seeking Central Refridg Orientation Info

You have no choice but to double clutch for the test, they require it.
My suggestion is to use the clutch while shifting like you normally do, since all it takes is to depress the clutch a mere 1 or 2 inches.
Practice with a plunger stuck to the floor to get the timing right.
In effect, you'll be 'faking' it.

Once you go solo you will probably run all 48 unless you manage to get something regional or dedicated.

I am based out of Otay Mesa because I used to live in San Diego. I have only seen the place maybe 4 times in over 3 years.
Where you are based out of has no bearing on where you can take home time. Mine swap between Denver and St. Paul areas because I have family there. But you can take home time where ever you want, as long as there is freight to and out fairly close by (like 60-70 miles or so) and you have a safe and secure place to park the truck.

Where you spend most of your time varies from week to week and month to month.
It just depends on where the freight is running from where you are at.
I sometimes spend a lot of time in the eastern third; but this time, since coming off my last home time in Denver about 3 weeks ago, I've only been in the western third.

That won't change tomorrow as I am headed to Fontana.
But it might from there. Just never know.

Since Central is now Swift, nothing is really Central anymore.
You will be training as a Swift driver.

 

I have been kind of curious if Central new hires are going with any swift mentors. Ive heard central new hires are waiting weeks for a trainer. Not sure if it is a shortage of trainers on just centrals side, and theyre not sending them to swift mentors. or if there is a shortage of mentors accross swift and centrals board.

 

No, I mean like you usually float them in the truck.
But learn the motions and timing of double clutching, and just press the clutch pedal about an inch or two as you are shifting.
Fake it.

As you let off the throttle and pull it out of gear, press the clutch in a bit for half a second or so.
As you put it in the next gear do the same.

Or you could simply practice double clutching and do it correctly for the test.

 

I went thru the school just before Swift took over. I had a trainer by the end of the day. I know there were numerous complaints from trainees {including myself} about trainers not doing their job. My impression was, they were weeding out some really bad trainers which might be the reason for the shortage.
I heard couple horror stories first hand from guys that had to get off the truck out on the road. I'm sure that's not the norm, but it was/is some of their problem.

Since the Central side of Swift is a reefer company, I would doubt many, if any of the trainers you might see would be Swift. Not to sound completely negative, my 2nd trainer was a very nice guy. I already knew how to drive, I spent most of my time learning the operational side the job. That said, I was glad to have the chance to drive during miserable winter conditions with somebody that was experienced.

 

it was mentioned on another central thread on here. Maybe central truck stop 3? Don't remember which one. But the poster said that he was waiting for a couple days. And that they had just brought people in from Fontana that had been waiting for 2 weeks there. I think you have the option of going home. Couldn't tell you though.

 

I got my trainer the very next day after getting my cdl down there in Fontana. I've been out for a week now, let's see I believe it was 2 fridays ago that I took off with him.

He's a central refrigerated trainer and I'm his first trainee. I've been keeping in contact with all the guys I went to the school with down there and most of them are now out on trucks, but they all had to wait at least 4-5 days past when I got my trainer.

I don't know why I got so lucky. But it worked out. A few guys I heard were sent to Salt Lake City to get trainers so they didn't have to wait.

My trainer and I are on a dedicated route and were getting some pretty long mile runs.

Right now I'm sending this stuck on the 70 east in Pennsylvania waiting for them to clear up a traffic accident. Been here for almost 2 hours now.

Thinking about firing up a grill and cooking some burgers.