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Central Transport | Thinking about applying for a Job here any recomindations?

CT is changing for the better...it is going to take time.

JohnWNielsen said:
All I can say is, if you want to work at CTII, then you must be pretty desperate! I used to work there, and I'm SOOOOOO glad I don't anymore!

When I got hired on (April 2006), it was a NICE company. You did NO dock work, as they had dock workers. At that time, they still had the O/O's there, driving the crappy LN8000-9000 trucks. Matty (Marone) did that to break up the union, and once he got the union out, started hiring back the O/O's, and turned them back to company drivers. There were NO computers, you did everything with pen, and paper. You had company Nextel's, and you had dispatchers. The only downside, was you used all 'barn door' 53's, for P&D work. No roll ups.

At that time, you actually worked for a company called "JWA", and the trucks had "Charlette Express" on them. The only thing that said "Central Transport", were the trailers. You got paid by direct deposit, and the nice thing, was you didn't have to take a lunch. When you got back, bumped the dock, unhooked the tractor, and turned in your paperwork, you just looked at the manager, and (let's say it was 6:30) you would say: "no lunch-7:00", and walked out the door! This WAS the absolute DREAM JOB I've wanted all my life! I had absolutely NO COMPLAINTS at all!

Then came along a little thing called "the dolphin" (a hand-held computer), and that's when the company went to hell. Whatever Matty's reasons were, he decided to change everything over to Central Transport. Drivers, trucks, etc. We had to fill out new applications (even though we worked there), take new physicals, **** tests. Now that we were getting paid by Central, direct deposit was gone, now back to paper paychecks. Everyone I tell this to, can't believe they went 'backwards'! All of the sudden, the dockworkers were gone, and guess what? WE had to start working the dock! P&D drivers unloading their trailers, and re-loading the outbound linehaul trailers. We got issued books of bar codes, and everything got coded. Us drivers would come up with innovative ideas as to expedite the freight transferring, but when corporate got wind of it, would re program our dolphins so we couldn't do that anymore. Everything got slower on the dock! The WORSE thing they did, was have a '10 second wait time' between scans. I still don't know what their reasoning was behind that, but now the dock work just took FOREVER!

Then came lunches. Either you took your lunch, or you just donated 2-1/2 hours a week to the company 'cause'!! There was even a screen on the dolphin, that had a lunch break on there. You logged in to lunch, then had to keep a mental note as to when the 1/2 hour would be up, then start looking at the timer, so you can punch back out on time! Everything was based on "stops per hour" for P&D drivers, and "handling units per hour" for dock work, and linehaul drivers. Our moronic terminal manager would have 'one on one' meetings once a week, with each driver, to discuss our stops per hour, and to push us to do more. My route was the only route in the terminal that had a WEEKLY tailgate/inside deliveries (at two different stores), and also went to a grocery distribution warehouse, and when you delivered there, had to 'sort and segregate' the load. That stop alone, cost a minimum of 2-1/2 hours, sorting everything, then waiting on the receiver to scan everything in, with his computer. The idiotic terminal manager would say that my stops per hour were a little low last week, or the week before. All I would tell him, is if I remember I had that grocery warehouse, and of course, the weekly tailgate/inside deliveries. He would then say I COULD NOT use that as an excuse! I would say "OK, then that's the reason". He didn't like that, either! On days that I didn't have those stops, my 'stops per hour' were always higher than the 'terminal average' (sometimes double), even though I found out that punching out for lunch, didn't stop the stops per hour clock! Plus, the city I was doing the P&D route in, was a heavy delivery route, but not a big pick up route. So, I would get sent 'out of route' to do any pick ups. By the way, ALL pick ups, and deliveries are in the dolphin. When you leave in the morning, all deliveries get downloaded in, then while you are on the route, the pick ups come in, and you HAVE to accept them! Now, both the pick ups, AND even the deliveries, are 'routed' by corporate, in MI! It doesn't matter where your terminal is at, Michigan routes everything! Some clown is at a computer screen, and you are a 'dot'! I don't know how many times I would pass another Central truck, going the opposite way, to the town I was just at, to make a pick up! Yea, that's streamlined!

