Looking into CDL training with Central

Recruiters for mega carriers are like car salesmen, they will tell you whatever you want to hear to get your to sign on the dotted line. Now I know times are tight, but don't EVER get into a company training you for your CDL. Save up, go to a school and then go to work with your CDL in hand. Companies like Central LOVE this way of doing things because it's an easy sell when you can say it's FREE and you WILL get a job at the end. You will have to sign probably a year long commitment, and from what I hear about central reefer smokers is that the pressure to get you into a lease purchase (we call em fleece purchase) program is pretty intense there once you get done with training. The thing is with central, their job is SO crappy, this is the only way they can retain drivers is to get them into contracts to get CDL training and contracts to lease a truck. My neighbor drives for Central and hates it so bad he can't stand it, he is NEVER home hardly, he usually spends 6-8 weeks gone before he comes home for less than a week. The only reason he says with them is because he is stuck in that fleece purchase program. If home time is something that's important to you, good look elsewhere.

 

watrucker is right - save up for your training tuition, if possible, and pay for your training outright. That way you don't need to be committed to anyone.

I am still a wanna-be, but I did talk with a Central recruiter about 6 months ago. They have a terminal here in Salt Lake

Anyway, I mentioned to him that I was planning on going to the local Community College to get my CDL. He (the recruiter) told me that Central would only accept trainee drivers if they went thru the company training program.

I don't know if what my recruiter told me is still true or not, but I thought I would pass it on so you could ask your recruiter

Good luck
Steve

 

See they advertise up here for recent graduates and experienced drivers, maybe other places are different I don't know, I never really considered working for them, I more than happy driving my little box truck for safeway. If you really want to work for a mega carrier, look into Prime.

 

I went through the Central school in Fontana and am pleased with things so far. The school itself is fast paced, but if you're a quick learner, its not so bad. They will offer the lease program and talk it up, but you are never forced to lease. My trainer had a friend who has been a company driver at Central for 8 or so years and I intend on staying company as well.

The general rule is 1 day home for every week out, capping at 4 days. So in general you'll be out 3-4 weeks and then have 3-4 days home. You need to at least get 6 months under your belt before you'll be able to get into a dedicated fleet.

They do take recent graduates. One person in my orientation had left during training with Werner and was able to skip the school itself.

There are two threads you may be interested in. In the truck schools section is a thread 'follow me through central refrigerated school' which are numerous people who talk about their experiences going through the various schools, and then in the good companies section is 'central refrigerated truck stop II' which has many active central drivers and trainers who are usually around to answer questions.

 

I worked for Central refrigeration for several years and was the top trainer there. Central refrigeration is a good, honest company. you can"t go wrong doing your training with them and getting started.

 

I have been with central for a year and I was able to get on a dedicated fleet almost out the gate. I am on a regional fleet as long as u pay attention to ur training ull be fine and miles are there but u have to know how to play the game most dm's will test u first show them what ur willing to do go the extra miles and learn trip planned one great tool coast to coast runs are easily obtained if u are teaming. Go dedicated best option and try and stay away from lease. Sounds good but there not worth it here not complaing just giving u the facts runs the numbers for urself against some other companies such as decker, act, trans am ( not an option) but still see what they offer see u on westvalley

 

Your neighbor need to weight his options. he can come home more often he chooses to stay out .if its because of he's dm he need to find another .

 

Depending on where he live they have fleets that pay better. That probably goes past his house often he has to work yhe system better

 

He lied unless they changed it. truthfully even if u go to a school ,and pay 3000 ur still limited on companies. Your opinions as a recent grad are very limited out in ut unless u plan on relocating.