Complaint Review: CRST Trucking

There are many bad reports about every company that trains entry level truck drivers. It is the nature of the business.

I have worked for CRST twice. I received my first training through their entry program, and completed my time in service to pay for my training.  In that time I became an Over the Road Trainer and trained new drivers myself.  But I have military and leadership experience. Many do not, and fail at this occupation. I returned years later, and personally trained both of my oldest sons as new truck drivers.  They are both successful local drivers with a life now.

Some of the people I trained found out quickly, that the long haul trucking industry is a rough one. It's long hours, restless sleep, and low pay to begin with. Trucking is classified by the Federal Govt. as "unskilled labor". and that is always exactly how you get paid in the beginning. At the bottom.

But upward mobility and huge pay increases come to those who can prove they can safely operate and be reliable. With only 3-6 months experience a driver earning 0.22 cents per mile can earn 0.35 up to 0.45 CPM. So the pay doubles, and the good companies will hire good people who have experience.

The most difficult problem wth operating with CRST is that many newbies, thrown together full time for 8 months, just don't know how to operate.  Either they lack the skills, training, intelligence, or the want-to to get the job done.  It's not rocket science, it's being on time, being available, and doing the job correctly the first time, every time.  Teams of drivers who get bad attitudes, home sick, fed up, lonely, anxiety - all those things need to be left at the home. Otherwise it shows up in the work, and accordingly, fleet managers will overlook "problem driver teams" in favor of the go-getters and the folks who are highly motivated and driven.

Bottom line, CRST isn't any better or worse than all of the other trucking companies who train drivers right off of the streets.  You get out of it, what you bring into it.  Bring a good attitude, be ontime and reliable, be safe, and get your 8 months finished so you can move on to the next level of professional driver.

   I would imagine your all rookies,the cents per mile is nothing more than a joke.I was making 25 cents a mile back in 1980 and no I'm not union.

   There are 54 reports on here about CRST and I'm sure you think all of these people are lieing.

   Like I have said before,the company has to make someone happy or they would have no one,so what is your word worth?

   But the corporate America has us right where they want us,at each others throat,it's called divide and conquer,and they sure have.

   I wish everyone nothing but the best and God Bless.

 Marty

I am a trainer for CRST. While CRST is not perfect, they do have some major plusses. For me a really big one is that safety will squash any/all attempts from any dispatcher to push a driver beyond safe limits. This authority superceeds any concerns of a load being late.
This said, that student that complains about being made to drive for 11 hours (a normal part of driving), and then being required to sleep in a moving truck (also anormal way of life in trucking), He/she should have done more research about the job description. CRST does have a lot of long runs (another big plus) which means driving in shifts. I have been a regular participant in "messages to management" on the qualcom. Several of my suggestions have been adopted. One was that students be paid mileage instead of a flat $50.00 per day. With the miles I can drive and the student's miles, we both earn better incomes this way. I have never had a student fail his/her post training road test, and even get some of those students that DO fail from other trainer trucks. I am currently working on getting more trainers to be re-evaluated for "fitness to train students".
Anyone that has driven for CRST and claims to have been forced to drive drowsy has never brought safety into the conversation. There is little that scares safety and trainers more than a driver that pushes him/her self past their personal limits. There is never a bonafide reason to do this.

I like how the non-driving workers post a rebuttal that sounds like a commercial. They would not talk to a Truck Driver to his face and spew the insults they do.  CRST is the worst company for pay in the Industry, but they will hire anyone.  When I worked for England my first check after training was $900.00 take home some weeks I brought home $1250.00 the lowest I brought home was $650.00 for a week.  England is a lot harder to get hired on and if youre late once youre done. As far as DAC/ USIS report I talk to several recruiters and I personally know 4 dispatchers from various companies and I was told CRST has reported negatively on so many DAC reports they are the new JB Hunt so to speak. One recruiter laughed when he read my report said Dam youre the first driver from CRST that they did not just slam he went on to say he has 2 previous drivers from there and has heard nightmare stories they just validate the dates work there and go by MVR or CDLIS.  I work for a major international company they started me out at 23.75hr and Union.  Im home every day and weekends. The drivers at CRST need to take advantage of the laws President Obama made on Union laws. If the drivers make a stand and make them go Union all they Con artist/ slave master treatment will stop.

It sounds like the author would be better served going back to an EMT position if one is available.

