Follow me through Central Refrigerated training

Your right it does depend a lot on how comfitorable the trainer is with the student. I don't think I could sleep the first week with a new driver, no matter how many miles I could get. You cant take it with you and you are more likely to get there pushing a student too hard while your in the sleeper.

 

If you're still looking for a co-driver in 5 weeks I'll look you up. Live in Renton, just finishing orientation tomorrow, got the A last Monday, and hope to get out soon.

 

Bigg Rigg great post thanks... I have had my cdl for bout 3 years been driving for a buddy in a 4 car class b car hauler.. I was accepted to start cr englands refresher course the 18th of this month.. After reading bigg riggs thread started leaning toward central.. I talked to a recuirter yesterday ask some questions picked his brain called him today hes emailng me the info n apps.. To be honest though bigg rigg n anyone else who can answer this ? After reading bigg riggs post on the the atlas n map test im one of the ones who would fail.. Is that a deal breaker ? Sorry for dumb ? Just dont wanna go in and make a fool...

 

Grizz pm me and we will talk about it.
Bnmbh the map test is a big deal, but as long as you are humbla and willing to learn you will do fine. You will have 4-6 weeks on your trainers truck to learn this stuff, you will also have to compleat 5 trip plans on the truck. If you are not getting it by week 4 let your trainer know you want to stay on the truck longer, they will be happy because you are not a super new driver any more, thus they will make more money with less work. If they do not want to help you remind them that they donot get their bonus if you do not pass the map test. Then if you go in and fail the test they will ask if you want to go back out for 1-2weeks or go home. Go back out. You can fail 3 times before they tell you to go home, thats 9 weeks of one on one training you can do it.

 

is there someplace there you can do pre map tesdt too get the feel of the map test, i never done map test, i just look at map and go

 

If you can look at a map and determine the best way to go your close. You now have to determine how many miles you will be driving, how many driving hrs it will take, how many total hrs it will take (including breaks) how far to find fuel (they give you fule stops you just need to determine how far it is to get to them from a given location. Perty simple really

 

I just found this thread and started reading I'm only on page #8 , I'm surprised on the lack of all this information the recruiter should be telling me . I'm set to start July 9th and was told to call him at the end of June so he can have my DMV record pulled just before I leave.

I already have a Ca. CDL and passport so I guess I don't need to bring a birth certificate or social security card but now I wonder if I should bring every dam document and record I own just to be on the safe side. Unless he was going to tell me at the last minute at the end of the month about having to have phone numbers and addresses of 4 references that would be nice to know before I get there.

I don't think I have ever had to fill out a 27 page job application ? What more can they possibly want to know that wasn't already on the first online app. what kind of info do I need to bring and know?

When they already have your info why wait until your there to run your background check ? Why not do the weeding out first instead of having them start a class then send them home because their info don't jive,is that to save money to make sure they show up before they do a background check? ....Curious Minds Want To Know.... Plus thanks to all the drivers & people who post on this forum with information you can only find here and other wise never know about until it's to late.

I just want to have all my ducks in a row before I get there and make sure I have all the information I need because I don't have a rolladex in my head and I really don't trust much of the info the recruiter has told me about certain things.

He told me yah they pretty much let you take the truck home on your hometime...I know thats Bullxxxx.
I was told since I had a CDL the refresher course would only be $1000 and payed off if I stayed a full year,$2000 if I left early I asked him twice are you sure about that and he said yes. Doing some more research it seems it maybe $1500 if I stay a year and $3000 if I left so at this point I'm not sure what to believe,does this sound right?

I have a funny feeling the quoted $1000 is bullxxxx because I havn't found evidence of anyone paying $1000 so I'll probally get screwed on that.

 

Love this thread have read it a couple of times very informative! If I cant get on with local intermodal that does CDL training (TSL KC, MO) then i think that central is my first or second choice. Have heard alot of recomendations for TMC too not sure about securing my own load though.

 

Best thing you can do is believe NOTHING a recruiter tells you, other than when the bus will pick you up and where orientation / refresher is going to be held. Then bring every stitch of paperwork, whether or not they've seen it, with you.

The background checks aren't done until you get there simply because they're expensive and there are a ton of reschedules and no-shows. They're not trying to send you home. That wouldn't sever any purpose to either you or the company.

The other thing to keep in mind is that a starter company's job is to give you rudimentary training and put your but in a seat. After a year, sometimes two, you have your pick of most companies just by asking (provided you have a clean record and a good attitude). Basically it's best to get the job, put in your training time, and your driving time ... then if you're still not happy with what they have to offer ... move on.

 

I guess that makes perfect sense why spend the money on a background check if your not sure that person is even going to show up and be a no show. It looks like only a year ago the pay for the 5 weeks out with a trainer was $450 a week now it looks to be $375 for weeks 1-2, $425 for weeks 3-4 and $450 only for the 5th week.

Has anybody gone through training recently who came to the school already having a CDL? If so was the cost less than what you would pay for the complete course without a CDL which is $1500(If you stay a full year) or was it the same price no matter what? I was quoted a price of $1000 so I'm trying to verify this as I can't find any info on a refresher/course only their truck driving academy training. Thanks...