I'm Quitting C.R. England Because Of Low Miles

Gentlemen, I quoted a 85% on time rate because that includes loads I was given that where already late when I was dispatched, and loads that where late by no fault of my own.

I have been late on loads twice in five months.

Now I am not saying that this has no bearing on my miles nor am I saying that my time management skills don't need work. But what I am saying is my service record while not spotless is not as horrible as you all assume.

That said I think a large part of my problem is that I am a regional driver and I get ping ponged between CA and AZ alot.

With that said I think the point being presented is that it's all my fault, I am the author of my own misery, and the company is blameless beyond any doubt. I believe that those responses that choose that tact are disingenuous as they don't take into account the vagaries of the very job we do and what motivates the company.

For example in one case I sat at target for 14 hours I received 160 detention pay but lost my loads for the next 3 days. I accept these things as part of the job and accept responsibility when I am wrong. I just don't believe I'm as wrong as you would have me believe.

Be careful about taking a stand against a company while working for another that has its own set of problems. Every company has its advantages and disadvantages. I agree, 26 cents per mile is too low by today's standards. But their drivers are out of training months before yours are and the contract at their company is shorter also. Also, when you fulfill the contract at CR England the tuition is now free. Lastly, CR England will give guys and gals with more questionable backgrounds an opportunity that other companies won't, and you know they get burned for that sometimes.

So CR England isn't all bad by any means.

CR ENGLAND has a very successful business model which includes, I dare say depended, on recruiting the very ones nobody wants, a under tapped pool if you will. I also understand the severe underpay, this pool of drivers is not without its liabilities. Thus to insure profitability they need to keep the cost per mile as low as possible. I get it and I'm not flicked up about it, however there comes a point between profit and exploitation that I believe they cross.

As to them wanting to fire me, even if I was completely responsible for being late on 15% of my loads (I'm not, see the previous post) I doubt that I would have much to worry about. I PERSONALLY know 2 drivers that are still employed at England one had 2 accidents (1 slow speed illegal left turn, and 1 backing accident into another rig) the other flipped the truck (pulled over in the snow and ice on a soft shoulder that had a sharp decline got out to check something and the truck slid down the incline and tipped) (his story but he is definitely still working)

I got tired of playing games with recruiters.CR England sent me a bus ticket,and I decided to take the work. I'm attending their school in Indiana,and as the previous poster stated, they take people with less than perfect records and give them a second chance.What you make of it is up to you. The instructors,for the most part,are very good at what they do.They treat you well,and they can all drive a truck. I know the corporate structure may not be the best,but it sure beats being unemployed. The students in my class are very good people,they just want honest work. If after the contract runs out,they can find a company to give them more pay,I'm sure they will move on. You have to start somewhere.

If I were you tax time is here I would pay what I owe them to get you out of the school debt and then go your way or you might get 45 cpm.

I think the point being presented is that it's all my fault, I am the author of my own misery, and the company is blameless beyond any dot. I believe that those responses that choose that tact are disingenuous as they don't take into account the vagaries of the very job we do and what motivates the company.

Keith, I wanted so bad to jump in here the other day, but I was pushing everything I had to get my work load accomplished and just didn't have the chance. I realize I'm late in jumping in, but I just wanted to elaborate just a little with hopes that you will better understand the things that folks are trying to share with you.

First off, let me assure you that no one in here has been "disingenuous" with you.

It is very difficult to get a good start in this business. It is so radically different than any other job out there, and there really is no one to help a new driver out. These companies give you a set of keys to a nice big truck, and then they throw you to the wind. It takes a very independent individual to make it through their rookie year. Everyone I have ever talked to, thought about quitting their job several times during that first year, and it was usually because it was too much stress and not enough money. The dispatchers seem like they don't even know or care what you are going through, and a new driver usually doesn't even know where or who to try and talk to if he's having issues. So, everybody in here can understand what you are going through. We just want to try and get you to switch your focus from the "bad" company mentality to how you can take your situation and build it into something that will work for you until you can complete your contractual agreement.

I don't recommend you quit, but I would say you've got to figure out why you are getting such low numbers on your dispatched miles. I started my career at .27 cpm , so I can definitely relate to what you are going through - it is tough at those kind of rates, it is doable, but not with 1500 miles a week. I completely agree with Brett when he uses his good logic to tell you that they are not making any money with you running like you are.

The toughest thing about getting started in this stuff is that they expect you to sink or swim, and to them the folks who are going to become good drivers figure this stuff out on their own after getting a few really weak paychecks. You have got to be really self motivated at this - it is a lot like being self-employed.

