Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Hi,

I'm going to Central down in Fontana next week and I just wondered, ignoring all the hype from disgruntled newbies who have never experienced the haulage industry (I have over 20yrs in the UK), real life are they really any worse than any other company that needs to make a profit? I'm looking forward to it, just hope I get a good trainer to teach me how to manage OTR

 

Wannabe here, I've done a ton a research on CR and they seem to be a cut above other large company's offering the similar work/schooling. From what I've gathered, CR operates in much the same way as other large company's, and no they aren't any worse than others... in fact they tend to have a better reviews than most. This isn't always case, as you know since you commented about "disgruntled newbies". As far as trainers go, from what I've read, there are good ones and there are not so good ones. They all will have at least 6 months of experience, so no matter which you type you get they will all have something to offer you.

I start orientation in December, so you'll have a direct opinion on all of this well before I even step onto the bus. I do a have a friend who is currently working for CR, he's got nothing but positive things to say about his experience so far. The general consensus is that you get what you put out, meaning that your work ethic/attitude is going to be the biggest factor in your success with any company doing OTR. Good luck and stay safe.

 

Thanks for that dfaf, that's kinda my feelings too, you get what you give. I chose this route after a lot of reading because at least I'll always know what type of loan I'm hauling. Flat bed is OK in summer but triple sheeting in snow isn't fun!!!

 

I'm suppose to be heading there for the 25th also. It's still up in the air if I'll be doing the whole gig or the refresher. It's been a ton of years since I drove. Work in progress. {tick tock, tick tock} It's been so long for me, more training is a plus. I have a lot to learn.
Is the steering wheel still on the left side in these things? lol
I hope they can teach an ''old dog new tricks''.

 

so they pay o/o for shuttling empties? good deal.

 

oh yeah. Empty trailer one way and bobtail back. Both ways paid miles and fuel surcharge. It's good money.

 

Lady K is right. I just came out of school and the ones that already had their CDL A went through all the yard & road training but didn't have to do any of the DMV stuff. Other than skipping that part, everything else was the same for them. Best of luck!

 

Cool thank you guys for your input. My recruiter is suppose to call me tomorrow and finalize everything including travel, bus ticket etc... Which I am not really looking forward to taking a bus, I just hope they are comfy since it will take me about 15 hours from central Oregon to get to salt lake city Utah. I also cant believe the refresher is 3 weeks long in my opinion I would thing you can complete it in a week. But whatever it just gives me more time to practice my yard and road skills so I guess that is alright with me just kind of sucks I wont get paid during the refresher since I am pretty broke and having a couple of bills to pay every month but at least they aren't very important bills basically all I pay for is phone and car insurance. Any ways hopefully I'll see ya all out on the road as long as I will get hired on with central which I wont be holding my breath until am handed the keys to my very on rig then I will know I have been definitely hired.

 

Has anyone heard if our insurance is going to renew next year? Hard enough to say with Obama care. Then you add in that we just got bought by swift. That doesn't make it any better.

 

Open enrollment should be next month, and I don't see why our insurance wouldn't renew. I don't know if they'll switch it on us, but I'm pretty sure they have to provide coverage. I also think if they didn't, too many drivers and office staff would walk.