Hello,

I am new to this forum and relatively new to the trucking industry. I do not have my CDL license yet, even though I do have some experience years ago driving tow trucks.

I was "accepted" into CR England's school to start next week, but I have been reading the horror stories on here about them. I've taken notes on just about everything. However, if I could get some advice from people who weren't LEASING from them, that would be great. I plan to only be a company driver and to not lease, esp. with CRE, until I've had years of experience, if even then.

For all of the negative posters on CR England, here is my situation. I am in an area hit very hard by the economy. I am living with family and have a limited amount of time to stay. I've been looking for work for 6 months and the only thing I was able to find was a minimum wage part-time retail job ($50 a week).

I've always had an interest in trucking, so I thought this would be a great time to give this a shot. Went through the whole deal with "outside" trucking schools that promise to train you for your CDL, was accepted, then all of a sudden needed a co-signer, and this has been the case with all outside schools.

I then decided to check into every trucking company I could find that offers schooling to find the one that offers the best for a newbie. Swift supposedly doesn't have any spots open even though I am approved, but CR England worked with me (seemingly very honestly), even though I had a past offense, and all of the others I checked into wanted 1 year OTR experience or at least the CDL already.

Here's my FIRST question since I have so many!! PLEASE can someone tell me which companies out there have schools that are reputable that I should check into? I and my fiance' have EXHAUSTED ourselves looking. Or is CR England my only choice?

Here's one other fact: I had a DUI back in June 2003, but have my court documention proving it was on that date. However, many companies want 7 years clear of the DUI, and I'm not quite there yet. Therefore, with those circumstances, needing the CDL training, a job after, not having great credit, and an offense 6 years old but not 7, can someone please tell me where to go?

I am leaving in 5 days for CR England if I can't find anything else, and I'm VERY nervous about this after reading about them on the Internet (not just here).

Oh, and I plan to drive for a year and then find a local/regional company since it seems that isn't possible for a newbie. Any more at-home time I can get would be great.

PLEASE ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Thank you!!

It sounds like you are well informed. If this winds up being your only option because of the DUI make sure that CR England is aware of the DUI and that it is not an issue. If it gets caught at the school you will be sent home and it will only waste your time and money.

Less than industry average pay is better than $50 dollars a week in my mind. You will at least get the experience you need to progress and wont have to stay there more than a year for a better paying job.

Above all else do not and I can't stress it enough, DO NOT get involved in any lease purchase or owner/operator offer they try to sell you on. They must talk a good game because I gave a guy the same advice and he was talked into it and regretted his decision 5 weeks later. The bait was his ability to walk away from the deal. He effectively made nothing for 5 weeks after his payments.

my guess is Industry average pay right now considering the economy is 5.5-6 days out for about $820-$1000 per week. Some guys choose to stay out longer for slightly more pay, and still others have found that 1 in a million company to work for.

Did you check with Schneider National? That is one of the better Companies to train with for overall learning if you can get in. At least if you get in with a company you don't have to shell out cash for a school if you don't have any cash to begin with.

Good luck.

__________________
If You see a big guy on a Red M109R in CT, don't run me over!

Thank you, HardlyWorkingNeverHome! Schneider's website currently says: "Schneider National is currently hiring only experienced drivers to fill open driving roles. Please continue to check back for future opportunities, and thank you for your interest in Schneider National."

I haven't called to verify this, though. That will be my immediate next step, although it sounds like it won't be an option. CR England sent my information for my bus ticket today, and I am hoping to find a better option before then! I did put an app in with Prime (I don't know much about them) and am waiting to talk to a recruiter there. If not Schneider, any other suggestions?

Again don't get into a lease deal with Prime either.
How about

Celadon
Marten Transport out of Dallas, TX
Pam Transportation

I would check out these three.

__________________
If You see a big guy on a Red M109R in CT, don't run me over!

Schneider did confirm by phone that they are only accepting applicants with 6 months OTR experience due to the "economy".

Celadon did not have a training program to get a CDL. Pam Transportation also said they did not have one, and same with Marten.

I am waiting on a recruiter to call back for Prime, and am hoping they will get back with me ASAP so I can consider them compared to CR England.

I guess there's not many companies out there willing to train someone for a CDL?

Also - can anyone tell me what the blood pressure test is like for CR England or ANY school? If it is slightly above the level they require, do they re-test or just send you straight home? I've been checking mine and sometimes it is above the level; I'm not sure I can 'maintain' a 140/90 for sure, depending on what time of day it is and the level of stress. Anyone know how this works? I've heard CRE sends people home over that or the eye test without a second chance...

