When picked up from Greyhound by the schools shuttle at 7:30, we were told to leave our luggage on the vehicle. There were about 50 of us, and we were shuffled inside. Im assuming somebody told someone where to go, but I just followed the person in front of me and went downstairs. They told us if we were in phase one, to go in one room, which I started to go to, because I assumed that was what I was, but then they said if we didnt have our CDLs yet to go in the other room. They dont really let you know whats going on throughout the process. When youre there, it feels as if they treat you like cattle, which makes sense with how many people filter through that school.
While I was there, I saw a sign on the wall that said if you walk to any of the nearby stores/restaurants, you have to walk on the road, otherwise the police would be called and youd be picked up for trespassing onto business property, which kind of gives you a clue about the town youre in.
After filling out the paperwork and taking a physical agility test, we were sent back in a van of 6 people to the hotel around 10:00. On the way, we got a lovely speech from the driver, well call him Bob, informing us of our stay to come. We were to be outside in the morning at 5:30, and if anybody was late, there wouldnt be another bus to get them, and theyd need to walk to the school. There was a bar next door, but the staff is paid $20 per student they turn in for ordering any alcoholic drink there. The only other businesses were a Dennys, a gas station, and a burger joint about 2 miles down the road, which charges $20 to deliver. Bob said that its a small town, and the locals take advantage of it. Youre not allowed to smoke in the hotel, even in the rooms that are available for smoking. We were told that it wasnt a five star hotel, but that breakfast would be served between 4 and 5:30. Every morning, we were told to turn in our hotel key and sign out, or our things would probably be taken outside the room and left in the hallway.
When we arrived at the hotel, our bags were in the lobby. One of my two bags was missing. Bob said hed go back to the buses and get it, but to at least get my things to my room for now. The hotel smells kind of musty, first of all. But when my roommate and I arrived and looked around, the previous occupants things were still in the drawers. There was mold around the toilet, which I could handle, but it was also on the floor of the stand-up shower. There was no cable, but at least there was air conditioning. After changing, I walked back up to the lobby, and waited approximately a half hour for the driver to return. The clerk eventually took down my room number and told me shed call me if Bob came back. About 11:30, I got the call telling me that Id get my bag in the morning. I could handle that, because even though it had my medication and shower supplies, they
could wait until at least morning.
So I got my five hours of sleep.
When I left the room at 5:15, I looked around for the breakfast, but where the tables and things are, there was none. After asking about my bag and being told it still wasnt there (and so I couldnt even brush my teeth), I went outside and waited with the others for the shuttles. Two eventually came at 5:40, and filled up fast. There wasnt even enough room for everybody waiting. So much for not having a second bus if youd have been late. I was also told afterwards that the breakfast was upstairs in the maze of the hotel. I also saw Bob, and he said he hadnt been able to check
the buses yet. Well, two were there, and they obviously didnt have it, and they only even have three.
When we got to the school around six, we stood in the lobby for approximately a half hour while the staff drank coffee. We then had to finish our medical exam. It was here that I was told after review of my medication (which was still in the missing bag and I was supposed to have already taken), I was ineligible unless I was off of one of them for at least 90 days, with the approval of a doctor.
So I seriously ended my lease with my apartment, put my things in storage, and travelled all this way to be told I had to go home for something they should have screened for on my initial application, since the information had already been requested.
I was then told to wait outside for the next shuttle, which would be coming at 11. So I waited outside for 3 hours, along with about 10 others who had been filtered out for various reasons. Some for medication as well, others because of too many tickets. Which is funny, because thats something that they had actually paid attention to with me. When Bob came with my bag and to transfer us back to the hotel, he told us that the school doesnt really care who they filter out - they get paid as soon as you check into the school, even if you get sent home the next day. I think what
it is, is that the recruiters leave out details here and there, so that they at least get students to the school, so they get paid.
On the ride to the hotel, we were told we had to be back outside with our things at 11:50, and that the female driver wouldnt wait for us. We didnt even get there until 11:45. Thankfully, I hadnt unpacked, so I was able to get in and out within the five minutes. She of course didnt get there until 12:10. Some of the people who were riding the shuttle to the greyhound with me hadnt even been to the school that morning - they were being sent home because they missed the bus, which kind of proves the whole company not caring because they still get paid theory.
When I got to the greyhound, I was told that the ticket they bought didnt leave the station until 5:35, so I waited in Gary, IN for about 5 hours in that grimy, un-air-conditioned station, hungry (since I hadnt been able to eat since the previous day) and hot.
Moral of the story: dont go toCR England.
These were just the problems with the company themselves. This doesnt include the guys that had already gone through the school trying to tell me theyd wait for me back at the hotel with no strings attached, which by the way the company owns. The whole experience was just horrible.
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