Since I've left there, I've been told by people still there that a 'new' feature on the dolphins, has if you made the company any money when you log off! Real confidence builder there! Oh, I almost forgot. When they came out with the dolphins, I almost didn't work there, because YOU are FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE for your dolphin, when you get one assigned to you! If you drop it, scratch it, anything happens to it, YOU can get charged up to $500.00 to have it replaced! And, when you get one, you could get a used one, from someone else who quit. So, you better look that thing over, like you're renting a new car! Mark down ANY scratches, etc. that is wrong with it, or you WILL be charged money when you quit! (and, believe me, YOU WILL BE CHARGED!)

There are so many more details that I forgot about already. All the new hires, are getting paid WAY below what I started at, and the 'top pay' is like $4.00 less than when I was there! If you want to bust your ass, freeze it off on a cold dock working freight, with forklifts that don't work and leak battery acid, or sweat your ass off during the summer, then Central is the place for you!

Here's a little "training video" that you NEED to watch, before you even turn in your application!

YouTube - My Life at Central Transport

I can honestly say, as a former employee, that this video IS the REAL TRUTH!

Good luck!

John
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John's portrayal of CT in recent years is accurate. However, since David McClimon (former president of Con-Way) took over as President of CT in January, there have been positive changes. If McClimon stays on for the longer term, I expect CT's horrible reputation amongst drivers will fade. The key in my mind is if McClimon stays...so far, so good.
 
JohnWNielsen said:


If they're as bad as what I wrote, then I won't be applying there, either! The other thing I forgot to mention, is that the did away with vacation pay, and holiday pay! Instead, if you don't miss more than 11 days in a quarter, then you will get a 'bonus' check, that is supposed to cover your vacation, and holiday pay! But, guess what? If you take your 2 week vacation, it GOES AGAINST your '11 day' minimum! So, make sure that you don't miss another day, or guess what? NO VACATION PAY FOR YOU!! Even if there's no work, and you're sent home, that still counts!

God, I'm glad I'm not there anymore!

John
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The Attendance Bonus Program is no more (as of 05/01/11). Just one of the positive things David McClimon has done since he took over.
 
Stratilac said:
Are things getting any better with the new upper management? Matty's kid was ruining it there from what I seen before I was laid off...just wondering if there is any hope at all for that company.
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Yes, there is hope for this company -- as long as David McClimon stays on for the longer haul. So far, I like what I'm seeing. It appears that the Moroun family is allowing McClimon to make changes that will will benefit themselves as owners as well as employees. I do hope and pray that the Morouns will continue to allow McClimon to run the company as he sees fit. As long as McClimon has the authority and responsibility for decision-making (with accountability to the Moroun family), I see no reason why this company can't improve it's bottom line, it's reputation amongst drivers, and increased confidence in existing and future customers.
 
So, if this guy is this good, then did he reinstate the higher pay? You know, the top pay of $21.50/hr, instead of whatever they lowered it to after I left? What about actually FIXING the trucks? I can't count how many times we were told: the parts are on order, but nothing was ever fixed. The only way I could get anything done, was to call road service while on the route, and tell them the truck NEEDED this. Only then, could I get something fixed. Unfortunately, I still had to run for two summers with no A/C, and carry a squeege with me whenit rained, just so I could see out the windshield! I know that the local terminal here is telling drivers to go around the "super coops", (and I've seen them do it), because ALL Central.trucks are getting pulled in there. If this new "savior"can get the equipment legal, then I'll believe it. But, don't forget, he still works for Matty, so it's still up to that tight-ass to pay out the money.

John
 
I could have written your original post John. It echos what I went through for 5 years and I never saw $21.50 an hour. I think you're exactly right when you say this guy still works for tight ass matty. I know they have just bought 3 or 5 hundred more junker trucks (used with 500,000 miles on them) to replace some of the worst junkers in their fleet. If that's not throwing good money after bad I don't know what is. Oh ya, they also are spending about $2000 a truck for new yellow paint jobs. I glad I'm not there anymore too.
 
JohnWNielsen said:
So, if this guy is this good, then did he reinstate the higher pay? You know, the top pay of $21.50/hr, instead of whatever they lowered it to after I left? What about actually FIXING the trucks? I can't count how many times we were told: the parts are on order, but nothing was ever fixed. The only way I could get anything done, was to call road service while on the route, and tell them the truck NEEDED this. Only then, could I get something fixed. Unfortunately, I still had to run for two summers with no A/C, and carry a squeege with me whenit rained, just so I could see out the windshield! I know that the local terminal here is telling drivers to go around the "super coops", (and I've seen them do it), because ALL Central.trucks are getting pulled in there. If this new "savior"can get the equipment legal, then I'll believe it. But, don't forget, he still works for Matty, so it's still up to that tight-ass to pay out the money.

