Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

what are some good east coast company's that take newbies? i have my cdl and went to cdl school here locally in Rochester NY??

thanks in advanced

 

Hey Petey. I too only recently graduated from CDL school here in Virginia and got my CDL. The only recruiter that came by class during my month (as a full-time student) at school was Werner. Their big selling point was they claim to be a debt-free company. You can see from my previous post the companies that I have applied to and received preHires from. There were also two flatbed companies (TMC & McElroy) that turned me down but I believe it to be because they don't hire on the east side of I-95 in Virginia.

It is pretty rare to get hired on as a trainee at anything other than 1st tier (entry level) companies. It's interesting (& unfortunate) how this industry has developed/evolved. Starter companies (bottom feeders) who take on trainees for peanuts knowing they'll be gone within a year AND that there'll be three more standing in line, fresh out of a cdl school factory, to take their place!

One company that seems to rank as a second tier outfit is Epes Transport in Greensboro, NC. Their 3 day orientation is followed by 6 weeks OTR training. They will selectively take on graduates, but apparently only from certain schools, mainly in VA and NC. Having said that, maybe you could talk to a recruiter and see if they'll accept your school. They post their pay rates and acceptable schools online.

I'm also considering Roehl. I like the fact their Phase 1 training is an intensive 8 day course of classroom, yard work and local road. Phase 2 is 9 to 13 days of OTR training where you do not operate as a team, but as true instructor/trainee up to a maximum of 14 hours/day. They post their pay rates on their web site as well.

I know it's important not to be naive. Getting started will be very tough. I have, however, been around long enough to not get talked into a lease/operator program. I ran a business for many years and one of the things I'm looking forward to is NOT having so many of a business owner's responsibilities. Kinda looking forward to only having to look after myself. In time, if I choose to buy a truck, I'll finance it privately. If that weren't possible for someone, my advice would be to stay a company driver. These are incredibly dangerous and uncertain times.

Have you applied anywhere yet? Where? It's been recommended to get as many preHire offers as possible. Nothing like having options!

 

I have students now company and L/O's still working for Central 2 of witch are girls both doing a great job I may have 1 more girl still there most of the guys did there year and moved on. Central is a good place to start and I know
drivers that do ok with there lease but I would not tell anyone to try it or not. If your single and you can stay on the road for long periods of time you have a chance of making it.The first year anywhere you go will tough after that it's up to you. There's not one company that fits everyone call it trial and error. Central has a number of dedicated accounts that do well as do other companies once you start anywhere seek them out after 6 months try and go dedicated .Centrals Coors dedicated work well for me and there always on the east coast PA VA GA FL ARE STATES they pull from Millers bought out Coors so we pull for them Elkton W Va Eden NC also Albane GA. I may have spelled that wrong. Best of luck.

 

yea unfortneley epes is out of my hiring area. i have 4 prehires central ref, werner, us express, and roehl. the only reason im not going with roehl is i wont be able to pass there hair test ive been clean for 8 months and don't want to risk that going on my DAC then ill never find a job. my buddy leaves for werner tommarow he seems pretty confident hell like it even after all the horror story's. us express i heard if your not a team then you get screwed on the long haul. so idk im so confused on who to go with i guess ill put all 3 in a hat and pick one

 

wow forgive me on horrible spelling sent it before spell check

 

Yeah, I see on their hiring map that Epes only hires out of the SE quadrant of NY. Problem (for me anyway) with USXpress is most of their fleet is Auto trans (even though I hear they're going back to manual 10 spds).

Idk Petey. Central starts at $.28 and gets you to $.32 @ the one year mark. I have another question about them myself: What % of their company drivers REMAIN company drivers vs go on to be L/O's? Their web site really sets up the program as if you are expected to lease on to them.

I have another question about the industry in general: If you are able to finance your own truck (after a year or so) independently of the trucking companies, what is the best way to operate? Sign on to a carrier? And/or if you were to go for your own authority, what would be the best way operate?

Lots to consider. Some days I identify more questions than answers!
I just hope to find resolution to my felt delima, make a good decision and get on with it!

 

i hear alot of drivers just say no to the lease at central that's what i plan on doing there if i go im not leasing if i were to go that route i would finance a truck threw a third party and be an actual o/o. the thing that scares me is the recruiter said they have 140% turnover rate which is huge ! idk what to do i just don't want to make the wrong choice and in 2-3 months from now be kicking myself in the ### for not going with the one i had in mind in the first place.

 

Know what ya mean...my thoughts exactly! BTW, how old are you? (Don't see it on your profile.)

 

yup... you spelled it wrong its albany. the co i pull for now hauls outta that place. we do beer loads going to the troops overseas. there is also a decent resturant at the albany miller brewery and a bar too. they keep it on the down low but its there.

 

im 24 think ive made up my mind and am going to stick with central