Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Good to see a man who enjoys a good Irish beer. I sure miss the Guinness at my local in Bundoran.

Great thread guys, been thinking about Central also after a lot of research. My main concern is having no work history or driving record in the US. I have a letter from my employer of 9 years and my irish driving record of 8 years but don't know how thats gonna fly.

Great to get a blow by blow account of the school as well.

Keep yer heads clean and between the hedges.

 

I don"t have a pure bred chihua hua but I will have chihuahua ####zu mix any day now they will be small maybe at the most 10 lbs fully grown. Mom is only 7

 

I have a ####zu/yorkie/maltese mix, ugliest dog ever but she is very lovable =)

 

Hey question for you guys, if you are sick, can you take a sick day or do you have to drive through it? I imagine those days are miserable. I am sick right now, but being the loyal employee I am fighting through a sinus infection at work.

 

Could anyone tell me how in the world you would fail the Work Well Test?? I was just over at a friends, who has a Smith Multi Home Gym in the basement, which is where I've been working out at. The walls are lined with shelves too (makes for great practice). I loaded up a milk crate-like basket with 50, then 75lbs and rehearsed lifting onto the shelves, and walking with the weights. Maybe it's just different for everyone, but it was pretty easy for me. Sure it's a little work, but it's not hard with determination. The 100lbs push/pull was also pretty easy to accomplish. I guess much of it is cardio as well, which also should be in good shape. Just had to get that out there... I'm done, hah.

 

Hey Chip, don't sweat the small stuff.
And its all small stuff....lol

Driving a truck is not exactly easy, but for the most part not extremly hard eather. Getting the skills down for proper shifting, turning, breaking and backing are what takes time and is the real safety factor.
I respect when someone goes into it with a little fear. This is a good thing. The ones that go into it thinking it will be a cake walk are the ones that scare me and are a danger.

A few drivers here and there get into accidents as students or right when they finish training. Most of these accidents are minor and the parking lot type.
The big accidents occur in the 6 month to 2 year time frame.
This is when some drivers get over confident. They think they have it all down and know it all. This causes issues.
Also long time drivers like myself get into a ton of very bad accidents. As soon as a driver looses a health respect for the road and the truck he/ she is a danger. You always have to respect the road, mother nature, and the size/ weight of your truck.
If you loose that you are an accident waiting to happen.

I think the miles should start to go up for you guys some soon. The biggest issue is just to #### many trucks on the road driving down rates. Though with low rates will come some lower prices for consumers and maybe more goods being purchased.

Lastly for you guys in school.
Keep your heads up, no looking at the ground. As they said in the Army "there is no discharge on the ground"
If you have a respect for the truck and pay attention you can do well.
And a little hint if shifting gets the best of you. Shift using your fingertips.
You cannot grind a gear or force it using your fingers, and it allows you to feel the slot better. If it does not go where you think it should, let the RPMs drop a hair more, if that is not it then bring them up and try again. No big deal. Nobody can shift 10 gears correctly the first time.
Though if you listen to the instructor, and shift at the RPM they tell you to, it is pretty easy.

Good luck. If you have questions then put them here. With a few of you in class I will try to read these every day, and I know that JJ will also.
If we can make your training there easyer with tips here we will. You are sort of a number there, you are a person here.

 

Hello all,
I just recently separated from the Navy and am surprised by JUST HOW BAD the economy really is. Because of that, I am looking into trucking. There is a truck driving academy on the other side so now I am looking into Central. What is all of your opionions regarding Central? Coming from the military, I know that every job has it's good and bad. My MAIN concern is mileage. On average, what is to be expected straight out of training? I am not interested in leasing from the company. If I want my own truck I'll go O/O. How is it being a company driver?
Like I said, my MAIN concern is mileage. If I can pull MINIMUM of 2,000 a week my bills should be fine...but that would be it..by the skin of my teeth. Can I AT LEAST expect 2,000 a week realistically?
Thanks for the help.

 

Sick days what's that! You drive through everything. 1bad has been sick for a week and rolling on!

 

All depends on your dispatcher. But we have had many weeks way less than 2000 some over. It really really varies week to week.

 

I have a quick question, anybody know what the fuel prices are Central tweets???