My experience with Central Refrigerated - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Russ Brantley · **^ Top** #1 06.17.2008

I have a Class A CDL, but I do not have any driving experience. I applied to Central Refrigerated. They called me the next day and offered me a job. Because I don't have any driving experience they want me to go through their 2 week CDL school. It costs $3000. I told the recruiter that other companies (like schneider) will pay me while they train me. He told me good luck and hung up on me. I don't mind going through extra training, but I'm not paying for it. I don't look down on this company because of the one person I talked to. I may apply for a job again someday, but I only if I have driving experience.

Baack · **^ Top** #2 06.17.2008

Companies will pay you while you are on the road training
But most will not pay for the class room part
In fact you will not even be considered an employee at that point
But they will still want their 3 grand pass or not

B & J · **^ Top** #3 06.22.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ Brantley

I have a Class A CDL, but I do not have any driving experience. I applied to Central Refrigerated. They called me the next day and offered me a job. Because I don't have any driving experience they want me to go through their 2 week CDL school. It costs $3000. I told the recruiter that other companies (like schneider) will pay me while they train me. He told me good luck and hung up on me. I don't mind going through extra training, but I'm not paying for it. I don't look down on this company because of the one person I talked to. I may apply for a job again someday, but I only if I have driving experience.

Central doesn't pay you while you are in class but they DO pay you when you hit the road for training. It's my understanding that most of them work this way.

sanityfree · **^ Top** #4 06.23.2008

If you have a Class A CDL, I don't understand why you need to go through school anyway. Training is one thing, but school again is entirely different.

Baack · **^ Top** #5 06.23.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanityfree

If you have a Class A CDL, I don't understand why you need to go through school anyway. Training is one thing, but school again is entirely different.

Hiring a driver is a calculated risk for the company and is insurance company
That risk goes way down with schooling and training
They will see you as a newbie after a set amount of time that you have been off the road

Russ Brantley · **^ Top** #6 06.24.2008

Schneider calls it training. They said I will spend 2 weeks in the yard backing up, parking, coupling/uncoupling, etc. They will pay me $300 (I think) per week. Central Refrigerated calls it school and wants to charge me for it. I need the training because I have no experience, but they are crazy to think that I will pay for it. There are too many companies out there that will pay me for this training. I wonder if anyone else had this experience. Was it just the recruiter that I talked to trying to pull a fast one? Maybe he gets an extra bonus or commision if he gets me into the school.

ChromeDome · **^ Top** #7 07.07.2008

If you have a class A CDL and not much driving exp you have to take a refresher course. That is 2000, not 3000 at central.
If at Schneider you are just doing the practice you are talking about then they are lieing to you. They have a school also, and they charge for it. If you have a class A, they have a refresher also. They charge for it. Then they put you with a trainer for 2 weeks, this they will pay you for.

I would almost be willing to bet hard cash that if you have no real driving experience, or even just local driving experience not over the road, that Schneider will require you to pay something for a refresher. Unless you are a recent school graduate.

Russ Brantley · **^ Top** #8 07.12.2008

I'm excited to say that I start at Old Dominion on July 21.

Thank you for your replies.

ChromeDome · **^ Top** #9 07.15.2008

They have a terminal about 2 miles from my house. I have not really looked at them though.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Trucker Forum	Replies	Last Post
central refrigerated	tkr2hrt	Experienced Truckers' Advice	4	1 Week Ago 04.43 PM
Central Transport (not Central Refrigerated)	whtlinefvr	Trucking Jobs	31	07.26.2009 10.05 AM
Oh Central Refrigerated, why do you keep doing this to me?	Sad_Panda	Report A BAD Trucking Company Here	14	06.17.2009 01.59 PM
Warning about Central Refrigerated	Pather	Report A BAD Trucking Company Here	3	06.17.2008 05.45 AM

Truckers' Trucking Forum/Message Board - The Premiere Truck Driver Forum

The Following User Says Thank You to ChromeDome For This Useful Post:
Quexos (07.29.2008)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)