CELADON Experiences / Opinions

[ROCKYROAD]

I got Celadon on my shortlist.

I welcome any input from current or former drivers with respect to miles, hometime, and dealing with the organization.

I am not interested in beefs about them greasy mexican drivers, the socialist cannucks, or the bunkhouse at orientation.

My attraction to them is the 30K/$1k/7day. It fits my lifestyle (can't stand the idea of working over a year to get a stinking week off). But if everything else about working there stinks, then it wouldn't be worth it.

Again any comments are welcome, but lets limit try to keep it factual and on topic.

Thanks for your help!

[Karnajj]

I would stay away from them for the sole reason that their CEO is an a**hole. He has proven time and again that he has no respect for the driver. He was a major player in getting the southern border opened up to Mexican drivers.

[Skywalker]

I would stay away from them for the sole reason that their CEO is an a**hole. He has proven time and again that he has no respect for the driver. He was a major player in getting the southern border opened up to Mexican drivers.

I would have to agree. I saw a video taken at last years board meeting where he said that they would soon have plenty of "wetback" drivers to enhance their profits. What that translates to me is that "American" drivers employed by them may well be on a short leash and slated to be replaced by lower paid Mexican drivers....as soon as they can get the go ahead to use them.

Beyond that, white trucks and trailers with blue logos and letters....another mediocre trucking company whose main thrust is enhancing the bottom line and the driver is little more than "meat in the seat". Keep in mind that they are a "publicly traded company".....so their principal thrust is keeping the investors happy, not the drivers.

[ROCKYROAD]

I was kind of hoping to hear what kind of miles, how much thumb twiddling, and general jerking around one can expect.

I understand about the beaners and cannucks. The beaners won't be a problem, IF the DOT treats them with the same kindness they treat us :wink:

[Uturn2001]

The beaners won't be a problem

How do you figure that? If US companies end up being able to use Mexican drivers to haul loads in the US and pay them 15 or 20 cpm, how do you figure that is not going to be a problem?


I have talked to many Celedon drivers over the years. Most of the conversation started by them asking me about the company I was working for at the time.

One of the biggest and most common complaints I have heard from their drivers is having to sit, sometimes for days, waiting on their next load. While that load may be 1000 or more miles long they still experience a lot of down time, especially along the Mexican border.

[Malaki86]

I was kind of hoping to hear what kind of miles, how much thumb twiddling, and general jerking around one can expect.

I worked for them last year (solo driver). Here's what I can remember about Celadon:

Average trip length: around 950 miles
Normal running area: southern part of the country. I made one trip to New England in 4 months. They have no EZPass or toll cards of any kind. You'll pay the tolls (if they say you can run on the toll road) and be reimbursed.
Average miles per week (7 day): around 2500-3000
Sitting around waiting for a load: depends. If you go to Laredo (which you'll do quite often) plan on a 34hr restart
Equipment: You'll get the newest equipment they have available at the terminal. The only time you'll get an older truck is if they don't have a new one available at that time, but you'll get a new one very soon. I had a 2007 International with about 30,000 miles on it.
Their 30k/$1k/7day is no gimmick. You'll get it with no "work" on your part.
Although they don't force it, they "prefer" that you stay out 3-4 weeks at a time.
They are very conscious about NOT running you illegal. When I was there, they'd just came out of a big mess from a driver of theirs falling asleep at the wheel while driving illegal and, I think, killing a couple of people.
All in all, they're not that bad to work for. I had no real issues with them, except for a couple week "slowdown" in freight, which not only affected me, it affected everyone on the road. The only reason I left is that I went to work with my current company that gets me home MUCH more often, usually every other day, plus weekends at home unless I volunteer for a weekend run.

[ROCKYROAD]

Us good red blooded American Men have a tough enough time with the law. Can you imagine some smelly pepper belly getting DOT'd and giving that no habla anglais response.

Getting out and running like hell is the beaners first reaction to a badge!

Try as the companies may, I think it is the mexi-drivers who are gonna say the heck with this crap.

The beaners won't be a problem

How do you figure that? If US companies end up being able to use Mexican drivers to haul loads in the US and pay them 15 or 20 cpm, how do you figure that is not going to be a problem?


I have talked to many Celedon drivers over the years. Most of the conversation started by them asking me about the company I was working for at the time.

One of the biggest and most common complaints I have heard from their drivers is having to sit, sometimes for days, waiting on their next load. While that load may be 1000 or more miles long they still experience a lot of down time, especially along the Mexican border.

[Skywalker]

Us good red blooded American Men have a tough enough time with the law. Can you imagine some smelly pepper belly getting DOT'd and giving that no habla anglais response.

