Question:
Any CRST people out there ? went to the local recruiter here in San Diego and he did a hell of a job on selling me the benifits of team driving for new drivers, I was totally against teaming but it does make sense and the 20/10 thing will make it easier. Anyone here work for this company? and give some advice to a newbie before I make the plunge.

Answer:
I drove for CRST, many moons ago.(1990-1993...back when they had cabover trks.)
It was my 1st drving gig & I must say that it was quite a "learning" experience.
I used to be totally against team drving, but after going thru certain experiences & knowing what others have gone thru, I think Teaming your 1st yr is a GOOD thing. Go for it.
However, AFTER that 1st yr I personally would opt for SOLO drving.(unless it was with my SPOUSE....NOT girlfriend...NOT boyfriend.)

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I have a number of customers with CRST. I highly reccomend them. I talked to one yesterday, he is one I got to go to them in 2005. He is very happy and his pay is good.
I also have one that has been there over 14 years.
As with any company, you should live close to their locations or at least on the driving lanes.
As for another subject. The relationship between Husband and wife team drivers is strained enough. Over the last few years girl friend and boy friend relationships have ended in a lot of bad situations. I can't remember of any that have been successful.I will buy coffee at the TA or Petro

Answer:
You would have to prove it to me how is it better to drive team with someone you don'r know, have no idea of his or her driving skills, and whether or not you have anything in common..
Oh, sure there is a 1 in a million shot that you will get allong and become best buddies, BUT chances are you'll regret teaming with anyone..
I drove for CRST / Malone for 1 year. as a O/O so I met a few regular CRST van drivers at various places.. one team said they were SPLITTING .21 cpm! Holly bat cakes batman.... that is ridiculious!! Not to mention they were forced together, hated each others music. One guy was white the other black.. 1 was neat, the other a slob, and didn't like to take showers..(because they "cost" to much he would not shower unless they bought fuel or was at a terminal) At .21 cpm I can see why he didn't want to pay for a shower.. it was a day's pay HAHA..
I'd run away from teaming up w/ someone you don't know.. It's hard enough for a husband and wife to live with each other 24/7 never nind 2 strangers. (Your trusting that guy with your life.. you don't know if he can drive or not..or if he even has the common sence to pull over if he is tired!
Use your own judgement but.. I say NO WAY!!
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I could never understand how you get any rest in a moving Truck.
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They don't.
Have you ever seen a driver that has been teaming and living in a box for years? They look like the bodies on the slab on CSI awaiting an autopsy Walking dead.

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It's funny that allot of the big LTL companies run company team trucks doing terminal to terminal dedicated runs and the drivers appear very healthy. They also make very good money. My company runs teams out of Theodore Al.. They leave some time Monday and are back late Friday afternoon. They look healthy and happy also. I talked with a couple OD drivers at the Cherokee truck stop on I40 exit 108 and they both loved their team job. The lead driver has seniority and was able to bid on a great run. The second seat driver started fresh out of truck driving school and had been at it for only 3 months. The lead drivers old lead driver retired leaving an opening that a newbie filled. They both looked healthy and happy. Neither of them knew each other until OD teamed them up. They were home twice a week and weekends. I can;t remember where they started but they drove to Albuquerque and back. Boring but good money and good home time.
My first try at teaming I didn't sleep for the first 2 days. I fell asleep from exhaustion. After that I got use to it and couldn't sleep if the truck was sitting still. It's weird as hell but it's the way it is.
There's more to be said about teaming than most people think. I'm beginning to think it's the way to go if you want to drive OTR and still get home regular. Of course I would avoid most of the large OTR carriers and training companies but the LTL terminal to terminal part of it can be good. It's something I would give thought to as a long term career.

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I had no idea you've suffered a recent head injury.
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The jobs I'm thinking of are in the LTL line haul business. They have nothing to do with OTR dweller outfits like CRST. They also pay well and get you home often. If I was this person and wanted to team i would check out Old Dominion first.
But I did have a tooth pulled today and my brains still numb. When it comes to pain I like Lots O' Drugs.