I'll give you the REAL deal here at CRST. First of all, don't believe everything you hear. Also remember that this is primarily a training company. And, if you do not understand how a corporation works, and rather not play by the rules, then NO company is going to work out for you. If you come here, and you are on ANY type of controlled substance, whether it's prescribed by a doctor or not, you WILL be out of here. Make sure your health is up to par. If your BP is high, you need to get that under control. I would also check for diabetes as well. If you also have ANY misdemeanor/felony charges pending, again, get it taken care of FIRST. Does ANYONE read what CRST's qualifications are?? It's in PDF format..READ IT!!! As Joe said, bring cold medicine. There are a couple of stores around here, within walking distance. I made myself a very healthy dinner for $3.00. Don't be a fool and spend a lot of money. the first week you will be fed breakfast (although it is at 4:45am, and I always miss it), and lunch as well. Nothing great, but it helps keep money in my pocket. Life is what you make it. You can sit here and look at all the negative BS, and that's what you'll get. Or, look at this as an opportunity to advance yourself, and open some doors for you. You can sit here and listen to people complain about this company and that one....Oh well. Don't lt it get you down. If you want to grab the bull by the horns, DO IT! I'm not on here as much...there is wi-fi, but it's flaky at times. Oh well...it's free!! LOL Good luck to all of you out there...maybe I'll catch up with some of you at some point.
Definitely glad to hear you made it safely, enigma. I would say see ya soo, but ill be an hour away for my schooling...
is any of your guy's recruiter kari? i called and talked to her the other day just to shoot the shizzz and told her that i was gonna be in an independent driving school. she said awesome, have fun and good luck and to keep them in mind when i am done. i talked to some recruiters from other companies recently and they are all like "no... you need company training. our company training is the best. company a sucks and company b sucks but company LMNOP is worse than theirs." i respect kari enough to leave that door open if i feel the need to do some team driving. if yous guys talk to her, tell her doug from kentucky said she better treat you right. good luck to all of you.
I passed my road test so I'm headed to Iowa Sunday Morning. Hey EnigmaGal do the pregnate lunch lady still come at about noon to serve lunch? If not do they still give out lunch?
So, I've been here a week, and I can give you some more information. Not much, but maybe a bit more. The bus trip up here was loooong. For me it was over 28 hours. Once you get here, you will check into the orientation center. You will be assigned a room with two other people. There is pizza served about 5 or so. Monday you meet with Brandi and go through an orientation, and back to the training center to get your DOT physical, which includes your pee test. This is where a LOT of people get weeded out. Diabetes, high BP, and of course the fools who think they can do drugs and get away with it. When the DOT does a pee test, NOTHING you do will eliminate those substances out of your body. Personally, if I know you're doing it, stay the (blank) away from me. You're nothing but trouble. Tuesday you study to take your CDL permit. Wednesday you go down to the DMV to apply for it. Make SURE your birth certificate is NOT mutilated in any way. If it is torn, taped, etc...guess what?? They won't accept it. I passed all three on my first try. I would strongly urge you get the CDL manual from your local DMV and study up on it before you come here. Be ahead of the game. I have sat around Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and today and tomorrow. A lot of sitting around. I do have my pre-trip information, but I'm fairly confident about it. Will brush up on it from time to time, but the real test is when I go to Kirkwood on Monday. Keep your cigarettes, money, etc to YOURSELF. I have NO PROBLEM when someone comes up to me and asks me for a cigarette to get away from me. You have to have a thick skin, and to tell the "bums" around here to get lost. Guess what? This is an introduction into trucking. Living in NY and going down to the city has me well prepared for the world out there. Don't buy anything from anyone. Someone came here to sell a tablet, I personally would not buy it. You never know if it's stolen, etc. Another person here had an app on his I-phone and was scanning peoples credit cards. He got caught. Wrap your cards in tin foil, or LEAVE THEM AT HOME. I STRESS to you...if you are unfit, on drugs, don't waste your time. As for all the people that put down this place, don't let them pee in your cornflakes. This is a CORPORATION. Get used to it. People will bee-yatch about every company out there. Stay away from them. You are here for YOU. Get your CDL, get some experience, and see where the road takes you. Go to the Fareway to get your food. You won't regret it. The meat is out of this world, as well as the vegetables. The fruits aren't that ripe yet. The lunches here are the same; hamburger and chicken patty, but again....It helps keep money in my pocket. If you're the type to sit and complain, you get what you put into it. If you want a change, and are ready to get a CAREER rolling, you'll do just fine. Good luck to all of you, and hope to run into some of you soon.
