central refrigerated
 

Hi guys. With my situation being as it is I can not get my CDL on my own since I can not get the money for it. I ran across central refrigerated in a job search when I was looking for truck driving companies. They offer a school within 45 minutes of my house which they pay for up front and then you pay back.

I have heard horror stories about a lot of companies that offer this kind of training like swift and others but I looking at this company it doesn't seem that bad.

There student pay starts at $425 a week then on the 3rd week it goes to $500. When you start solo they start you out at .29 a mile which I guess isn't to bad with the .08 pier diem pay and they also have incentive and quartly safety bonuses.

Now this all looks good on paper like most companies do but I was looking for advice from some people that have had experience or heard about this company. With my not being able to afford school on my own this looks like a good way to get my CDL.

edit: also on average how many miles do you get a week? I see if you run 10,500 you get your .1cpm incentive but is this realistic to hit? Also on average how many nights home do you get? I'm not really concerned about the nights home since I'd rather put in miles and get more money but it is nice to know you'll be home more then 1 time a month.

Re: central refrigerated
 

10,500 miles per month pulling a reefer is possible, but I wouldn’t plan on hitting that number every month. Recruiters like to show you calculations on how your are going to make tons of money when you start out. But if the money and perks are so good, how come they aren’t driving a truck?

The numbers that you often will see in ads and on websites are based on “perfect world” scenarios. In the real world of trucking you will face many delays that will reduce your ability to run miles like slow loading and unloading at shippers and receivers, weather delays, traffic delays, mechanical breakdowns, having to hunt for an empty trailer, Dot Inspections, etc.

Most OTR companies will try to get you home at least twice a month. Your chances of getting home will increase if you live near a major interstate. If the company you chose has a terminal or at least a drop yard near your home, that is a good sign that they frequently have freight coming in or out of your area.

Best of Luck to you in whatever you decide to do. And keep reading and asking questions so that you can make an informed decision.

Central Questions
 

As for the school & paid for by Central. The school is ok and gets you the basics to get your CDL but driving and only driving behind the wheel will get you the experience needed for this profession. Get with a Central recruiter as nothing is free and you will have to do some time at Central to pay back. As all companies that do the school training require you to do. Don't do the pay back time then you will have to pay for the school.

When you go out with your trainer you will have to drive a certain amount of miles to qualify for employment with Central. I belive that is around 10,500 miles. Do it and get that Experience. Also pay attention to the class on the DOT logs a BIG must. You see so many on this site who keep asking how to fill out the logs. Listen in class, ask questions and practice logs before you go out with your trainer. And yes there are good and bad trainers. Luck of the draw. But if you get a good one, work and listen with your trainer and when you come back to Central after your training run you will be ready to take your tests for empolyment with Central.
$0.29 to start is correct, low to some, but as a newbie you need to start at the bottom and get the experience. Those drivers who make the high wages did not start out at that wage they started also at a lower wage and had to work up the ladder,

Miles....Thats up to you and your fleet manager. To earn a living at being an OTR you only make money when the wheels are moving. So prove your self to the Company and fleet manager that your there to work you will get the miles. But... also don't let them push you beyong DOT limits. Experience and talking with the other OTR's will be the tools you need to get educated in this profession. And don't believe everything you hear. There is alot of BS as with any profession.

Days off. If you read the Central site Central is like most companies 1 day off for six out. So you control you days off. Stay out only 2 weeks, 2 days off. Again if this is your profession you only make money when wheels are rolling and days off by staying out on the road for more then 2 weeks at a time. Yes, thats away from home quit a bit but that is the life of an OTR. If you go for this profession then you have to accept. Talk to other Compant Driver OTR's as I said before. You will pick up a wealth of information on many question's you may have.

My son drives for Central coming up on 3 years, He has a good fleetmanager. I keep his books and for the 3 years he averages 2900+ miles every week. ta. He likes Central, yes he has his gripes as all drivers do, but again he has a good fleetmanger and they work together and he gets the miles he wants. The most important #1 is communicate with your fleetmanger and build a good relationship and #2 is keep your logs up and follow the DOT rules.

Central is a reefer company and has it's goods and bad's as all companies do. The bttom line a reefer companiy like Central gets the loads all 12 months. Some may be short hauls, they have to go, but there are many good long hauls also. Work with your fleetmanger and get the loads. Be on the road not sitting in the truck stops and make your money.

I'm off my band wagon, good luck.

