Follow me through Central refrigeration training 2.

Thanks! I have some endorsements, hazmat, tanker, dbls, metal coil and passenger to keep my options more open both initially and going forward. I have done considerable research here and on other sites. I have applied and received offers from Roehl, Watkins Shepard, Maverick, Conway and a local company called Wadhams which hauls gas. I turned down offers from Millis (they wanted me to pay another $2500.00 for their school after I graduated. ?? lol ) Werner (follow the threads), Stevens , Usa Trucks (low money),Trans Am (hard sell to lease) and USXPRESS. Ultimately I will work hard for whomever I decide upon but I'm leaning towards Wadhams (ARG) as it's local and the pay is great. My second choice would be Watkins Shepard hauling glass. I am in good shape and would like to flatbed to be honest. Maverick drives only automatics but would probably my third choice if it comes down to it. Right now I'm waiting for my background check to finalize my hazmat requirement and hoping the opportunity with Wadhams/ARG will be there when it comes through. I'm single and have traveled alot overseas but not so much in the US. I've done ok for myself and have nothing keeping me here. Ultimately, 5 to 7 years from now, I'd love to move to Hawaii where I have a friend that is partners in a restaurant chain and tend bar a couple of nights and drive part time. We'll see how it all plays out... I have developed a tremendous amount of respect for the professionalism of the overwhelming number of drivers that contribute here and on other sites. I look forward to becoming one of them and will do my best to do so. Any insight that you or others have with regard to my deliberations will be appreciated.

 

FYI: The CDL practice tests on this site were extremely helpful

 

Bluestraveler...the only outfits I can comment on are Roehl, Watkins Shephard, Werner, and Stevens. Of those, I would be deciding between Roehl and Watkins Shephard...based on the research I've done. However, I'm not sure what their requirements are for newbies like myself as I could have gone the route to go to a school and get my CDL but I'd also have zero experience. My decision to go with Central was based on a number of items to which I am satisfied with my decision. As for the Hawaii gig, I wouldn't blame you for doing that as I'm half Hawaiian. However, it is expensive to live there and the restaurant industry is tough tough tough...I spent 15+ years in the industry but...to each their own because it can be great (and was for me at times).

Anyway, let us know how things go for you.

 

Training Day 3, Oct. 3, 2012

Another day another dollar...oh wait, I'm not getting paid for this yet.

All class work today - reviewing test material, watched some videos - nothing like Star Wars or anything. The biggest thing today was taking the 'Final' practice test...that had at least a thousand questions on it. Ok, I'm kidding - it didn't have 'that' many, but it did have...let's see...around 200+? If you've studied and listened in class, you should be able to do just fine. Again, three sections - "General Knowledge", "Combination", and "Air Brakes". I passed no problem at all so I would suspect that tomorrows 'real' test at the DMV (yes, tomorrow is ACTUAL test day to get our CDL Permit), is more of a formality. Still, I will study some more tonight to make sure I DO pass the test tomorrow.

Not sure what is on tap for the rest of the day after the DMV...other than more class work?? I do know though that once we have our permit, we can start driving so looking forward to that.

Ummm, let's see, we still have everyone in the class that we started with (apart from the initial day drop off). Background checks are completed though, and the written test 'could' drop some people. Everyone has been doing pretty good though so hopefully everyone will pass. Some of the practical work now (PTI, Driving, Backing, Shifting...) could get difficult for some...maybe - only time will tell.

Oh, that's what we'll start on next, the PTI (pre-trip inspection) - fun times ahead......

 

Training Day 4 - Oct. 4, 2012

Test day today...time to go to the DMV and see if you can remember what you've learned/gone through. Well...we all passed!! Some barely passed, a few had to take the test over (same day), and others did very well. However, a pass is a pass so it's all good! Interesting though...we all passed but I think we lost one guy today - he was there for part of the afternoon but then I didn't see him for the rest of the day. If he's not there in the morning, then we're down one...for whatever reason.

