Follow me through Central Refrigerated training

Big rigg isn't here anymore. You do not get paid in school, but you do get $100 for orientation and get paid $350-$450 per week while on the trainers truck.

 

Edit: I just realized this question may not have been for me, haha, oh well.

D1, I chronicled my classroom and yard training in this thread. It's probably back quite a few pages by now, but it is there. Didn't have the time, nor the energy to update when I was out with my trainer. I did have a great time though and had a great trainer. He was patient and our personalities really meshed well. I had a lot of fun during my 28 days. Yes there were times of struggle, frustration and bonehead mistakes. But that is why you're out there. To make those mistakes with a helping hand. It's all what you make you it.

Chris, I too was worried about my BP, especially after using one of those silly BP testing machines at my local grocery store. Later found out they are not calibrated and provide whatever result they want. But it did make me unnecessarily stressed about coming to Central and the DOT physical. And it turned out fine. I am 5'10" and about 245lbs and didn't have much of an issue. My BP was a bit on the high side, but nothing the doc was worried about.

They do NOT do the sleep apnea tests, UNLESS you miss your appt with the doctor at Central. Then they have to send you to a place called Concentra and our instructors explained that at that place they do indeed do sleep apnea testing, neck measurements. I know this because when I was in CRSWVC one guy, for whatever reason, didn't walk down the hallway to see the doc when his name was called. He got told he needed to be at the building early the next morning, or he would have to go to the Concentra place.

I would say you are worrying too much about this, only because I did the exact same thing. Best of luck to ya and if you have any other questions be sure to ask.

unloader

 

Your 2.5 weeks in classroom and yard training is not paid for. You begin getting paid the day you go out with a trainer.

$375 for weeks 1-2.
$425 for weeks 3-4 and $450 for any weeks after that.

Keep in mind that for your second weeks paycheck and onward they will be deducting your school tuition. After they chip in half, you end up paying $29 a week. They also began deducting $10 per week on my third check for a security deposit that they use in the event that you abandon a truck or leave it a mess.

unloader

 

That is correct. Workwell tests are no longer part of the physical requirements. (At least at Fontana). Sounds like they were removed about 2 months ago. But I don't know if the change is temporary or permanent.

 

Hey all first day out with my trainer ans we are waiting on a load of lettice right now dead headed up to gonzalas, CA from fontana. We are going to be in crswvc on Monday if anyone is going to be there let me know. My trainer is part of the drivers advisory and they have a meeting on Tuesday. After we pick up our load we will head on down the road till I am out of hours the my trainer will pick up the night shift. I gotta say one day on the truck and I am loving it..

 

You are dead wrong about TDA & Central. I just quit their training (and I use that term loosely) class in Salt Lake. I was a total virgin to trucking. No experience. They did not help me once when I asked. They did not take me seriously. They ignored me because I needed help and was not like the other 4 in my class who already had CDL's and years of truck driving experience. TDA is a total scam. A school actually teaches you brand new techniques and ideas. They did none of that. Don't waste your time or money on them. And yes, if you screw up once, they will criticize you in front of the whole class and threaten to send you home for the least little infraction.

 

Finally on bus to SLC. actually see new part of CO on US40. And so it begins. Based on this thread, other co threads & speaking to drivers I feel comfortable w joining CR.

 

Good luck and I wish you all the best.

 

Thx corsair. True to form 1st bus was put out of service by dispatch even though driver signed off on pre trip. Now trying to make transfer. Kinda sounds familiar, ehhh!?!

 

The epic bus trip. Many guys I befriended during my school training talked endlessly about each of their wild ### journeys. By the time I heard them all I was grateful I was close enough to drive my own ride.

Think of it this way. If you survive the bus trip you can survive your training at Central haha. Best of luck to ya.

unloader