Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Thanks Can't get anywhere without a little hard work and determination.

As far as not believeing what's being said here on the boards, I can believe and understand it perfectly well. Things have changed, and for the most part it isn't for the better. Although I won't know the full ditch of what I'm getting into until I'm in it, I can still have a general understanding of how hard things may get. If those changes have already taken effect, I as well as other students going in after the fact can at least say we hadn't really had anything to lose, since we hadn't been working under the previous rules. We might not be making as much as before under previous rules, but it'll all just be new to us. I'm just saying I like trying to be optimistic anyway. It's just my personality.

 

If central training doesn't work out for me... I'm looking at Stevens Transport in Dallas. They don't have any upfront... but they don't have free room either (they will add it to your loan... lol)

Stevens was my second choice until I found Central... then it became my Third. First is Watkins and Shepherd... but they require a lot up front. So if Central does not work... I'll be going to Stevens... I am approved for both.

I didn't like Stevens "Dumb and Dumber" (two students teaming) period. But since that is gone now and you only have 8 weeks with trainer... sounds good. (Plus I think that 8 weeks of training will be better than four... but longer before you make money) They pay 350/wk training and 100 more if you help unload.

 

Last questions how many questions are on the Utah CDL test, which exams do you take and what kinda trucks does central give to students after they do there 4 weeks of otr do they choose or is the truck already there?

 

No disrespect intended, but who has indicated that they did not believe? Maybe I'm reading the posts a little differently? I've been lurking in the Central threads for a few years and have come to value and respect the opinions of the longtime participants.

Maybe I should feel fortunate in this regard. My recruiter (Sarah), IMO she is more of an entry liaison at this point since I initiated contact instead of vice versa, informed me of some changes, i.e. CPM and training pay, after I had inquired about some other matters concerning training.

I do understand the frustrations. I'm the first to slam my current employer for their current employee relations. 10% pay cuts, eliminated bonuses, 401K down the tubes, etc... and then they admitted that is was only precautionary even though profits remained steady. Meanwhile new Jaguars and high end BMW's appeared in executive parking, VP's bragging about their new houses, etc.... Yet after 4 years of increasing responsibilities I make no more now than I did 4 years ago? (Insert expletives here, use your imagination as to what I would say, I was a sailor for two decades so I know some that would make even impolite company cringe)

In conclusion, I'm not saying what any of these companies are doing to their employees is right. In fact it's downright wrong and in some cases possibly criminal! Us fish down at the bottom of the barrel are being smothered while the sharks on top are feasting on the chum.

Sea faring folks at this point would wish y'all Fair Winds and Following Seas. I'll modify that for the road.... I sincerely hope you receive the miles you deserve and smooth clear roads to travel them on.

 

Nope.. don't choose. Nope... probably not already there. I have read about students waiting (sometimes a week) to get a truck. You are probably looking at getting a 06-07 Volvo. That is mainly what I see in there yard as I used to drive by daily.

Tests consist of (I think) 50 questions each. You have to take the General Knowledge test, the Combinations Vehicle test, and the Air Brakes test. I would recommend starting to study now. If you google "Utah Drivers License" you should see the Utah Drivers License website and there is a link for handbooks. You can get the CDL handbook in PDF form and start studying!

All knowledge tests may be taken two times in one day. The tests are NOT open book. If you fail a test and choose to retake the test the same day and fail it again, you will be allowed to retest the next business day - for an additional fee.

Hope I helped... not many people are on at 2 in the morning!

 

The trucks are assigned to you automatically, and most likely you'll be given a company Volvo 670/780. Other trucks are only available to L/O's. At that point, you can then have your pick. As far as the test goes, there could be anywhere from 50-100 questions on the test for each section. Follow Chipper's advice and get your handbook in PDF. They're all the same for every state. I started studying a few months ago and study about 3-4 hours a night, spreading it out about 30 minutes to an hour a piece. Study and take a break, then go back to studying. Your brain can only retain so much in a short span of time, so over doing it will just kill everything, lol. I regularly take the practice tests online, which are multiple choice like the real thing, and I've aced them multiple times. But that's just from good studying and keeping your brain fresh on everything. A reeaallly good website you can check out is http://www.testprepreview.com/cdl_practice.htm . It's broken down into the key sections you'll be tested on, based on what endorsements you'll need (you wont need all of them, like passenger, tanker, or hazmat, so only study what will pertain to you) and they're multiple choice, so it gives you some very helpful study material, and a good idea of what to expect on the real thing.

