Central ref Question

Central is now Swift, and the new Swift terminal is Central's old terminal in Salt Lake.

So, choose your poison.

 

Here's my advice, don't get fuel at the SLC terminal unless you have 2 hours to kill.

 

Yep, If you want to know anything about Central, just just search for swift and you'll have your answers.

There is no Central Refrigerated anymore. Only the name on the building and the trucks.

You can take everything you read the way you want to.

I'm still officially employed by Central and I can tell you that things changed drastically since swift took over.

Not in a good way. That of course, is just my humble opinion.

I worked for Central for 13 months.

I'm not going back after my leave of absence is over.

 

There's some good companies in WA to choose from:

trans-system - 3 companies to choose from.


Watkins-Shepard - 3 terminals
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]Lakewood[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 25px"] [/TD]
[TD]Spokane[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 25px"] [/TD]
[TD]Vancouver[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

Go with a different company if you are able to. Find a company that has more positive than negative feedback, Central Ref is not one of them. However, there are worst companies out there, I would rate Central Ref average/below average. But if i were you, i'd go with a better starter company like Roehl. This is coming from personal experience at Central Ref.

 

If they're still using central TDA(truck driving academy) then it's a really good training program. I know nothing about swifts training program. Now as far as working for swift. I'm gonna walk away from that question....

 

You will hear bad things about all the newbie companies. Lots of people have bad experiences with their first company. Many of those things can be traced back to the newbies themselves. Trucking is not something that I am a natural at. It took work for me to understand this business. I did not grow up on a farm or with a boat. I did run out and buy a ball hitch for my Brand new Dodge 1976 Ram Charger. Everyone laughed and pointed out that I didn't have anything to tow.

My point is that any company willing to hire someone with NO experience should be considered by someone with NO experience. I make fun of Swift but they are doing something right to have grown as large as they have. Do they pay well? No but you are just starting out. You will likely tear up your first truck. Not totally but a scratch here or there is in your future. Also, working for a big company you will have to learn who to talk to and who to avoid. People misunderstand things and pass on incorrect information all the time. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. Learn. Swift or Central, it doesn't really matter. You are going to school with them. On a scholarship that even let's you make a little money on the side.

I started out making 34,000 my first year driving. I will make $108,000 this year. Did my first company suck? No, I did. You will too. You will also get better. Then the good jobs open up. But not mine. I am going to grow old and die for this company. They treat me like I would treat me.

 

Good Points Wooly Rhino. Everyone needs to start somewere and get the experience. But nobody admits their shortcomings.

I don't know but I think it is what you make of it. The learning curve is long. When you stop learning you stop living.

 

Thanks for the heads up on that company. Lakewood is close to me but, I don't want to be OTR anymore.

It did it to get some experience for local job.

I didn't see any local stuff on their website.