Thoughts of CRST

01sesedan · Apr 29, 2008

Hello to everyone,

Just asking on behalf of my brother. He's looking into driving and found CRST. The pay will be what's posted on the site. I wanted to know what you thoughts are about the company. He's got his CDL but hasn't driven for anyone and is looking into possibly getting into this field. I was only able to tell him to try it out before spending any money on new equipment.

Could anyone with experience give me some feedback on this company? You could PM if you perfer going private. He told me they would team him up with someone else, don't think he's too happy about that but is will to try it.

Which carriers would you suggest for someone starting new and is not sure as to what they want to do? I just don't want to see my brother hook up with the first thing he see's and be disappointed...ok screwed.

Your input, thoughts, suggestions would be great, thanks for listening..

Joe

hondaking38 · Apr 29, 2008

The Truckers' Report - Making Sense Of The Trucking Industry tons of info on there by drivers and owner operators check out the forums and reviews on trucking companys

fastman_1 · Apr 29, 2008

I'll tell you what I know about CRST. Ceder Rapids Steel Transport, Is( or was ) Owned by Malone Transportation In Birmingham Ala. I was Leased to Malone in the LARE 70s Earley 80s, When They bought CRST.There was big Talk about making the Largest FlatBed Carrier out there, They tried but in the 90s they Scaled back CRST To mostly Regonal. Malone was a good Company for me to work with. That all I know. I fell out of touch with the contacts I had made there.

kwexpress · Apr 29, 2008

crst also has a lease purchase program you might tell him to look into that before he goes out and buys a truck.I think the trucks are all 3 year leases to begin with but if a truck is turned back in before the 3 years is up the next driver only pays the remaining payments.so it is possible to go there and get a truck with payments for only a year or maybe less.

not a big fan of them but I would say they seem to keep busy.but $1.35 a mile for exoedite just dont seem right to me then you got a $350 week payment,escrow and fuel coming out of that to.I guess there is a fsc

Moot · Apr 29, 2008

kwexpress said:
not a big fan of them but I would say they seem to keep busy.but $1.35 a mile for exoedite just dont seem right to me then you got a $350 week payment,escrow and fuel coming out of that to.I guess there is a fsc

CRST is a truckload carrier despite what you may read on the sides of their trailers.

01 asked for thoughts. That's all I can offer since I have no first or even second hand knowledge of the company now know as CRST. I see it as just another large truckload carrier with low rates and high driver turnover. But for someone starting out it may be a good place to get 6 months experience.

As for a lease purchase, once again-

Don't lease from the man with the strings in his hand.

nightcreacher · May 4, 2008

tell your brother to contact schneider,they have good training,you must stay a year to get it for free

01sesedan · May 23, 2008

I told him what I found out about the company but he went ahead with it anyways. I wish him the best. He finished the 2 week course in Alabama and is finishing up orentation this week. He has to wait for a call from the lead (something don't remember) to set up his start date. His been warned about the dispatchers, I hope he hooks up with one that will treat him right...

Thanks for you posts.

I might even start a blog for him. Let see what happens.

Tennesseahawk · May 25, 2008

When there are THOUSANDS of options in trucking; to go with one that many warn about it crazy. I wish your brother well too. But when the average time for turnover comes around, and your brother is likely looking for greener grass, I advise he checks out The Truckers' Report - Making Sense Of The Trucking Industry so he can weed out the loser companies, and not become another typical disgruntled trucker.