 

does centeral go to colorado alot????

 

Stick with just the 670.
Company drivers do not get 780s. They are big and heavy, and have way more room and comfort than Central would want there company drivers to have. Unless nothing else was available and they could get no L/O to take it.

One reason I think Central is making all these changes is because they know that the number of driving jobs out there is not what it use to be. They know it will be hard for one of there drivers with less than 2 years to go somewhere else and get a good paying job right now.

I left Central last year after a year and a half. I had no real issues with Central, I had good DMs and was on Kraft for a long time with a set route of over 3000 miles a week. Now my flatbed company that I have been with since last year is hurting.
NO steel is moving and we are sitting. Last year was the companys biggest year since they started in 1936. We bought allot of new trucks and were running our tails off. Now I am laid off (since June) and 14 of our 25 trucks are sitting in the shed. We will be going again by the time the snow flys, simply because JB hunt will not run some of the routes we do in the snow so we will pick up there freight. But it is a bad time.

Before I was laid off I was having to deadhead back from Detroit, Chicago, Jersey, and one time Bangor. The freight in those areas was eather not there at all or paid less than a dollar a mile. I get 20% of the load, which normally our rates were 2.00 on up. Espically for oversize. Was making good money and home every weekend.
Now I am sitting at home on unemployment makeing 450 a week lol. Waiting for the economy to come back.

 

Haha, will do. I figured both models of Volvo's were standard to company drivers since it's what I had heard before. 670's are still nice though. I guess it depends too on who drove it last and how well it's been taken care of. I can still imagine some people just don't care too much for the trucks they get and trash em' up pretty good

 

I had 2 older Volvos while I was at Central.
The first had the Cummins engine. Ran great. Great fuel economy. White in color so was not so hot when parked. Mechanical issues were minimal. I am very good with my inspections. I have never been dead on the road for anything other than a Trailer Tire blow out. (Pressure was good when I checked lol)
Second Volvo was a year or so newer. Volvo engine. Ran ok, less power, less fuel economy. Black in color so hot when parked. I liked the super singles on it, they worked well in the deep snow where I parked the truck when home.

Mechanical isses.
Well...not too many serious ones. But numerous. Most just regular wear and tear.
Starter went out. Thermostat got stuck open, so no heat till replaced (even with cardboard over radiator).
Front end suspention had to be replaced on first truck at around 300k. Bushings went out. So bushings, springs, shocks everything went out. 1 day fix, 2 more days waiting for alignment shop to be open in Conley.
EGR valves went on both trucks. When they are going make sure you report it and get checked while in a far away place lol. So you can have fixed on the road. It is a warentee job. But at Terminals you will wait days and days to have done. If you are at a dealer on the road they usually have them replaced within 24 hours.
Water pump went on one.
Radiator overflow tank went. DON'T slam the hood lol. If the bushings are worn out on it the hood will hit the tank and can break it on the bottom.

Last but not least is Electrical. There is a common issue in Volvos with wireing to the ECU. It goes bad at around 250k-350k. It will start with truck almost shutting down, feels like a hickup almost, surging of the engine. When this starts you need to get fixed fast. If the engine stops while at 60 mph you will have issues. No power steering, no air compressor working, no Jake break, ect. It is common in Volvos.

The big thing with a truck, new or older. Do good inspections. Really check those brakes regularly. They are easy to adjust. Get a guage for pad thickness. They do not cost much and it will help keep the DOT off your rear.
Carry an air hose that hooks to your glad hands. A good one runs around 50 bucks. But this will save you allot of down time to flat tires on trailers and tractor. Check the air if it seems low. If low add some. A low tire gets hot. A hot tire blows out.

Once you know your truck. If you hear something that sounds odd. Find the cause. If something feels funny, most likely something is wrong. These are all things you learn with time.
If you have a loaded trailer and you get a flat tire on it stop. Do not crawl and try to get to a truck stop 20+ miles away. Stop. It is against company policy to haul a load with a flat. If you do so and there is a problem, fire, or anything else, it will be blamed on you.
If the load is damaged when you are driving a load and maintance tells you to run with the flat to a truck stop. You will still be held at fault.

Just a few tips lol.
Good luck