I will be going to CRE's training (inexperienced driver) in SLC on the 18th and wondered if I could ask two questions.

1. In the welcome letter is a list of things to bring (school supplies, 7 days of clothes, personal care items and bedding). It also says to bring $135 for admin costs, cdl permit, drug screen) plus enough to eat on for three weeks. Is there anything I should be taking with me that wasn't mentioned in the above list, and what's the minimum amount of funds I should really bring with me (if possible)?

2. I've never been in or around the trucking industry before and I'm the type of person who strives to respect the space and property of others. So, aside from the common sense stuff like

• try not to wreck or run into stuff
• don't kill the trainer
• don't stink up the place
• et al.

are there any industry-specific courtesies or etiquette I should be aware of when I get in someone else's truck to train?

I'll be there to appreciate the time and trust the trainer will have to invest in me and learn to be the best driver I can be. But I certainly don't want to cross unknown boundaries and be perceived as disrespectful or intrusive.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I was a driver for England and have to return to them due to no response from any other company after having to take a year off for family related issues. If you are truly set on going there make sure you pay attention and soak up all you can. It is a very fast paced class, and being on the pad you have to make sure you get your time in and are comfortale doing the different manuvers. Do not bring anything of value with you to the school. You will be staying in a room with people from all walks of life. The best thing I can say is to pay attention, dont let the rough times ahead get you down. When you get onto a truck with a trainer just have an open mind and dont have any expectations. My trainer the first time around was a very good guy and we ran hard. I found it helpful to bring along a few pairs of ear plugs to help me sleep. Be sure to bring atleast 3-400 bucks with you if you can. I shall be returning to go through the full school again here shortly since they say I took to much time off. Goodluck with your training and remember to smile even it is a fake one. Fake it till you make it atleast a year.

hi there, i'm a driver trainer for cre. welcome !!

how much money depends on what u like to eat. the england grill is not cheep. i would try not to have too much cash on u if possible, atm debit card works nice. they do have3 a wallie world about 2 miles away that they have a shuttle take u to and from.
the bedding u will need is a sleeping bag, twin sheet set, pillow( bring theese with u cas depending on the time u get to slc they might not be running the shuttle to walmart.) and dont buy them at a truck stop or the england c-store they will cost u 30 bucks and are crap, top sheet connected to the bottom sheet.
try to pack ur stuff in a soft sports bag and bring a bookbag.
if u have and need a laptop it will help (just keep in the book bag and with u at all times)
if u don't have a cellphone don't get one at cre in slc, check out verizon. it's kinda funny when a studant gets on my truck and they are suprised when they don't have service in a lot of places, and i'm texing sending pics and talking just about everyware across the country.

pay close atention to what the instructers in shool have to tell u. and if it looks like they don't care if u get it or not??? don't worrie they realy don't they are only conserned with the people that want to earn there cdl u have to show them that u are really trying and that u want to learn what they have to teach u. rember ur on an interview the whole time ur there so be on ur toes.

try to keep an open mind at cre and absorb everything u can from the instructers, ur trainer, and remember 1 thing when u get a group of drivers togather....u never can tell what ur going to hear next.

when u get ur training packet and are getting ready to go out with a trainer, try to compleat all the booklets beforhand if u have time. just start with the quiz booklet and answer all the questions u can then go back and look thru the booklets to find the rest of the answers. then when ur done go thru all of the books and absorbe all they have to tell u.

Hey driver thank you for the insight my father was a driver for 31 years with the postoffice and im thinking its my turn to give it a shot ive heard horrble stories on cre
but they are one of the only schools becuse of a dissmised charge two years ago and other schools wanted 3000 bucks soo i leave in 3 weeks for hammand hope i doo well
i have been prectice the cre test been scoreing in the 80"s i hope that is good enough

If you're in New Bern (as I am), how did you end up going to Hammond? I was first told all NC students go to Dallas, but since I have no certified copy of my birth certificate I'd have to go to SLC.

I've spent alot of time reading through posts on driving in general as several companies in particular. The conclusion I've come to is this:

All companies have pros and cons. I'm very thankful for this forum and the time that everyone takes to answer questions. Because of the information that folks have freely shared I feel as though I've had a lot of illusions shattered - which is very good. So I'm going to training with the view that there is always the chance that everything could be great from the beginning, but more than likely, there will be alot of difficult and aggravating times to go through before things begin to improve for me. This will show me exactly how much I want this and - really - it's where I'll learn my best lessons.

There is definitely a lot of negative information on CRE. But I think the largest part of what it will be like will be determined by my attitude and how focused I am on my own goals rather than focusing on what one company or another can or will do for me. Besides, I've always been the type to thrive on a challenge as well as finding much more value in results that are not easily achieved.

It seems that someone who isn't looking for a handout, keeps a determined attitude and isn't easily beaten by circumstances will make it to their goal - even at CRE.

I was interested in getting my cdl even when I somehow thought it would be some liberating, awesome adventure. Now that I've learned it's quite a challenge and potentially full of pot holes... I'm actually looking forward to it even more. Just to see if I can make it.

Hmmm. We'll see - beginning Monday.

hey Ed goodluck man the only reason im going to hammond is becuse im going to visit my father in cleveland ohio before i go, soo they just have me geting on the bus from there, thats awsome your from new bern i grew up there all my life soo far i went to high school there iam now 25 and ready to follow my dads foot steps, iam goin to be the same way if you stay postive and and keep up the hard work we will make it with cre and another thang man being in the same town we should keep intouch and maybe run teams after are tranning well write me back and good luck

One thing the pamphlet didnt bother to ell you and carrot hinted at. Trucks are small! Please dont bring 3 oversized suit cases (3 weeks clothing). Most of the stuff will be placed in the compartment under your trainers bunk. I believe the pamphlet did say some thing like "space is limited".

For me it was simple. All bedding and clothing fit in a military duffle bag. If it didnt fit you were bringing too much.

Grin from the photo you can guess where I was.

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Too bad I didnt get you for a trainer Carrot, sounds like you could have done me a world of good.

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Too bad I didnt get you for a trainer Carrot, sounds like you could have done me a world of good.[/quote]

I appreciate the complement. when i decided to be a driver trainer, I wanted to help new drivers out. and I don't feel the way to do that is to scream and holler at new drivers with every mistake. the way I approach training is... the student has demonstrated to some buddy that they can maneuver this articulated vehicle. it's my job to let them have more practice at it. and to give advice on how to improve on the things they learned at school. and to really stress how important safety is. I mean we all have family out there that they might be driving next to right?
also I try to assess each person as to there needs. trainers get people from all walks of life. Manny different backgrounds (emotionally, financially, socially) and all have different needs. I try to help were I can.

I went to the CRE school for a four day during that time all they talked about was become and leasing a truck from them,And if I wanted to be a company driver I would have to drive to Ut and pickup my truck.And during my three or four day's off after running I would have to drive my car home from there yard only thang is I live two states away.But if I did the lease I could take the truck home.Something to think about.they will put you with a contract driver so you can see if you would like to do something like that. you will get there and be done before you know it.Good luck

It's nice to hear you take pride in who you are and your career as a driver trainer,Not many left out there.