My Journey at CR England

What a week it has been. My plan has been to update this blog each night after training but I have been exhausted. By the time I get home I just want to hit the sack. The recruiter had said it would be a 7 day a week class lasting from 7:00AM till 4-4:30PM.

That was not quite correct. We have been running until about 6:00PM and then if we want we can stay after to practice our maneuvers on the 8 test trucks until 9:00PM. So first off let me go back a few days and try to go over what we have been doing.

Tuesday: We spent all day Tuesday in a classroom going over the Utah CDL manual. We had to take three tests General Knowledge, Combinations, and Air Brakes. Tuesday we went over everything in the General Knowledge and Air Brakes sections. Not to hard mostly common sense however, I did learn a lot of new things so it is important to pay attention and if it helps take notes. I personally was never one for notes.

Wednesday: We spent all morning learning about Combination Vehicles this was the third test section we needed to know for our test to get a Utah CDL Learners Permit. In the afternoon they bused everyone to the DMV on 700 North and Redwood Rd. in Salt Lake City. I got to take my test on one of the computerized kiosks this made things go quickly. I scored 96% on my General Knowledge and scored 100% on both Air Brakes and Combinations

I also decided to take my doubles and triples test for the endorsement. I scored 85% which was not great but a pass since you need 80%. I would only suggest doing this if you live in Utah because if not you will have to pay for the endorsement again in your home state. Might as well take the test there it is only a 20 Questions written test.

Thursday: This was an exciting day for everyone we finally were going to be able to get in the trucks for the first time. We spent the first half of the day until about 3:00PM in the classroom. This felt like a really long time since we all wanted to get out to the trucks. We went over the backing maneuvers we were having to learn to past a backing test for our CDL.

Before we left for the backing range we learned about logs. We started a log for the day just to practice and will have to fill one out everyday from here on out. The first maneuver was fairly simple you had to drive 140′ forward and then back up the same distance straight back. I did OK at this however, some had a really hard time. We practiced this maneuver until 9:00PM.

Friday: Back in the classroom for another half day. We started by starting another log and going over yesterdays to make sure it was correct. We went over today’s maneuver which is an offset to the right. Basically you pull forward out of a parking space and then back in to the one next to it on the right. Sounds simple right? well think again you have to do it with a 73′ vehicle.

Saturday: Started the day out logging again. Then on to the final maneuver a parallel park. That’s right most people have trouble parallel parking a Honda now try it with a Freightliner. They gave us each a step by step instruction sheet and for those who can follow directions it was a breeze.

I am sure it will be a little more complicated when you get out on the road without cones or lines to use as a reference. We went back into class after lunch for a little while, and our instructor asked who is ready to test. He made it clear that if you did not pass you may be sent home. Nine originally raised their hands but a couple had second thoughts.

I thought I was ready so I went for it. You were given twelve points total for all three maneuvers. That is total not 12 each. Anytime you went out of your lanes it was 2 points and if you had to pull up more then once on the first maneuver and twice on the second or third you were penalized one point.

I completed the test with a perfect 0 points. This felt great I saw a few others test before I left for the day. One passed with 11 points, boy that was a nail biter. Then there was a guy who only used two points and another guy who passed with a perfect 0.

We were then told that we could take Sunday off since we were moving ahead well. For those who had not tested they needed to be there on Sunday to test. Monday is a Holiday “Labor Day” and no one was going to be there so we were off Monday as well.

So I am just relaxing at home today getting a few chores done. I am excited to get back on Tuesday because we get to go out and actually start driving on the roads. I think we are going to work on up shifting, down shifting, and double clutching. To be honest I am not worried about this stage at all.

I am glad I made this decision. I am not sure how it will be working for CR England yet but the experience in their school has been very positive. I have liked all the instructors and have been impressed with the progress they have made with people I never thought would make it.

The only people that have not made it this far are people who failed the DMV tests for the Learner Permit. They were held over for next weeks class. Then there were a few people who failed their drug tests. Other then that most have made it this far. That has been kinda surprise because I heard rumors that the class would get cut in half within a few days. That shows you how much you should listen to rumors.

I will try to do better about writing daily next week. That will give me more time to be detailed in my posts instead of this post which has a lot of information with little detail. I will also see about coming in over the rest of today and tomorrow and editing this post to add more details as I think of them.

Well after only getting 3 hours of sleep due to being so anxious it was not bad for a first day. They started off by getting copies of our Drivers Licenses and SS cards. We also had to pay the $50 administrative fee.

They walked us through filling out a ton of forms for the physical and drug screen. I was in the first group so we had to pee in a cup (the normal UA stuff). Then we went into the Clinic (onsite) for the physical.

They started out by whispering a number across the room and asking you to repeat it. You also had to tell them the color of three dots on the wall. The you sat in a chair to have your Blood Pressure taken. It must be under 140/90. However, if you fail the Doctor will work with you to help solve the issue.

