Where Do I Go From Here

I am new to this site-here is my situation-am from Maine-took a 36 hr bus ride to Burns Harbor IN to attend CR Englands program. Studied my brains out only to be sent home after just 3 hrs. due to failure on eye exam-vision was 20-50 in one eye and 20-30 in the other. Maybe Im jumping the gun but was not all that impressed with their school. Did not go home today but got an eye exam here and got glasses and am ready to roll again and am still in nw indiana in a motel. I was thinking about trying other schools such as Prime or Werner and getting on the next bus to them instead of taking an eternal bus ride back. Or should I just go back to CR England in spite of not being that impressed with them.Another thing that worries me about CR England is that they will force a person to lease by denying them a truck if they dont and only giving them a choice of being a second seat driver or leasing. At least several different people have acknowledged that. They dont pay all that great either-I have no desire at all to lease or go as a second driver-I am solo-am a loner and have noone or nothing to go back home to. Already quit my job and have no bills and money saved to get me by for some time. The sound of the traffic on nearby i 65 is beckoning me to get back out there and finish up my training even if it means going elsewhere.

Anthony...listen to your gut.They DO push the lease thing REAL HARD.....You have to remember, the company that you go with will be the company you want to spend A YEAR with.....listen to your gut....jmho

In my opinion, you'll have a tough time finishing the schooling if you wre unsure about the program from the beginnng. Once you get going you'll get a lot more stress which will will build upon already shaking confidence. This will be a lot to handle while trying to get used to everything else in the schooling. I'd go somewhere you have confidence in from the start.

I just started at Prime a few weeks ago and its been tough. Theres a lot thrown at you that you have to digest and it takes its toll. I've heard England is a very fast paced program and push the lease hard. If you aren't comfortable, don't do it. Find a program you're comfortable with so you don't have as much stress from the start.

I detailed my full first week in a post on the cdl diaries section of the forum if you want to see whar Prime is like. You cwn also private message me with questions as well about getting started here.

Its a big decision, don't rush into it. You may feel the need to rush due to money or other concerns but think about the long term before jumping in.

In my opinion, you'll have a tough time finishing the schooling if you wre unsure about the program from the beginnng. Once you get going you'll get a lot more stress which will will build upon already shaking confidence. This will be a lot to handle while trying to get used to everything else in the schooling. I'd go somewhere you have confidence in from the start.

I just started at Prime a few weeks ago and its been tough. Theres a lot thrown at you that you have to digest and it takes its toll. I've heard England is a very fast paced program and push the lease hard. If you aren't comfortable, don't do it. Find a program you're comfortable with so you don't have as much stress from the start.

I detailed my full first week in a post on the cdl diaries section of the forum if you want to see whar Prime is like. You cwn also private message me with questions as well about getting started here.

Its a big decision, don't rush into it. You may feel the need to rush due to money or other concerns but think about the long term before jumping in.

I do like Prime-that was the other school I applied to and I also know someone who has a husband that has worked as a driver for them for 15 yrs. The only reason I went with England is because they were prompt in getting me started and call backs whereas Prime was not-but in retrospect should have called them back myself. My fear with England was going through the whole 3 months of training and then at the end being held to the scenerio I described in my last post and then being forced to lease or quit and having to owe them that tuition. Then there was the loan sheet which was not mentioned when I asked them about it before coming as this site warned about it. I asked the recruiter about it and she denied that there was any such arrangement-yet this site warns about it. The only thing about the trainig itself that really bothers me is being around people too much all the time-but I know thats a temporary thing. I studied the high road program and should be able to pass the written exams and am not too stressed about that. I want to be a solo company driver-I do not want to lease or team up with anyone. Prime was hesitant about considering me due to my location, but I explained to them that hometime was not a big player with me. The person whom I know spoke with the fleet manager at Prime yesterday-they never got back to her-I was so busy scrambling around here with no set of wheels to find an eyeglass place that would take meon the spot that I did not have a chance to get the ball rolling with Prime or anyone else.

Another point I forgot to mention is that I do have some breathing room in a financial sense-my back is not up against the wall-I have funds to work with-my job would be given back to me if I returned home. But I enjoy driving and going to different places-I am doing this because I would really enjoy it once I get past the training part-not for the money or my back being up against the wall.

Sounds like you really don't want to be there. You have to remember, every trucking company is hiring and there is most likely a dozen other companies that want you. If you're so unsure about England then go to Prime. You haven't signed anything yet so you're still a free man and can go wherever you want. Don't force yourself in a position where you're not comfortable in.

The biggest differences between Prime and England is that Primes training is three times longer. You claim to just want to be left alone and not team. Well, can you handle team driving for three months? Because at Prime you will have to. Primes pay is much better than England's as well.

But what worrying me is if you can handle the three months with a trainer? If you think you can then remember you're able to go to Prime if they accept you. You're hands are not tied down just yet.

England does require 3 months with a trainer. I realize that it is a necessary evil in the process, but am prepared for that. Three months is insignificant and will likely go by quickly and I will do my best to learn as much as possible during that period and use it to my advantage. I would go with Roehl, but the only thing holding me back with them is that I would have to go all the way back home to get my cdl permit and come all the way back-if it wasnt for that they are in Wisconsin and I am near Chicago right now. Pam is not hiring out of my area. So Prime looks to be the best option at least at the moment.

England is 4-6 weeks of training.

Prime is roughly 3 months.

England is 4-6 weeks of training.

Prime is roughly 3 months.

You are right about 4-6 wks with England-for phase 1-then you go out for phase 2 which is 8 more weeks-with either a contracted or company driver-as a second seat driver. Then after that they claim to give you a choice, but from what Ive heard-it isnt much of a choice-lease or we dont have a truck for you-dont know that 100 percent-but have heard from two different people that they do that to people. May be accepted into Prime next week-will know for sure by tomorrow but nothing in my background that should pose any problem. Am heading to Springfield MO and have a place to stay lined up. Will keep you posted.