CRST Truck Stop

crst has been red flagged by the dot. they are at 92% in the unsafe driving category. that's about 8% away from being shut down...wow. not saying anything negative here fellas, just some info i came across the other day. csa.fmcsa.dot.gov

 

I'm currently a student @ crst. Finally got to Cedar Rapids from Tallahassee, FL Monday night after a 29.5 hr bus ride (including 6 hrs of layovers). Tues, waited 4 hours through physical/ drug screening process. Wed, went to the DMV & took the combination vehicle test (already have a class b so no need for the other 2 tests) & passed. Paid for my permit yesterday & other than that, have just been sitting & waiting for Monday to come so I can get over to Kirkwood for cdl training. It's soooo boring here. It's like a halfway house. The rooms have caked up dust in the corners & behind furniture. Plus the nice people of Cedar Rapids are courteous enough to SPEED UP as you cross the street! Anyway, at least my roommates are cool. They're 2 of the guys I met on the bus trip up.

A word of advice to those looking to come to crst:
1. Do your research (don't just listen to your recruiter) & ask questions before you come aaalllllllll the way to Iowa without knowing the particulars & end up pissed off like some folks up here. Don't expect your recruiter to tell you EVERYTHING. I have a great recruiter (Ashley Abbott). She's way better & more informed than many other people's recruiters & very helpful but I still asked questions. Also crst does have a website. Use it.
2. The training center has dorm-style housing & is a "student & driver-maintained facility" (not like a hotel) so bring your own towel, wash cloth, toiletries & disinfectant spray for the showers.
3. If you can, get your class a permit before you come. You'll have to take the test again when you get here, but you can cut out a week of waiting to start the cdl course & get on the road & start earning sooner.
4. Pick your roommates. If you meet some cool people on the way, ask to room together or you will get put with any random wierdo they pick.
5. Bring cash, especially if you need to get a pemit. The only major banks I've seen around here are Wells Fargo & US Bank. But you can always get cash back at Wal-mart.
6. Bring an original copy your birth certificate/ passport, soc. security card, & a valid driver's license (a renewal certificate with your expired card won't work). Some recruiters neglect to tell you that.
7. There's a shuttle that does wal-mart runs every night but Sunday. Buy groceries or eating can get expensive. There are also propane grills out by the patio.

Thanks to all off you for posting your comments. I learned a lot & was able to make an educated decision because of you all.

 

Is CRST still hiring? I just need to get my foot in the door...........


How much does CRST pay you for orientation? Do they charge you for lodging?

 

There certainly are propane (actually natural gas) grills X2 on the patio.

The grills are easily found. Just look for the "Hannibal Lecter eats here" inscriptions in the pavement below..................

Seems to me like that company, at the very least, would provide meals to incoming drivers. Since CRST does promote the job as a career.

Or, am I missing something?

 

Hey they get free coffee to stay awake in the god awful boring classes

 

Crst will be hiring during the apocalypse.

As for pay, did you go to a driving school or.do you need to do training with them?

My recruiter never mentioned a sign on bonus, but I got $300... Students don't get paid, they have to pay.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

[ame]http://youtu.be/3mrUMTP4thI[/ame]

 

[ame]http://youtu.be/RUZrNnJ5ScE[/ame]

 

whether you split the miles or split the .22 per mile, IT"S STILL $660 for 6000 miles in the end!!!Who can live off of that?

 

So, why didn't you pay for your own school? Then drove for one year. Then went for a top paying co.