Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

**difference-maker** · 04.21.2010

Originally Posted by Dark_Majesty_06

Ya know oldnewbie.. I wish a lot I had went with tmc.. If you able to tarp and what not.. Think about their school.. They have flat bed, drop deck, curtain side.. They have john deere accounts.. You can either get paid percentage or by the mile.. Their super strick.. But drive beautiful 379s and ugly 387s.. They seem like a nice bunch..

My brother in laws brother works for them and he seems to be doing ok. Last time I talked to my b in l he said he was getting good miles and getting home on a regular basis too.

They may be worth checking into.

**Dark_Majesty_06** · 04.21.2010

I would go there (tmc) any day of the week before I went to central.. I don't even think they have a l/o program.. Plus you get to stay in shape.. I've been out here going on a year.. And I'm so outta shape.. But all I do is drive, sleep and walk around my truck a few times.. And trust me.. That comes nowhere close to tarping a load..

I mean centrals fast to get thru school.. But its crazy bad if you get the wrong fm.. I mean.. BAD.. Ask anyone of our vets here that eventually left.. Some weeks.. Don't be surprised if you can't pay your 100 dollar phone bill..

On the up side...... On the okay side.. You get decent equipment if your lucky.. Some fm will run ur butt off.. And you might just get a payroll clerk that doesn't try to steal from you all the time..

**JustSonny** · 04.21.2010

Originally Posted by Dark_Majesty_06

Ya know oldnewbie.. I wish a lot I had went with tmc.. If you able to tarp and what not.. Think about their school.. They have flat bed, drop deck, curtain side.. They have john deere accounts.. You can either get paid percentage or by the mile.. Their super strick.. But drive beautiful 379s and ugly 387s.. They seem like a nice bunch..

TMC isn't hiring out of my area right now. Story of my life these days! Thanks for your reply. I wish TMC was a possibility, they have a good looking safety record!

**JustSonny** · 04.21.2010

Some of the info I've dug up on-line leads me to think that Central is moving more and more towards L/Os and O/Os. True?

**biermann58** · 04.21.2010

Originally Posted by Oldnewbiegonnabe

Some of the info I've dug up on-line leads me to think that Central is moving more and more towards L/Os and O/Os. True?

I know they would like you to be a L/O. They keep contacting us "Company" types to say how much we have driven and how much more we could make if we were an L/O.
That assumes you get the miles and know how to manage your own business, or even want to be one. There is a cost to "ownership" and you'll find a lot of folks learn they will never really "own" the truck.
If you run team or want to become a trainer perhaps there is enough money to support you, but even so, I am sure there are better opportunities than Central in that regard.
As a company driver, I am averaging 5-600/wk Net. I have medical and dental. Not even sure how good that is because I havent needed it, nor am sure I could make and keep an appointment. So far this company has gotten me home late 3 times and not even this time. I was supposed to be home yesterday (WA), but sit without a load in Dallas, TX.
Sorry about the wordy answer, but you had inquired as to these other items too.

**JustSonny** · 04.21.2010

Originally Posted by biermann58

Sorry about the wordy answer, but you had inquired as to these other items too.

The wordier the better. I'm info hungry right now. Thank you very much!!!

**JustSonny** · 04.21.2010

Does Central cut into your paycheck for idle time? If so, do they only cut into it for really excessive idle time or are they somewhat lenient?

Do you have confidence in Central's financial stability? Central survived the worst of the recession (thanks to Jerry Moyes??), any signs that the recession weakened them to a point that survival, even during an upswing, is questionable?

**jjranch** · 04.21.2010

Well i am here in Galveston waiting to get loaded it cost 75 bucks to have a blue vest with a piece of florescent green plastic strip tied to my mirror and be escorted 300 ft to park walk 50 feet to a window 50 feet back to the truck and another 100ft to back into a dock. Guess it would pay to get a twic card. well take care and keep on a truckin. JJRanch.

**biermann58** · 04.21.2010

Originally Posted by Oldnewbiegonnabe

Does Central cut into your paycheck for idle time? If so, do they only cut into it for really excessive idle time or are they somewhat lenient?

Do you have confidence in Central's financial stability? Central survived the worst of the recession (thanks to Jerry Moyes??), any signs that the recession weakened them to a point that survival, even during an upswing, is questionable?

I know of one driver who they tried to charge over $100 last winter for excessive idling. His bunk heater was inop. Don't know the final resolution. Lost his number with my phone. He doesn't follow this forum.
Financially, I believe they're ok. They make good money with their CDL mill. That said, I have heard, but not seen buku L/O rigs that are being turned in due to failure. If that is true Central would be on the hook for those leases. I have direct deposit, so no bounced paychecks, yet.

**Lastkidpicked** · 04.21.2010

Do you have confidence in Central's financial stability? Central survived the worst of the recession (thanks to Jerry Moyes??), any signs that the recession weakened them to a point that survival, even during an upswing, is questionable?

I'm the perfect person to address this for you, my friend. I was driving for Dick Simon when we went bankrupt and Jerry bought us. It didn't affect my day to day job at all. In fact, my logbooks still had the Simon logo up until the day I left Central.

So when Jerry bought us and adopted all of us Simon drivers, then I guess it made us all step brothers and sisters. Except Smadronia, who I think is the only other Simon driver still left on this thread.