CRST is known as a team-driver company, which logs lots of over-the-road miles. It appears they falsely represented their proposed payment for services rendered, but if there isn't anything in writing available, then it would be difficult to prove.

Ok, so here it goes. I have been thinkin about going to work for CR England for a few months now, till I found this site. Well then I thought, I see a lot of CRST trucks on the interstate, Ill look them up, and I find the same thing. Now CRST doesnt sound as bad as CR England, but still I dont know what to do. Is there any good trucking companies to work for?

Right now I work for Coach America Crew Transport, get paid .30cpm, and Im thinking maybe I should stick with these guys, Ive worked there for 2 years, and with wait time plus the milage i usually make $4500.00 a month.

So if anyone has any good trucking companies I could think about going to, maybe I will, but everything Ive heard is just bad. I guess at least im home everynight with the job I have, but I really want to go over the road, like all over the U.S. Not just within 500 miles of my home area.

I have looked at all the Information and as one person put it , done the History lesson . I own a CDL class A and yes I am going to work for CRST in the near future.

Truck Driving is not for everybody, but it can be great if you make it that way, this is not a job, it's a Life! You eat, sleep and live in an 8Ft x 6FT Box for most of your working life and that becomes even more difficult when you team Drive.
Yes you sleep while the Truck is moving , that's why you have Teams
( HERES YOUR SIGN ) I do not have much experience but I am very greatful to CRST for the chance to do this amazing Job.

CRST has been more than helpful to me in the process of becoming a CRST driver , it's not Rocket Science, You pick up your Job, spend 10 or 20 minutes working out the best way to get to your destination, Approx fuel cost, stopping points, Tolls and so on and you get there on time, no rush , no stress. ( That's the Plan )

Of Course this is not always the case, however planning is everything for every trip, if you just get in your truck and drive, it will cost you money and Time, think first.

Even a restroom or shower break can cost an Hour a day , that's 8 hours in the week you have lost.

Fuel , In a late model Freightliner or Peterbuilt, you have to get your average Fuel Consumption to 7 Miles to the gallon, I always tried for 7.2 , all you have to do is Plan and don't over rev the engine, also the difference between 60 miles and hour and 70 Miles an Hour is about $60 in gas, if you drive every day for a week , that's $420.00 in gas you saved your company and that means more money in your pocket and your a safer Driver.

Ok So Im a Rookie , but I had good trainer, who made sure I would learn how to get the best out of my life Truck driving , CRST ? well see what happens, if you always belive the negative, you will never find the positive, every person on the planet is diffent , so it won't always work the first time .

Terry Luxton

They dont tell you anything and they take advantage of you.Now Im stuck with a 5000 dollar bill with united resource systems,all they seem to know is take take take.

Well Ian, I hate it that your experience wasn't as what you previously envisioned, nevertheless, I am somewhat sympathetic to your situation. I've been here for almost two years and just as with any job you have good days and bad ones. Some things I observe with CRST is that they are trying their "darndest" to make quality of life a top standard for their drivers. They seem to care about you individually and they actually want us to succeed out here in the transportation industry.

I believe CRST could be the only trucking company which will help you get a much coveted after CDL A (through a sponsored school tuition) paid off for in just 8 months! This is just hearsay but I heard the same deal with Swift is for a 2-year contract! That's 16 more months in a contract! Most companies like the one I came from are usually 1 year from the time the 4 week training has ended. That's 4 months longer! In the CRST deal that 28-day period is included toward completion of your contract so 7 months left.

During your contract there are also gradual pay raises. It's not normal to start interns and apprentices for any industry with top pay but CRST also offers you a program 12 months where you can rent-to-own your own truck in 1 to 3 years. CRST is doing its best to be a "kinder and gentler" company but as the old adage goes, "Work hard and you will succeed... also, Hard work comes before prosperity." For the rest, Trucking is a challenge and truly not for the faint of heart (if you are determined to stay that way). In this arena, finishing is better than starting.. can you focus and develop the tough-mindedness to make it full-circle to 8 months? Heck Yes! Get some! Back to Ian, sorry got carried away.. my sincere best wishes to you, your family and future endeavors. Respectfully, Jimmy Weeks

trucking sucks all the way around why would anyone do it?

Here are my reactions to a few of the things you state...

Team driving is not easy. I know because that is what I do with CRST. You have to learn to properly manage your sleeping schedule. If you are driving nights, for example, and your day-driving co-driver has just delivered the load right at the end of his/her shift leaving you both with an overnight layover while waiting for a load then do not go back to sleep. Sit up all night so that you are able to sleep again the next morning. Keep a consistent sleep time as best as possible.

