New to the trucking industry.

Hello everyone, my name is Stephen and I'm 22 going on 23 looking to become a truck driver, following the dream I had long ago when my military family used to move across the country and try to get truck drivers to honk their horns... feeling a slight sense of accomplishment when they did. And starting next week, I'll begin my training for my CDL through CR England which I'm nervous about because of bad reviews. But I figure that every place has its ups and downs, and plus starting with something bad could possibly help me appreciate the good later, should it come to me.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to start my career as a truck driver, and any tips I can find on here or anywhere else will only be helpful.

 

I've heard about Prime, and I'm considering going through with them. I technically have until the 20th since that's when I'll be leaving to CR England's training school. For the simple fact, Prime's Georgia location seems easier for me. And in the worst case of me "getting stranded" as I hear CR England does; I could just find a way to my uncle's house until I can get a cab or bus home. Then again, my half-brother's dad also lives in Richmond, Indiana so I'd have security there too.

But my biggest concern is more dealing with racial discrimination. I've heard more horror stories about that than I have about CR England.

 

I've talked to a few of truckers who stopped by the truck stop I worked for here in South Carolina years ago, and most of the African American ones like myself told me that a lot of times they were harassed, checks were way lower than necessary, and often times had been threatened with their lives. I'm just not sure about how I'd feel about that overall let alone with companies like CR England and Prime.

Also, I think I should add that I've already decided that no matter what, my goal is to be a company driver. I hear most problems with CR England come with leasing, so I may be a little safer in that regard.