Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Central is owned by Swift,,,, correct? If gthey are even a little like Swift I would not go near them.

 

Lady friend type. She said she would ride with me even though I got rid of the W9.

In central Cali tonight, headin to WA.

 

Hey out there this is my first post...
I'm a single father to a 10 year old daughter and we are really close.
I'm set up to be in Salt lake city utah to attend the driving school for central refrigeration. I have a few questions:

Central said I could take my daughter with me (she's super excited) but I don't know how a year on the road would be for my daughter. Is there any time for activities?
If i happen to be back east can I request my days off to be near a six flags or something fun for her? I'm trying to get a feel for the life style and I don't have a problem with home schooling my daughter and would actually prefer it. I know it's work but could it be an adventure too?

How does central treat its drivers?

What is the average pay per week?

In the SLC utah school are there the armed gaurds and 50 people plus class room sizes?

When I'm on the road will it be me and my mentor or five of us and our mentors?

Thanks

 

Ehh.. You can request time off anywhere, it just needs to be 9+ days in advance.. Not a lot of truckstops are near fun stuff.. Pay for new drivers starting off is around 200+.. Till most of you debt is paid off.. Then if you can consistenly run 3k+.. Its usually around 600.. But good luck getting anywhere neak 3k.. Expect 1500-2500 a week mile wise.. I think pay for ya'll is .28cpm? School is school.. No armed gaurds.. This isn't england here.. But there is 50+ usually to start off with.. They dwidle down very fast.. Lastly.. Mentor and you.. Unless he's smugglin his lady friend on board...... The treatment towards you is how ever you make it to be.. Everyone is nice to me when I yell or talk calmly.. But I still can't get miles.. So go figure.

 

We're not directly affiliated with Swift, but Moyes owns us both. Swift fuels at our terminal, but I've never gone to a Swift terminal to fuel. And, the stigma attached to Swift drivers has not been attached to Central drivers.

But in short, we're Swift Refrigerated.

 

you can request home time anywhere, as long as you do it 9 days in advance. Whether Central will get you there on time depends. I've almost never made it home on time, but other people get lucky. Podunk nowhere is harder to get to than Los Angeles, or Indianapolis.

Central thinks of it's drivers as bodies to fill a truck. The turnover rate, like most companies that hire students, is high. If you quit, they can fill your truck as soon as they can get it ready. It doesn't matter if you've been with them a month or 10 years, you are expendable in the end. They're not going to fire you for every little thing, but you're also a number. Half the time your DM may not knwo your name, or can't put a truck number to your name.

Pay per week is whatever you're getting per mile, time about 2000 miles per week. I think pay is 28 cents a mile? Also, take out about 15% for taxes, plus the fee for school, and more for 'security deposit' lock kit, insurance, etc. Also, expect good weeks and bad ones, milage isn't consistent lately.

No armed guards. There is a security guard who patrols the lot, but that's to keep people from breaking into the driver's cars on the lot. There are 10-25 people in your class, but how many you have depends on how many come to school, and how many make it to the end. You might start with 25 people and end with 10. you might start with 15 and end with 15, it's luck of the draw.

When you go out, you're out with your trainer. Trainers aren't given specific, special loads, so you'll end up with whatever runs they put you on. With my trainer, we went across the southern part of the US, and across the 80 and 90, and places in between. My co-driver went mostly across the 70 and back on the 10. I've known people to be stuck in the western 11 for their entire training. It's luck of the draw.

 

I can't get milage regardless of how I act. When we push, we sit. When we don't push, we get loads with lots of time. When we don't expect it, we get drops and have to run like hell. The problem is trying to not expect it, because it's like losing The Game, when you think about it, it's all over.

 

Well everyone I hopefully will be starting Monday next week. Got the call this morning and Jordan said everything looked fine I'm taking my laptop computer so hopefully I can keep everyone updated. How is wireless out there do you have to pay at all the truck stops or can you get something that covers everywhere. Should I get a mobile broadband card. Does anyone have any ideas about them who is the best etc. Good luck to all happy trails
CntrySngr

 

I'm hoping for the best. Me and my daughter have no bills at all so as long as I can get a CDL and put food on the table I'm happy. I hope within the year I'll find a local driving job with a beverage company, ups or maybe the county. I'm hopping the need for training and a CDL will turn into a great adventure for us. I told her she can pick the first "home time" place. She picked disneyland and with no bills it might just happen.

 

Finally got to meet 1Bad. Nice guy and he really likes his new job!!!! He's paid more money but is also a 1099 worker.
Air cards- I've had bothe AT&t and Verizon. AT&T sucks!!! Lots of places I went with them either had no signal, slow signal, or "your about to attach to a roaming network" which means kaching!!! Only twice have I got that msg with Verizon, so far, both in Oklahoma, and supposedly the msg can be ignored with Verizon. Yes I still find spots that don't have 3G but..... overall, happy with them.
Most trk stops will have a hotspot set up but it will cost you. You can get it by the hr, 24 hrs (continous), and monthly. It will only work for that chain of stops. IE Pilot, Loves, Flying J, etc. Sorry but don't know what their rates are.