Mr C

Great post...

Everyone seems to avoid these deals where the company pays for school like the plague, and sometimes it's for good reason.

However, for your situation, this is about the best it gets. You NEED someone to pay for your school, and you cannot get started in this business without going to a decent driving school, which costs quite a bit.

Every one of the companies I've ever seen that trains new drivers requires them to stay on with them for some time. I'd recommend doing your homework, finding a good, solid company, and going for it. If you happen to get stuck with an awful company, stick with it for your year, and find a better company. Or, if you find a good company to start with, maybe stay awhile longer...

BTW...if you live in any of their hiring areas, I HIGHLY recommend Roehl......

GREAT post Mr. C

I start training on the 4th of Feb. 08 - I'm going to try and log a diary so the rest of the newbies can get a taste.

As I understand it, the 2 1/2 weeks of initial training is without pay. I don't have a problem with this but some may.

My research; through CDL friends and Internet buzz, says this is a decent Co. I'm also told that there is an 8 month agreement to stay.


Good luck to all... And thank U Mr. C and Son.

Re: Central Questions
 

great post thank you for the information.

Re: Central Questions
 

Mr. C:

Which terminal is your son based out of?

Which terminal
 

My son runs out of Central at Irving, TX

Re: Central Questions
 

You got that right. Hell, I had to cover a road driver's bid-run last week. Got stuck in traffic for over 2 hours due to snow storm and big wreck. Called dispatch up and they put me on the clock at $22.00/hr. As an added bonus, got to listen to all the BBR's whining and crying on the CB that they weren't making money. :roll:

You've got to be $%^@ing kidding me. Damn, I've heard of some cut-rate shenanigans in this biz, but this one takes the cake. Next thing you know, you folks will be paying the CARRIER to be a low (no) paid team-driver...OOPS I mean TRAINEE! Many of you already do as lease-ops. Driver, if you don't have a problem with this arrangement...then you are part of what's wrong with the industry.

Look elsewhere. Look anywhere for that matter. What a frickin' hosejob!

Re: Central Questions
 

He's talking about the two weeks in CDL school. That's the standard. I don't know of any company that pays you to be in school. That is unless you're working the docks for an LTL or a package driver at UPS and they move you up and pay for school.

Re: Central Questions
 

Thanks greg3564

Yep done the research... That would B any school/Co. Worth anything. I can afford it so as I said; some may have an issue w/ it.

ColdFrostyMug:

This thread was intended to share the individual Co.'s program particulars. To some, your comments may seem offensive as I'm sure your aware.

As to being "part of what's wrong with the industry" - I , like many, are willing to put forth the effort and time to break into this industry. Even if I'm not on the clock at $22.00/hr. behind an accident or weather related incident, you wouldn't hear me whining. Judging by your attitude, if you didn't make that 22.00 / hr, (which I'm sure most a wondering if you really received it) we'd all be listening to you whining on the frequency.

CFM thinks unless you are a LTL driver and in the Union you are not a Truck driver. Sorry I could not put up with all the BS the Union does. When only a laborer can move a piece of lumber so the forklift can load the truck and it takes 3 hours for his A$$ to get off his COFFEE BREAK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.

:roll: Aaaaaa Yes... :wink: Thank you for clearing that up for me... I have nothing against Unions; just the people that forget how they got started and look down their nose at others.

It must be hard to board his truck... Doesn't his pointed head get in the way?

Sorry Admin:

I'll stay on subject now!

(EDITED) Don't cry about the union (EDITED)

CFM do not EVER ATTACK MY FATHER OR CALL HIM A SCAB. He did what he had to so his WIFE AND KIDS had a roof over their heads food in their stomachs and the bills paid. The strike benefits at the time were 20 bucks a week that would not even feed my family at the time for 2 days. When you take off the rose colored glasses and realize how much :dung: :dung: your beloved union is feeding you maybe you will wake up. Look at the AUTO INDUSTRY ASK A GM OR FORD RETIREE IF THEY LOVE THEIR UNION RIGHT NOW THEY JUST GOT SOLD DOWN THE RIVER AND ALSO ASK ANY CF driver if they love the Union sorry CF is gone. Just looking at the waste in the Teamsters makes me want to PUKE. Why in the hell does a union need 15 VP's and all the other crap paying them 200K or better a year my dad still gets the magizine so we see what they get paid. Hoffa Jr is no better than his dad in fact probaly worse when it comes to being connected to the MOB and will end up killing the Teamsters.