I remember one time we had a member jump into a conversation after they had been driving for about a year and they made a statement about their clock that indicated that they still didn't have a very good understanding as to how to manage their time so that they could be able to get the kind of miles they needed to be successful. I was shocked that after a year of driving we were still having to help them understand the little nuances that contribute to one's success in this field. They really should have already figured that out on their own.

The way to success is to build a relationship of trust with your dispatcher. That dispatcher needs you to be running just as hard as he can possibly get you to. The only way to build that relationship is to bust your tail and prove to them every day, without fail, that you are able to take care of the things they hand to you. If it's impossible to do then communicate that with them, but if there's a slight chance you can pull something off for them without complaining or having to get them to reschedule it for you then do everything in your power to make it happen. Those are the drivers that get the miles handed to them. Those are the guys who the dispatchers and the load planners start to recognize as the movers and shakers. They become the "go to guys".

We can try to pontificate about running safely all we want, but the drivers that call in and say I got tired so I had to stop and take a nap which put me late, or saying I accidentally overslept and caused a delay are the ones who start getting overlooked - that is just reality.

Here's three words I want you to remember whether you stay at C.R. England or not - these three words will have the greatest effect on your success or your failure at any trucking company in the land. Are you ready? Write then down and never forget them because they are of utmost importance!

PERFORMANCE.... PERFORMANCE... PERFORMANCE!

There you have it - That is what every trucking company is looking for in their drivers.

DO NOT LOOK TO THE COMPANY FOR PERFORMANCE - LOOK TO YOURSELF.

That is where you will find success in this business. I know this is so, because I was very successful while working at a company that only paid me one cent more a mile than you are getting at C.R. England.

Hang in there and do a bang up job and you can turn this whole situation around.

Hang in there and do a bang up job and you can turn this whole situation around.

I agree with that 100%. It would be nice to finish out that contract and figure out how to get some really great miles between now and then. I mean, if you're planning to move on for better pay at some point anyhow then working here is like a trial run for you. Learn all you can about how the company operates on the inside. Stop in someday and visit with dispatch. Learn a bit about what they do and what they're hoping you'll do.

With their pay scale being what it is they may not be able to keep you for the long run. But they got you to this point in your career and now you have a chance to learn a lot of things that are going to help you from here on in your career.

Is CR England a bad company or are they trying to get the training time back for there cdl program that would cost any company money.

Allen, as Brett pointed out to me and many others in the past, there aren't any truly bad companies. It's all about the driver and their skills in load planning, time and trip management etc. Unfortunately those aren't things we learn in driving schools, they're learned out on the road and hopefully learned in some form from a good trainer. I'm just getting started myself, switching over from expedite loads in a straight truck and really looking forward to the future. I've definitely paid attention to the veterans on here when they talk about a good relationship with your DM , it makes a world of difference and I've made sure to keep a great relationship with the folks I deal with every day. Granted, I work for a small company so it's a bit more personal in the relationship between employees but even on a grand scale with the larger companies, the theory is still the same.

Budget your time wisely, don't let things get you too wound up because it happens to everyone, read the educational info on here, it's soooooo worth it and by all means, ask questions. The folks on here are pretty straight forward and want us newbies to succeed, just don't get offended when you get hit with The Trucking Truth.

Here's the thing. Refrigeration loads are a "hurry up and wait, wait, WAIT" type of proposition. Wait to get loaded. Wait to get bills after unloading. Wait to get unloaded. Wait to get bills after unloading.

I miss it, to some extent, but hauling grain/dry bulk is so, so, so much easier, most of the time. I get paid 25% of the load and I am satisfied with my paycheck, and am home EVERY WEEKEND.

Dave

Wow!!! You, guys are the truth. I've been reading through the post and mostly the replies aren't in the author's favor. I can respect the moto "know thyself." Interpretation seems to me that we can be our own problem. Problem solving seems to be strong attribute a trucker needs. For the author don't be discouraged but be encouraged and make a sound decision before quitting. I can feel your pain about money. Before I came into trucking I sold drugs and making thousands a week. I really didn't understand how to make honest money nor have the patience to wait for it. Coming from making thousands down to hundreds a week is depressing and life changing. I didn't quit even though I wanted to my first gig. I hung in there and I found ways within myself to do better and I did. My advice would be hang in there and challenge yourself to do better and the money will come. But quitting is a terrible habit that repeats itself often. You can make a 6 figure income within 3 yrs in this business. I've talked with several people who make that kind of money and it's definitely realistic.