Follow me through Central Refrigerated training

Well reason i say it is because the recruiter told me that i would spend a few days at Conley then head straight into a trainer truck because im working locally at a trucking company still driving. Personally i agree with you if you got prior knowledge you shouldnt have to spend money to do their refresher. Just get in prove you can drive and all then get with trainer. Personally i should show i got my CDL since 2004 and they should say okay we see your work history of 3 years driving recently and called company to agree you were doing as you said. your driving record is clean lets put you with a trainer. instead of bend over. no lube.

 

i here ya. The reason i need to do a refresher has to do with the fact i havent been in a truck for 3 years, so i got to do the refresher. I am hired by a few other companies where i just have to do a road test than go with a trainer for 2 wks but i dont really like the companies as much. Also i have gotten into my own head, i havent been in a truck for 3 years and if i screw up on the road test because im a little rusty than i screw my chances to get back trucking. I KNOW i still have it and i would be fine but my confidence is lacking because of sitting at home for 3 years so i guess my only choice is to do the refresher course and have a smile on my face. The class is gonna be overkill but i cant seem to find a happy middle ground so i suppose the choices are a little more limited. At least the refresher is only a 1000 dollars and i should have that paid off pretty quickly at least that is the plan. i know as soon as i get behind the wheel i will laugh that i doubted myself but i am just gonna try to help the other guys in my class with zero experience and try to give them some real advice on how to be successful on the road and help answer any questions i can. I love big trucks and helping people so i will just make the best out of it. Good luck with your trainer when you get to conley and maybe we will run into each other sometime on the road

 

BigRigg, as so many people have posted before me, your thread has helped answer many questions as well as put my mind at ease. I hope you continue to post now that you're on your own, you have many eager viewers I'm sure.
Perhaps you could answer a question that if previously posted I missed:
When you hire on with Central what sort of tax docs do you file? In other words are you hired as an independent contractor or do they take taxes from your pay. When the dust settles, how much of the .32 PM (I think that's the correct rate) do you see on your check.

Thanks again, I hope the road is treating you well so far!

 

Trucknhippie it sucks but you gotta do what needs to be done. On the bright side it will probably be a blast! Insurance is usually what requires this.

I think you will find your choice the right one. Central is a really good company. Sure they have their goods and bads but overall are very well rounded. Central really went above and beyond for my wife and I when we were driving for them on several occasions. To us that was very important! They could easily replace drivers at the blink of an eye but really seem to put some value behind who they hire. Keep your nose clean, hustle and be best friends with your DM and you won't have a problem. Look sharp while attending school and orientation! It goes a long way at Central. Will actually determine what truck you will be issued, so don't be a schlub! Central knows that how you dress and act is how you will portray their company while out on the road. They have always been big on this. This is not a rumor either, straight from the horses mouth!

Well I wish all you good luck! Wish I were in your shoes! Like I said before, keep this thread going it is very informational for newbies. (or anyone for that matter) Plus its a good outlet for me!!!

 

Well i agree most part on what Chompi says but that really goes with alot of companies. You are really their sales man for the company, or really for any company you go to locations for. How you act and dress reflects not only yourself but the company you work for. Thats also why alot of trucking companies also want their trucks to be clean at all times. More professional looking workers shows a more professional company. And when you make them look good they will return the favor and make sure you are taken care of.

 

Chompi thx for your response and i agree with you. I am just gonna try to chalk it up to a life experience and enjoy helping and hanging with the newbies in the class. Also gonna focus on turn points on these diff trucks (Spent lots of time in Centuries and volvo 670's so not sure what i will be driving with CRS) and get the backing muscle memory back. Not looking forward to doing parallel parking again cause with all the driving and challenging backs i did on the road before never came across a real world application of blindly throwing ur trailer around like they teach but i will just stay smiling and get it done. I think it will be fun actually. I DO think CRS is a good choice and after working before with some big companies we all know there is good and bad. How you develop a relationship with ur DM is a BIG part of being able to be happy and i find knowing as many people in the office area doesn't hurt either LOL. Im really good with my decision and i do intend on trying to continue to add any useful insights and info to this thread.

CHompi/ Robngraves : I also agree on how u present yourself does matter. I usually am good with my personality but have to work on the first impression stuff to make sure people there don't just focus on my tattoo's and things like that. Almost always pretty quickly companies are able to see i am a good company man and i have the right attitude towards them and our customers. I'm actually thinking of cutting my hair short so i can keep it looking better for those 5 wks with a trainer since i wont be in charge of my showering routine like i will once i get solo again and i can't stand looking or feeling greasy. Just cause we are on the road doesn't mean we have to be disgusting. Hopefully i will knock it out of the park thru all this training so i get a nice truck if i cant get a columbia then its a toss up between the new international's or those short nose pete's i've seen they have. I leave in two weeks and im stoked. getting everything in order for the 8 wks of being away from the fam's and home

 

Oh some info i got from recruiter today for us guys that already hold our cdl. She told me not to worry about my dot long form because chances are we will be getting a new physical when we get to conley ( if that is ur starting point, obviously) also she told me cdl holders only need to worry about having money for food for the 3 wks of training before we go with a trainer. Now that is for guys like me that need to do a refresher course and not like Robngraves who can just road test and go straight out with a trainer just thought i would pass that information on to this thread. safe driving out there

 

I am scheduled to be in Conley next week, I'm sure that will depend on Hurricane Irene. Once that orientation starts I will start posting the training sessions day by day within this thread as well so we can have that point of view from a different training facility.

 

well what im told can and cant be true. I told them im currently working for a local company driving 18 wheelers and straight trucks. Feb will be 3 years working for this company. Have CDL class A with hazmat. They said that i would only have to take a road test and if i pass would go with a trainer. If i dont then i would do their refresher course. Now when i get there what i really got to do could be something different then what is said to me. as i said before try to get what they say in writing so you can hold them to it instead of being messed around. I would really hate to have a just enough money with me to be there for, say a week, and expect to go over the road with the trainer then when i get there told i would be having to do refresher class for 2 weeks without pay.