Let's keep the personal family insults out of this. They are not needed and pretty childish. :roll:

Thank you!
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Well, I fly out tomorrow for the Utah training facility. I start Monday.

I'll be keeping a log and detailed impressions of the training and overall Co. feel, policies and treatment. It'll depend on Internet access as to how often I can update. I'll be purchasing a Verizon wireless in a couple of weeks.

Until then,

Foxx out.

keep us updated I really want to do this and would like to see how you like it.

Sorry 4 the delay
 

Very sorry 4 the delay.

I can not recommend Central Refrigeration Service, Inc. to even my worst enemy…. Extremely un-professional, disingenuous; continually bordering on inappropriate and some times criminal behavior.
DOT has no clue of how dangerous some of their poorly trained employees direct equally poorly trained drivers, to commit serious safety violations; all in the spirit of saving money.

This company changes policy at will; regardless of what they have committed to previously.

In short…. You are less than “just a number” !


More to come… W/ evidence.

What exactly happend? I'm thinking of going there I live near the school in Fontana. Did you end up going through school an getting your license or did you leave before you got your license. If you did get your license how was the pay starting out, thanks....

DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR Central Refrigeration Service, Inc.
 

:!: DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR Central Refrigeration Service, Inc. :!: . Yes, I received my license and spent the most dreadful 4 months at the hands of clearly the most extortive group I’ve ever encountered.

Out of 12 students in my class, only one is still with the company. From the previous class of 26, only 2 have remained; all are desperately seeking a new career or company to drive for. Each now owe approximately 1500.00 to 3000.00 for training that doesn’t amount to more than “team driving”. It is much cheaper to attend a State sponsored or low cost school to obtain your license then attend a companies training. This way, when you feel as though you have made a mistake – you have a way out!

You do not get paid by the mile you get paid from zip code to zip code; this often results in 40 to 60 miles less than what you’ve travel – this adds up. Big-time, nearly 10% of your miles traveled. That is, over the course of your required 10,500 mile month, 1050 unpaid miles or (.29 cents per mile = $304.50 per month) or ($3654.00 per year)

The companies latest routine is, “this is a fuel crisis we no longer get you home, you’ll need to park your truck at a truck-stop”(closest to your last delivery taking full responsibility for your tractor and trailer), then make your way home and return to your truck, at your own expense (300+ miles). Anything that happens to your truck, while gone, will come out of your check. (Truck-stops are notorious for damage while parked)

I am waiting on a large number of pictures along with the drivers statement (Police Report – finding no fault of the driver) to include with this post. The driver is being charged with the towing and damage to the truck (though the State Troopers side with the driver) Company policy is AT FAULT until proven otherwise. A law enforcement report is not satisfactory.


In summary, If you have no life, no home, no self-esteem, no bills and don’t mind taking it in the behind… Central is for you.

Re: DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR Central Refrigeration Service, Inc
 

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Hard heads like you always have to learn the hard way dont you?

Re: DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR Central Refrigeration Service, Inc
 

Now wait a minute...you need to do some 'splaining here.... You were in an accident?

This industry does NOT heed at-fault vs. not at-fault in an accident. Here, it's preventable of non-preventable. As a commercial driver, you are REQUIRED to do "everything reasonable" to prevent an accident, not simply not cause one, as a 4-wheeler is responsible for. In short, if someone merges into you, and they are at fault, YOU can still be liable in the eyes of the company for NOT getting OUT OF THE WAY!

What happened? :shock:

Re: DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR Central Refrigeration Service, Inc
 

Being paid HHG miles. Did you ask that question before you started? Team driving is considered training? I never heard that about them before :roll: Good luck bro.

If he thinks this is bad, he should be glad he didnt go to England or Swift!!

Re: DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR Central Refrigeration Service, Inc
 

No I wasn't in the accident I just witnessed it. The driver avoided a head-on with a 4wlr in his lane. The Kentucky DOT officer found him NOT AT FAULT and further, He made every attempt to avoid a catastrophic head-on that would have; in the DOT officers own words, cause great bodily injury to the occupants of the 4wlr.

The company; Central Refrigeration Service, Inc., is holding the driver responsible.

Simply NOT Right!

I'll have pictures and the report that I'll post when I receive them.

As to sticking it out, not necessary… I found a much better company w/ better pay, benefits and weekends off.