Debating If I Should Join CRST ?
Topic 23177 | Page 2
You will be driving an automatic truck at Prime. It is possible that your time with a trainer might be with a manual transmission, but I'm 99% certain you'll have an automatic for your own truck.
Yep... all company drivers at prime will be automatic by the end of this year. My sweetheart who never let me.down is being ripped from me in a couple days. Lease and owner ops can pay extra for manuals, company drivers will be auto. Most of the trucks 2017 and newer are auto....the 2016s are being turned in soon.
i hate change. This is worse than when i turned in my last truck.
Yes Rainy, however you will get a brand new one. You drive that for a few years and get another brand new one. 
Jess wrote:
I just like having someone to talk to as a recruiter that will be helpful enough.
Jess although part of a recruiters job is to answer questions, the absolute best way to grab and hold their attention is to fill out an application. Once you have settled in several companies you’d like to train with, use this link to submit an application:
You also asked this:
What do you like about Swift ?
Like Errol I graduated from Swift’s Driving Academy then continued and completed the 240 hours (now 200) of road training with a Mentor.
Over five years later I am still driving for them; assigned to a Dedicated Account servicing a Walmart Grocery DC in North/Central PA.
I have no regrets, very happy and have no reason to look elsewhere. I drive new equipment, earn great money, work with a fantastic/experienced driver support and management team and have choice, high-paying runs available all the time.
Although it may not resonate with you at the moment, Trucking is one of the few jobs with a totally level playing field. Everyone has an equal opportunity to be successful with any of the carriers found in this link:
You’ll get out of it exactly what you put into it. Good luck!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Speaking of CRST, has anyone heard anything from Jeremy lately?
Speaking of CRST, has anyone heard anything from Jeremy lately?
I have not, hopefully he came to reason. I'm looking forward to any future replies he might make.
Speaking of CRST, has anyone heard anything from Jeremy lately?
I keep in touch with him from time to time. He has gotten a job in the coding industry so pretty much back to IT for him. He wanted me to thank yall for all the advice and help through his journey with us at CRST and TT however he decided trucking was not for him.
Trucking isn't for everyone. It is a rare breed that truly loves this profession.
Hi everyone. So I’ve been contacting a few truck companies and so far CRST had the nicest recruiter. CR England and Swift both had recruiters that were either just rude or didn’t answer any questions I had. It could just be the recruiter themselves not the entire company. So I wanted to get insights on current or recent graduates from either CRST, SWIFT, and C.R England and let me know how it’s going so far especially with the work, pay etc... I’m planning to start next month in September and I’m hoping I make the right decision.
Also if anyone would like to be a team with me let me know. I’m very detail oriented, responsible, and hard worker. Thanks to anyone who provides feedback as well.
Hi Jess. I went through training with both CRST and CR.England before I got my license with CRST. Between the two companies I really liked CRST better. Don't get me wrong CR.England has nice facility, great instructors. My issue was it was very chaotic. During backing we had twenty students with one instructor. He's screaming at the student in the truck, students talking. It was a mess. By the time I was supposed to test for the first time I had absolutely no Idea how to back. CR.England thought process was we are just going to keep shoving people through the grinder and hopefully some of you will make it. When you become a remedial student. They pretty much wash their hands of you. Yes they will keep training you however it's we will get to you when we can. When I got the Hawkeye regional transportation center in Waterloo. The first thing they said was if you're willing to give 100% to the training we will help you pass your D.O.T test and get your CDL license. The second thing they said was "you have three chances to pass each of your D.O.T test, the D.O.T says you get three chances, we don't believe in that 3rd chance, 98% of you will pass on the first time the other 2% the second time." They explained that they will not test a student until they are 90-100% certain a student could pass their test the first time.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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Awesome thank you! I figured not to base the company on the recruiters because I know they’re just trying to get me in to get their reward. That’s why I am glad I came across TruckingTruth to speak with fellow people like you. I’ve been doing a lot of research but I’m still stuck.
I can’t find out if Prime only has manual trucks. Or both automatic and manual. If anyone does, I’d be glad to know. :)
Thanks everyone!
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.