Week One at Central Ref...(woman's perspective)

Let me throw this out there. We had four guys, three with Class A CDLs that they hadn't used in years and one with a Class B. The Class B guy took the permit test, but the Class A guys didn't have to.

Also, as far as Brickman's comment on the permit and DOT medical examine, everyone in my class that had either of them had to get new ones. One kid got his permit less then two months ago and still had to take the test. Its possible that since the time when Brickman went through Central's school they're changed their rules. Our class of 24 people is very close. We all get along really well and talk to each other about everything. Noone that I know of got to come to school for half price. Only a recruiter can tell you that. I can ask Tony, the head of the school, but I doubt that you'll get in for half price.

Also, the only people that they have been bringing in are people that either have NO schooling or those that haven't driven in 5+ years. If you graduate from another school, they probably won't bring you on.

 

It is true that there is a school in PA, there's also one in California, and rumors of one opening in Atlanta. I haven't heard much about the other location except from one lady who went through the school in California and has driven with the company for two years, I think. Anyway, I'm not sure what's happening at the other schools, but I do know that there is at least one person in my class from Philly, and one from Connecticut. I would guess that they're gonna want you to come to Salt Lake.

As far as the permit is concerned, I don't know that what Brickman has stated about coming to school with your permit and it costing half applies anymore. I would say to play it safe, ask your recruiter, and just wait till you get here to get it. It's gonna cost you $40 to get your permit here in Salt Lake City. It is true however, that you will get your Utah CDL if you pass the class, but you WILL have to transfer it to your home state within 6 months. At the time when you transfer your CDL, you can take the tests for the different endorsements if you want to.

I had a suspension on my record from an unpaid seatbelt violation. But it was back in 2002 and I had paid all the fees and was able to get my license reinstated. I'm sure that if you put it on your application (provided that its been taken care of), call your recruiter when you fax the application back and tell him that it had slipped your mind when you were on the phone with him, that it should be just fine.

I don't know about their hometime first hand. I do know that they want you to stay out 9 - 14 days as a company driver. This also has to do with the 70 hour week and the 34 hour reset. From what I've heard, the Lease/Owners tend to stay out longer stretches at a time, but that may be by choice and not required by the company. It seems that as long as they have advanced warning about hometime needs and vacation requests, they do as much as they can to make it happen.

Here's the thing. Say what you will about Central, so far I have been really impressed with everyone here. People are nice and welcoming and they really do want you to do your best and get hired on. One guy in my class found out Monday night, after our very first day, that his mother had had a stroke the night before. Central flew him home to Atlanta and are holding a spot in class for him for whenever he's ready to come back. Also there was a company driver who's wife became seriously ill in their home state on the east coast while he was running out to the west. He called his fleet manager and they had him park his load while they got him home. Another company driver came out and finished off the run for him.

For me, this shows me that there is at least some compassion coming from the higher-ups at Central. I have yet to come across stories like this from any of the other training companies.

Central doesn't hide the fact that they are a training company. They know that people talk crap about them and other's like them. But they've got a great system worked out and it works for them. Yes, they pay .29 cents per mile for the first six months that you are there, but if you look at other training companies, they're paying more like .24 - .26 cents per mile and where central raises your pay by .1 cent after 6 months, other companies usually wait a year before to give you a raise.

Do the math though, .29 cents/mile x 3000 miles/week = $870 a week.

What other trade can you do with 4-6 weeks training and get paid that much per week? Not many. Trust me, I've tried alot of them! So if roughly $3,400 a month (before taxes of course) isn't enough for you then you should definately find somewhere else. BUT, if you pay $3,000 - $6,000 out of pocket or with student loans to get your CDL from a community college (not to mention the 8 - 12 weeks it takes to complete the course) which is really a better deal? $1,200 paid out to Central over a years time, while you work and get that coveted "one year of experience" or $3,000 - $6,000 to get a CDL and no actual experience? Alot of companies have said that they're not hiring anyone without at least a years experience so I know that personally, I wasn't gonna take that chance. But ultimately its up to you.

Central has a fairly high turnover rate, that it true. Because a majority of people that got their CDL in June 2008 got their year of experience and are getting ready to move on. Also, like Jeff told us, what do we haul? We haul food and beer for the most part and food is definately something that doesn't fall out of need because of a recession.

Alright, test time in the morning. Time for me to hit the hay. Talk at ya later!