From Delivering Pizza To Trucker.

Hi everyone!

I got started late in my 20s to adult things. I wasn't allowed to get my license when I was 16 because I was in foster care.

I got my license when I was 27 and actually impressed the person that was grading me on my skills because I prevented an accident due to some moron in a grey 370z running the red light in front of me as I went to turn.

I got my first job at Pizza Hut almost a year ago(Been on SSI since 07, had a very major bout with depression due to horrible family issues) and it was nice... at first. Until my car started experiencing breakdowns beyond my ability to fix it.

As I was sitting in the left lane with another bad transmission, I realized I was facing more downtime because it would take the shop a week. I decided right then and there that maybe I should look into trucking.

I was a passenger with a lady trucker in 04 and loved it. I saw real snow for the first time, instead of the dusting that passes for snowfall in Fort Worth.

This is something I do not take lightly, but reading Rainy's article is very encouraging.

Tuesday night I got in my desktop and googled trucking companies that provide CDL training. I applied for the top 2 results, which were PAM Transport and CR England.

After speaking to both recruiters, I decided to go with CR England. I passed my DOT physical yesterday, and am studying for my permit test now. I keep passing all the practice tests with flying colors.

I am determined to make this work. and I know my goddess wouldn't have had things fall so neatly into place if this wasn't meant to be the next step on my journey.

To think that I won't have to deal with crappy customers not answering the door or paying out the nose for gas because my cheap car happens to have a higher compression engine... Looking forward to it.

I am under no illusion that money won't be tight for a while. I know that it will be. But I am prepared for that. I know my rent will always be paid. May not be on time, but the management is fully aware and I am not the only one in the complex that has made this career choice.

What should I pack for my trip to Salt Lake City? I currently live in SW Oklahoma, which is currently roasting in a heatwave. Too damn hot to swim.

Please make sure u research cr England very good. As a women I suggest u look at prime. I am not trying to change your mind But....

CR England is one of the lower paying companies and often takes people who cant get hired elsewhere.

i concur with donna....really research. PAM is similar in pay and structure.

Do I have an obligation to go with CR England since they paid for my DOT physical?

Do I have an obligation to go with CR England since they paid for my DOT physical?

Hi Falyssa.

No you don't. I was in your shoes...C.R. England scheduled my physical. Upon further research, I went with a different carrier. So, I contacted the clinic and enquired about the cost of the exam, then called C.R. England and paid them back with a debit card. They were polite, professional and understanding. I'm sure, being a major carrier, it's not an unusual situation for them.

Problem with that is I don't have the money to pay them back right now. I know that Colin K is a company driver in training for CR England and I think that it might be best for me for right now. I can handle the low pay. I need the experience first.

Do I have an obligation to go with CR England since they paid for my DOT physical?

Hi Falyssa.

No you don't. I was in your shoes...C.R. England scheduled my physical. Upon further research, I went with a different carrier. So, I contacted the clinic and enquired about the cost of the exam, then called C.R. England and paid them back with a debit card. They were polite, professional and understanding. I'm sure, being a major carrier, it's not an unusual situation for them.

Many companies do free training if you sign for a year. Including Prime, swift, roehl and many others.

at prime i fronted $155 for licensing fees and paprrwork. i never paid a dime towards the schooling cause i stayed a year. they provide meals hotel and transporatation to the school

if you are in UT you would go.to our SLC but need the permit ahead of time. they advance $200 per week to be paid back after you get hired when you pass the CDL.

each company does it differently but CRE is not your only choice

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

look through the training diary section at the various companies and see what happened with the people

My trainer at prime once worked for cr England and he said he quit the day they gave him a paycheck for .19 cents for a 2000 mile run. Having a job and having a well paying job is like having a car with a broke transmission u still don’t have a ride. Don’t let a 100$ physical make your decision by the time they bill u for it u could be making real money with a company that care about women drivers. Have u asked about their trainers are u going with a male or female. What is there sexual harassment policy? A lot to think about.

In todays environment, most companies are terrified of sexual harrassment. i think some are going too far. i know a great trainer who is no longer allowed to train because he bought a bunch of hats and gave them out to incoming students. he offered a woman a pink hat and was written up for sexism. "Just because im a woman doesnt mean i like pink." thats ridiculous and i know of many similar instances. if you hate men, stay out of trucking. now because she was too sensitive and picky, dozens of students will not benefit from an awesome trainer! including her.

Rainy I know where u are coming from and prime isn’t gonna put up with no junk however I was trying to suggest she check more about cr England’s prospects on this because their some serious allegations against that company and it’s not just one unhappy camper but many.