I'm a brand new driver with CRST. I'm 48 years old and this is my 3rd career in life (Army>IT>Trucker).
First of all let me say that I'm enjoying this much more than I thought I would. I'm stuck at home right now (more on that later) and can't wait to get back on the road. There have been times in my life when I wanted to go to work but I really cant remember when, my Army days (some days) I guess. But with this I'm really enjoying the drive, love the challenge, I'm having a great time while i'm moving. I hit my first 700+ mile day and it felt like I just finished a marathon (yes I've run a marathon, never again).
My training was in Cedar Rapids, IA. If you're expecting 5 star accommodations you're going to be disappointed. The food provided sucks, bring extra money for food if you can. 3 people to a room, the rooms and other facilities are kept clean but your roommates could make or break your experience here. I lucked out and had a couple of very respectful roommates for my time in training. As far as the training goes I would have to say it's good for the scope of what you're there for. They're not training you to be a truck driver, they're training you to pass the 3 DOT tests to get your CDL.
They hooked me up with a Lead Driver as soon as I was hired and we took off the next day. I spent 3 weeks with him and he was a good trainer for the most part. He did have a tendency to disregard the details that came over the qualcom that I don't plan to repeat. But if I know enough to see that I can do better in this area I don't need training on it. My biggest stress was backing and he spent a lot of time working on it with me. It's still my biggest stress but getting better at it.
After my trainer I hooked up with my co driver. I met her in class (yes they put 2 noobs out on the road). It went well and we were running great until she had family issues back home and had to ditch me. I don't blame her, you have to make family first and she did make sure I was close enough to my home that CRST would let me deadhead to the house. That's where I sit now.
Currently I need a co driver. I have a brand new Freightliner sitting in my driveway just begging to run long miles. Any CRST drivers, or anyone who might want to join CRST and run long and hard please hit me up. If you want home time more than once a quarter I may not be right for you.
Where do you declare residency?
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
To drive with an empty trailer. After delivering your load you will deadhead to a shipper to pick up your next load.
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
I can't imagine they'll let that truck sit idle for very long. I hope your next codriver is a great fit and lasts a long time. New drivers come and go so fast it'll make your head spin in this business.
I'm also glad to hear you love driving as much as I do lol.
Thanks for the encouragement Susan, I do love to drive. I just want to get my first year over with and move on to solo (flatbed I think) driving. If I can find that "perfect" codriver I know the year and the miles will fly by.
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I'm a brand new driver with CRST. I'm 48 years old and this is my 3rd career in life (Army>IT>Trucker).
First of all let me say that I'm enjoying this much more than I thought I would. I'm stuck at home right now (more on that later) and can't wait to get back on the road. There have been times in my life when I wanted to go to work but I really cant remember when, my Army days (some days) I guess. But with this I'm really enjoying the drive, love the challenge, I'm having a great time while i'm moving. I hit my first 700+ mile day and it felt like I just finished a marathon (yes I've run a marathon, never again).
My training was in Cedar Rapids, IA. If you're expecting 5 star accommodations you're going to be disappointed. The food provided sucks, bring extra money for food if you can. 3 people to a room, the rooms and other facilities are kept clean but your roommates could make or break your experience here. I lucked out and had a couple of very respectful roommates for my time in training. As far as the training goes I would have to say it's good for the scope of what you're there for. They're not training you to be a truck driver, they're training you to pass the 3 DOT tests to get your CDL.
They hooked me up with a Lead Driver as soon as I was hired and we took off the next day. I spent 3 weeks with him and he was a good trainer for the most part. He did have a tendency to disregard the details that came over the qualcom that I don't plan to repeat. But if I know enough to see that I can do better in this area I don't need training on it. My biggest stress was backing and he spent a lot of time working on it with me. It's still my biggest stress but getting better at it.
After my trainer I hooked up with my co driver. I met her in class (yes they put 2 noobs out on the road). It went well and we were running great until she had family issues back home and had to ditch me. I don't blame her, you have to make family first and she did make sure I was close enough to my home that CRST would let me deadhead to the house. That's where I sit now.
Currently I need a co driver. I have a brand new Freightliner sitting in my driveway just begging to run long miles. Any CRST drivers, or anyone who might want to join CRST and run long and hard please hit me up. If you want home time more than once a quarter I may not be right for you.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Deadhead:
To drive with an empty trailer. After delivering your load you will deadhead to a shipper to pick up your next load.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.