There are also other things you and your co-driver can do to ensure that you both get enough sleep. Set ground rules like not using the radio, being easy on acceleration/deceleration so as to make the ride as smooth as possible, only use the jake if necessary because of its noise, having everything you need while driving (drinks, snacks, cell phone charger) up front with you when you begin the drive so that the sleeping co-driver does not have to be woke up with movement in the sleeper. These are just a few little things that you both as a team could do but there are many more.

My co-driver and I do very well because we have the same work ethic and we respect eachother. Making sure the other has the best possible environment to sleep in is very important to us.

You state that you did not receive any pay. I do not believe that a bit. Granted, $.22 a mile is not a large sum of money but you knew that going into it. If you cannot get out a calculator and take the industry weekly mileage average and multiply it with the rate offered by the company, then you need more schooling my friend. Research a job before you jump right into it. After a short time, you move to $.24 mile, then after six months to $.33. That sounds pretty normal to me when you figure in the fact that they hired you with no experience and paid for your schooling. You ask us to keep in mind that we will need to eat at truck stops. No, you don't. Why are you eating at truck stops? Have an inverter installed in your truck, get a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Make frequent stops at Wal-Mart to replenish your food stock. What am I missing here? You would have everything you need in your truck. Cold drinks, hot food and coffee. You should have no need to be in the truck stop unless you are getting a fuel receipt and/or using the restroom/shower.

You go on to state that the money they pay is unsustainable as it does not cover your monthly expenses (rent, bills, emergencies). This does not sound like CRST's problem but your problem. If the stated income was less then your monthly expenses then why did you take the job? If it does cover it but your just getting by well that is where proper money management comes into play. I recommend http://www.daveramsey.com/. Do you have an emergency fund? Probably not. Are you living within your means? Probably not. Are you drowning in debt? Most likely. Get your financial situation squared away. Then, your income (which is pretty normal for someone in your situation) will not seem so bad.

You tell us that CRST has no interest in providing an income for anyone and that there game is to make them money. Well your wrong on the first statement and right on the second. Of course they have an interest in providing income for people. It is in THEIR interest. Get it. You are driving their truck. You are paid based on mileage. They get paid based on how much the truck moves. If the truck does not move, not only do you not make any money but neither do they. That is the game in a nutshell. Everybody is out to make money. So if they can make money by making you some money then that is what they are going to do. They are not a charity, a rich benefactor or a loving family member who is only looking out solely in your interests.

I assume you have moved on from trucking and maybe that is for the best. But to anybody else considering going with CRST or any other company like it, keep in mind their are always people who will complain. CRST is not the greatest. I have plenty of my own issues with them. But, I have worked for quite a few companies in my working career and I will tell you that they are all the same. Every place you go to you will find problems. Some egregious, but most are normal. Every company you go to you will find people who exaggerate those problems and make all kinds of misstatements after they quit or were fired from a company. You have to realize that this is life, nothing is easy, work your *ss off, save money.

First, trucking is not easy and is not for everyone. I was an OTR trucker for many years running the US48 and Canada. 11 hours driving is not unusual, or illegal. And, legal compliance is YOUR responsibility. Nobody can force you do do anything unsafe or illegal. That is 100% on you.

When you got your CDL you promised to operate LEGALLY. That is the whole purpose of the CDL program. Compliance and safety.

ALL truck driver training is low pay or no pay. The pay is clearly disclosed at time of hire, so all you have to do is pay attention and have the ability to do the simple math.

As a trucker, where did you expect to eat? Of course you would be eating at truck stops! Common sense here.

A company makes no revenue on training you. 22cpm for training is normal. Team drivers always split the mileage pay to the truck. Most solo drivers earn between 28cpm and 43cpm. Union truck drivers make around 55cpm which is very high for the industry. I think 38cpm is a current average for a solo driver with at least 1 year verifiable OTR experience.

OTR truckers usually work 70 hours per week, and usually only get home for 2-3 days every 2-4 weeks. This is normal in the trucking business. No bankers hours here.

i have filed a report also, but want to add that the sleep deprivation Ian experienced is a very real and dangerous problem and the practice of team driving under CRST conditions should be stopped immediatly and an investigation and study conducted to show statistically how many highway deaths and injury occur, during this practice.