Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Central does not own he Trk, they lease it from paccar. So now you don't own it either. The do operate the Trk yes. They tell you what loads you can haul period. You can turn one or two down, but you can't haul anything that is not there load. You can't take your business anywhere else unless you get new equipment.
Central has more or less complete control of what you do with the Trk. They claim that they are your customer yes, but if they were truly your customer you would also be able to find a new customer if you choose to. The only way you can do that is by taking yourself to a new company. All the equipment stays with central. Not really a customer to me, more like an employer.

 

Again, this isn't too much different than when I ran my own business. I contracted exclusively with a single company for a while. As part of the deal, I could not contract with anyone else during that time. But, since there was a very lucrative prospect on the table (A contract to totally revamp the security at a Mallinckrodt campus site) I chose to engage in the contract, despite the fact that I already had done work for them before and didn't really care for the owners. During that time, both they supplied they and their customer supplied me with certain tools that I didn't have and at the time couldn't afford to purchase like boom lifts and fiber testers (in the early days of fiber). I also didn't have to develop my own supply chain because that was taken care of. If I had chosen to leave, I would have left that (and the lucrative income) behind. My main commodity was expertise and if I chose I could take that anywhere. So can any driver. One of the main differences between my situation and an employee's is that the terms of my work were governed by a contract.

 

Your comparing apples to apples try apples to oranges as there is a big difference who you worked for and leasing a truck from any company. I would agree with you if you did a lease tru an outside party then leased the truck say to Central. You now have control of your truck and you could take your expertise elsewhere as well as your truck. There are so many companies to choose from it would make your head swim.

Now for a good note one of my friends still with Coors took home last year $90,000.00 she was second in the highest paid solo drivers. Another friend took home over $60,000.00 last year also a solo driver both drive Coors dedacated. $5,000.00 a month after expenses not bad yes both work for Central one for over five years the other for over four years.

It can be done.

 

6Pak is right its like comparing Apples to Oranges We lease our truck to F2F we find our own freight (works for us) we also have our own customers and earlier this year we parked our truck for 6 weeks and drove a specialized truck for 6 weeks, the difference was we get to set the price for that service ..... must have done an OK job because they have already contracted us to do it again next May!

Now thats freedom and we would have a very hard time going back to a company that controlled you, thats why we chose a company like F2F, We will also own our Dry box when we make the last payment so if things went south we can take our truck and trailer and go elsewhere...not that I see that happening as we are very happy with F2F!

On a side note we paid $7500 for a 97 classic and put another $10,000 into a rebuild on the motor it can be done and it was done working for a company that ran 7 western.

 

I think in a lot of ways, what you are doing is more different from a lease at Central than what I did as a Contractor since the main point was control. I could not have left the position I had and gone somewhere else and done the same thing. I did not have the equipment. I would have had to engage in another contract that offered the use of someone else's equipment. In the same way, an individual can leave central and engage in a lease with someone else. But, if control is what is desired (and isn't it always?) using it as a stepping stone to get to the kind of position you have doesn't seem all that bad, provided your in a position to deal with the down sides until that can happen.

On that note, does anyone know anything about Sammons? Supposedly they offer leased trucks and provide some loads, but you can (and should) pick up any load from anyone much like an independent. They are flatbed only though.

 

sammons doesn't offer lease trucks. and you need 2 years 48 states.

they used to help you buy a truck. but not anymore.

unless they changed in the last 30 days since i called.

 

I guess their website is behind the times then. This is from their Lease Operator section.

• No down payment or up-front cash requirement
  for our truck lease to own program
• No fixed payment
• Past Safety Performance (PSP) bonus - up to $1,300
• Standard Sammons Independent Contractor Agreement:
  • 75% of 100% of line haul, plus 100% of fuel surcharge, tarp and stops revenue
  • An additional 5% on LTL's that compliment a full truckload
  • Line haul percentage increases to 75.5% after one year
  • Annual bonus program up to 4% of truck gross profit
• You take home 26% of truck earnings (excluding fuel surcharge)
  • The remaining 74% and fuel surcharge pays the truck operating costs; excess pays down the truck balance
  • When truck balance reaches $0, Sammons hands you a title, and you become an owner operator
• You choose your loads from Sammons load board, agent freight, and public load boards
• Your choice of available flatbed or step deck trailer (weekly rental)
• Advisors to help you through the lease to own program

 

I just heard back from a Sammons recruiter on their board. Apparently they do still lease with no plans to stop.

I want to wish everyone an early Thanksgiving and say thanks to those drivers who will be on the road for the holiday. Your efforts help ensure a happy holiday for all those who can celebrate it with their families.

 

Got the, "you drive for Central? I'm sorry!" line today. Seriously, I know it's not a dream job every day but I still enjoy what I do. Why do people feel the need to talk trash to strangers? I do not care about other people's bad experiences as they are not turning out to be my experience. Its hard work and i think the planners smoke crack some days. (Appt @ 0245, 0830, and 1400 with a full day of driving seems to make me cranky!) Also, why are y'all talking about everythin to do with applying at Sammons in here? This turn into the "Talk about a company" thread?
Anyway, this guy went on and on about how he bought his Dad's company, went to Central for his CDL, and then ditched their loaded truck somewhere after leasing. I was looking at his shoes, the way he was dressed, listening to the way he talked, and even checked out his truck. Conclusion, if that wasn't the biggest load of bull I've been fed in a long time, there is serious money up for grabs in trucking. If that yahoo owns a trucking company, not that I believe he really does, anybody can do it.
Ok, I feel better.

 

that was the story i got 18 months ago. when they wanted 2 years exp 48 states.

2 weeks ago i got a totally different story. 2 recruiters both said the same thing. they don't lease trucks anymore. only trailers.