John
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Well, at least the pay freeze has been lifted. I'd like to see the $21.50 top rate come back. That would be sweet.

John, you reminded me that I didn't have A/C last year either. Hopefully, that will change for me this year. The trucks are getting fixed. trailers too. Even forklifts. I've never seen a 4-month stretch where so much equipment has been repaired at CT. It ain't perfect--I loaded a trailer today with a hole in the floor--but it's much better than it has been.

I won't run knowingly overweight. That's stupid. I know guys do it all over--at CT and other companies. If my terminal manager asked me run around a scale because the weight is illegal, I'd tell him "see you tomorrow". It's just plain dumb to take a chance and run illegal. If the DOT catches you, it goes on your record. Why risk it.

Things are changing....
 
hooya said:
I could have written your original post John. It echos what I went through for 5 years and I never saw $21.50 an hour. I think you're exactly right when you say this guy still works for tight ass matty. I know they have just bought 3 or 5 hundred more junker trucks (used with 500,000 miles on them) to replace some of the worst junkers in their fleet. If that's not throwing good money after bad I don't know what is. Oh ya, they also are spending about $2000 a truck for new yellow paint jobs. I glad I'm not there anymore too.
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CT is bringing around 175 used tractors into the system in the short term. About one-third of the trucks are 2005 models having less than 400,000 miles. The rest of the tractors have less than 200,000 miles on it (2007 model year).

Throughout the year, CT will be introducing new Cascadia's into the fleet (around 175).

So 350 tractors will be replacing some of the real clunkers and junkers we all know...and hate!
 
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They're telling them to go around the coops not because they are overweight, but because they are constantly being pulled around back, and are being DOT'D. The coops here have adjusted their hours to accommodate CT trucks, to make site they catch them on their way up to their routes in WI!

John
 
You can make more money, work less hours, drive legal and safe equipment, have a 401K, pension, great and affordable medical benefits... just not at Central. I worked there from summer 2007 to fall 2010. So it's not like I didn't give them a chance and I don't regret having worked there... But don't waste your time or saturate the marketplace with another disgruntled, overworked, and underpaid LTL driver. Seriously, I don't know you; but, if you do decide to work there you'll just end up leaving there. You will never make enough to retire from there. If you are financially secure and don't mind driving unsafe equipment for long hours with no overtime, it might be a good fit for you. Referring to my first sentence, I got all that at my present job so I know how Central screws you. Just saying... you asked. My recommendation is that you consider Con-way, FedEx, ABF, UPS, Dayton, USF Holland, etc. Those are good jobs from which you can retire.
 
SemiDriven said:
CT is bringing around 175 used tractors into the system in the short term. About one-third of the trucks are 2005 models having less than 400,000 miles. The rest of the tractors have less than 200,000 miles on it (2007 model year).

Throughout the year, CT will be introducing new Cascadia's into the fleet (around 175).

So 350 tractors will be replacing some of the real clunkers and junkers we all know...and hate!
Click to expand...

With all due respect...I dont believe CT is buying '05 trucks (6 yrs old) with less than 400,000 mi and '07's (4 yrs old) with less than 200,000. In any case, before I left they gave me an 05 Freightliner that was an old JB Hunt truck. I can't remember how many miles were on it but it had a blown head gasket and the A/C didn't work. CT refused to fix it until it quite litteraly wouldn't move anymore. Then they eventually fixed the gasket but not the A/C and took the truck away from me so the activity center could have it and replaced it with another P.O.S. I honestly don't care what this company does or who they hire I don't think they will be competitive with the major LTL companies. CT's method of operation has always been one step forward and at least two steps backwards. After 5 years of working there I've seen it over and over. Today (sadly) they are no better than they were 5 years ago. BTW, they absolutely were banking on Yellow going bankrupt. They even hired a lot of ex Yellow managers. Where is the sense in that?
 
Goodwrench said:
I was thinking about applying for a job here,Can anyone tell me something good about this place.Or should I not even apply here? what are the pros and cons about this company? I see all the bickering about this place but you guy's are still there so it must not be that bad.Or is it?
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They all but hired me from Pittsburgh to run City P&D. I'm not sure if that's what I want to do.....
 
Any job is a good job to get thru this tuff time in our economic history. Otherwise this wouldnt be a job to take out a mortgage on a nice new house with...nobody ever stays with this company...wonder why?
 
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