crst is the worst

I actually lived this story. I've always had faith, and I just hoped that there was something good at the end of the line at some point after going through this. I could easily write two or three more pages of details about this. I have a great local job now, very early start this morning, getting ready now. I make great money, and I'm home every night. I have very good jobs offered to me, and might even buy my own truck. I just kept thinking of that song, " If ya wanna get to heaven, sometimes ya gotta go through a little hell. " I'm starting to get a little long in the tooth now. I quit smoking 10 years ago, and consequently I was, still am, a non smoking truck. I'm not saying that all non smokers coming into trucking are fruit cakes, and weirdo's, but the younger that smoke, are much more like I was when I was younger, just a lot more get after it, get-r-done type. I did make money while I was there, but it's a very harsh place in many ways.

 

Good read Dave!

Your post reminded me about this video Dan Rather did on CRST. Kind of backs up the concern they have for truck drivers dying on the job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul4BiHF8kEM - Covenant in the first half CRST at the end.

 

Punk74 you sound like a crst corporate schmo doing damage control on crst and its horrible reputation.

 

Lol CRST has just about the slimiest reputation in the whole industry... Even worse than western express and swift, whatever "damage control" their corporate schmo' won't help change that any.

 

maybe this is one of the training videos at crst orientations?...

 

WOW! I had never seen that one before. What the heck were they thinking pulling ahead to throw rocks at him????

 

Thanks for the good post Dave....
...hope TTR keeps this one in the archives
.... Glad to hear everything worked out for you in the end ... Bless you brother Dave

 

I have a great job now. Drive local. Make very good money. I would like to run under my own authority though. I know I could make some real good money.
It sure is weird how things go sometimes. I would have gladly stayed with these guys or CRE ( started there ), but its just an impossible situation. All you want to do is do a good job, and they make it so difficult. I mean you really humble yourself and dig in, and say I know I can make it work. I can make anything work right? When you know its never going to, then you just try and get some time in so you can have that magic OTR experience number, which is what I did.
I mean there is a kid where I drive now that grew up with the truck bosses son, he got his license and got right in ( has 2 accidents already as well, takes it for granted too ). I had to earn it, don't know why, but it's water over the dam now.
I care for an elderly parent too, so going on the roam is out for the time being, but I could swing a regional that I'm looking at I think.
I love going OTR. Jaking down the hills, truck stops, trucks, heck I even meet a woman once in awhile ( not LL ). I just love it.
I built model trucks when I was a kid ( AMT ). Had truck driving albums ( Wolf Creek Pass Up On The Great Divide...... ) lol. I go in a T/S and like 90% of the videos are movies I like, its like my God, this is my destiny.
I remember when I drove my first shift, from the POE in WY on 80, heading east, to the J in North Platte, this was almost 10 years ago. The trainer sat with me for about 30 minutes, and said " I'm going to sleep for awhile. Drive for about 3 or 4 hours if you can, keep it under 70, and get off at any exit where there is a T/S."
I say, " Want me to wake you?"
He says, " Oh I'll wake, don't worry."
I did as he instructed, and he did wake right up.
He asks, " You feel OK? "
" Yes."
" Lets go then."
We finally get to the off ramp at the J in North Platte. I get off, he wakes up. And I am fried at this point. He guides me into the fuel island. I park. He checks the MPG. 6.75
He says " No freakin way. "
So I get a coffee, we fuel, he drives, tells me don't fool around, get some sleep. I ask him how he thought I did, and he says " When I can pull those curtains, and go to sleep, you have a future in truck driving. 6.75 the first time out, you definitely have a future in truck driving."
I ask him, " You mean there are times when students drive and you can't sleep? "
He laughed hysterically, and uncontrollably.
Bernie M. is his name. He was a very good guy, and I learned a lot from him. He was a pro, neat & clean. Could squeeze a truck in anywhere instantly. I was blessed to have him initially.
I drank my coffee, un rolled my sleeping bag, listened to S60 hum along, and was asleep in probably 60 seconds.

 

I don't think the driver was drunk. Half drive like that.

 

Wow! You make it sound so easy. And I am sure you have great experience with all those companies you listed.