Going To CRS

Hey Bootlegger,

Good to hear the updates from fontana/riverside. I'm geeting ready head down there in 2 weeks. It sound kinda strange to lose someone after going through the physical, drug testing, dot physical and getting your permits at dmv. He/she must have had second thoughts on joining central or trucking in general. Keep up the good work and I will hopefully be seeing you out on the road.

 

When are you getting here?

 

I should be arriving on Oct 4th. I'm still debating between driving or jumping on the greyhound. Did anyone in your class bring their own vehicle? It would be nice to fill up an ice chest with affordable food and drinks.

I can handle some fast food now and then, maybe eat out at denny's once or twice while there too. Any ideas on your part to make it more affordable would be appreciated?

 

Some people drove in. It is nice to have an extra vehicle around for getting to the classroom or the range, the shuttle bus will only hold 10 per trip.

To keep costs down, bringing food is a good idea, the rooms at the Econolodge have a fridge and microwave. There is a continental breakfast in the morning, but it is nothing much to speak of.

Within walking distance is a K-Mart, Food-for-Less and several restaurants nearby, pizza, denny's, subway, etc...

You will always have a roommate, it may be a fellow student, someone awaiting a trainer, or someone waiting to upgrade to go solo. My first roommate was a fellow student (gone the 1st day), 2nd was upgrading and waiting for his truck, 3rd is a fellow student again. You are better off if you have a fellow student as a roommate so you have someone to study with. But there really is no choice in the matter.

Come prepared to take the written test! There is no time to teach you if you don't know anything yet. The classroom instructor will do his best, but he is limited by time before you go to the DMV on Wednesday for your permit. If you've been studying the General, Combination and Air Brake sections and have a good understanding, then you will do fine. They will give you a pre-test before you head to the DMV so you know what to brush up on.

Basically the first three days are hectic.
Day 1: Physical, Work-Well test, and paperwork. Ensure you bring your SS card and names and numbers for references as well as things like previous addresses etc... Basically everything you've put on a form for your recruiter you will be doing again.
Day 2: Info on General, Combination and Air Brakes and pretesting.
Day 3: DMV for your permit in the morning and logbooks
Day 4: Pre-trip inspection info, more logbooks, and instructional videos.
Day 5: Now you are on the range! Straightline backing, Pre-trip, Airbrake inspections
Day 6: more of day 5
Day 7: off, but prepare to be studying for day 8

Be on time! Get sufficient rest, listen and be attentive. Be prepared to commit yourself completely to this class. The fewer outside distractions you have the better off you will be.

Hopefully, by the time you get here I will have just left. Graduates from our class should be leaving on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd to go out with their trainers. There have been a few exceptions of people waiting a little longer.

If you need anything else just let me know.

 

hi there im in Phoenix im leaving tomorrow for the 18 hour bus ride, mario is my recruiter did anyone have him? he didnt tell me much. im going into this blind but I am ready for a new career im hoping and praying I make it im really nervous here especiallly when i hear about that those who didnt any info would be helpful im leaving phoenix tomorrow.
any info would be great . can someone go into depth whats the work well is . i havent been in a gym years im not really out of shape but Iam 42 . how are the miles are they that bad? marios said between 2500-3000 how accurate is that

 

Are you going to Salt Lake City or Fontana?

Work-Well is basically:
blood pressure check
pulse check
balancing on each leg
ability to squat (and get back up on your own)
stepping up (and down) approx 24 inches 4X.
lifting 25lb from the floor to a waist high shelf 3X
repeat 3X at 50lbs
repeat 3X at 75lbs
25lb from waist to eye level 3X
repeat at 50lb 3X
repeat at 75lb 3X
carry 25lb approx 50ft 3X
repeat at 50lb 3X
repeat at 75lb 3X
pull test minimum 100lbs of force
push test minimum 100lbs of force

during all this your heart rate is monitored.

I'm about your age and was able to do it. Then again I'm retired military so it really wasn't any more strenuous than a typical PT test or session that we used to do in the units I was in. But I spent a few years behind a desk since I retired as well.

 

I like the idea of mobility, but what would i do with my truck when I head out for training? I'm just trying to analyze every angle prior too leaving for Fontana.

 

There is a parking area at the terminal, however I don't know if I would leave my car there, but I live 80 miles away and my girlfriend can take care of the car for me.

 

Hey everyone, just wanted to take the time to say thanks for all the info in this and other post about Central. I have been driving with a class B for about 15 yrs and just recently decided to make the jump up to the "Big Boy" class! I am very excited to take the next steps to becoming a member of the trucking family, I have nothing but respect and admiration for all that you guys do. I have read all the pages on central and for the most part it all seems positive (some Negative as to be expected), I do not however have any delusions of becoming "RICH" doing this but since I only make 350 a week now there is no big deal, and I really hate my current dead end job! Anyway enough rambling just wanted to say thanks.