Honest CRST experience

The guy I was teamed with did much better because he started at a higher rate because he was military. I do not know specifics but I'm pretty sure he started at 33cpm and went up to 39 at the end of contract. The dude I'm with now (my bro) sucks at saving money and managing it so he blows through all his money. Plus they know I'm jumping in July so I think there lowering our miles a bit. Just a hunch no proof

 

That's something I definitely recommend because it saves you money. It seems dumb but your just racking up a debt without getting payed, if you do it before hand you owe them significantly less and it's much quicker. It'll cut a week off your training time. Make sure you get a med card as well.

 

The way I saw it was, go to school for 6 months, pay 16k for it, and have 6 months downtime, and then Have to start at a starter company anyway, or just suck it up. I mean first year at another starter is gonna be what 45k? So 45k-16k for school and 12k for normal bills is... 45k-12k-16k=17k for a year of work. Where I made almost 40k in less than a year. I'll take it. Seems like a better deal, not only that but I walk away with a year experience. Which if you could put a value on it is probably worth like 10k. Not to bad.

Most people fail for two reasons:
1) is definitely accountability, I'd say 90% of the ######## that go there think there the best thing since sliced bread, have never worked more than 30hrs a week and are entitled to everything. Also known as Bernie sanders supporters lol, just kidding. No I'm not

2) theyre lazy as hell. They're too busy trying to be cool with all the other idiots. They make up a million and one excuses on why they failed a test when in reality they're just too dumb or didn't study enough. Most people fail PTI. And backing. Driving these things down a highway in Iowa is not very hard.

A lot of the teachers focus on the people trying to learn, and then the other half of people there don't pass because there on there phone or cracking jokes in the back of the class all the excuses come. It's funny I asked a recruiter how many people you guys bring in and how many pas and she said right around 22-26%. Which is right for sure. Get your med card though seriously. If you don't get it, and you bus up there only to find out your ineligible, your not gonna be a happy camper.

 

Yes 5000 miles is a pretty doable amount. Make sure you communicate also. It's important, give them an ETA every 12hrs and when your about 2-4hrs out. It'll get you another load. They will start stacking the loads on ya once you prove your reliability and that's where you make the most money. I've had weeks were I did 2500 miles and weeks north of 7500. There are a lot of variables but it's a lot better from July to late December. I don't even go home for that period. $$$$

 

17 years is a long time lol. It depends on your Manager too. Some of em hold grudges. I've heard of many people Turning down loads to LA and NJ and then they wonder why they sit.

It's so circumstantial that it's really hard to say. You could've had a ####ty manager, or whatever the case may be. I took a little extra time to try and get to know everyone that makes me money, and for the most part I got it pretty good. They'll call me and crack jokes and I'll do the same.

 

they have refrigerators in the trucks, not very large, but decent. If you don't like lunch meat your gonna learn to, or b come a thousand pounds overweight eating all the truck stop food lol. I gained 15 pounds since last year. Not happy lol but I'm leaving in July and I'm gonna take a little time off to lose it.

The only other suggestion I have is pick your battles. Your Dm makes EVERYTHING happen. If your good with them your fine. Now I'm not saying tell everyone off that irritates you, but if you got a good DM and a good relationship with the night time guys you'll be fine. I have managers emailing me funny memes and photos all the time. We crack jokes and have fun.