The rest of the day was about switching gears - switching from a classroom setting to getting ready to start in the trucks. Since the testing takes most of the morning...well, not that the test takes that long, but from the time you leave for the DMV, get through the DMV and then get back, the morning is pretty much shot (since you are going down there together as a class). So the afternoon we went back out to the trucks, we received an explanation of what we would be doing tomorrow (backing - straight line and offset) and someone showed us how it is done. We get to climb in the trucks tomorrow and do it.

We then visited the store (in Bldg 2) - nice little store...shirts, hats, jackets, goodies..... We then went to go visit the 'War Room' - coming from a tech industry perspective, the war room is very cool!! Screens on the wall projecting today's loads, tomorrow's loads, and the next few days. A screen for the weather, and then the load planners, the DM's and others all work in the room. It is a room that you've got to go see when you come to WVC. It really puts things into perspective on the logistics of everything...and reminds me that I don't want to go back into the tech world right now. I mean, the room was very cool, but for me, I'm not up for sitting in front of a screen all day with NO window to look out of. I understand the kind of work that everyone in that room needs to go through so my hats off to them...they do a GREAT job.

Anyway, that's pretty much today - TEST day and getting ready to transition into getting onto the trucks.

A word about going to the DMV...and Central's 'organization'. In my opinion, going to the DMV and getting through that process was smooth sailing. Before leaving to the DMV, everyone is told exactly what is needed and everyone is to place all docs together, in order. When arriving at the DMV, the workers there know exactly what to look for and 'know' that everything they need is together all in one place. I saw some other people there (don't know if they were getting CDL or not) that they were looking for this doc or that doc...a lot of wasted time because they weren't prepared. Central does a good job on getting everyone prepared and things put into proper order. It seemed like the people down at the DMV have come to expect this out of Central and everything seemed to go really smooth down there for 'most' everyone in the class (there was one person that ended up with a flag on his license - one that Central didn't see but UT did...he ended up getting it taken care of...and passed as well).

So, we start backing tomorrow and then shifting on Saturday (rookie road). As a heads up to others looking into Central - when you go through the class, it is a '6' day a week class - the only day you have off is Sunday so don't think that when Friday comes that you'll have the weekend to kick back and relax.

Anyway, so far, the training in my view is very systematic and very effective. In my opinion, this training is being done better than many 'tech' company training procedures so kudos to Central on that.

 

Appreciate your posts DinerMan.

I am scheduled to start at WVC on the 22nd. However, as I've posted in another thread, I'm still in physical therapy (PT) dealing with an injured right shoulder. Will see my doctor this coming Wednesday. I don't think the WorkWell will give me a problem...just want to be as healed as I can be before leaving Virginia. Because my CDL school certificate was dated August 31st, if I end up missing my scheduled start date, I'll probably have to take Central's Refresher course.

Keep the posts coming!

 

Thanks Man! I will keep ya posted, please do the same, and I'll know what I'm doing in the next 5 to 7 days. Can't wait to get started!

 

Hope all goes well with you Nottoway - let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I can understand having to go through all the PT work...my daughter had torn her ACL a number of years back...a LOT of PT to get her back to full strength to be able to participate in school athletics again. She is now on a Fastpitch Softball scholarship at a JC in NV.

Anyway, take care.

 

Yeah, I've really struggled in making my decision on whom to start with as well. I got eight preHires including Roehl, EPES and Central. (Stopped applying.) Everyone's situation is different, and while EPES (out of Greensboro, NC) would have been the best money and probably home time, I didn't want my required year in OTR to just be spent running up and down I-95 here on the eastern seaboard. Central gives me the opportunity to really get around the country. I feel my family is understanding.

Looking forward to getting started!

 

Thanks Dinerman, I'm coming along well. Have plenty of strength. Just want to regain more "motion" and continue to reduce the pain. Looking forward to hearing more about your training!