Central Refrigeration Service, Inc. - West Valley, Ut.

Lets see what I can cover.

The pet policy was changed around the end of December. If you had a pet at that point you were ok, if you did not allready have approval then you cannot have one. I would like too, but did not have it when they changed the policy.

There refresher course is only a week, unless they feel you need more training. It costs 2,000. And pays off over 8 months at 50 a week. You will be with a trainer 2-3 weeks depending on how much experiance you have OTR, and how long it has been since you have driven.

Trucks. The old volvos with numbers starting with 21 and 22 are all due to be traided in by June. They have to buy 150 more volvos to finish there contract, then they are getting Petes and KW's to replace them. They are also talking about getting APU's on the new trucks to get around anti-idling laws and so the trucks will save fuel.

The schools are all a joke. Just a place to teach you enough to pass the test. No more.
Most of the trainers are in it for the miles, so you will end up driving more than you should too soon, in most instances. I am actually thinking about starting to train in the spring, if I stick around. I am on a dedicated fleet, and was hopeing to get home more on it, but so far has not happened.
I get .38 a mile, and do not run West of the Rockys at all. Usually 2400 to 3400 a week, average is around 3000 on Dedicated.

Not a bad company for the starting driver, but communication is a must. There is no reason a load should ever be late, unless the Truck or trailer breaks. At times you will recieve a load that is not possable, make sure you explain this to dispatch, and when you can get it there, before you accept the load. If they keep you on it you are then covered when/ if it is late. If you do not send the messages out and explain this before you accept the load it will be your fault it is late.

Make sure that you learn how to follow fuel routing when with your trainer, and how to send all messages that MUST be sent every day. Owner Operators do not have to follow there fuel stops, company drivers have too.
Also, the route that you are sent on the qualcom is just a guide. Follow the basic route, if it is a legal route, do not take all the local roads and business routes, if an interstate is available. You will waste your hours and fuel.

I cannot get on here much to post, but I try to once a month when I am home. Hope this helps. Jon

 

I am currently here at the school. I started on Monday and i am starting day 3 of orientation. I have been treated really good so far. I will go to the training portion in the morning. I won't be able to post much because of limited access to the internet but i have asked my Girlfriend to post some for me to keep all informed. I have not asked yet but it still says in there handbook that pets are ok and they gave me the handbook yesterday but i will ask later if pets are still ok. when i get better internet access i will post more detailed info.

 

Dont believe everything in that handbook...its subject to change.
As long as its in CRS' favor..CYA,CYA,CYA !!!

 

Was in SLC thursday/ friday and didn't find out much except their butt holes are puckering up tight with DOT getting ready to tear them a new one. Too bad I had to roll out. Would have gotten a good laugh out of seeing the know alls of this company wishing they had some lube avaliable. In case it hasn't been mentioned... SLC SHOP SUCKS. Went in to get steer tires and qaulcom fixed. (I'm one of those o/o suckers) Had no qualcom parts. Found out they been jacking me on repairs and warranty. Ended up swing by the Denver yard and talked with Richard. Took the dome apart and found moisture inside. Blew it out with my air hose and works fine now. Point of my rant is SLC SHOP SUCKS as most of management.

 

You are very correct SLC SHOP is the pits.Nothing but parts changers
and they cant even get that right. Henderson and Fontana are alittle better but ?????

 

Minimum age shouldn't be 23, unless they changed it in the last couple of months. My co-driver was 22 when we started there, they never said a thing about age. I know an O/O that just turned 22, and I've met several people that had just turned 21 and went to their school. You might want to get a second opinion from someone there about the age.

Yes, no pets. They did away with that in October/November. They've had too many people letting their pets damage the trucks I guess. Or, too many drivers damaging the trucks to accommodate pets.

 

I'm curious to see how that's going to play out too. The Qualcomm messages have been getting increasingly frantic from Safety, up to them sending out "We've noticed you're heading into Oregon/Washington, Be careful, they hate us up there/blah blah." Makes me wonder what's going to happen

 

Fines Fines and more fines. Then Jerry can't pay for his casino and his retaking big brother SWIFT. Not too mention all the bonus money certain scum bags make off of us. But thats my opinion but what do I know. Just a dummy in a big truck

 

Man, I used to get those driving for CR England. Watch out in Washington, I had some young guy give me a warning ticket for MISSPELLING A CITY ON MY LOGBOOK.

 

I have been speaking to John every night and he is enjoying his time at school! He says everyone is really nice and helpful unlike Stevens Transport.

He has been out on the range practicing his backing, no problems with straight line, he did have a few problems with Parallel parking got a lil close to the cones.
He did say the rooms are very small and there is no wifi there and only one computer, the food is not bad and not that expensive.
He is hoping to test out on Wednesday and head out with a trainer on Thursday, the sooner he gets out the sooner he gets home for a few days.
The trainer he has been talking to is a lease operator and has been driving for quiet a few years, so he is hoping he passes his test and can leave with that trainer, when the trainer gets back to SLC on Thursday or Friday.
When he finishes his training I intend to do the odd trip with him, if I can work out a way to run my business from a truck