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My experience at Central Transport

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by Oi!, Sep 15, 2013.

Page 3 of 7
  1. Oct 1, 2013 #21
    Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    Heres the kicker though, Old Dominion hires newbies right out of driving school. Hell, they'll put you through driving school if you work there already as a dock worker.
     
    Brandonpdx, Oct 1, 2013
    Brandonpdx, Oct 1, 2013
    #21
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  3. Oct 2, 2013 #22
    Oi!

    Oi! Road Train Member

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    Almost all LTL companies hire with less than a year. Some even with no experience. A lot of the people I work with started out as part time dock workers and would drive the yard truck to learn how to back. Some guys were class B local. The whole "you have to put a year in OTR to get anywhere" is complete BS. I wish I could buy a time machine and never gone OTR.

    Only problem with LTL is rarely anybody quits. Some people get fired, some people retire. Very few cases people throw the towel and go to another company because seniority is everything. Once you have built up a little seniority you are not going to start over at another outfit. It's not like any other driving job. Seniority not only dictates your pay scale, it dictates what runs you do (if you are linehaul), what route you have (if you are P&D), what schedule you have, how many hours you work, what truck you drive, hell even what forklift or pallet jack you use. Or more importantly, when slow season comes and they have to lay off some people, they are not gonna get rid of the big money veterans, the first one out the door is you, the new guy. It's all a big game you have to play along and it always sucks being the new guy. Some people can't stand that and I don't blame them. But if you do stick it out it will pay off, it will pay off tremendously.

    My advice is to look around for the best company you can get on with. Not the best job right off the bat, but the best company. Even if it's part time or on call cleaning the grease off the mechanic's arse. Once you are in you are in. If they lay you off they will hire you back. And once time moves on and people start dropping like flies you will have enough seniority to make very very good money and still have a life.

    Another word of advice, stay away from Central and other crappy local shops. I would suggest Old Dominion, Southeastern or AAA Cooper for non union companies. For the unionized it doesn't really matter, you can try all of them.
     
    Oi!, Oct 2, 2013
    Oi!, Oct 2, 2013
    #22
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  4. Oct 16, 2013 #23
    jdiesel3406

    jdiesel3406 Light Load Member

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    I went to the Orlando terminal a couple months ago to fill out an application...there was weeds growing out of all the cracks in the yard, the place honestly looked abandoned, I walked in the door and and my jaw dropped. The walls were yellowish (white at one point like in 93?) the carpets were soaked the ceiling tiles in one corner were brown and ready to fall down, it was bad! No A/C in the building, they made me fill my application on an old desk that looked like it belonged to CF, I couldn't believe the conditions of the place. On top of that the only guy working there was firing someone over the phone, at that point I just got up and left. Their equipment looks so #### bad, DOT would have a field day with them I bet.
     
    jdiesel3406, Oct 16, 2013
    jdiesel3406, Oct 16, 2013
    #23
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  5. Oct 16, 2013 #24
    5.56

    5.56 Light Load Member

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    Their yard here in Indy is hiring for both dock and drivers . I've driven by their yard but never been in there .

    From the outside it looks like what the OP has described , dirty everything and the building looks like it could crumble at any time .

    Their equipment looks like old crap .
     
    5.56, Oct 16, 2013
    5.56, Oct 16, 2013
    #24
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  7. Oct 17, 2013 #25
    Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    I've been to the yard in Portland, OR a couple times to pick up interline freight. Place is a broken down rat hole. I would feel bad for the employees if they went under, but I seriously wonder how companies like this stay afloat, or why anyone would use them.
     
    Brandonpdx, Oct 17, 2013
    Brandonpdx, Oct 17, 2013
    #25
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  8. Oct 17, 2013 #26
    Oi!

    Oi! Road Train Member

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    Good thing you didn't have to use one of the bathrooms.

    Did you already get a job in the city?
     
    Oi!, Oct 17, 2013
    Oi!, Oct 17, 2013
    #26
  9. Oct 20, 2013 #27
    Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    I worked for Central in the 80's, when they were still Teamsters. They had the same problems back then, old tractors, dilapidated trailers, run down terminals. I don't see where things have changed much.
     
    Lonesome, Oct 20, 2013
    Lonesome, Oct 20, 2013
    #27
  10. Oct 22, 2013 #28
    Oi!

    Oi! Road Train Member

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    That they pay less than what they paid over a decade ago. Even though the cost of living keeps rising.
     
    Oi!, Oct 22, 2013
    Oi!, Oct 22, 2013
    #28
  11. Oct 23, 2013 #29
    Jumbo

    Jumbo Road Train Member

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    The one in Oshkosh, Wi looks the same. It almost looks like a trucking company USED to be there and moved out. They always have ads on Craigslist looking for drivers, I just never got that desperate.
     
    Jumbo, Oct 23, 2013
    Jumbo, Oct 23, 2013
    #29
  12. Oct 24, 2013 #30
    jdiesel3406

    jdiesel3406 Light Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2013
    Philly area
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    @ Oi! I have a local gig that I am trying to get out of, it's a mess. Check your pm
     
    jdiesel3406, Oct 24, 2013
    jdiesel3406, Oct 24, 2013
    #30
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