Thinking about training with CRST...

Mmmm.... I used to drive for a small fleet owner who was leased onto CRST Malone (the owner-op flatbed company owned by CRST). Every now and then, I'd have to go into a CRST VanEx terminal, and let's just say it didn't give me a warm and fuzzy about that company, nor have any other experiences of mine with the VanEx side, nor have I ever been impressed with what I've seen of their trainers. I've heard of CRST referred to as the "Crash and Roll Stunt Team", and it's not particularly difficult to see why. I'm sure there are worse you could go with, just as I'm sure there are better.
Also, keep in mind that most of what the VanEx side does is team driving... I know those sleepers seem huge when you're in driving school, but trust me when I say they get much smaller very quickly. Then you'd have to share it with someone... this will most likely not be someone you already know, and it comes down to luck of the draw as far as the other driver's level of competence, cleanliness, etc. go. The way I see it, it's kinda like playing Russian Roulette. Then you have to be able to sleep while they're driving... some people can do this, some can't; I'm in no position to say how it'll work out for you.
Just a couple things to consider.

 

I wish you well in your new career direction.

CRST can be the worst or the best. all the companies out there "offering" free training will have you sign a contract, in which you work for X number of months to "pay back" your training.

you will hear all sorts of horror stories from bad trainers to sexual harassment of female students.

you are old enough to take care of yourself, and maybe "clock" someone who makes unwanted advances towards you.

do your training, get some experience, at the very least 6 months, but a year is better, then either stay at the company that trains you, or move on to a company closer to your home.

good luck to you.

 

I'm doing CRST right now and I did a lot of research before coming here and did not hear much bad about them until now that I'm already here. The class that was in front of me and has already gone on to their orientation, only two of them were actually hired on to CRST leaving the others to now have to pay the school or find another company that will take them on. They don't tell you that when you come you are not necessarily guaranteed a job with them just because you made it through the schooling and got your CDL. And, another guy decided he would try and go to another company since he has his CDL now and just pay back the school in payments, well he found that when the companies would call the school to check he had attended they would deny he had ever been there. I guess if you can pay the school back in full you might be ok which is my plan if I don't get hired on with them because I'm fortunate to have a father that is willing to help me. And as far as the schooling here, I would have been better off saving my money because I could have just got the CDL manual from the DMV and read it at home then go and take the tests to go get my permit. They are not teaching you anything you can't find on your own on youtube videos, cdl practice tests online, or out of the manual from the DMV. The whole week was basically you reading the CDL manual and spending everyday at the DMV taking tests to get your permit. The next week was better when we got to the driving range, at first anyways, the instructors are all nice and very helpful but there are just not enough for the amount of students there are and the trucks suck. All the instructors are very experienced in the classroom and on the driving range but with the student size and the amount of time you have to learn everything, you are not getting your moneys worth. I'm not knocking any instructors because they are awesome and do a good job for what they have to work with, but the school should be ashamed of themselves for not investing in more instructors and better trucks, oh and bigger classrooms because we were crammed like a can of sardines. Just know that anywhere you go it will more than likely be about the same especially if it is company contract because they don't care about you getting all the knowledge to be the best truck driver you can be, they just want to rush you out the door so you can start making money for them and if they don't hire you then you made money for the school. I'm sure even if they don't hire you when finished, you will be able to find someone to hire you it just might not be your first choice. And, for anyone wanting to go get your CDL, the best advice I can give you is get online or go to the DMV office and get you a CDL manual and start reading over Pre-Trip, General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Permit, and Combination vehicles because these are the main ones you will test on at the DMV to get your CDL permit. I say start reading them now and take CDL practice tests over them online and watch videos over them that you can find online because this will save you a lot time standing in lines at the DMV your first week of school. If you can learn as much as you can before you get there then you can knock your tests out in the first two days and have time in the classroom to learn other things you will need to know.

 

Oh and I did PCA work too so just basically it works the same way when you first got your PCA, you will learn what you need to start and the rest will be with experience, same concept.

 

You think it's bad now wait till you get into trucking,then you'll really have something to bytch about.Getting home every 2 weeks????????When u find an OTR company that honors such a request,plz tell us .I'm sure the hundreds of thousands of drivers would love a company like that.You better plan on staying out at least a month.You have a valid reason for wanting to be home,but companies don't like valid.The freight and companies dictates when u get home.So you looked up CRST training program,was it their website or where exactly did you look it up at?Have you read any threads/post here on CRST?There is one in the bad company thread/low miles.So after training,how are you going to be able to make it?You better rethink trucking untill you're absolutel positively sure this is what you wanna do.Trucking is the lowest paying carreer there is.I spose companies think all we do is just sit and drive.If they only know how very wrong they are.

 

You will NOT get home every 2 weeks with CRST, they require you to stay out at least 3 weeks. However if you live in an area where you can get on one of their dedicated lanes, you can get home every weekend.

 

worked for CRST in 2010, you will not, I repeat "WILL NOT" get home every other week. Thats a fact. I know drivers that have been out five and six weeks and still haven't been able to be routed home. normally your out for four weeks at a time. If you want to see your daughter every other week, don't go with CRST. Just trying to help a fellow parent.

 

I have heard nothing but bad things about CRST, both online and talking to their drivers. I went with a placement company called "Driver Solutions", and had a very positive experience. School lasted 3 weeks, and the training was decent--got an hour or two of actual on-the-road driving time every day. I needed very little cash up front, just for personal expenses. I was placed with a good company, Star Transport, out of Morton, IL before I graduated. Star gets their drivers home 3 weekends out of 4. I stayed with them for the agreed upon year and they paid my school costs in full. I made $38k that first year.

 

I worked for CRST as well. If getting home every 2 weeks is a priority you will not get that there. They may tell you that you can, but it won't happen.

Other than that it's not all that bad of a company.