Getting out and running like hell is the beaners first reaction to a badge!

Try as the companies may, I think it is the mexi-drivers who are gonna say the heck with this crap.

I hate to say this, and don't take it personal....but a lot of people jumped through their butts to elect "shrub" with all kinds of bait laid before them that ultimately proved to be vapors.....

But as before, many seem not to be terribly "versed" at the realities of what is transpiring.... It would appear that our Republican led Federal Government has abdicated all responsibility for protecting AMERICAN jobs, considering that GWB himself stated on TV that nothing in immigration law is going to change.....actually, its the level of dismal enforcement that will not change, because as the shrub said....."as long as big business needs cheap labor"...nothing's going to change.

Not only will they be permitted to run American Highways.....but they will be granted waivers up the wazoo. Shoot, they already have a two year waiver plan in place for drivers south of the border....

It would seem that the Republicans have every intention of replacing you with a non-American driver who will work for 1/3rd or less of your pay...

Sad but true.....

[Cluggy619]

Us good red blooded American Men have a tough enough time with the law. Can you imagine some smelly pepper belly getting DOT'd and giving that no habla anglais response.

Getting out and running like hell is the beaners first reaction to a badge!

Try as the companies may, I think it is the mexi-drivers who are gonna say the heck with this crap.

I hate to say this, and don't take it personal....but a lot of people jumped through their butts to elect "shrub" with all kinds of bait laid before them that ultimately proved to be vapors.....

But as before, many seem not to be terribly "versed" at the realities of what is transpiring.... It would appear that our Republican led Federal Government has abdicated all responsibility for protecting AMERICAN jobs, considering that GWB himself stated on TV that nothing in immigration law is going to change.....actually, its the level of dismal enforcement that will not change, because as the shrub said....."as long as big business needs cheap labor"...nothing's going to change.

Not only will they be permitted to run American Highways.....but they will be granted waivers up the wazoo. Shoot, they already have a two year waiver plan in place for drivers south of the border....

It would seem that the Republicans have every intention of replacing you with a non-American driver who will work for 1/3rd or less of your pay...

Sad but true.....

They got until the next election.... That phone system in the Senate didn't shut because of all of the people calling in were suporting the immigration bill....Americans are angry with the Republicans for many reasons...including gas prices most of all. I think alot of republicans will be replaced in the next election, and that's why so many flipped their vote. But who knows what will happen....too soon to tell.

Now, as far as a company hiring a illegal to do the driving....never going to happen. Not that some companies won't try to use the Mexi-driver from across the boarder, however, I see that going down in flames as well. As far as GWB goes with his plans....he better work fast, he's running out of time. I don't see a Republican in the President seat after the next election....And all of this BS of bringing drivers from Mexico will vanish.

Just my thought.

[devildice]

They got until the next election.... That phone system in the Senate didn't shut because of all of the people calling in were suporting the immigration bill....Americans are angry with the Republicans for many reasons...including gas prices most of all. I think alot of republicans will be replaced in the next election, and that's why so many flipped their vote. But who knows what will happen....too soon to tell.

Now, as far as a company hiring a illegal to do the driving....never going to happen. Not that some companies won't try to use the Mexi-driver from across the boarder, however, I see that going down in flames as well. As far as GWB goes with his plans....he better work fast, he's running out of time. I don't see a Republican in the President seat after the next election....And all of this BS of bringing drivers from Mexico will vanish.

Just my thought.

The BIGGEST problem the "next" president will have is cleaning up after what GWB did. It will more than likely take a full term just to get things back on track.

[BigWheels]

...It would seem that the Republicans have every intention of replacing you with a non-American driver who will work for 1/3rd or less of your pay....

Republicans only? Not Democrats too?

Remember it takes two to tango.

The name of the game is "Let's get the most votes." Both the Democrats and Republicans are targeting the same issues (such as Mexican truckers crossing the border, illegal immigrant amnesty, etc.) in order to win the most votes on election day.

Here's an article 1-year ago highlighting what's at stake: Bush Is Losing Hispanics' Support, Polls Show

It's all about getting enough "swing" votes to win the next election.

Welcome to American politics in the 21st century.

BTW...I don't like how this "game" is played...but that's the reality....

[KATMANN]

Democrat or Republican.....both are the same.... slime....


This country truly needs to either get a third party in...OR Elect ALL of the incumbants OUT..... Regardless of Party....

[mudflap276]

we could be a parlimenatary govt and what ever party wins gets to elect the prime minister(prez) and they can let him stay in office as long as the party is still in office. imagine slick willie or lil' bush in office for 15 years. then we would all be crying. i can tolerate 4-8 years.

