Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

I would have if I'd know the whole story from the start. I was told it would be ready by the following morning when I got there the first time, which was fine because I was almost out of hours anyway.

 

We don't have uniforms. You wear what you want. I'd advise packing 7-10 days of clothes. There's laundry facilities at Conley, and your trainer will stop and let you do laundry on the road, but you can't plan on it being a weekly thing, so having a few extra days of clothing helps. Pack extra socks, shirts, and undies, if you can. Light jacket, something water resistant, and 2 pair of shoes if you can, one water resistant, one whatever you like, with a closed back. Don't drive in flip flops.

If you can, buy your laundry supplies before you leave. I advise those 3 in 1 washing sheets because they're dry, and won't spill all over your stuff. Otherwise, look into those travel bottles of laundry detergent, and keep it in a zip top baggie.

 

Wow! Good trainer. Good that you DEMONSTRATE to a trainee that looking like a pig at a customers' is not SOP, not to mention helping to clean up the image of truck drivers. I swear, sometimes it seems like a contest for who can look and smell the worst. Can't expected to be treated like a professional if you don't present yourself as one.

 

Flametamer, Central is very big on appearance! You don't have to wear a suit and tie but don't be a shlub. They know that what you wear or how you look when you come to terminal is how you represent them when you are with their customers. My wife and I used to buy a handful of Central shirts and just wear them all the time. Much easier to look professional. I don't recommend flip flops unless you going to the shower. Nothing says unprofessional like flip flops!

I was told directly from the equipment manger one time that during orientation and especially your one on one interview how you look or dress will greatly influence what truck you are issued when you are done training. Look like a shlub and you get a shlub truck. Dress and look nice and you will get a nice truck. This is straight from the horses mouth! A collared shirt, clean nice, unwrinkled jeans, and nice clean boots or shoes will do the job just fine. We actually had seen one guy in orientation show up wearing a hat with a potleaf on it! Needless to say he wasn't there long!

So do what you want with this info but in the grand scheme of things you will always get further looking sharp then a schlub jumping out of the truck in flip flops and sweatpants! You will be surprised of the difference of how you are treated at shipper/receivers when you show up looking professional.

 

im starting training on the 4th, and due to my size its hard to find a polo in my size thats long enough. i went and bought a few nice plain color pocket tees are these seen as acceptable?


Thanks Jake.

 

That should be fine Jake, just keep them clean and replace them as needed. Central has a really nice button up shirt that is long, and has Central embroidered on the collars. They run about $25 so they are a little spendy, but they are good quality.
Also if you bought some collard shirts (solid color only) and take them to Nancy at the west valley terminal they will put Central logos on for free, even personalise it with your name and truck number if you want.

 

It is actually helpful to either wear a Central shirt or a Central hat. There were many times I was waiting with drivers from other companies and the shipper would walk right up to me and say, "Okay, you're loaded now" instead of having to start hollering, "hey, which one of you drivers is a Central driver?" Kind of a small thing, but small things add up.

Also, as a guy who works in a shop from time to time, I like when a driver is wearing a shirt or jacket with his company name on it. That way instead of wondering, "who is that guy walking around the parking lot?" I see his shirt or hat and know, "Oh, that's the Central driver. He must be waiting for his truck to be finished."
Again, small things that add up to make the day easier.

 

hey there bub hows it going? gotta quick question hows the truck at central what do they run and what do the new guys mostly end up getting? how do the volvos ride and the room inside? what colors do they have and the most common lol i know i know stupid questions cant you tell im sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to leave for orientation

STAY SAFE OUT THERE !!

 

They have volvos, petes, cascadias and prostars for company drivers. They are red, white, black, or grey, although there are a few two tone and gold prostars. New students are mostly getting 09 volvos and 10-11 prostars. If you are teaming uo and both are presentable you will probably be seated in a new volvo or cascadia.

 

Prostars are they good or crap? I maintain myself presentable and clean i hate living dirty or being dirty. We are truck drivers who are pros you don't see nfl players walking around with dirty ripped clothes your image is really important. Lol anyways teams i was thinking of doing that is it worth it. Om afraid ill get real sick being with someone that long im a nice guy i just like alone time here and there lol. Let me know what you think. Hows the volvos drive if you don't mind me asking what do you drive?