My contract with CRST is OVER.

Even though it is, I enjoy working for them. the beginning was rough, but by the 6th month period everything was running great.


With this. I do have only one issue. I am based out of Riverside CA. this is the closest yard to me. this means when I go out on home time, I have to drive 8 hours each way. and the gas costs about 200.00 each way.

So, I put some feelers out to see if there are any companies that are closer. in a 5 hour span, I got calls from well over 70 companies and recuiters wanting to hire me. for OTR dedicated and Regional.

Problem was. each time I asked about any of the companies I got this reply.. STAY AWAY from them, THEIR NO GOOD!!! All trucking companies cant be bad.
I hear the same about CRST. I work for them now, and have no COMPLAINTS except the above. this is beyond their control, I know that and I dont blame them for me having to do this. it was my choice to go with CRST.

Each company whom I spoke with I was on the phone for over 45 minutes each. The ones whom gave me the most enticing offers and had yards within 3 hours of where I live were:

knight trucking, Interstate trucking, Con-Way Heartland Express. (CRST im working for. is 8.5 hours away)


problem is, people scream STAY away to all these companies...

so I went down the list, and seemed to get the same response form different people on just about all the trucking companies.

SO, How do I get an honest over all review of these companies if they are all sooo bad?

I need advice on what to do and where to go.

I have compiled a list of questions I plan on asking but with all the bad feed back, im not even sure if this list of questions will help.

Thanks to those whom helped me with these questions.

1. Where is your orientation?
2. Is the orientation a controlled curriculum for subject matter and teaching points? Mileage? Time?
3. Do the trainers get graded by the students after completion or is there a feedback loop to make the training better? Team driving during training?
4. What is the pay during orientation and training?
5. What is the pay after training completion? List for each division please: tanker, dry van, reefer, etc. Please list if it is for ALL miles, or is a progressive (“tiered”) pay scale.
6. Any bonuses post completion? 6 months? 1 year?
7. Is there a 401k and how is it structured? Cap limits? How much does the company match?
8. During orientation are lodging and meals paid for by the company?
9. If the trainer takes home time does the newbie keep driving?
10. What electronics does your company furnish to make a more safe and efficient driver?
11. Where are the main hubs?
12. Does the company have any dedicated contracts? Divisions? Is the newbie eligible for them?
13. What medical and dental plans are offered? Details and pricing of each plan to include time with company?
14. Can you switch trainers if it doesn't work between the two of you for whatever reason?
15. Idling policy?
16. Inverter installation policy? APU in trucks?
17. Is per diem built into the pay?
18. Breakdown and layover pay? Detention pay?
19. Are they no touch or is unloading involved? Pay for unloading?
20. How many miles do they usually put on a truck before they pull it from the fleet?
21. How does the pay period work? Do they use TRANSFLO and does it cost you? Do bills have to be sent in by a certain day to get paid during a week?
22. General home-time policy and where they want the truck when you go home?
23. Slip seating or assigned trucks?
24. What speed are trucks governed at?
25. Vacation policy?
26. What miles are paid miles and what miles are not?
27. When am I working and not getting paid?
28. If weather, driver (sick) or road conditions are such that I feel it is unsafe to continue driving, will I be penalized for parking until it is safe?
29. What are the reasons I could be disciplined and or fired for?
30. What can I expect my first year earnings to be? 2nd year?
31. How many miles per week does a newbie average?
32. Is there a tuition reimbursement program? if so, Explain how it works please.

33. How many of their recruits as a percentage remain past 90 days?
34. What is the number 1 reason new recruits quit or their biggest complaint when they're terminated?

 

lol, I got the STAY away on FB. when i asked there. I have since stopped asking .. as no matter what company i search, I get the same reply form different people there.