anybody graduated from the cdl school cr england or crest

I've been researching this for about a month now and I have to agree with the others on here. It is true. You will find a million horror stories on the internet about new drivers getting screwed and screwed hard by some of these companies. CRST and CR England are probably the two worst ones, but that's beside the point.

I know there are a lot on here that will say stay away from a company sponsored school and while I will agree for the most part, I do have to disagree on a couple of things. #1, 99% of all companies will not hire you unless you have time on the road. If you do get a job, you will end up signing on with a small mom/pop outfit that will give you crap pay #2, I was one of those that dished out six grand for school and the mom/pop routine was my only choice too. The school will tell you that they will get you a job, as you will read everywhere on the internet, that is a lie. You will be on your own to get that first job. #3, if you decide that you want to work for a bigger company, guess what, you are still going to have to either go through their class - yep, learn it all over again - and/or still go out with a mentor for 6-8 weeks.

Now the advantages of going through a company sponsored program is that - if you pick the right one - you will get reimbursed after your contract is done. If I had know that Swift would pick up my tab, I would have signed on with them from the beginning and don't let people fool you by saying that you are going to get all the crappy loads if you go that route because the truth is, you're going to get all the crappy loads at any company for the first 3-6 months that you are there. So that point is mute.

The bottom line is this. If you're going to drive and for whatever reason, spend some time on the internet reading. All the answers are out there and be prepared to not make the money that all the bs'ers are telling you. It will not happen for at least 3 months and for that time, you're more than likely going to starve.

Just my two cents...