CRST Van Expedited, Inc. - Cedar Rapids, Ia.

Let me explaine, on the last few checks that I received I noticed CRST payroll division were adding an additional amount to my check and then they would deduct the amount off. I think the amount was about 300.00 or more dollars each time.

I'll have to check my contract to be it states that CRST will pay for the tuition in the contract, I'm sure it mentions paying for tuition in the book that they pass out to the drivers explaining policies etc.
I was told as I said before that the reason they add and subtract the above sum to an employees paycheck is so that the employee can pay the taxes on the tuition. the workers hand book also says that you are paid at a lessor rate for the first few months because you have to pay back the tuition and the training that you receive for the first 28 days after graduating from the trucking school that they provide.
I hope this makes some sence to you it was very confusing to me.

 

Let me see if I can explain how CRST has it set up, it's very confusing to me. What they do is post in there drivers hand book, and I believe its in the contract as well), I have to check to be sure. CRST states that tuition is free if you complete your contracted amount of time working for them.

But they also say that the employee will make less per mile for the contracted period, (6 months) so that the employee can pay for tuition and the trainer that CRST provides for 28 days over the road.

I thought well if they are deducting the tuition from my check then they will give that money back to me after my contract period is up. After the employees contract period 6 months is up, CRST will put the money on the employees check as if it were a reimbursement but they immediately deduct it off ex: + $300.00 -$300.00.

They did this to several of my checks. And it was explained to me by payroll that, the reason CRST does this is so that the employee can pay the taxes on the tuition amount. But its weird because I never actually got reimbursed for the tuition. the tuition is definately not free. I had to pay for the tuition and the taxes on the tuition. That might be ok if CRST had not told me that the tuition was free.

 

good grief what a bunch of bs. I used to stick up for CRST, but [screw] them. That is wrong. 18cpm?!?!?!?!?! how can someone make a living on that? 2500 miles is like $450 gross. That is a rediculously low rate of compensation for living in a truck for a week. I get 33cpm, and I think that is not enough to live and sleep in a moving truck. I am just sick of running team. I just wanna shut down for my 10 hours.

 

No, it certainly would not be cost effective. 50mph transit, every trip. YUCK. I notice my post had been slightly edited. I hope I didn't cross the line. Sorry if I did.

 

Ok mack. I'll do just that. I didn't think about it when I typed it, but I will heed your advice. Sorry for breaking the rules.

 

Is it true what the recruiter says about not driving in snow? If so that really sucks, I imagine you get alot of layover.

 

I will Clear that up real quick

According to CRST Van Expidited..

You only Carry Chains to be legal under no Circumstances are you to chain up your truck, if anything happens they will put it all on you...

At CRST They Bombard your Qualcomm it seems like every 2 hours with messages about weather and road conditions, you shouldnt be cought in a situation where you are driving on a Company Closed road,

There is a Exception to Company Policy
There is a Chaining Safety class you can only take at Cedar Rapids, IA if your Dispatcher approves it, then after you have the certification from that class you will be allowed to chain, not only allowed but in the words of my dispatcher there

Ernie, Southwestern board "You will be Required to Run with Chains on and if there is a Priority Load stuck in the Snow they will Attempt to Force Dispatch you on it, and when/if you refuse the company will place a Refused load on your DAC, I dont Reccomend u should take that course.. besides that its stuipted to risk your life for freight, it can wait"

thats the mentality you are working with and i know the FMCSR says different, but should you chose to go that route just want you to know what you will be dealing with, even if they are wrong the Frustraition and hassle to correct it is not worth getting chain certified with that company.

§392.14 Hazardous conditions; extreme caution.
Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated. Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured.

395.2 (a) Adverse driving conditions
Means snow, sleet, fog, other adverse weather conditions, a highway covered with snow or ice, or unusual road and traffic conditions none of which apparent on the basis of information known to the person dispatching the run at the time it was begun

 

Here is my personal rule. If the conditions are not good enough for me to run over 45 mph ,I will find a safe bplace to park and wait for better conditions,includes everything,fog,snow rain,high winds especially empty 53 vans. When the weather clears you will be in one piece and alive and well and the truck and trailer not all stoved up. In the past I have hauled contract mail,shutdown under the same conditions,others wrecked thru the years,my resume still looks good,theirs no more. Only used chains in colorado once,had to wrap 20 ft chains thru my bud wheel spokes holes to get to a safer place off that mountain. Scratched the wheels a little but company thanked me for engineknowity,know that spelling isn't right''