Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

I would be more concerned with why the drivers that "graduated" to their own trucks are leaving, rather that how many get sent home from orientation.

Some of that quick turnover rate may be due to a company. But when a driver shows up at orientation and can't pass a whiz quiz, or they find out that he lied on his application, you can't blame that on the company. It is simple math. The greater the number of people you are hiring the greater the number of idiots you will have to send home.

 

This is kind of an interesting question.... With me setting here in Fontana, in the last two days, there has been three trucks that have came in and the drivers have just walked off.(that I have seen) Don't know if or how much information was given to the Company.

 

The ones I know of that left after passing everything were for several reasons. Not making enough as an owner op (don't get me started on that), didn't feel comfortable in a combination vehicle (at express1 now), wife had medical issues (at fedex), wanted to work the ranch they inherited (now with crst), not making enough (back at his original job), 3 had better opportunities (most regional). There were several who graduated and yet couldn't get in a truck because they couldn't shift.

 

We started with 10, 4 washed out or quit before graduating, 3 quit in the first couple months, and 1 just left after a year and 4 months. There are 2 of us left.

From what I've seen, there are a lot of different reasons most people don't make it to a year, and a lot of them have nothing to do with the company. Some people know they are going to quit after a certain amount of time to get that experience to move on, some get burned out, some are just waiting for another opportunity in another field, some miss their families...most just find out they can't handle or don't like the job. Not everybody is meant to drive a truck.

Me, I love driving and every day presents another challenge. I also live by "The grass isn't always greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it." Sometimes you just have to be patient and willing to work.

Most guys I talk to get miles between 1500 - 2000 miles. As a Lease Op I would go nuts if I was getting those kind of miles, its just not worth the effort. I always tell guys to research a couple DMs and try to get on a good fleet. Believe it or not, even though the planners are all the same, the DM and their relationships with the planners can make the difference between killer miles and "I wanna go home". I usually end up with about 11k - 13k miles a month, which adds up to about 3k a week average. My DM knows I run hard, legal, safe, and on-time. In the end means more miles for me. DMs will prioritize their trucks based on those categories because your miles not only affect you, they affect the DM. The best drivers get the best miles. It makes sense. If you can't deliver a load on time at or near 100% of the time you will lose higher priority loads to other drivers who can. Also, your hours make a lot of the difference too, you have to be able to manage your available drive hours to maximize your availability. Keeping yourself within the boundaries of the rules in place, whether federal, state, local, or Central rules, will keep your miles up. Keep your logs legal and run the legal speed limit. I've known too many drivers getting fined or hurt (or worse) for stupid, preventable mistakes because they wanted to be a super trucker and try running too fast or too long.

I know most of you know this, but for those of you who don't, these are the reasons some guys make a killing and other just don't get the miles. Be a driver that your DM can count on and I guarantee you will see bigger paychecks.

 

Thanks too all for the input, hopefully this perspective will help all know what too expect

 

Thanks Jessjuju, yes it has been awhile since we have been there so you are right things do change and I am speaking from what we experienced. Sorry to Mamamia I was just trying to give you some tips to increase your miles. If you are running over a 1000 that is awesome! Like you say you can only do what they give you. It is kind of sad if that is what they are giving their teams for miles now. We loved driving for Central and they on many occasions went way above and beyond to help us which is why I recommend them. That was very important to us that a company would do that. Our experience was a little different then others due to having a planner instead of a dispatcher. I know things have changed there now but when we were there we ran 7000 mile weeks constantly! It was all we could do to catch our breath. We actually got reprimanded monthly because or maintenance was always behind due to running so hard.

Not sure who Lex is but sorry if I offended him, just trying to offer help. I often confer with Chrome because he is experienced and had left Central more recently then I did. He is a little more apt to know what their current situation is.

 

Finally got another trainer. He will be here around midnight tonight and we are heading out first thing in the morning. Sounds like our first load is going to Missouri.

 

My hubby has been on for almost 6 months. The company has its ups and downs as any other company does. The advice on this thread is solid. From what I hear, Central does have a high turnover. They are not the best place to company drive, or l/o. But they do offer a competative package for getting your foot in the door as a trucker. For the most part, all of the truckers we know that do their job to the best of their ability is reasonably successful within the company (for a new driver with no experience), and also find themselves randomly finding connections through truck stops etc for bigger better jobs once they have some experience along with a good clean record. Neither my hubby nor I have any real complaints with the company thus far. They are what they are. You make it what you will. Good luck!

 

Well said ptw.

Chompi, lex (lextec, aka chris) is my husband. He drove before and came off the road. He is most of the reason we are as successful as we are. Without him, whooo, I'll just say things would be way different.

Also, we were told most husband/wife teams last less than a year and then are heading to court. My suggestion (coming from a hot headed woman - just ask 6 pack), not that anyone is asking for it, but there are two compartments to the truck. If you are angry remove yourself to the other compartment to calm down, and respect it when the zipper goes down quick. I know it sounds dumb but that zipper can be like a slammed door, and trust their are times shipper (especially kraft and wal-mart), other drivers, etc will have you on the brink.

 

I am looking to find out where the terminals are in the southeast. I know about the one in Conley Georgia. Is there one in North Carolina or South Carolina that may not be listed on their website? I thought I heard that there was one in NC, but I'm not sure and can't find any info. If not, then I assume since I live here that my home terminal would be the Conley one?

Thanks