My First Week At Celadon Indianapolis

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.

If your looking for a company to train you while holding your hand, this isn't it.

That's the case for most company schools. And many students do not realize they are already over 21 and need to be treated as adults.

Your post does tell it like it is (even the "kids meals"!). But things will be more fun when you get your own truck. Keep going!

I am not sure how current this is.. I attended back in 2013 and I Love Max he was the best! We didn't have to do the brake tests or in cab in the class room that didn't come until we were in a truck but I am sure its all changed. I am actually heading back there in December as I was unable to test out due to a family issue back home. I am very ready this time and I like the fact that I am returning to the original class that taught me what I know.. So I have my permit and medical now and that sucks I have to sit in class but Max is a great guy and will always teach me something.. I really hope that I get more backing time this go round. I am more prepared and if there is any new information please let me know.. ~Sweet Potato

@sweet potato Yea max is the best but you'll be happy to know that they switched up a few things(but my mostly everything on my post is the same except these two new things) on how they do the range now. Before it was a bunch of people vying for a spot to get in the truck. Now since they have so many people they switched up to giving out times in two hour increments. So it'll be a certain amount at one time then the next two hours another group comes out to the range. Second thing...They've also added 4 simulators to the classroom next to Max's class. So you'll get some practice on that. But im sorry to say you will do that safe start, in cab inspection, and air brake check verbally in front of everyone. But one tip from a guy who is headed to North Carolina tomorrow to do some local runs(check for my post on this in about 5 minutes) with a local trainer...study the H.E double hockey sticks outta that pre trip inspection. It's what's hurting most students when they go do the cdl test. Best of luck to you. Any specific question you can private message me and I'll be happy to answer.

That is great that they saw there was a problem with the backing range and did something to fix it.. Pre trip I had down I could say it in my sleep but yes making sure I review it.. I still have the sheets max gave me not sure if there are any changes on that.. Katie has been a great recruiter which totally blew me away I remember my recruiter before took pulling teeth to communicate.. It makes a girl feel great to know you are being treated well.. I saw the simulator on Facebook the other day and I want to try that thing just to see if it helps or not.. I am not worried about learning my backing maneuvers as I still have them memorized like it was yesterday however practice is what I need.. And those break tests and in cab Ya I am pretty sure I have them down just not too thrilled about preforming it for an audience (didn't know I was trying out for an acting job) Just kidding.. So how many weeks did it take you to test? just curious

@sweet potato Yea max is the best but you'll be happy to know that they switched up a few things(but my mostly everything on my post is the same except these two new things) on how they do the range now. Before it was a bunch of people vying for a spot to get in the truck. Now since they have so many people they switched up to giving out times in two hour increments. So it'll be a certain amount at one time then the next two hours another group comes out to the range. Second thing...They've also added 4 simulators to the classroom next to Max's class. So you'll get some practice on that. But im sorry to say you will do that safe start, in cab inspection, and air brake check verbally in front of everyone. But one tip from a guy who is headed to North Carolina tomorrow to do some local runs(check for my post on this in about 5 minutes) with a local trainer...study the H.E double hockey sticks outta that pre trip inspection. It's what's hurting most students when they go do the cdl test. Best of luck to you. Any specific question you can private message me and I'll be happy to answer.

Is drug test ua only or both. I'm a bald guy 28th minimal hair else where. Just wondering don't want to get rejected.

Is drug test ua only or both. I'm a bald guy with minimal hair else where. Just wondering don't want to get rejected.

They only do urine.

Is drug test ua only or both. I'm a bald guy 28th minimal hair else where. Just wondering don't want to get rejected.

I am so glad that I was proactive before applying this time. I have a trainer lined up already. Celadon approved. Thank goodness I kept in touch with people there.