[zipy46]

Ya know, even if one doesn't like to hear it.

One of Capitalisms strongest points is the endless ways it can find to devalue human labor.

[Malaki86]

I love it when a question about how it is to work for a company becomes a full blown political argument in which no one can even remember the company name the driver asked about...

[Skywalker]

I love it when a question about how it is to work for a company becomes a full blown political argument in which no one can even remember the company name the driver asked about...

CELADON 8) 8)

[Skywalker]

...It would seem that the Republicans have every intention of replacing you with a non-American driver who will work for 1/3rd or less of your pay....

Republicans only? Not Democrats too?

Remember it takes two to tango.

No, the Dems were not involved. Much of this crap went down while the Repubs controlled congress... In fact the much disgraced "lizard boy", aka Newt Gingrich has been one of the major "cheerleaders" of the movement undertaken by the Repubs and the shills at the ATA to replace Americans with Mexican drivers.....

The name of the game is "Let's get the most votes." Both the Democrats and Republicans are targeting the same issues (such as Mexican truckers crossing the border, illegal immigrant amnesty, etc.) in order to win the most votes on election day.

How well we all know that....but up until recently...when it became amply clear that the Repubs didn't just suffer a minor setback in the last elections, they arrogantly weren't worried about having lost....afterall, the jackass named "Rove" told them it was no big deal..... Teeeheee. Now that the American "people" the electorate has raised their hackles and started biting back.....they are starting to sing a slightly different tune.

Here's an article 1-year ago highlighting what's at stake: Bush Is Losing Hispanics' Support, Polls Show

It's all about getting enough "swing" votes to win the next election.

Welcome to American politics in the 21st century.

BTW...I don't like how this "game" is played...but that's the reality....

Yep, I agree, and thats why no elected office in the land should be held for more than 2 years, and have a term limit imposed of 2 years and 1 day, with no benefits, pay or retirement.

[KATMANN]

...It would seem that the Republicans have every intention of replacing you with a non-American driver who will work for 1/3rd or less of your pay....

Republicans only? Not Democrats too?

Remember it takes two to tango.

No, the Dems were not involved. Much of this crap went down while the Repubs controlled congress... In fact the much disgraced "lizard boy", aka Newt Gingrich has been one of the major "cheerleaders" of the movement undertaken by the Repubs and the shills at the ATA to replace Americans with Mexican drivers.....

The name of the game is "Let's get the most votes." Both the Democrats and Republicans are targeting the same issues (such as Mexican truckers crossing the border, illegal immigrant amnesty, etc.) in order to win the most votes on election day.

How well we all know that....but up until recently...when it became amply clear that the Repubs didn't just suffer a minor setback in the last elections, they arrogantly weren't worried about having lost....afterall, the jackass named "Rove" told them it was no big deal..... Teeeheee. Now that the American "people" the electorate has raised their hackles and started biting back.....they are starting to sing a slightly different tune.

Here's an article 1-year ago highlighting what's at stake: Bush Is Losing Hispanics' Support, Polls Show

It's all about getting enough "swing" votes to win the next election.

Welcome to American politics in the 21st century.

BTW...I don't like how this "game" is played...but that's the reality....

Yep, I agree, and thats why no elected office in the land should be held for more than 2 years, and have a term limit imposed of 2 years and 1 day, with no benefits, pay or retirement.

Sorry to disagree with you SkyWalker....but NAFTA also comes to my mind....THE WORST agreement EVER for the working person of this country.....guess who was President.... Mr. Slick Willy himself....he had his little puppet Al Gore go on Larry King and debate Ross Perot... Im not a Perot fan.....but he was right when he said all the jobs will go south...


I agree with you Skywalker about the term limits.....no doubt

[KATMANN]

I love it when a question about how it is to work for a company becomes a full blown political argument in which no one can even remember the company name the driver asked about...

CELADON 8) 8)

[Skywalker]

Sorry to disagree with you SkyWalker....but NAFTA also comes to my mind....THE WORST agreement EVER for the working person of this country.....guess who was President.... Mr. Slick Willy himself....he had his little puppet Al Gore go on Larry King and debate Ross Perot... Im not a Perot fan.....but he was right when he said all the jobs will go south...


I agree with you Skywalker about the term limits.....no doubt

Ahh, yes, slick willy was the Prez....but the Republicans controlled the Congress at the time....in fact "lizard boy" was head cheerleader, no? 8)

I remember when Ross said that.... I just wonder how many jobs he "outsourced"??? But...you have to admit.... a career politician "debating" an unabashed capatalist... :shock: :? 8) Thats a "hoot".....