My First week at CRST...

Well, I have been here a week so far and I really can't complain. The week all you are doing is studying for your CDL permitt which to me is completely boring especially if you pass all 3 on the first day now you are sitting around for a week waiting to start school the following week at Kirkwood Community College.

Now as far as the company goes to me they are a great company besides the low pay, but hell what do u expect coming fresh out of school 50k-75k lol now I am not saying it can't be done, but CRST is putting up a lot to YOU your CDL. They bus you in and give you a roof over your head while you attended school and give you 2 meals a day. Yes, you can argue that you are paying for your room but lets face it if you had 3-5 grand to spend on school then you would not need to come here.

Now as far as training goes at Kirkwood I can't really say to much because I have not entered that week yet, but they tell you it's accelerated and they mean it. You basically have 1 week to learn to drive a truck so your best bet is #### and listen. Then your second week at Kirkwood (from what I hear) is preping for the pre trip inspection and road test. I also hear that you only get about 1 hour of drive each day IF you are lucky.

Now let's talk about the pay and yes it does blow balls but then again like I said look at all that they have done for YOU and if you get your CDL from them GREAT now you can take the CDL & OTR experience and go wherever the hell you want and I'm sure that's priceless. So here is the breakdown of the pay

ALL MILES FOR TEAM DRIVING IS SPLIT PAY
Months 1-3 .22 CPM
Months 4-6 .23 CPM
Months 7-12 .31 CPM

YOU ARE TO AVERAGE ABOUT 5000-6000 Miles a week minimum and from what I hear you do get that much. Now what all all them expensive YOU occurred while here well folks CRST will deduct $40 each week until its paid in full so that Greyhound bus you pay it the physical yup that a hot $50 that Drug test another hot $50 and a nice processing fee of $50 then $150 for each week you spend in that lovely room with 2 other guys.

So, if you are looking to go to CRST in Cedar Rapids here is what you can expect. Remember you are here for 1 reason and 1 reason only and that's to get your CDL and a job. You are not here to meet friends and be in a 5 star hotel no this is trucking school NOT a vacation and as far what I have seen GREAT JOB CRST!!

So, I am going to end this by saying you either gone make it or you not its ALL up YOU!!

 

I have a few typos but I'm on my iPhone and sorry I'm not going to fix them but they not that bad lol

 

Well, CenturyClass funny thing I'm shipping out tomorrow to see if I can get into Con-Way the pay is waaaaaaaaaaay better and it's closer to home. If I can't come up with the 2 Grand to pay US Truck Driving school then I'm coming back to finish my training. Since I did not start school I just owe them for the bus tickets and the other misc items.

While I got you Class I read on Con-Way site that for team driving they have the "guaranteed pay" is that just for experienced drivers or after my 4 weeks with a trainer can I get in on that and also is that split pay?

 

Muskeg the information I got was from drivers and management. I talk to a lot of drivers here just to see how they feel some drivers love it and some can't wait till their 8 months up. As far as new drivers goes my first day here I shot pool with a guy who was complaining about sitting around and waiting on a trainer but the next day he was gone lol and I witness a guy get all his info and met up with his trainer and shipped out in the same day.

All I am saying if you looking for someone to make sure you are getting it and to check on you then you will fail here. Ask questions and take in as much as you can and you will do fine.

 

Slavic now u know u can't go to another company till that money for school is paid in full it's like they have some type of lien on you...