C.R. England and Sons, Inc. - West Valley, Ut.

Hockey, good luck. I hope this isn't one of those 'bait and switch' deals we read about here a lot. They'll tell you one thing, then offer something else (worse) when you get settled in at orientation.

After they get their hooks in you, after they hire you on, they may say "Sorry. For you, it's OTR only." This happens a lot at that outfit.

 

I'm glad I found this thread before getting on the bus to WAXAHACHIE, Texas tomorrow, for a grand 33-hour mid-Summer tour of America's lower intestine.

Now, I could tell just from the company profile - length of training, base of ops. - that CRE is shady. A n00b, not a fool. I just wanted to avoid the hassle of getting my CDL from a local community college, but after reading all this, I'll be glad to do it and just now talked to the rather helpful, efficient people at Werner. After dealing with CRE recruiters over the phone - cagey, obtuse, my own recruiter unreachable, though one decent young woman scrapped protocol to get me scheduled - even that short conversation with the Werner recruiter was refreshing. (They let fall a rather vulgar epithet concerning CRE as well, very funny.) Just being on hold three or four times with my quasi-recruiter should've been enough to forget it.

TurboTrucker and Tip know what they're talking about, and anyone thinking about CRE should make sure they have absolutely no other option, and even then, consider another line of work. You all have spared me at least a bad start.

I went to Swift's school in Memphis, by the way. It was packed -- over 60 people, including the previous week's sizable body of failures. Four people to a room, room change as people dropped. No meals, corporate sermonizing, condescension, etc. Admittedly, I did not study as much as I should have, though the environment really discouraged me from the start. But, as far as studying and failing the permit test, I mostly have myself to blame, not Swift. (I got it later on my own, which appears to have been pointless.)

Anyway, you guys are doing newbies - with some intelligence and self-respect - a real service. If people are really at the end of their tether and need a rough but possible out, let them go to CRE; and it seems that the people who do sing its praises are of a rougher kind, so if they can make it with CRE, good for them. No way I'm going to Waxahachie.

 

Another thing: no one should be ashamed to expect courtesy and a measure of actual concern from a prospective employer. It is not even so rare as one might think. There are companies who will treat you like a real person, and whatever you have to do to get to them, do it. That may even include passing through newbie purgatory at CRE. As for me, I don't work to fill the coffers of men whose only god is Mammon.

 

Welcome, MLentini...thank God we helped keep ONE more driver from the hell of CR England. You go to CR England and we WILL hear back from you and your life will be changed forever, and NOT for the better.

 

you know i honestly wonder how they stay in business with all the turn over and problems they have.

 

I'm giving you a high-five here, Mr. Lentini. You've seen the tip of the CRE iceberg and decided you didn't want to see what's underwater. Good job. Glad I could help.

I worry about your second choice, though. If you're going to Omaha, I recommned you go west on 80 to Lincoln instead. Crete is over there, and that company is one of the best.

If, while in orientation, you decide Werner sucks, catch a ride or rent a car and go about 50 miles or so due west.

Good luck.

 

Thanks. But didn't you or someone else say Crete is also no good? and what is bad about Werner? I just liked that they were nice to me on the phone...

 

What you experienced is typical in the trucking industry, and been happening for years. The so called super truckers can only run off at the mouth, having courage to stand up to these typical trucking firms will not happen. When you get away with it, you will keep doing it. Truckers let this happen and continue to. But the again it is hard to get independents to stop being inconsiderate, self promoting, selfish.

 

Mr. L, I've always pushed Crete as being a good company. When I worked for them, I had a few issues, but that was a good outfit overall. One of the best, in fact. It still is, according to many who post here. I recommend you try to get a job with Crete way before going with Werner.

Come on...they were nice to you on the phone and you think they're good just because of that reason? That's okay, brother. I used to be that naive too about 12 years ago. It took about a week at a bad outfit to break me of that.

 

I'm not that naive. Just saying, their friendliness over the phone was a welcome change from CRE.

I'll go with Crete then, as I see only praise on here.