Really BAD First Job Experience... Don't Want to Repeat... Suggestions?

OP make it clear to your driver recruiter what you have been through,and what you expect.
Do not settle for another young thug playing off your newbie driving.
Screw all that!You have an agenda,and it does not involve playing games with head case trainers.
Be upfront,and tell them before this even begins,You will go home if paired with another Punk.
That should hopefully help getting you put with a professional.
Don't put up with abuse,its not worth it.Good luck,keep us informed

 

CRST is the worst of the worst. Anywhere you go (besides England) is bound to be better. My first driving job was with Stevens Transport out of Dallas, TX. They sometimes get a bad rap on this forum, but my experience with them was excellent. Their OTR training program is first rate and the emphasis on safety and compliance is not just lip service, it is actually encouraged and enforced. The head of the training program makes an honest effort to match trainees with trainers that are close in age. He would never put you in the truck with a 25 year old trainer. You also get the choice of training with a company driver or a lease/ O.O. driver.

I worked for Stevens for almost 3 years and I've never regretted starting with them. I feel like I get the best available OTR training and now that I've got a little over 5 years under my belt, I still have never had an accident (major or minor), a ticket, or a DOT violation. I was taught the right way to operate a commercial motor vehicle, not just how to drive a truck.

please tell us which company you are considering going with. You can't get honest feedback if we don't know, and that is the whole point of this forum. Good luck to you in whatever direction you choose to go.

 

Yup - I'd go with Stevens or Prime if it were me.

And I'm pretty sure its CRST - they're a junk company no better than CRE.

My brother in law is at Prime in a refresher course, after a similar nightmare at Western Express.

Keep us posted bud.

 

try Epes Transport.

http://www.epestransport.com

call them and tell them the situation.

they also have a section in the forums here.

talk to "flyingmusician" or some of the other regulars.

decent company that hires hires inexperienced drivers.

 

As you can see, we are all guessing at what company you were with. We are on pins and needles wanting to know. What that should tell you is that there are lots of companies where you can have terrible experiences. The reason is that it isn't the company, it is the people who work for them.

What you had was a personality conflict. I worked 3 days for Transport America. You will not hear a lot of bad things about Transport America. It is a company that over expanded and was taken over by some investment bankers. They have nice equipment and good freight. They also have a certain redneck, racist, sexist, homophobic, Georgia cracker, driver who knows his mother way too well, in their employment who I believe is a cancer on this planet. That is just my opinion. I am a Saint so it was strange that I could not get along with him. Now, I am sure that out there somewhere is a mutant who finds this individual, charming. Just not me.

CRST does not have a company policy book that states "Be a jerk to new employees." When a jerk hires on to a company and becomes a trainer you have a jerk trainer. Avoid them as much as you can. In your new company, seek out those who are of your same temperament. I have always preferred the company of women. If I could chose a partner to team with, it would be a woman. I never have partnered with a woman. I have partnered with men before. One guy, Bill from Keystone Automotive was a wonderful partner. He came on duty and crawled in the back of the sleeper and i woke him up 11 and 1/2 hours later in Houston, TX. We traded places and I woke up back in Kansas City.

The last partner I had was also named Bill. From Fastenal in Edwardsville, KS. He doesn't know it but the rest of his life he will be living on a grant from me. He came with in one word of more pain that any human can survive. (I am one tough SOB when I don't have to back it up). The run was from Edwardsville to Indianapolis and back. I spent those 8 hours hating my job just because of him.

When you start with this new company, start with a new slate. Ask the new trainer to show you what you want to learn. Communicate with him or her. Don't get your feelings hurt without expressing what you are feeling. And never, ever, team with someone who would rather listen to rap music then to the Classics of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer.

 

Yeah, I can relate to the generation/culture gap for sure! I feel your pain! Hang in there driver, it'll work out for ya! I think post #9 has the right idea!

 

You might try Averitt Express. They have two terminals in Atlanta and also have one in Chattanooga. They have a lot of drivers who have been there for 20 + years. Their mileage is not the best but they have good benefits and pay pretty good. They have local, regional and otr. They also have a good training program now I hear?

 

Give Schneider a call.

 

I started with Crete May 31, 2004 and on May 31, 2014 I called my trainer and he was still with Crete although I only stayed with them 25 months.

If a company advertises "....Lease, Train, Drive...." stay away. If they will lease a truck to you the same day you receive your CDL stay away from them. If they tell you that you will be a team driver after getting your CDL stay away. I did a 10 week course at a community college, drove team with a trainer for 8 weeks and was solo after that. The first 6 weeks of solo were stressful as h3ll and the next 6 weeks seemed that way at the time although I did get more miles in. 12 weeks out of training team I finally felt like I had the job under control.