CRST Malone (The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth)

No I'm a owner op with my own truck and trailer that I leased on with. Haven't had a payment. In maybe 5 years now. Been at it awhile.

 

Sorry Ownerop I was replying to pattyj s comment. I guess the reply button didn't refer to it..

 

No problem

 

Your observations are dead on. I've been leased on as an owner /op for 3 months and I am seeing some great profit potential with this company. You have to figure out where you want to go and know how you'll get out. I go home every Friday without fail and it can be pretty challenging. It's a learning process that requires getting to know the agents in your area and checking the load board for potential opportunities. As you point out, those high dollar loads can get pretty cheap if you don't pre plan to minimize deadhead. I have reached the point where I almost always have a load reserved near my destination. I've only met a few unhappy CRST drivers and it's always the same complaint, not getting loads. These guys are relying on their "dispatcher" to get them loads. They have an employee mentality and need someone to tell them what to do. It's not your dispatcher's job to find you a load, they can only make suggestions. If you rely on them, you'll miss out on better loads and you'll never figure out how to make this a profitable enterprise. I owned a small business for over 20 years before I got into trucking and the business end is the part I enjoy the most about CRST.
One comment about agents. Some agents are very professional and will give you everything you need to get the load done. Others, not so much. Don't whine to your dispatcher, scream and yell and burn your bridges with these people. Learn who they are and stay on top of them. Always end the conversation with "thank you". They are your customers and you may need them down the road. Business is business and the customer is always your best friend even if he's the world's biggest ahole.

 

I brought my truck and trailer on back in March so I have been at it with them for awhile and have a pretty good handle on how things go. The one biggest thing I have trouble with is CRST Malone's CSA score has deterred me from getting a few different loads off of load boards. But as mentioned earlier, I also will deal with that to keep my paper logs. I know how to use the split break provision and have yet to hear of a computer system that can also. I live in northwest MN so I knew it was going to be tough to get decent if any loads out of my area.
All things considered, I don't mind CRST Malone and plan on working with them for awhile. I agree as well. If you just want to drive a truck, let me know, I'm thinking of bringing on a driver to drive another one I may purchase, but if you think that this is just a driving job, your will not suceed and will be very unhappy with CRST Malone. Good luck with your choice and drive safe.

 

Like any business the key to success is minimizing cost and time. A few other things to consider on the time side. Can you get loaded in an hour or will it take three? Can you get to the consignee before receiving shuts down or will you sit til morning (a lot of customers won't load after 1:00 PM or unload after 2:00 PM)? How much work is involved in loading (I'd rather get a single coil at 47k than 5 at 8k each) Do you need 1 steel tarp, 2 steel tarps or do you have to drag out the wood tarp? At the end of the day will you have enough energy left to get a profitable load the next day, or will you crash out exhausted and find yourself sitting still? Miles only matter because they cost money in fuel. The driving can be the easiest part of this business. Work to minimize all miles, all labor and maximize dollars to the truck.

 

I've been thinking along the same line, buying another truck and putting a driver in it. Gonna take a while to accumulate enough cash to get it done. I'd be very interested in learning from your experience if you go down that road in the meantime. You obviously understand the game here. This is not a driving job it's a business. Best of luck to you. I don't go to MN anymore because I can't get out so I see your problem. Canada maybe?