C.R. England student driver course: how did it turn out for you?

I was curious if anyone has taken their student driver course and how it turned out? Being a big company, and financing for your schooling always makes me wonder. I know I heard Swift was known to bring people through their course and then telling them they can only drive for them if they purchase their own cab.

I really don't mind the minimal pay while working for the company to pay off their school. Because the way I think of it, I'll still be making loads more than I am now (warehouse worker) and I'll also be getting my 1-2 years of OTR experience to move to a better company if needed. Which I've been skeptical on how easy it would be to get a pre-hire at only 21 years old w/ no commercial driving experience. So that's not the problem.

I've also heard that neither an employer driving school or a private school will really teach you much more besides the "book smarts" to get your CDL. Everything that's important is usually learned while your on the job. Having said that though, does C.R.E. actually give you decent training? or is it 20 people per cab and you drive 2 times the whole course?

Really, I've just seen tons of advertisements (internet, truck stops, gas stations, etc.) of C.R.E. looking for new hires and it just makes me kind of suspicious knowing that they're a pretty large company.

Thanks in advance for the info.

 

Thank you for the inside info about Swift. My cousin had inquired about Swift. He did not know that. I had some classroom training but I learned hands on driving my daddy's truck. I believe a combination of both is the best and safest way. We have to think safety first. Trucking is a profession and to do our profession well we must be an astute student and not shy away from formal training. We have to grab all the education and training discipline we can. We have a responsibility to ourselves and everyone else. Drive Wise. Drive Safe.

 

I have never heard of Swift forcing a lease option. However, that is SOP for CRE. HeartBreaker, a member here did her training at CRE, she would be the person to contact for questions about CRE.

 

Don't take that as inside info, I've heard that ... but have no proof. So don't take my word for it

Appreciate it, gonna send a tell.

 

Woody. I dont know where your from but, how about looking at PRIME. thats where i am attending, look on their web site for info www.primeinc.com ive heard nothing but good things about the training program and good pay also.

 

now i remember that the company i was with in 09 shared a yard with cr england in california i would feel ripped off if i paid for that driving school ....they actually drove around in a circle in the coned off part of the yard couldn;t believe that costs 6 grand holy crap .....check out central tech in drumright ok or crowder in joplin mo both are paid by cfi minus 1000 with no contract but they last a month and you do get a substantial amount of drive time but nothing prepares you for the real thing just sayin

 

According to Prime's website, applicants to their truck driving school must "provide no less than 10 years of driving work history."

What does that mean? Do they just want a DMV printout from the last ten years, or are they only looking for drivers with ten years driving experience?

 

The 10 year history is required for experienced drivers only. Should only be 3 year for someone with no experience.

 

Swift does not force lease, hope people will read this, and I would argue Swift is one of the better options for paid training, in comparison to CR England that is! Please stay away from that company...bottom of the barrel. That's why they need so many drivers all the time...high turnover rate!

 

Have you worked for them in the past? I kinda figured that's why the had hiring signs everywhere (because of high turnover) but wasn't sure. I've heard different things about swift. Some said it was good, some said it was trash ... what's your experience?