Last option, Western Express

No idea if there are any hidden fees or not...look if I was in your situation I would take the job. That way you can keep your car and you have at least some money coming in. CR England I know for a fact isn't a good company to work for. I met a lot of there former drivers and none of them having anything nice to say about that company. Western Express I've heard some bad things about but if your just starting out in trucking beggars can't be choosers. The only other thing I could recommend is to see if any LTL companies in your area have driver trainer programs available. You will end up as a dock worker driving a fork lift around but if you pass there driver training program they will start giving you runs here and there while you work the dock until you get enough seniority where you can get a run through a bid. That's two options I can think of off the top of my head. Being honest you might end up hating both of them but once you get more than a year of driving experience (it does not have to be over the road) then a lot of doors open up for you.

 

Western Express would be better than England.

Western gets lots of bad press, but then again, many of their drivers have been there for years.

Maverick would probably hire you if you're in the hiring area. You don't need experience, just a CDL. Go with their flatbed division.

 

Western Express is a MUCH better option than CREngland. DO NOT work for CREngland.

If Western is willing to let you get your foot in the door, go for it. You can deal with just about anything for 9 mos. And once you get a year of experience, you will have a nearly unlimited number of doors open up for you. Just keep your record clean and don't have any accidents. This sounds like a great opportunity for a young person such as yourself to get started on a great career. I wish I had started driving when I was your age. Best of luck.

 

starting back into the seat after 5yrs western exp is willin and got me scheduled for refresher in nashville. after reading all the reviews i'm tryin to to decide if i'm makin a mistake, i'm not worried about home time, i know how the industry works and how alot of new drivers complain about hometime. i guess what my question is,knowing my options are limited should i even get on the bus to nashville or not?

 

Is there a third option? I wouldn't let my dog drive one of these carriers trucks![TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD]


C R England CSA BASIC

Based on a 24-month record ending June 20, 2014)[/TD]
[TD]On-Road[/TD]
[TD]Investigation[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]BASICs Status[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Unsafe Driving[/TD]
[TD="class: negperformance, align: center"]

82%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: deficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

14.2%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Driver Fitness[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

52.5%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Controlled Substances and Alcohol[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

33.3%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Vehicle Maintenance[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

47.6%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Western Express Inc CSA BASIC

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD](Based on a 24-month record ending June 20, 2014) [/TD]
[TD]On-Road[/TD]
[TD]Investigation[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]BASICs Status[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Unsafe Driving[/TD]
[TD="class: negperformance, align: center"]

94%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: deficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

47.5%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Driver Fitness[/TD]
[TD="class: negperformance, align: center"]

91.4%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: deficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Controlled Substances and Alcohol[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

58.3%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Vehicle Maintenance[/TD]
[TD="class: performance, align: center"]

79.1%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance, align: center"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

So what options does one have when trying to get back in without funds for refresher?

 

If money is an issue, then take ANY job, even it is with a temp agency or fast food restaurant. Beggars cannot be choosers at times. Work the one (or multiple) job(s) and handle the refresher course for a trucking job on the side. The USA is not like in the days of the Great Depression. There are jobs out here and if you want to eat, then you need to work. Pride, if an issue, must be put aside in these instances.

 

There are more than two options available for drivers that have a CDL but no experience who need a refresher.

If you want your decision to drive for one of those two companies to be validated even after reading these forums... well, I guess a WalMart driver will hook you up. Personally, I'd listen to ChinaTown any day over Tom when it comes to carriers (as benevolent as Tom may be in his posting, CT is more resourceful.)

 

well, if you're unemployed, why not put that free time to some good use? There's a lot of trucking companies out there, do some research and get used to being told "no" before you begin.
Another option is a refresher course at a local tech school; again, look around and call around. I understand you don't have much money, but there are grants and 'back to work' programs that might pay your way.....you've just got to ask and do some research.
This is definitely one of those situations where you will get out of it what you put into it.

As far as money goes, you need to realize that whoever you go with, you're still gonna need some money.....don't count on any kind of pay check for at least a month. Look, being broke and hungry on the road is a tough row to hoe.....think about it.