Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

They can put that on your DAC and that's something I wouldn't want on there. Get your husband another alarm clock so he has a back up. Most newer trucks have alarm clocks built into them.

 

I highly recomend he get a SCREAMING MEANIE alarm from a truckstop, he won't oversleep again

 

I had one of those. I think I eventually ran it over because I couldn't handle it anymore. I hated that thing. It will get you out of bed, and out of the truck if you jump high enough when it goes off.

 

Written up in this case means that they recorded his service failure. Every driver has a record with Central on the computer, as you'd figure they have. They record important events in it, even minor ones: minor accidents, attending safety meetings, altercations, late loads, etc.

First service failure is a write up. If he only gets this one in the next 6 months or so, don't sweat it. I had one once, same problem: had a meat load, overslept, was 2 hours late. Was unloaded, but because it was a meat load, and therefore a really big deal, my boss called my co-driver and I up, and told us if we service failed another load he'd fire us. Since he wasn't just a dm, his threat carried some weight. However, he went against company policy doing that, so I got it reduced to the first warning, which is written, and being told of it.

If your husband service fails again, it will depend on the kind of load, and what the service failure is. Service failing for mechanical or weather is different than oversleeping. And the kind of load matters: with meat or McCain, there's a lot less leeway. Those are big accounts, too many service failures costs us those accounts. So, if there's a second service failure in the next 6 months that could have been prevented, expect his Dm to give him the same lecture I got: do it again and we might have to fire you.

Don't worry too much about it. I have seen a couple people's records that were full of service failures, and they kept their jobs. One guy had 9 service failures pinned on him in 6 months, and he stayed with the company another year before leaving. He had a pretty lengthy service time, but I've also seen folks here less than a year with a list of write ups, and they stuck around.

 

I spoke to a recruiter today from Central. She says once I am done with training, and I go solo, I could get home every 2-3 weeks, depending on how often I wanted to get home. I know that alot of companies will say that to get you on board, but reality is different. Will Central really get me home within every 3 weeks if I request it?

 

communication is key, give them ample notice. also remember with ANY big company you are just a peon, the more home time you request the less money you make. the more picky you are about home time, the less miles you get. just like any job, it's all about politics.

 

I have one and love it except for once. I had set it to wake me up I got up early load was ready and I headed off to get it. Forgot to turn it off and in the middle of rush hour traffic in Chicago the dang thing goes off. No way to reach it from drivers seat and no place to pull off and go back there and shut it off.

 

a lot of that depends on where you live if your really close to a major freight lane ( i.e. I- 80, I70. I-40, I-75, ETC....) yes it is possiable to be home that often . but i don't recomend going home that often as it takes time to get back on a schedule where you actually make money. the week you go home expect low miles cause they have to route you there. the week after hometime is usually slow also cause now you are having to build up miles. so expect only 1 good week of pay if you want to go home that often. centrals policy is only 1 day off for each week out.

 

The other thing is the more home time you request the shorter the loads you will get, because they have to keep you close to home.. Short loads means low income..

If you are looking to get home every 2 or three weeks you might want to consider a different occupation.. I wouldn't want to see you amongst the disgruntled masses..

 

To all you new drivers new to the game from old school. After being out of the saddle for awhile a lot new laws, good and not so good are on the books like or not point said. You will learn some point in time that there are good and not so good trucking companys to work for. But you will have to get your foot in the door somewere good or bad and stick with it with the suport of your mate. My first school of hard knocks was in 1977 at North American CDL Training Acd. (not on the map now) closed the doors in the 90s?in Newark DL. Just out of the Army from Ft Dix ( nasty) Nj point said. At that time not many OTR schools on the map yet,4 wks of that and i though i knew almost everything - WRONG!! and being a Vet Nam eara vet My stuff didn't stink -wrong again!.I found out the hard way being new to the game nobody would give you a chance i mean nobody. You had to have plus exp! NYC had a hard CDL test to pass so i moved to Fla. no road test to pass thats right! No road to take. got my CDL's now not so fun part- the hard knocks you had to make it or not . Point being made is this go to school learn everything you can,do what they say to do and don't be ####ey keep that crap at the house. After working mostly as a Heavy equp mech for the goverment ( civil serv employeer ) out of work , no job now due to cut backs .I glad i still have my CDL's Being out of the Saddle for more than 5yr i need a refresher with Central Refrid. after checking around since aug 2011 out of work no mech's job at my age ( 59) i'll be glad to go back to learn and get a job with someone who will give me a chance. Things will get better out there you'll see,make the best of it while you can and keep God in mind he put you here on earth and thank him for your job, health or you wouldn't be driving truck. Keep the respect for your fellow man out there and yourself, keep your family close and never for get our lord god. If you do he'll forget you and it will be hard for you out there i know that first hand point made !! Best to all in the saddle Happy Trails SLAPPSHOT