Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Was it Tony? He usually qualcomms, but I wouldn't put it past him to call if the account was important.

 

The only Volvs left with Volvo engines start with a 6 7 or 8, and they've phased out most of the 6s and 7s. The 8s are being phased out this year, so those should be the last of the party favor trucks. I saw our second Volvo lined up waiting to be sold in WVC a couple weeks ago.

 

I got to meet Road Runner tonight! We traded loads so my co-drv and I can get home to a class on Sunday.
We were talking about him being an owner op, and when I said I'd been with Central 4 years and would not lease, he gets this funny look on his face, and asks me "are you on the Internet?"
I immediately knew he was one of the Trucker's Report guys, but I didn't know which one. Was nice to meet another one, that brings my count up to 3. People really can prove I exist!

 

Ok, I am definitely NOT a Central cheerleader, but definitely more of a realist. As we had the issue with the exhaust pipe, we (I should just say lextec called because I told him to double check) called to see if the part was covered and check up to see what they expected us to do. Anyway, I digress (which most of you all know I do all of the time). Lextec said , "you are in the business to lease trucks, I am in it to haul freight. I will do what I have to do so that we can haul freight." Central is a starter/training company that realized they could also make money leasing trucks. A lot of the starter companies do it (swift, england, stevens, etc.). They make money training and leasing to those trainees while they still can. Have we been screwed around, a bit. We worked our friggin' rear ends off. I know we were just outside of the top ten company performers 3 months last year (and I do mean just, like on line 13). We put just under 250k on this truck last year and we weren't running as consistent as we want. However, we have done all we could do to keep our house, keep the cars, and keep the kids in college. We struggled for a long time to get a good dm, and believe me I spared most of you those rants. Now we struggle with the truck. We have come to a reasonable understanding with central when it comes to this truck. We do all we can to keep her on the road. At this point, our dm also is aware of our issues and respects that we will do all we can to keep things going. Supposeduly, tom from dole is also aware of where we are and makes sure to give us the tight loads because he knows we can be counted on to do whatever is necessary to get the load there. In the first 4 months of this year, with the truck in the shop for over 2 weeks, we have still managed to add almost another 100k to the truck. We haven't been home much, but it is what you have to do.

I guess all I am saying is we would not be where we are without the opportunity central has provided. It has been a struggle for us individually at times and definitely as a couple. Now 19 months after we started school we are still here, two of a few. We make no rosie comments about what central is. They are a starter company who also leases trucks. That is where they make the money. You are either in it to haul freight and make your living do just that and doing it as well as you can, or let me haul the freight you won't. We still do believe that with both of us working we can do a whole lot better than we would sitting at home. Believe me, sometimes I would rather be back in cubicle land, but I am with my husband, and we are a team. It is getting tougher and tougher for a solo to make it anywhere. When we team, the truck profit goes to our household. When you yeam with someone else you split the profit in some other way. The trainers were doing decent at one point, but you take a risk doing that.

Anyway, say what you want about me, or how much I still have starry eyes about central. I know how I look at things. This company is not the best, but it isn't the worst. We would not be where we are without them, jj's guidance in the beginning, 6pak throughout, and remembering we are in it to haul freight. Central knows we know their money makers but we will do all we can for our dm we have fought to get to. He knows our purpose and keeps us going. You make this company what you will make it. Chances are you would have had just as many issues at any other starter companies. you have to decide, what are you here for? To haul freight and do ok? Or are you here to do great? If it is the latter, get out now. Otherwise, do your job, help out, meet great people along the way, see the country (albeit at 65 mph), and keep what you fight to keep.

I will now shutup and let everyone bash what I said.

 

Momma Mia, that is a very articulate post.

I have to say that Central never lied to me, and they treated me fair.

The best part is my DM and I felt like it was us against the world. I liked that teamwork part of it.

 

Sweet! I think I have an interview with cpc logistics soon! The regional mgr left a voicemail today about a job paying 21.70 / hr + 0.385 cpm + 0.75 night differential.

 

Good deal mikley. Hope it works out

 

thanks! I hope you guys will still let me post here even though I no longer work for Central. And no, im not going to bad mouth the company or anything. Just tell my story there to those interested.

 

I need some straight advice. Your saying at the end of your lease, if you have made good money, your DM will purposely starve you? How would they know you have a 40k check sitting in the bank waiting to buy your lease truck? I am doing great as company, but wanting to lease to make a few more bucks, yes, ive read the horror stories.

 

It sure sounds that way,doesn't it? I was under the impression that the DM made more money if the driver made more,like a commission. My trainer,RoadRunner, makes darn good money and totally endorses the lease program to the right people. If they do try to starve out the o/o when it's time to buy,well, that just doesn't make sense.