what to expect from crst.

Thanks @G13Tomcat.

@nosleep4bishop if you have any specific questions I will do my best to answer them.

 

If your long term goal is tanker, why in the world would you start with crst? @Chinatown knows every tanker company in this country and what you have to do to work for them. I bet you he knows of a few tanker training companies in the Dallas area if that's where you're from.

I started my career at crst and that was because I really didn't know better. At that time I lived in Houston and only a couple training companies came up when I searched. CRST was the "best" option at that time. I had known then what I knew now I would have started with a completely different company.

My experience wasn't as bad as some you see here, but it wasn't the best. We spent more time sitting at trailer repair places it felt like. In that 8 months (3 years ago it was an 8 month contract) we were averaging 36 hours a week on just trailer repairs. Other drivers dropping them saying they were in good condition and you get there and find 2 flat tires, or tread depth is below minimum, or a hole in the roof or side of the trailer, or the weld that holds leaf spring bracket to the trailer has less then 1/4" left holding it together.

I left there because of poor equipment maintenance and really subpar pay. They company I went to after my 8 months started me out as a solo drive at 42cpm. There training program is really good and I wish I had gone through it. They garuantee you $700/week while in training and now the just upped the starting pay last Friday to 46cpm for new drivers. They also offer a tanker training program, just don't remember the hiring area for that though.

Like I said, @Chinatown can tell you what training programs are around for tanker in your area if you let him know where you live.

Best of luck to you!

 

He does well at CRST and really has no big complaints. He tells it like it is, the good and not so good.
Finish your commitment then jump ship to a tanker outfit. Plenty of tanker jobs around DFW.
Trimac Transportation hires in Dallas area and it's one of the best. Make real good money and once you qualify for their Elite Fleet can make over $100K. They hire new cdl grads from some schools, so you're good to go after some driving experience with CRST plus a cdl school diploma.
I think SVTN also hires in Dallas area. They also hire new cdl grads. This is a pretty good tanker outfit.

 

The negatives include that the office is a disorganized cluster####. That is the biggest point of frustration I see with brand new drivers coming in to CRST.

Training pay sucks too. And students have to beg for advances $25 at a time, with a 4.95 fee per advance + the ATM fee when you withdraw the advance. Training pay is so low that most students have to take advances and get ripped off by these ridiculous fees.

 

I read your post again. Are you asking what factors CRST might reject you for, or reasons why you might want to reject CRST?

Just want to make sure I am answering the right question.

 

My first student had a conviction for Bank Robbery. Others have had lesser felony convictions, so I know a criminal history won't automatically disqualify you.

How old is that (misdemeanor?) DUI?