Need Opinions on CR England

I have a Bachelors degree. Earned it 3 years ago, but have struggled to find consistent work. ANY work. I'm currently about half way through unemployment and am looking at some options. I do have a couple interviews lined up this week. However, with my unemployment getting close to being used up I'm also exploring some other options.

I've been thinking about working for CR England as a back up option if I don't land one of these jobs. I have one good friend who I have talked to about CR England; and he has drove for CR England.

He told me the CR England has a good driving school. However, he also told me over and over to not be suckered into their leasing program. The reason why is he said that even though the pay per mile is much higher, CR England has the tendency of giving just enough miles to keep their lease drivers around the red. He basically told me that the average lease driver will make around $300 a week after expenses and before taxes, while a company driver will make between $400 and $650.

Now, from what CR England has told me (the made no mention of the lease program at the time of the phone call) they will pay for my schooling in exchange for 9 months of driving for them. The classes are about 18 days and training is about 21 days. If I opt out of the lease program (which I definitely plan to do), my pay as a company driver will be about 26 cents a mile, from what I understood.

My question is: Is CR England a good company to work for? What's the good, band, and the ugly? I'm not too worried about not getting paid for the first 3-4 weeks as I can collect unemployment while I'm in school. However, if I don't do it soon then I won't be able to do that. I'm just looking for someplace where I can get my hands dirty. I have what my friend has said, I would like to hear from some more experienced truck drivers. He basically told me do the 9 months and gtfo.