wanna no about CRST Malone

They do have good rates going out, its up to you to find your load back in.

 

Any of the companies who got a govt' bail-out.... but only if you were one of the executives that still got their $14m bonus

 

Yeah; be sure to keep us updated.

 

Very well said.

 

I am going through the app process right now..I own my truck and after reading this thread I am on the fence about what to do..any advice from anyone signed on would be appreciated

 

yep, go to mercer

 

I wasn't going to comment on this thread, because I really didn't want to get into it, but here goes. I was leased to CRST Malone for just over a year, ending last August. I got my own authority then, and I get more calls from Landstar agents now as an independent than I did from CRST agents when I was leased to them. I'm not trying to tell you to get your own authority, I'm just saying that CRST's freight base is weak compared to the open market.

Still not convinced? Go look at their Safestat here. See how their OOS percentages are higher than average in every area? That translates to getting stopped and DOT'd on a more regular basis than if you were with a carrier with a good safety rating. I got DOT'd three times in July, which was the final straw for me.

Want some more insight? Go here, to their load board portal, and scroll to the bottom of the news feed. There you will see the phone# to call in and listen to a replay of their contracter conference call. Make sure to listen all the way to the Q&A portion, I think you'll find it informative.

 

I can only speak about my own experience with CRST Malone and that was several years ago. I did well with them. I was pro active in finding many of my own loads. I also had a very good dispatcher. I think she retired last year. I know that they have made some changes the last few years, but I have spoken with a couple of their owner operators and one lease purchase guy. One of the owner operator had been with them for about 15 years or so. He said that he was doing very well with them. The lease operator said he was only clearing about $300/week. He was young and I don't think had much experience.

When I was with them they had a good freight base with decent rates. If you stay in their primary freight lanes you should be able to do well. If you get into an area where they don't have much freight then you will probably need to get a brokered load to get back. Those won't pay as well as a direct shipper load. If you run from Chicago to Birmingham or Atlanta to Pittsburgh and stay in that area, you should have decent rates. I haven't checked their rates in a while, but they are a well established carrier. If they have a poor safety rating is is due to the owner operators that they use. In that division I don't think they have company drivers. They have lease operators and owner operators. It is not the fault of CRST Malone if owner operators and lease operators don't take care of their equipment or keep their logs up. I would expect them to get rid of the ones who are not running compliant or who constantly have equipment issues. It can impact the type of shippers you run for when you have a good or poor safety rating. If I were looking for a carrier to whom to lease, I would consider putting my trucks back with CRST Malone. I don't have plans to give up my authority, but if I did, they would be at the top of my list due to my past experience with them.

Most of the time it is the fault of the owner operator or driver if they don't do well. Even when I was with them there were some who were not doing well. If some are doing well and others are not and both are at the same carrier, then it is likely the owner operators or lease operators who need to look at themselves and how they run. One thing that I do recall with CRST Malone is that the recruiter who originally brought me on board was very straight with what he told me. He is no longer with them, but I would hope that they still tell it to you straight. I felt that they were very fair with me.

There are other carriers around. Mercer and Landstar are a couple. I have known of owner operators with both companies who have done well and lost their shirts. You will find both good and bad with any carrier.

 

Thanks for the opinions..Runningman I tried to pm
You back but can't because of post count..thanks I am just trying to sort out
The bs..I guess I kinda fortunate in the fact that my ride is paid for..What areas did you suggest I stay away from..

 

Very well said G'man. I have always said you can line 10 different drivers up from the same company...and ask them how the company is to work for, and if there making any money. You would get 10 different answers and those answers would vary wildly. I make great money here, and so do plenty of others drivers over here, but I also see other drivers fall flat on there face here. Do they not have the basic buisness sense it takes to be profitable? Maybe the don't have the drive and hustle that it takes to make money here. If you want to drag your feet, sleep in, and hang out at the buffet table, you might not make it here. You have to be proactive in getting your next load set up? Some weeks I might have the next three loads planned out in advance.
And as far as our bad safety rating, they our working dilligently to correct that issue. They recently brought in a new safety director who is willing to cancel O/O and L/P contracts for those drivers who don't want to maintain there equiptment, and continue to get log violations and excessive speeding tickets. In the last 4 months I haven't been pulled in once for a DOT inspection. I keep my truck in good working order and clean at all times.