Class A obtained yesterday. Considering any out of state training programs.
Posted by Stonez661@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 6 comments
I’m doing some job hunting and came across CRST. I submitted an application blindly and talked to a fella over the phone. “We’ll fly you out from Riverside, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA, all lodging and travel expenses paid. 6 month mentorship program, paired driving. After that, you can either work with us or go anywhere you feel like going. We’re just here to get you up on your feet and jumpstart your career.” He says (and some other information of course).
So, as beautiful as that sounds, it sounded too good to be true, and I did a quick dive on the company, their reviews, and Reddit threads- and it looks like I’m most likely not going to go through with CRST.
HOWEVER, I do wonder.. are there ANY programs out there that are similar to what CRST offers that AREN’T trifling or a “bad idea” to get into?
For some insight on me… I’m 26, stuck at a dead end fast food job in Kern County, CA, just got my Class A, I’m struggling to make ends meet, no wife, no kids, not a family man, I still live with my mom, and she’s starting to wonder what the hell I’m doing with my life. So am I. If I gotta get flown out to Timbuktu Alaska to expedite this career and get moving, I’ll do it.
navlgazer9@reddit
Delivering food and beer and sodas is where a lot of people start
Stay away from any company offering you free training cause it ain’t free . You’re signing a loan from them that you have to pay back if you don’t work for them a certain amount of time
Which makes you an indentured servant, also know as : a slave .
And don’t take any job delivering to dollar general or family dollar etc
Look at those parking lots and imagine backing a 53 foot trainer in there while there’s customer cars in the parking lot
Delivering to auto parts and hardware stores at night when they are closed is a much better gig .
olenamerikkalainen@reddit
That only applied when getting a CDL through work. He already has a CDL. Paid work training is mandatory by law.
jmzstl@reddit
CRST is what we call a "mega" because it's one of the big nationwide trucking companies that hires brand new drivers with no questions asked. The megas generally all have similar hiring practices and training programs. None of these companies are really exceptional, and some are better than others, it just depends what you're offered and how truthful the recruiters are.
I wouldn't recommend CRST because their specialty is team driving, meaning one person drives while the other person sleeps, and the truck is always moving. There's nothing wrong with doing that later in your career with a team partner you trust, but it's not ideal for starting out, when you're putting your life in the hands of a stranger who has minimal CDL driving experience.
Ancient_Alien_@reddit
Kern county? Bakersfield area?
Single_Breakfast8839@reddit
I’m not sure how the California market is. But in my area most new cdl holders go into food and beverage service. It’s much more physical work but they always need people and the pay is usually pretty solid. A lot of the time it’s a 4 day work week and your home daily. Use it as a stepping stone to get your experience in.
chocolate_asshole@reddit
crst is cheap for a reason man, you dodged a bullet there. with a fresh class a in ca you should be able to land local or regional from actual carriers if you spam apps. megas and recruiters talk nice then treat you like dirt. finding something decent is stupid hard right now tho