Comments By TreeTheTrucker

I'm currently with Celadon and I'd have to agree with @DB I'm in orientation and I went thru the training program and it took me 8 weeks. I wasn't left behind and passed every test the first time(got a cool little hat and pin for it too!) but the contract is 120k miles. Teams are paid .21 cents all miles and solos are .18 cents per mile. EVERYTHING DB said is a spot on match!!! They have some dang good instructors who will make sure you know what your doing(either by repetitiveness or yelling at you in a constructive criticism type way, but nothing harsh). I was disappointed and considered leaving but I heard someone say "people always think the grass is always greener at another trucking company and it isn't, it's the same" I took that and ran with it. I go back this weekend to continue my last orientation day(my mother was hospitalized so I had to go be with her). It may not be the greenest grass, but I'll water it and make it be what I need it to be, you feel me?

I have a choice to run reefer(no, not that kind lol) or dry van. I'm a newbie and have to choose as I'm about to go with a trainer. What's the difference besides one is a refrigerated trailer and the other is not? And I want to salute all the other Vets out there on the road and everywhere else. Thank you for your service.

@D B. I appreciate the reply and I'm in Indy now with celadon. I passed the 90 and the road test. I start orientation tomorrow.

Could be worse...you could be stuck in a contract with celadon making .18 a mile...Schneider sounding real good to me on this end(all of celadon trainees have to take the CDL test at Schneider and they even tho I was with celadon they actually tried to recruit me...I might have to call that number...)

Can anyone give me pointers for performing the 90' alley dock. I have to pass this maneuver to be hired on by the company(Celadon)(I guess passing the CDL test wasn't enough smh) I get that it's essentially a straight back, but almost jackknifing the truck and only being able to see on one side...is a bit much...oh and no they don't let us open the door(as someone once told me)

Well Truckers, I'm proud to say I've earned my CDL class A. Some said I couldn't do it, it would take years etc etc. My status as of now is training on the 90' backing. When I pass this company test, I'll be heading to Celadons Orientation. Thanks to all who gave me a kind word along my up and down journey. I know it's just beginning but I also know the best is yet to come... hope to see you out there

So today ended my first week at Celadons training facilities in Indianapolis Indiana. Here's the run down. Overall, Not bad for a first week. Took a greyhound from Georgia and the ride was 19 hours long and a guy from Werner snored the entire ride.(what a way to start a trip lol) Arrived at the bus station in Indy and had to call the campus to arrange a ride. Ride came in 20 minutes. After a 20 minute ride we arrived at the campus only to be informed that the dorms(co-ed) had only two rooms open. So out of our group of 8 6 would be housed a few miles away at the motel(quality inn, double occupancy). Since I was the first one to call the dorm and arrange a ride, I got first choice of the room in the dorms. We were fed a light lunch and then the other were bused to to the hotel.(they would slowly trickle back to the dorms later on in the week as we lost students to failed physicals and some left to meet with their trainers) there is no curfew but you can't take any company to your room either. Visitors have to stay on the first floor only. The whole Building is new, 3 floors, elevator, full gym, weight room, workout room, multiple student lounges, cafeteria, and there dorm rooms are small but not cramped. Cable tv(they even have a channel that plays a correct Pre-trip inspection(done by Max) video all day and all night 24/7), and flat screen tvs. They feed you breakfast lunch and dinner, but if your expecting to eat good forget about it. The meals are free but they are meals fit for a ten year old. The students at the motel have hot continental breakfast but not here at Celadon. We get cereal, a bagel, muffin or a pop tart. You have to choose one, you can't get all of them. Lunch and dinner is a bit different, they serve small kid size pizzas or a hot/cold sandwich. Or you can get the other choice which is usually some type of Pasta or chicken and vegetables. Won't get you full but, you won't starve. They also have vending machines available 24/7. Now to the really important part...Class was a mix of students male and female of whom some had CDL permits and others did not. If you have a permit, your going to sit thru the entire class and listen to everything you already learned to obtain that permit. Regulations say we need 40hrs of classtime so even with a permit your expected to sit there with everyone else, which isn't bad because you can always learn something. classes are class is Monday thru Friday 8am-5pm. Our first day we got right into it, along with physicals, drug tests, and the teacher passing out paperwork on parallel parking and offset parking. The classroom instructor is Max, and he's awesome. He runs the place. He's connected with the people who run the state certified CDL testing site(Schneider) so he has all the correct answers and methods of passing to get your CDL. You just have to listen and learn. You have to verbally pass a Safe start test, air brake check test, and an in cab inspection test in front of the whole class, and you can't miss a thing. Your going to do this a bout 3-4 times but be warned, if you miss anything you fail. You will simulate sitting in truck and will have to perform the movements exactly like you were sitting in the truck. But Max will give you many chances to pass and will give you any help you need, at any time. If being in front of everyone is too much, he'll let you go in the hallway one on one with him so you can do these test. If you don't pass these test you don't go to the range with other students who pass to work on backing technique.(which is stage 2 of the program) Throughout the week, we had various staff coming in to fill us in about Celadons procedures and their expectations of their drivers, also there were fitness experts to give tips on how to stay healthy while on the road. The contract you'll sign is for 120,000 miles and they say if you team drive you'll make 18cents a mile(all miles) and you'll finish your contract in 6 months. Or you could solo and finish in a little over a year. They have pretty new equipment and I heard this from some of the drivers who are relatively happy with driving for celadon. If your looking for a company to train you while holding your hand, this isn't it. You'll be expected to be professional, courteous, and on time for everything. Be prepared for large classes which means less time behind the wheel, but they work with you to make sure you know what your doing before they release you to the next stage. Sorry so long but I always tell it like it is and sometimes it's a lot. So if you think I missed something, contact me and I'll answer any question you might have. By the way, I passed all three test in front of the class, and am heading to the range to do my backing Monday..... and I hate public speaking. TreeBark over and out.

Yep still here.

Ok so after reading so many negative threads elsewhere where years old, I decided to keep tabs here. Contrary to what put on the net. Celadon picked us up from the bus station within 20 minutes and not hours like the other guys where saying. The dorms were full but since I was the first to call for a ride I got one of the only two dorm rooms left out of the 6 people on the van. The meals are light but when it's free you can't complain. The facilities are nice and not at as all described. Dinner was a kids(little kids) sized pizza or sandwich, 12 ounce soda and your choice of fruit, pudding, or chips. Not great but not bad. Doesn't matter if they feed me or not I came to learn to drive trucks. Nothing else matters. Let you guys know what tomorrow brings.

Starting Celadons training this week in Indianapolis, and wanted to know if anyone is currently attending the training program? Most of the threads are from a year or longer, and while I read them all, I'm anxious to hear any NEW information regarding their training. Any CURRENT drivers have any info they could give me? I'd greatly appreciate it.