Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Thanks Passion! Think I'll try your suggestion. While I had originally talked with Jeremy, I will try to get another recruiter on the phone. Like I just posted to ARFrost, while my school was just a CDL school in my opinion; they do claim to be the largest in Virginia and are even accepted by EPES...not a bad reference. I do have some natural ability and did drive a little (self-taught) back in the late '70s. But I represent myself to be no more than a newly graduated student driver. I do need more experience, especially in OTR training.

Thanks to everyone, once again!

 

Thanks Jarhead, I needed a good laugh.

 

i got my class A CDL in 1992.
I drove with my cousin for a few months, did not like the road and could not hire on at many places at 21.
So I went home and drove local. Paid my way thru college driving local. Played with that for a couple years. Then drove again, since it was better money.
Did not go OTR again till I went to Central. I had local experience in class A and B trucks. Mixers, tandom dumps, trailer end dumps, bulk trailers, lowboy, flatbed, you name it.
It was not OTR though. So nobody would look at my experience when I decided to go over the road again.
So I went to a school where I had more experience than most of the instructors. And did training with a trainer for a few weeks at Central that I had over a decade more experience than my trainer.
It is just how it is.
The industry wants the drivers with local experience, because they know they are better and safer drivers. But they also have the game down so they do not have to pay for it.
I have driven at least part time 17 of the past 20 years. And never had a ticket or inspection violation in that time. This is not counting over weight tickets lol.
The company's like to say this is due to insurance requirements. This is not true however. But they do get a discount for drivers being in a good school program recently.

BTW. My school was better than you will find anywhere now. The schools were fully certified and accredited 20 years ago.
They were high enough level that students could get government student loans and grants to pay for them. And lasted 8 weeks or more. Full days, 5 days per week.

 

Yes, I had a current CDL and many years experience driving all types of trucks. Could have taught at the school very easy. But company's to not recognize anything accept OTR as experience for pay.

 

Another thing to think about, one year is nothing. It disappears in the blink of an eye. I'm out here because you have to have experience to move up. I don't know how to sit still and Central actually communicated with me when I was researching my options. They got me in, I enjoyed the fast pace of the school. I can't imagine having to sit through people grinding through 3rd and 4th gear for any longer than we did in Utah. And right now I'm very glad I started in the spring because I've had all summer to get familiar with hauling 80k lbs and I'm not as worried about the snow as I would have been. It's coming though and I'm wondering what it does to your mileage in the Midwest. Not looking forward to starving come Christmas!
But it is what it is and I'm sure I'll push through it. Next year I'll reevaluate and see what other opportunities are available. (always wanted to fly a crop duster!)

 

hey Arkansas Frst: had you ever searched out PAM from northwest Ark? Are they a worth outfit? i have been looking at them and central refrig...any comments let me know....

 

Is there a place for valuables, at cdl school in Fontana, that can be put under lock and key? I will have my iPad and a couple other things I do not want stolen from the class room. Also, is their coin laundry at the school, or do we do it at the econolodge motel? Thanks.

 

Thanks ChromeDome, ARFrost, Passion, 6pak and all the rest! I look forward to getting a Central recruiter on the phone Monday and get a more definitive explanation of what all they will require of me regarding training and cost. I'll ask them to look at my certificate and transcript as well. Then I'll post here to let everyone know the results. Thanks guys!

 

SO WHO ARE THE JACKA&&Es THEN?

 

No place at the school it's self... However you can check with the Econo Lodge, sometimes they can 'hold' things for you in the back office. Also yes the Econo Lodge has laundry, and so does the terminal/yard... The hotel though might be the easiest though, because you can do it on your 'off' time.