First and foremost - everyone has their own opinions about what school to go to or why a certain school "did them in" or "is just no good". Personally, I went with C.R. England in Burns Harbor. I'm still technically training in the 1st Phase (which I'll explain later) with them and I have had no complaints. The school IS accelerated (2 1/2 weeks) so if you think you will need extra time with backing and one on one time then this may not be the school for you. Yes, they bus tons of people down only to be weeded out by the end of the two weeks because of one reason or another; Positives on drugs test, super high blood pressure, lying on application, not having all your paperwork or simply, being people leaving themselves because they are super impatient and don't realize this IS a process and may take time. Now, I'm not saying people should have to wait around for WEEKS, but if it takes a couple of days to get a trainer out to you, then people should understand that. The trainers aren't just sitting around waiting to pick up another student; they're actually working and are probably on the other side of the US dropping a load. HIGH HIGH blood pressure is why they send people home. Mine was definitely over what it should have been and I got a med card for a year. You would probably get a med card for a year as well. CR England works with you as long as you are worth your salt. I found that a lot of people that have been rejected by CR England aren't telling the whole story until it comes out later in the wash. I'm not saying ALL people are doing this, just most. I do recommend people who have their CDL not to go to CR England, because they WILL make you take their intro course simply because they say they want you to drive the CR England way and unlearn the "bad habits" you have learned in the past. You still have to pay the same amount for the school as the non-CDL holders do and you have to sit through the SAME class. Personally, I think THAT is not fair. Anywho, since you do not have your CDL the class is definitely worth while so long as you learn fast. You will get your CDL within 2 weeks. Hell, then you can stay with the company for 6 months then go to a different company. That's why I came to them. I'm planning on staying a year though just to make sure I get enough roadtime. I don't know about the Texas or California school, but I do know the Salt Lake City School is the toughest and the one that drives the "CR England Way" into you with a sledge hammer. Also, Salt Lake City has dorms! 8 people in a room unless you want to get the CR England rate at the hotel! Rediculous if you ask me. Burns Harbor, on the other hand, busses you to hotels (Econo Lodge, Super 8, Days Inn) where you do have to share a room with one other person. Better than 7 others, I think. Do you know which school you might want to attend? All in all, if you're looking to get your CDL and don't mind staying 6 months (after training) then CR England is ok. The only other thing you might want to keep in mind though is that CR England does make you go out on the road with an actual trainer (for experience) for 1 month # $61/day which is called phase 1 and then after the "phase 1 upgrade" which just means that after you get our they test you and see what you have learned (road test, backing test, trip planning...) for no pay (I was told it usually takes from 2 to 4 days) then you go into Phase 2 - which, THIS is a load of hooha - for 2 MONTHS - in THIS phase you go out on the road with a lease-operator so they can sell you on leasing - you earn between .12 and .15 per truck miles (sorry, I don't know the exact amount yet) - I can see if it was a month, but 2 with a complete stranger? Fun times are ahead I'm sure. So, all in all you're looking at 3 months and 2 1/2 weeks full of "training". The last two months, you don't actually train because the person you could be getting in the truck with for phase 2 could just be getting out of school and went and got a lease. That's all. AND you HAVE to do all of this if you don't want to have to pay back England, but you have to quit after all the training. Even then, I'm sure you have to mind your p's and q's and make sure you look for the loopholes. My question was 6-7k at a CDL school and then get out with no experience and possibly not get a job or use CR England at 3k, suck it up for a year and then go find a better company. I chose CR England. I hope my rantings helped a little, lol. If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them.


Good Luck!


PS - oh, and CR England IS a reputable company. If you do decide to go company for CR though, you are going to have to team up with someone. You won't be able to do it solo. Stupid policy they have. That's what I was going to do. They have someone to help you with that if you feel the need. Hopefully they can find someone you can stand for six months. and about the DUI - yeah, so long as you are upfront about it and have proof that there are no issues (like court documentation and such) then you will be fine - I can't stress enough BRING ALL YOUR PAPERWORK, or they will send you home. You can come back, of course, but, it sounds like you're having a rough time and the sooner you get through this, the better.

The previous poster has said it all. If this is the only place you can get into and really want to get into trucking then go for it. You will have to endure a ton of #### along the way. Be prepared to be gone form home for atleast the first 5 months. If you got a family and cant handle not knowing when you will get to see them then this is not the industry for you.

My cousin just went through CR Englands training. He was hell bent on avoiding being a lease driver. But they talked him into it. So far he has been out for a month. Made $1400 his first week, $330 his second week, $910, $640 and this week break even. His dispathcer told him the loads are slowing down??

He has done everything by the book. On time, or early, responds to all calls, takes short loads, keeps his tires inflated. Drops and is ready. He said during the two bad weeks of 5, he had 400-600 miles runs with over 2 full days between loads, followed by another 500 or 600 mile run! He was pissed, but hanging in there. Overall as an average, he is still making livable wages and in this economy, this is all anyone can really ask for. If he has another break even week, it might start getting interesting though, and not on the good side. Seems most lease drivers who hit it hard, right out of gate, going solo and playing by the book are averaging about $2200-$2400 per month. If you don;t mind a newbie in your rig, some are making $3000-$4000 a month, but not many. If you can live on that, then take a chance. I don't know anyone who has not been a trainer, or drving as a team, that is making much more then that right now.

Right now the way the economy is. It would be bad to take on a lease agreement. I guess every OTR has it's scam of sorts. My suggestion to you would be find something local. Not working for a retail store. But drive cement, garbage, lumber. Honestly, you'll make more money and be working steadier than if you go OTR.

Someone posted online here, I forget were. They went to a driving school, paid like $900.00 and were able to get their CDL license. Far cheaper than if you went to a mill school. Look into Napa, Fedex, Ups, Usps, etc. I know you really don't have much of a choice due to financial hardship. But if you don't think it out, it may only get worse. But in the long run, it's your choice. Anyways, Think long and hard!

Goodluck!