central refrigerated/truck driving academy/fontana,ca

Ok so here is my review for central's program. They paid my greyhound ticket to get the hotel in fontana ca. Econolodge hotel was decent not great. First day we did drug tests and they talked to us about the program. First week was all about getting our permits. Second week was pretrip,driving, and getting ready for cdl a test.
The yard where you will practice your skills, backing, parking,etc...is a dirt lot with a lot of bumps and holes. Very dusty and trucks always coming in and out. 4 instructors, most were good except one #######. When you take your cdl a test, the instructors are dmv certified so you test at the yard and out on the road.
If you pass your cdl a test then next step is trainer. You will need a mandatory 200hour driving time otr with a trainer. I asked for non-smoker.....however they gave me a chain smoker but I just decided to deal with it.I didn't want to wait for one. Now I was unfortunate and I had a trainer that was not fit to train. I wanted a trainer that would be helpful, constantly giving advice and tips. My trainer only talked about stupid off topic subjects that was not related to trucking at all.
He was unhealthy,slept all the time, and did not care about whether or not I was learning. I would watch him use the qualcomm and that's how I learned by observing, because he didn't care to explain. He had a hearing problem so whenever I got lost it was almost impossible to wake him up. He didn't want to teach me how to back up because he had no patience.
Somehow I got through 5 weeks with him. When your done your 200hrs and all the requirements you take your upgrade test next to be a company driver. I was nervous because I was not comfortable backing up. I failed the first attempt, I was told I have one more chance then "I'm done" they said. Sadly I failed the second time and they told me I was termimated and sent me home. I felt that the trainer failed in teaching me how to back up.
Let me give you some advice if you go with central's program. If you feel you are not learning anything with your trainer, do not hesitate to ask the company for a new one. That was my mistake and I ended up failing my upgrade test because I couldn't back up. Now they sent me home without a job and I have to pay back tuition. Just remember that you are not guaranteed a job with this company. I was very discouraged and saddened because I really wanted to make it happen. I'm thinking about just quitting and finding something else.
Ok enough about my problems. If you pass the upgrade starting pay is 28cents/mile.......30/mile at 6months, .32/1year. If you stay with the company for 1 year tuition is $1500. If you decide to leave before 1year the you pay the full $3k. Or if you fail like I did. They have nice trucks and equipment,fairly new. Central was.just bought out by swift so I'm not sure how long this program will remain. They are already shutting down some of centrals terminals across the country. If I forgot to add any info let me know and I will be happy to answer.

 

I tried applying to another company already, prime inc. I told them about my situation that I failed my upgrade test and was terminated because my poor training. Prime told me they could not hire me because I was terminated and I was told I have to wait a year. Am I not able to be hired now because i was terminated for not passing my upgrade test. I really don't want to give up my dream, but I just want more practice and a second chance. I live in central california. Fresno,ca

 

For the upgrade test you have 15 minutes to back it up between 2 trailers. Took me 20 minutes so I failed. Like I said practice with your trainer, and if your trainer is not helping or has no patience don't hesitate to get a new trainer. I also recommend going through a different training program other than central. The program is too fast paced and they send you out with a trainer asap.If I could go back in time I would go with prime inc instead. However training in slc,utah I believe.