Central Refrigerated--stay away ! !

I seen in another post were drivers were required to sign an agreement for this if you refused to sign they would make you pack your bags.
I am not saying it is right or wrong but you must of signed an agreement for them to do it. If you did not sign anything then tear them a new one.

 

The next thing you know they'll start charging drivers for reefer fuel and $1.00 for every pound of air pressure that is not in the tires. Then again being that their Swifts little brother, nothing would surprise me about that rat hole of a company. I feel so bad for you folks coming into this industry and having to put with th BS from the large companies.

 

They can do this because Utah is a right to work state. They can get rid of drivers for any or no reason, and no reason needs to be given. If the driver will not sign the agreement then they are gone.
So far it has not cost me a dime. I actually still got my idle bonus each month, and I do not cheat and try to get around it. I am just careful with my idle, and I am lucky enough to run the miles needed to keep the idle down.
The drivers with the biggest issue are the company drivers in the W-900s, because they have no idle control system. They need to request a truck that has one, even if it is not as pretty.

Staying below 30% is not that hard, it just takes a little effort. I am always comfortable. I idle whenever I need to, using the TAS system in my truck, and closing the curtains. Works well.

No, I do not agree with the way the company is dealing with idle, and I still 100% believe they would be better off installing APU's, but it is what it is, and we eather need to deal with it, or go elsewhere.

 

To a point your right. They can do as they please. But in my eyes this is a quality of life issue. I've worked for that company at 2 different times. 1st time was right after Jerry bought it. Then last year I started out company then went lease op cause I got tired of them telling me how to run and job jumping gets old. I know how this crappy outfit operates and have never in my 16yrs of driving have seen a company treat their drivers so poorly. That TAS system is ok if it works when it suppose to and thats not too often. They wont put APU's on the trucks due to the cost which is BS cause the govt gives $3500 towards it and the rest of it is written off on taxes. Dont no how many times I've seen drivers and I mean company drivers hook to idle air and pay for it out of their own pocket so they wont get fired. To me its profits vs drivers lives and the driver will always lose that battle cause that company just doesn't give a ####.

 

Centrals only good for leasing. I like telling my DM to piss off lol

 

Good for leasing?????
You are out of your mind.
They are ok to lease from if you are a husband wife team, or if you are a crappy trainer that thinks of there students as a logbook and half a team.

Trainers should not be able legally to run as a team, at least not for the first few weeks. They should legally have to be in the jump seat training, and if they are in that seat, they are on duty. So thus, it is not possible for a trainer to work as a team with a trainee, and actually train.

I made good money with Central as a company driver on Kraft. My average weekly take home was over 900 a week. I was also home regularly. As a solo lease op I would have brought home more than this, but after all taxes, expenses, ect. I would have had allot of liability to worry about.

 

And that is why I'm saying, there good for leasing. I don't train, and refuse to train. 1. I love my life too much and love everyone in my family to have my life in some trainees hands, 2. I can't be patient with myself, why would i try to handle somebody else? 3. I'm a neat freak and keep my truck in tip top shape inside. Last thing I want is some dirty.. not all mind you, guy in my truck rubbing his muddy boots in my carpet.

Like i'm saying, i'm makin good money and you just gotta play your cards right. But as soon as that lease is up and the truck is mine (paying it off cash), i'm going elsewhere if I get a better deal somewhere else. I do know 3 trainers with Central that are just the best. They actually train.

 

who are those trainers if you don't mind me asking, i'm starting training on nov 3rd with them, and i hear u can request trainers?? I dunno if thats true or not though. Anyway i'm glad some of you are doing good with the lease program, you don't hear that very often,

 

Alot of companies are taking money out of the drivers pay for overidle and even if you dont idle they still do.Gainey does that and if you don't get fuel at the assigned fuel stop you have to pay for the fuel.I agree if companies dont pay you which I like to call steal money from you,take them to court.I sued Gainey for $5000.00 because they charged me with their truck repair and did'nt give me a final check.When an officer personally gave Mr.Gainey a summons to appear in court,he sent all the money that was owed to me.He thought I was bluffing till he got a second notice when the hearing was.He did'nt want me to take him to court because he knew I would blow the whistle on his company.I did drop the charges .Gainey filed A chapter 11 now all the drivers are worried they wont get paid.I wish all drivers would sue trucken companies for their illegal practices.Heck drivers will get their money because no companies want a court action suit brought against them.