steak. I hate when he says that lol I don't want no veggies I just want the sirlon. Now im looking into cxs rail road lol. I just dont know, but I need to make a decksion fast and make more money.
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If you have the opportunity to get on the railroad instead of a trucking company like CRST, Werner, Swift, CR England, or JB you should do it. The benefits and retirement can't be matched by anyone except maybe UPS. If you are going to pay you dues, do it once on the railroad. I waited to after 12 years of driving truck to do it. So I had to pay my dues in trucking, now I am paying them again on the railroad. I'm not sure how old you are but the younger better to get on the RR. It is union and all seniority based. If you are older than forty I wouldn't do the railroad. Full retirement is 30 years and you have to put at least 20 in to get much of anything. I started the RR at 35 and I will have younger guys with more seniority than me until I retire. The best jobs go to the guys with the most seniority so you have to get in when you are young.

Lightweight · Sep 17, 2011

Thanks what rail rd company are you with??

bucksandducks · Sep 18, 2011

Lightweight said: ↑

Thanks what rail rd company are you with??
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i'm with bnsf.

Joey_Boy1 · Oct 16, 2012

Hey i saw you mentioned that Federal money will pay for me if i go with a private school what do I have to do in order to find out which school just ask the school or let the unemployment office know ?

Huggibear · Oct 21, 2012

maxwelltie said: ↑

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.
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**Maxwelltie, my husband has he CDL, but is looking for a good training company, he loves flatbed(I think mostly because the "working" part of it is a lot like what he was doing as a self employed logger). We heard from TMC-they said they're not hiring from our area right now, but will call when they are. CRST has us playing phone tag with their medical dept. & our DR. for blood pressure readings.Just wondering, are there any other GOOD training companies we should apply to? I'd rather apply to 12 at a time so odds of getting a recruitment call are higher, but I don't want my husband to get calls from 12 companies he can't tolerate being tied to for at least 1year. Any suggestions? Bear in mind we know the first company he works for is just gonna be for PROPER training & just a stepping stone until he get some experience, he's not crazy about the team driving at CRST because like you said you gotta bunk w/Total stranger & put your life in their hands everyday, but for good training & a job he will deal with it. Would like to know your thoughts on the matter.

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