Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

i havent been on in awhile i was curious if mikley found work or not cause i know of a company in modesto running into canada from salinas and oxnard that is hiring 1 driver for 42 cpm home after every trip

 

I started working at a small air freight company in SSF. Its a little far commute since i live in Tracy

That sounds like this place that I have been emailing with some manager or recruiter based in Lathrop. I applied for dispatcher and he replied and said he just hired a dispatcher and now looking for a driver. They cover 11 western states, AB and BC Canada.

 

Didn't think you'd like loading them after driving them. You like most here are a road warrior.

 

What company was that, I'd be interested in that job.

 

I also drive to the airport

 

im going in there tomorrow to talk to the guy, if i dont get it because of the crap central put on my DAC that i need to have taken off, ill tell you what company it is.

 

Well actually, they are switching everyone all their trucks to Electronic Logs, I am already on it. So as far as forcing you to run Illegal they can't argue with that. Personally I would prefer paper logs, the way I like to run but that's not my point here.
Second why are you couting on them to pay fines?? If I were to get a ticket it's my responsibility, to pay it myself. I wouldn't trust another company, not these guys, Central or Werner to do it for me.
As for Bonuses, when I was at Central they cut out all bonuses, so I never saw a dime of safety pay, I never got fuel bonus anyway, and they cut out on time delivery, so those aren't even a issue for me as I never saw them to begin with. But a bonus should be just that, the only thing I could count on was my milage pay. Oh and did I mention I live in Dayton, Oh area and for Some reason Central thought Ohio was near Oklahomaor to get to Ohio from Texas I needed to go West.

maybe because I live so close to the yard in Columbus, Ohio getting me home hasn't been an issue, I have been home twice now, first for 2 days to do a restart, then over memorial day for 3 days. Hasn't been an issue for me.

Third, I do believe that nobody is going to have a perfect experience with any company, but they way I run, and the way I approach my job helps. I keep the left door closed, drive when the elog tells me to drive and sleep when it tells me to sleep. I stay on top of my hours and make my log work for me, it can either make me money or cost me money, and I am definantly making money.

So I am happyI have yet to have a week of less than 3,000 miles

In fact the trip I am on now, I loaded in Carrollton, TX just made my first stop in Billings, MT, then I go to Spokane, Wa for 2 stops, Payllup(sp) Wa, and then 2 in Tacoma. A little over 2300 miles. What a way to start a week, I have enough time to squeeze in 2000 more miles before payroll cutoff.

But I agree about Doug being a hothead, I have heard the stories, but in my dealings with him he has personally thanked me for doing my job and basically saving his ### once. I can't remember how many times I had to bail out a dispatcher or planner at Central and my reward was not so much as a thank you but often ended up sitting for no reason. I don't expect that, but it's nice to know someone appreciates your hard work. Just keep rewarding me with miles, and I'll keep doing my job.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with them, but for now I'm happy and can say looks like I am going to be here awhile.

 

I never worked for them.
Central is where I started driving and remain. Everyone I met at the 3 terminals are good folk. It's all about one's aura that determines how one is perceived and treated.

The guy complaining about them not paying violation was off base.
Good you are happy there. I never got the bonuses either until they gave them back. They took them away when I was in training so it is sweet to get them back. The safety bonus $575 a Q was always there but in the beginning I only got the required miles once. Now I hit the bonus mileage target the first 9 weeks of the last 3 quarters so miles have been good and the $575 is nice. Not much detention or stop pay for me but OT adds up.

Good to hear you are satisfied and the job hopping is over. The loss of earnings between jobs takes time to recover so settling in is a good thing and your experience will keep the heat from the hothead away from you.

Like the long timers say, one must find a company that works for what they want. Some don't allow inverters and that is not for me as an example.
Well, one of my stocks is weakly bouncing back from a 20% tank/consolidation shake out week so that is my loss of earnings for the moment. You know how that goes.

 

ok, i misread it, I thought you were complaining and while I was researching the company, I saw that thread, but I realized that there was only really 1 or 2 people complaining about them. I talked to a few drivers and overall they are happy here.

As for being more than a truck number, I'm kind of an old school guy. I still bank at a local independent bank, whenever I go in the tellers recognize me, I get greeted at the door as Mr. Bigrig. There is an old saying "Percepetion is reality"

When I started looking at small companies I didn't understand this concept. My girlfriend who has worked for mostly small companies since she left Central sold me on it.

The atmosphere is more laid back, and the perception is that your dispatcher and load planner really cares about getting you miles. Having only 60 trucks helps so they aren't overworked, or trying to cover two fleets when another DM is on vacation

There is also less "red tape" if I run into a problem there is someone I can call, instead of being told "That's not my department" or "call someone else" Someone will help me get the issue resolved

So another thing that I find is I feel like I have a stake in the success of the company, meaning since we are a small company, anything I can do to save them money the better. Routing myself around toll roads when it makes sense for one, trying to fuel where it is cheapest, and taking more pride in my equipment.

So for some a big company works, for other it's a small company. Having only worked for big companies, I will have to see this is a new experience for me, and I am liking it.

 

Good you read that thread and aware. Small companies are good if you latch onto one, more flexibility when unexpected situations arise and all the good things you mentioned. If I could find one after I buy this truck then lucky me.
Meanwhile keep us posted occasionally on how the 'other half' does it.

Be well...