Big Dog or TrikerJim

[spiritdream]

Do either of you have any info on CRST? Hubby is supposed to start there on the 21st, but he's seeing a LOT of conflicting info on their site, and a lot of negative comments on various blogs. I was hoping one of you might have some "factual" information we could go on.

 

[Big Dog]

Cheri all I can tell you is every company has good and bad. The way things are right now I'd say go for it, learn the "system" and get to know the workings. Make sure the money is what they say, and watch the out of pocket.

 

[spiritdream]

We know about the "good & bad", hubby's just hearing more bad than he's comfortable with. I'm trying to find some good for him - he has 3 unemployment checks left, so I don't think he really has a choice, just trying to help him feel a bit better about it.

 

[Gorilla]

spiritdream, i know absolutely nothing about the company, but BigDog is putting it straight. If you need the work you just have to take what comes along and protect yourself as best as you can. Good Luck hope it works out.

 

[John Luciano]

I hear neg comment up at Lowe's even and I think it is a great place to work. Is hubby thick skinned? I let a lot roll off my back. Some people can find bad in every job, Like you said 3 more checks not a lot of time. He works and he can look too. at least you get a pay check while you keep looking.

 

[spiritdream]

My thinking exactly, John! He's pretty thick skinned, and we've been at this for years - he's just been burned one too many times by OTR companies. He's also been off the road for a number of years, so I think he's forgotten it a bit.

 

[Big Dog]

Cheri, have you guys looked at Layover.com: Truck driving jobs with trucking companies. Trucking Jobs for truck drivers and owner operators. ? They are the largest online recruiting company out there.

 

[spiritdream]

Fred, he's been on every site out there, several times over! LOL The main problem is that he's been local or unemployed for so long that nobody will consider him a road driver anymore, and there's no local work to be had around here. CRST is willing to give him a shot, so I don't believe he really has a choice, and I told him that point blank tonight.

Besides, if he's out on the road, he's getting miles under him so other companies will look at him again, and he's out where he can talk to other drivers and will find out faster when companies DO hire again. (And I'll get a MUCH needed break!! )

 

[John Luciano]

I don't know the trucker lingo so explain who is CRST and OTR.. When was he driving before. I didn't think I could do what I am doing now, but I gave it a shot and I do like it SOO far anyway. This company is based out of OHio ? He still has his CDL?

 

[BlueTrinity]

Spiritdream - I asked my brother, who drives the east coast, what he's heard about about CRST. He says the only bad rap he's heard is about the long mileage runs they have. He says they openly brag that they put more miles per week on their trucks than any other carrier. <br />
<br />
On the good side, they have well maintained equipment and it's all driving, with mostly drop and hook runs and virtually no trailer work.<br />
<br />
Final point, he tells me that there is no company out there that doesn't have some drivers complaining about them. No one thinks they get paid enough for their runs and must think that dispatchers don't really give a hoot about them or getting them back home.<br />
<br />
Good luck to you and the hubby.

 

[Trikerjim]

Spiritdream I don't know anyone personally that has driven for them. I can tell you that with the economy the way it is now, there's a lot of drivers out of work. The company I drive for has always been considered one of the good ones and had a low turover for many years. As the economy has gotten worse, we have had cutbacks, layoffs ect.. like many other companies. There's a much larger pool of drivers now for the companies to select from, and those of us still out here have to say, " you put up with more from the boss, or you go home" There are always good and bad points with any job, and a lot of people/jobs just don't work together regardless.
All I can tell him is give it a shot, make the best of it right now, and see if it's the place for him....Good luck and drive safe..

 

[spiritdream]

Thanks for the input everyone! Most of it I've already reminded hubby several times - bottom line, he really has no choice. Like I said, we're not newbies at this, but he's been off the road long enough that I think he's a bit out of touch with the way things are out there, especially in this economy. I'm still very involved with trucking families, so I get a daily reminder! I think his "concerns" are mostly because nobody else would give him a shot right now so he wants to be "sure" this company is decent enough to stick with for the 6 months or so that he needs to. I personally think his other "concern" is that he is VERY much a solo driver, and he has to team with this company - this ought to be interesting!! Again, he really doesn't have a choice, so tomorrow we head to Iowa! :yes:


John, otr is "over the road" - a driver who does multi-state (now considered 6 or more, according to the companies he's talked to) runs over days or weeks. CRST is the name of the company he's going to - can't remember offhand what it stands for, but one of the acronyms(?) we're hearing is "Can't Remember Sh$t Trucking". LOL He's had his cdl since the late 80's, and has driven both otr and local - he prefers local (home every night), would be satisfied with regional (specific delivery areas, such as east coast), would love drop & hook (leave trailer, hook up to another, and drive off), and DEFINITELY prefers no-touch (company unloads the trailer, not driver).

Thanks again all!!

 

[Gorilla]

Good Luck hope it works out for you guys