Starting out, what is the pay really like?

Here's another view worth reading: DoubleYellow's Covenant Thrival Guide

double yellow and I disagree on some things, but he's a really good OTR role model. Very bright.

But avoid OTR if you can... especially the megas. Low wages, poor driver treatment, long hours, weeks out, inconsistent home time, a jail-cell-sized living space 24/7... basically solitary confinement. Major health ramifications. See: http://www.uncg.edu/phe/faculty/apostolopoulos/AAOHNJ.pdf (Worksite-Induced Morbidity Among Truck Drivers in the US)

100% driver turnover. 100%.

Here's a letter from CR about $500 late delivery fees: http://www.centralref.com/docs/a/Company-Policy-on-Late-Delivery-Fees.pdf Could explain the pressure on drivers. $500 late delivery fees.

 

CRE (CR England) and CR (Central Refrigerated) are two TOTALLY separate companies... Hubby and I started with central! and are at our three year mark... It's not easy, but it's do able... And from what I've heard and read, Central is more driver friendly, but I could be prejudice too

 

There are many options available for folks starting out these days... take your time, do a bit more homework.

You should have a list of half a dozen companies or more... before pulling the trigger.

Here's CRE's CSA... http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/Data/carrier.aspx?enc=FXBtl5Jj4+g=

 

The best option, living in CA, is a private CDL school. If that's out of the question, then Central Refrigerated is as good or better than most trucking company CDL schools. As you already know, food is the biggest expense you will have. After your obligation with the company is completed, you can move on if you're not satisfied with the paychecks. Aquire the tanker/hamat endorsements, doubles/triples, then you will be prepared to easily transition from Central Refrigerated to another company. The trans-system website is one option you may have after Central Refrigerated, plus many more on Careerbuilder website.

 

My next step, if I were even casually interested in CR, is go to Lady K's profile (click on Lady K username) and click on recent posts. Here's a devoted TTR participant(s?) who has/have posted almost 2700 times, started 36 threads and 3 years with CR. Where else could you learn more about CR??

I would read every one of his/their posts as far back as TTR will let me. I just took a quick peek and Lady K's full of good stuff about CR and I doubt he/they were trying to recruit anyone while he/she wrote. Just wrote as things came up. The threads are varied and look helpful. Does not appear a mere company 'touter'. (I hope, but would be helpful anyway.)

Repeat: Lady K's past posts would be my next step. Small goldmine for you there. Good luck! (Still trying to make up for jumping into thread thinking it was CRE. Ha-hah on me.)

 

WOW!! I hadn't realized how 'talkative' I was... LOL!

The initials are so similar (CRS - Central Refrigerated Service vs. CRE - CR England) and you're not the first to do that THANKFULLY it seems that's the main thing that's similar!!

 

How is CR when it comes to getting a driver home on time or getting home for Christmas? Thx.

 

Eh.. OK.. when we weren't on our loop, and OTR, if we needed to be home on let's say the 7th, we would ask for the 5th or 6th to make sure we made it... Yes the company has lots of freight, but it might not cooperate in direction or location... Also REMIND the DMs, if the load you get is going the opposite direction, and it's getting close to home time, ASK them.