Looking For A Starter Company, But With A Catch...

Looking for recommendations please.

I have been googling for a week now and am still kind of at a loss. Here's the deal, my son and I would like to get our CDL's and drive as a team. My son being a new father cannot go four weeks without a paycheck or at least some expense (lodging/meals) coverage. I am struggling to find a good list of companies that provide CDL training AND hire teams. Prime seems to fit the bill for the most part but 4-6 months of time with a trainer seems excessive. Ideally we would like to train together but I realize that is a long shot.

For what its worth, I am 57 and he is 22. We both have spotless records and are both heavy equipment operators.

CRST would probably be your best bet as they run all reams, you would have to train separately then team up once able too. Western Express also trains and runs teams

Unfortunately you will not be able to train together as neither of you has experience.

Hutch, is your son's name Starsky? LOL

Welcome to the forum! Some of the recent posts will tell you that you can be up and running in a short time with some companies. The good news is that many companies offer paid training. That is the recommended way to go and would help your son bridge the gap. You didn't say if you two have your CDL licenses. That will make a difference in the length of your training.

But you will have to spend 3 to 6 weeks training, minimum. Go with paid training and you will ease the pain.

CR England is a possibility. Most of the OTR guys in England are Teams.

They do allow 2 students per trainer. 3 people in the truck. It's cramped but will allow you to train together. Not sure if they would let you pick like that but it's worth asking.

They also have their own CDL school. I personally didn't attend it so I can't really give an opinion/review of it.

But it's an option.

CR England is a possibility. Most of the OTR guys in England are Teams.

They do allow 2 students per trainer. 3 people in the truck. It's cramped but will allow you to train together. Not sure if they would let you pick like that but it's worth asking.

They also have their own CDL school. I personally didn't attend it so I can't really give an opinion/review of it.

But it's an option.

If there were ever a situation that 3 to a truck would work out......this may be it. Might be worth a phone call to a Recruiter at CRE.

CR England is a possibility. Most of the OTR guys in England are Teams.

They do allow 2 students per trainer. 3 people in the truck. It's cramped but will allow you to train together. Not sure if they would let you pick like that but it's worth asking.

They also have their own CDL school. I personally didn't attend it so I can't really give an opinion/review of it.

But it's an option.

If there were ever a situation that 3 to a truck would work out......this may be it. Might be worth a phone call to a Recruiter at CRE.

I don't want to be "that guy" but I'm gonna be.... 3 people to a truck is the most asinine idea ever. You're forcing someone to sleep in n the top bunk while the truck is in motion, you're asking 3 people to share the space that 2 people find cramped.... from what I've been told by a close personal friend who I knew years before driving, who went through CRE..... they will put 2 green horns together as a team to finish their training. (Blind leading the blind) NO THANK you!!

I know the OP is looking for options, and I understand that your Son has extenuating circumstances, but I would still have to suggest Prime. Or even CRST

CR England is a possibility. Most of the OTR guys in England are Teams.

They do allow 2 students per trainer. 3 people in the truck. It's cramped but will allow you to train together. Not sure if they would let you pick like that but it's worth asking.

They also have their own CDL school. I personally didn't attend it so I can't really give an opinion/review of it.

But it's an option.

If there were ever a situation that 3 to a truck would work out......this may be it. Might be worth a phone call to a Recruiter at CRE.

I don't want to be "that guy" but I'm gonna be.... 3 people to a truck is the most asinine idea ever. You're forcing someone to sleep in n the top bunk while the truck is in motion, you're asking 3 people to share the space that 2 people find cramped.... from what I've been told by a close personal friend who I knew years before driving, who went through CRE..... they will put 2 green horns together as a team to finish their training. (Blind leading the blind) NO THANK you!!

I know the OP is looking for options, and I understand that your Son has extenuating circumstances, but I would still have to suggest Prime. Or even CRST

I heard that about CR England that it usually have beginners. The good news is you may feel comfortable with a person on your level and you have to figure things out vs. A trainer who will dissapeare after a couple months and you ride solo unless that what you want. It gives two people a way to try and learn and figure things out together. However i couldn't see my self with a stranger in the space closet.

Ive been getting alot of email ads from us express looking for teams id call them and talk to them while i dont believe half of what i read they put a nice offer on the table

CR England is a possibility. Most of the OTR guys in England are Teams.

They do allow 2 students per trainer. 3 people in the truck. It's cramped but will allow you to train together. Not sure if they would let you pick like that but it's worth asking.

They also have their own CDL school. I personally didn't attend it so I can't really give an opinion/review of it.

But it's an option.

If there were ever a situation that 3 to a truck would work out......this may be it. Might be worth a phone call to a Recruiter at CRE.

I don't want to be "that guy" but I'm gonna be.... 3 people to a truck is the most asinine idea ever. You're forcing someone to sleep in n the top bunk while the truck is in motion, you're asking 3 people to share the space that 2 people find cramped.... from what I've been told by a close personal friend who I knew years before driving, who went through CRE..... they will put 2 green horns together as a team to finish their training. (Blind leading the blind) NO THANK you!!

I know the OP is looking for options, and I understand that your Son has extenuating circumstances, but I would still have to suggest Prime. Or even CRST

While I may not personally agree with all the methods CR England decides to employ in their training program I do need to point out some things.

I personally went through training at cre. I actually had to share a 2 bunk truck with the trainer and one other student for about five days before the other student (an older gentleman) decided trucking wasn't for him. When the trainer wasn't in the passenger seat the truck didn't move.

It is company policy to never move the vehicle with someone in the top bunk. If someone tells you otherwise a quick phone call to safety and that issue will sort itself out.

Just like every company the trainers are hit or miss. I got a decent one and applied myself to the max while I had him on the truck for a month.

Month two is when they team you with someone "around" your experience level. This is a crap shoot. Sometimes you get a good teammate sometimes you get someone who needed more time with a trainer. OP would probably skip this headache due to the unique situation.

All in all I think it's a valid option, even if not ideal.

Thanks Viking!

I was gonna respond to this, but I was waiting. I was hoping for an actual person who'd been through there to speak up.

Thanks again! So many of these companies get a bad rap just because the rejects that don't survive training run their mouths online as if they were some kind of authority. They typically haven't even driven a single mile as a solo driver and they can pass judgement on these very successful trucking companies - it's outrageous. Then everytime I try to set the record straight I get accused of being a shill for the mega carriers, as if I'm getting paid by them for defending them.

It's a never ending struggle to help people understand how to make a start at this, but it sure does keep me busy. And by the way (for the skeptics) my only trucking related income comes from driving big rigs.