Well have a safe trip and a safe 4 weeks on the road. It has been great talking to you. Hope you meet him when you come in.

Take care....

That Mexican gut truck is the only reason to go to the Salt Lake terminal.
I need a burrito now.
They are really really good.
But I have not been to any terminal accept Conley (Atlanta) since December or so.
Weekends the shuttle driver is a central driver who's truck is down for whatever reason, they can run the shuttle and get some extra cash. Most likely the driver is like me and will not answer a phone call when driving for any reason. But who knows.

Glad he got there.

Chrome,

If you don't mind I have a couple of other questions for you.

1) Do you need to have your CDL permit before you go to training or do you get it there? I have a class B cdl so all I have to take is the combination test.

2) Does Central require you to get the Haz-Mat endorsment?

3) How are the trainers? Or is it just dependent upon who you get? And are most of the trainers company drivers or lease or owner operators?

4) Once the inititial 2 week training is over-is it 4 straight weeks on the road or is it broken up with a chance to come home in between or are you basically out for 6 straight weeks? Also can the 4 week training be completed quicker is it it pretty much 4 weeks for everybody?

5) How much stuff can you set up in the trucks on your own? CB, Fridge, TV/VCR et?

Thanks again for all your help-you are very knowledgeable.

I had my class A already. I went to a driving school in 1991, drove over the road for a few months with my cousin. Did not like it at all (only 21 wanted to be with my friends).
I have driven on and off over the years. Mostly class B straight trucks, but some class A trucks here and there.

No hazmat is required. We do not haul loads that require placards.

Trainers are hit or miss. It is my belief that most are just in it for extra miles, and do not try very hard to train. Many will push to get you driving as many hours as possible from the start. Trucks are dispatched as team trucks, not as solo for the first few weeks, like I believe they should be.
Most trainers are Lease Ops, a few are company drivers.
There are some good trainers. That really want to train you to succeed. But sadly many are not.

I was with a trainer for around 10 days. Because I was just there for a refresher course. My trainer had me running full out from day one. But when I was too tired I told him this, and we would swap or park. This only happened 2 times.
They need to get you to where you can run 10 hour days while in training, you will need to be able too when you go solo. Also, make sure that you get your backing in. It is hard to get as many as the company asks for, but do all you can. You really need to be ok at backing when you get out on your own. You will not have a spotter allot of the time when you are solo.

For training, plan to be out the full 6 weeks without home time. If the trainer needs to go home for the weekend, eather you stay with them, or they are required to pay for a hotel for you. They will not get reimbursed for this, but it is company policy. Most will try to get out of paying. If so call the training dept.
Some drivers that do well are done in 3 weeks with the trainer.

You can set up your truck as you like. I would not suggest having a real fridge installed, they are expensive, and a cabinet must be removed to install them. There are many 12v coolers around that work well. The Colman is nice, but really too big. Get a smaller one, that will fit in front of passenger seat or under bunk. Some are small enough to fit inside the L side cabinet.
CB is needed. Many of our shippers/ receivers call you to get a door, or to call you to office when done.

I also have a 19" flat screen. Xbox 360. Laptop with internet card, DVD player.
I use a 1500w inverter. Cannot remember if this is larger than they want us to use or not. I did not really care though, since they would not install it for me. So I did it myself. A real fridge would probably take a larger one though. This powers my xbox with no issue though. If I had to do it again I would get a regular 13" TV. The flat screen will fit in the TV spot, but I really cannot see it well at the angle down to my bunk, LCD screens are just made for straight on viewing, and since the truck is not mine, I cannot build and install a bracket to hang it on the wall.

Reading about the shuttle makes me laugh because that is the SAME EXACT way it was back 10 years ago when I started with Central (Simon at the time). I remember the other trainees saying, "If this is the way the whole company is then maybe we should look somewhere else."

Ten years later and the only thing that has changed is the logos on the door of the shuttle.

Okay, Central Drivers, I am now going to give you the very best piece of advice that I have ever heard:

This is a hard job, but it gets easier as you go along because you start to learn the fuel stops, weigh stations, and shippers and receivers. Truly the first six months are the hardest and then it gets much easier. The best piece of advice I have ever gotten is this:

Pick a person-- your spouse or your parents or your best friend, and tell them that you are going to stick this out for at least six months no matter what. Ask them to help you keep that promise.

You will find that after the first few months of getting to know where you are going, the job becomes much easier. Just get through the first few months and you will be all right.

Lastkidpicked,
Simon(Central) Tractor 1357

He lastkid how are things in CO. I've been tru there so much these past weeks it's like being home again hehehe. I want to post my 4 weeks of experiance but don't have time now but will do before the night is over.
I'm sitting in SLC right now doing some laundry then a shower some food and back to the computer. Anyhow saw you were on so I thought I'd say Hi!

Take care 6pak.............................................. .......

__________________

Like my boss used to say keep that old cab over runnin she's still got a mile or two left in her.

and remember freedoms like a dollar sometimes you gotta fight to keep it

Well, my hubby finished his first day there. He passed the physical and did all the paperwork. He said he met a o/o last night who was really nice and showed him his new truck....lol...Two guys already went home today. He was gonna take the shuttle back to Wally World to pick up a few things. He did finally try the roach coach outside and had a burger he said. So far, so good. They take their written test Wednesday so i have my fingers crossed. He found a study book there last night and was reading it. Just figured i'd let you know he made it through day 1. Hope Dragon finally got a trainer and checks in soon.

Tell him to find 6PAK and to get the big burrito tonight.
Not a regular one, the big one!!
My mouth is watering just thinking about it, yummmm.
I see all these new guys and it makes me wish at times I was a trainer. But then I come back to reality and remember that I would rather not go to the west coast, and that to train properly it is important to hit at least several large mountain ranges. So, it will not happen. I just love teaching about things I love.
I was a ski instructor for 7 years because of that.
Good luck.