Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Weren't you asking about Colorado a few pages back....? I thought some people had answered that for you....??

 

I am not a Cenral driver, but I have been following these threads since they have started and feel attached to them in some ways.
I would like to address a few questions that seem to get posted here in hopes that this would in some how assist Jess and JJ, basically so they don't have to answer them over and over.

On a side note, to all prospective employees of Central, or any larger carrier, and in many cases ANY carrier, if you read what is posted here you will gain valuable information. But, you must read it!

Your MVR; When they ask you about this, be honest and upfront. Doesn't matter when you got a ticket, if it is there, they will find it. How do they find it? Using your DL lic. # and your SSI they can just about tell which hand you wipe with!
This holds true with ALL companies, not just Central.

Blood Pressure; DOT requirement MAX <140/90. Needs to be less than this for your Medical card. This is a Federal requirement!

Now, some clinics may give you the opportunity to sit and rest if your BP is elevated when they check it. Some may even complete the physical and allow you to come back tomorrow and just get your BP checked.
They do not have to do this! Period.
If your BP at sample time is greater than 140/90 they can end the physical right then and there.
If you even think you are looking at trucking as a job, go see a doctor and have your BP evaluated. If it is elevated, a simple prescription can solve the problem. BP medication is one of the simplest ways to add years to your life if you have BP problems.
Again, the BP requirement is industry standard, driven by Federal Regulation. Not a Central issue at all.

Pay Cuts; Industry standard, across the board. I don't know why they are doing it now, instead of 12 months ago when all this crap came to a head but they are. Or possibly this is yet another cut.

Where Central Frequents; The question of Colorado has come up several times recently. JJ himself answered this about 5 pages ago. Yes, they go to Colorado.
Now this is a rather large state with a big mountain range dividing it. I personally wouldn't be surprized if they spent more time in eastern Co than western, but thats the way I see it.

To sum it up. IMHO, Central is a starter company. This has been stated by the starter of this thread many times. Do your time and find something better after a year. Most Larger carriers have come to this.
If you leave the company, they have 50 drivers waiting to fill your seat, starting each week.
They are also Lease oriented. They want you to lease. Hell I would too. You make thier truck payment while hauling thier loads, thereby keeping them in business. If you cut and run before the lease is up, they will lease that truck to another driver, thereby getting it paid for again, possibly.
As with most larger companies, and I don't mean to hurt anyones feelings here, the DMs and FMs work for the companies, assigning loads to drivers so they may be delivered.
They do not assign you loads so you become rich.
Now, if they like you, they may run you hard and allow you to be profitable for yourself. But, don't be fooled. Thier job is to get those loads where they need to be, and it don't really matter who delivers them.

Good Luck. Drive it hard, but keep it safe.

 

One other thing I forgot to address(bare with me as I attempt to build up my posts),
EQUIPMENT; For all prospective drivers out there, you have to look fairly hard to find a training company that issues nothing but Peterbuilts and Kenworths. There are some but as a general rule you will see Volvos, Frieghtliners and Internationals.
I have heard many wannabe drivers say in these forums that they won't drive anything but a Pete. How do you know if you are a wannabe?
Most mega carriers use volvo and FL because they are cheaper, and they get the job done. And that is the only issue present. A Pete or KW will not deliver a load on time any more frequently than a Binder or a Frieghtshaker.
Lease op units and owner op units tend to be a bit more upscale. That is because YOU the driver pay your own fuel and make your own truck payments. And, you will also(in many cases) pay a higher shop rate on these for maintainance than you will for FL and Volvo.
And, there is no need to mention they break down more often. There is more in the shops because there are more on the road! And, they are s_ _ t company trucks and aren't cared for by drivers! ( and in many cases, the companies themselves)
Personally, I drive a Sterling or actually, one of two Sterlings. Why? Cause thats what I get to drive. Both are equipped identical except for the engine. One has a MB, the other A C15. I preferr the one with the Cat because, it doesn't rev as much and if it breaks it doesn't need 2 wks in the shop for a simple repair. (this also has to do with the dealer).

I gross the same regardless of what I am driving(that could be because I do shorter hauls too).

With any vehicle, you care for it and it will take care of you.

 

lol

It was like that for Papa in the Navy too. Bless you for serving

 

Thank you paratroop, you summed up a lot of information quickly. As for my husband and I, we know what we are looking at, I just wasn't thinking about the blood pressure after doing work. As I have said, I'm not a weakling, but I'm not as buff as our son either. I have been working at a call center, and have talked to several drivers throughout the country and can attest to the freight, pay, etc. issues being industry wide. We are in a recession after all. I have to keep thinking things still have to get better. No matter what, stuff has to move. Every industry is experiencing cutbacks. It is throughout the country. I think only the welfare lines are experiencing any growth. Central is a starter company. If you go into it with the attitude of I can make it through this for a year to get me to where I want to be in the long run, then I think you have the right attitude. Will CRS change? Yes. Will every other company go through changes? I have no doubt. Can you embrace the change and adjust yourself a little to ensure you are where you want to be in 5 years, etc.? That is a question only you can answer for yourself. I know for sure, I will be embracing this change in our life and holding fast to the 5 year plan we have. Each of us must make that choice.

 

I've really enjoyed your last 2 posts here. They're very informative & shed a lot of good light on the industry & is what us newbies should know. Thank you!

 

Jess, twenty or something posts til we hit 500 pages. The question is when you leave how many will we be up too???

KH

 

ROFLMAO, of course I may be reading more into it than what you meant.

 

geez I go to LA for 2 days and I come back to 15 forum pages of Central stuff to read! =)

 

i thought the world of trucking should know just how wrong central ref. svrs are. DID YOU KNOW if you are on coors you will no longer get paid fuel surcharge on all those dead head miles you do so much of ?? DID YOU KNOW that coors is still paying central the surcharge central has just decided not to pass it on to you?? DID YOU KNOW for you company drivers there is no more on time bonus? there is no more detention pay?? DID YOU KNOW that our dispatchers that cared about us because they were getting bonuses and commission will no longer get there bonus or commissions and they are layiong off dispatchers too?? SO now we will have under paid and over worker dispatchers, are they still going to care if you sit or have a load??? DID YOU KNOW that new students that are coming in and being told that they will make 450. for the first 2 weeks and 500. for the 2 weeks after that will now be only getting 425. all four weeks??? DID YOU KNOW they are still telling new students that they will start them at .29 a mile and really paying them .20 a mile?? who can make a living on that?? DID YOU KNOW if you come to work for central ref srv you better buy K-Y by the case cause you will need it daily when they ##### you over and over. So I hope you enjoy your stay with central.