Backwater13 begins Celadon Trucking student training 1/7/13 in Indianapolis, IN.

Discussion in 'Celadon' started by Backwater13, Jan 3, 2013.

  1. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    I did not see a thread on Celadon's new company training program so I thought I would record some of my experiences as others have done for their respective company. I've found these accounts to be very helpful, not to mention entertaining. I want to try and post objective, honest and useful information so other drivers considering Celadon can refer to my experience if they decide it will help them.

    I'm driving up to Indianapolis this Sunday from Evansville, IN to check in at Celadon terminal at around 9 pm, the day before Celadon's three week training program begins. From there I will get checked into the hotel which is 1 mile from the terminal. They pay for room and board during this 3 week period and have a "shuttle" service. Since I am driving myself to Indy, I more than likely will come back home on the weekends. They informed me that they will reimburse me the cost of a Greyhound bus ticket from Evansville to Indianapolis if I provide my own transportation. I'm packed and ready to go. Other than my personal belongings etc...all I need to bring is a social security card, driver's license and birth certificate. She also mentioned that I needed to bring two pieces of mail. I recently updated my driver's license in Indiana with my correct physical address. In Indiana, they require you to provide two pieces of mail showing your name and physical address. Since I already have an Indiana license, she said don't worry about it.

    This part of the training phase will last for three weeks (obtain CDL), then I go with a trainer for 6 weeks, then I go solo. This is the simplified plan of course.

    To my understanding, they have only recently begun company training. I will keep this thread updated as I can to provide more details but do not have a laptop so will have to make updates using my smartphone, which I do not particularly like typing on. I will try to update as I can.

    Here's to a safe New Year.
     
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  3. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Good Luck ..
     
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  4. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    Right.... .
     
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  5. pokerhound67

    pokerhound67 Heavy Load Member

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    many new drivers have questions about where to go for school...company school versus private school. if you have the following info it could be helpful to pass on to others....

    1.how long do you contract with celedon in return for the no money up front tuition?
    2.how much do they charge you per week/month once you start driving? for how long?
    3.how much do they charge you if you dont fulfill the contract? (if 1 was 2 years for instance, how much would you owe if you left after 6 mos? after 1 year?)
    4.what would you owe if you wash out for some reason? (cant pass road test because you just cant get the backing right...it happens occasionally)
    5.after the amount they take is paid, do they begin tuition reimbursement? (most companies pay tuition reimbursement if you attend private school, thus if you stay with them long enough your school is essentially "free")

    answers to these questions would help to provide a fair comparison between celedon's company training and training at a private school. thank you, and good luck to you in your new career. please dont be freaked out by the "wash out" part...the vast majority do just fine, and the vast majority are also a bit freaked out at the thought that they may not do fine. its a little intimidating at first...being behind the "big wheel", but most adapt pretty well and pass the cdl with no problem.
     
  6. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    I will be sure to update once I get to Indy and have the opportunity to read through the contract(s). I know what the recruiter has told me in response to the questions you pose, but will post on the thread my actual experience after talking with the Celadon trainers and reviewing the contract(s) of employment.
     
  7. pokerhound67

    pokerhound67 Heavy Load Member

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    i appreciate that. i generally advise against company school in favor of a private school, one that will finance if necessary. but honestly, i have no experience with the company school thing. wannabe drivers are always asking where to get cdl, and itd be nice to have hard numbers to compare them honestly, rather than just by "gut".
     
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  8. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    I'll do my best to pin some figures down. I think I will be able to take a laptop after all so hopefully I can post better rather than using my smartphone.
     
  9. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    I arrived in Indianapolis Sunday evening, stopped by the Indy Terminal, was given my student material and then I drove over to the LaQuinta Inn & Suites. I've been studying with the instructor and about 12 other students in a classroom, preparing to obtain our learner's permit tomorrow (Thursday). They put us up in the LaQuinta Inn & Suites and it is nicer than I expected. I have a roommate who currently holds his CDL and is going through their refresher program. The service at LaQuinta is professional and they clean the room as one would expect if they were staying here as someone on vacation. Very friendly staff.

    The contract requires us to drive for 120,000 miles. I elected not to pay the $3500 tuition for the 3 week of in class instruction they offer and 6 weeks OTR with a trainer. Quality Drivers (Celadon) pay for the hotel room for the time we are in class (3 weeks), breakfast, lunch and dinner at the cafeteria. Or we can eat a free breakfast here at LaQuinta. Scott (Quality Driver manager) reimbursed me the $86 this afternoon, which was the one way far for a Greyhound bus. I just got back from the Pilot and got a check that the attendant cashed for me there. They deducted $3.50 from the check. I will be driving home on weekends. Every Friday, they will give us a $50 stipend. I will be using this for eating at local restaurants.

    Within walking distance from the LaQuinta Inn is about five restaurants like Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, Denny's and Wendy's. The guys that did not drive told me that Celadon will shuttle them to Wal Mart if they need to pick anything up.

    If I do not honor the contract and stay with Celadon for 120,000 miles then I will owe $3500, prorated after 6 months.

    So far, I am extremely pleased with the training, the housing and the food, along with not being required to pay anything out of pocket. That is about all I can think of for now. If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them as best I can.

    I chose Celadon because their main terminal is in my home state and is about 3 hours from my home and they pay for everything involved in getting your CDL like the DOT physical, CDL permit and the CDL license along with housing and food for the entire time you are here.
     
  10. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    Passed my CDL test today for my permit. We tested on General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles. Might be going on the pad tomorrow. Instructor passed out diagrams and pre trip inspection paperwork today and went over material again for students who did not pass.
     
  11. Backwater13

    Backwater13 Light Load Member

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    I forgot to mention something. In regards to obtaining your CDL permit prior to attending Quality Drivers. You can of course but you will end up paying for a DOT exam and the cost of the permit. You can wait until you get there, let Celadon pay for it. My recruiter told me just to hold off on getting my permit until getting to Indy for these reasons and it saved me the cost of the DOT physical and the permit fee which is around $16. I think the DOT exam runs about $60.

    Additional information is here also.
     
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