The you go in a room and raise your arms abover your head, squat, touch your toes (you can bend your knees) stand on each foot one at a time, stand on ball of feet, then you get to sit and test reflexes. You the raise your elbows straight out like a chicken and he pushes down on them.

I had to squeeze a little strength guage to see how strong our hands are. You then go through your eye test and you are all done. After the Physical and you have your Medical Card you go off to a pre-hire interview. Here they ask questions about your application, driving record, criminal record, the last time you smoked pot, did cocaine, meth, etc.

Then we were assigned a couple of different tests to do at home. One was a DOT test and the other was a general knowledge CDL test. Just to see where you are at I think. I think I did pretty well.

For those coming from out of Utah they have to get a Utah CDL with the CR England Address then transfer it to their home state when they get back. They have 3 months on the Utah temp permit so they should be ok.

Tomorrow we start preparing for our CDL skill test. We have to go to the DMV to take the test Wednesday afternoon. The people in the class (about 40) are mostly nice their are a few interesting characters.

There are a couple of people that if they make it I made turn in my driving priviledge all together. It is amazing how many time the poor instructors had to repeat themselves. I am hoping over the next two days some wash out of the program.

Today I am concentrating on three things. First I have printed the Utah CDL Manual and I have to read it all then study the air brakes and combinations per their instructions. I also am going to go to a Flying J 10 miles or so from my house to get a Motor Carriers Road Altlas. I want the Deluxe edition if they have it.

The I will need to head over to Walgreens to the Blood Pressure machine and make sure I am ok. CR England said my Blood Pressure can not be above 160/90. The only other piece of the physical that worries me is if they make me touch my toes I cannot do it without bending my knees. I will let you know how that goes tomorrow.

 Wish me luck!

I am a little stressed out but mostly anxious. I actually started this journey to find a decent paying job that was outside the corporate world where I have been for the last 10 years on and off. Now I am actually excited after reading all the stories and experiences.

I know it is not going to be easy work and being away from the family is going to be really tought on them as well as myself. However, my son is 15 and I figure in three years I can own my own truck and my wife can get her CDL and we can drive together.

I have been spending a lot of time preparing a list of what I need to take with me when I go on the road. I know it is two weeks before I have to think about hitting the road but I imagine I will be busy studying all the way up to the time I leave with a trainer.

Here is my list so far some of these things I will wait to bring until I am Solo, some will go with me and the trainer.

Log Books

Info Sheets

Pens / Pencils

Accordion File Folder

Calculator

Sun Glasses

Road Atlas (Motor Carriers 2007 Deluxe Edition)

White Out

Go Jo Wipes

Flashlight

Boots

Rain Poncho

Tylenol

Intensive Care Lotion

Immodium AD (Stomach Medicine)

Gold Bond Powder

Razor (Electric for me)

Tooth Brush

Tooth Paste

Knife (Probably a Leatherman)

10 Days of Clothing (I will only have to do laundry once per trip on average)

My Laptop for Entertainment and communicating with family.

After Trainig I will add a Cooler, Lunch Box Oven, TV with DVD player, Coffee Pot, and at least a 1500 Watt Inverter.

I submitted my application online at www.crengland.com. After faxing the authorization form back to them minutes after filling out the application I decided to call just to make sure they got it.

When I called I was connected to a recruiter and they went and pulled the application off their computer. She asked me questions about my driving record and employment history. She then said they had a class starting on Monday keep in mind this was Friday when I called them.

She asked if I could start that soon and I said sure. She said she would have someone pull my drivers record and criminal history and get back with me by the end of the day. It was about 2 hours later when I got the call saying I was good to go and to show up at class at 7:00AM on Monday morning.

I live close to their Salt Lake facility so I did not need transportation or lodging. She told me to bring my Drivers License, Social Security Card, $50.00 for their administration fee and $40.00 for the Utah CDL fee. There is also a $35.00 fee for drug testing and physical but they will take it out of your future pay.

The training is supposed to last 2.5 weeks and is 7 days per week. You do not get paid for the training however which does make it difficult on the budget. However, they are providing valuable training so I guess it is ok.

I spent all of yesterday afternoon and today researching what I should take to school, what to expect in classes, what to take on the truck when I go, what equipment does the truck already have and to be honest have had a hell of a time finding the answers. Hince the reason for this blog.

This questions can be taken in a couple of ways.

1.) Why am I writing this blog? or;

2.) Why am I going to work for CR England?

I will attempt to answer both of these questions. First the reason I am writing this blog is to hopefully help others who embark upon this journey or atleast are considering it. I found a lot of information out on the net about who not to work for etc. However, you can find good and bad posts about every company.

So here I will attempt to give a non-biased review of the entire process. I had a lot of questions before I started and had to spend days on the internet to find only a few of the answers I was seeking.

 So I hope you enjoy the ride as we make this journey together.