Is Celadon Not A Good Choice?

I thought I made a good choice when I chose to train with Celadon but I'm starting to wonder... I see folks round here talking about everybody and there dog EXCEPT Quality Drivers/Celadon:( I'm supposed to start training in Indianapolis 2 weeks from today and I've started having doubts about my recruiter(yeah yeah, I know, "if you don't get it in writing it's not true" I'm not some green kid out for my first trip around the block,I'm 52 yrs old and was OTR for 22 years until I had a stroke in 2011 (fortunately I was parked when it happened so i didn't run over anybody)... I know how the game is played. I would really like to pick the brain of somebody that has gone thru Celadon's program, my concerns are nitpicky(such as can I have things sent to me at the facility while I'm in training) but they're important to me, I have emailed the recruiter but each time i get a reply that is cheery and upbeat but does not answer what I actually asked. I have NOT signed anything yet so I'm considering refocusing my interests elsewhere, Roehl was my first choice but they want me to be at least 3 years into recovery from my Stroke and I don't want to wait that long, Celadon was second and I thought a good choice,Prime would be next BUT if i did that it would be a temporary solution, I'm looking for a long term plan and I have ZERO interest in paying somebody else's bills for them while trying to delude myself that I am an "owner/operator".If i went with Prime it would just be for a year or so to get my foot back in the door, then move on to some place I want be long term... Is there anybody here with first hand experience of the Celadon program?

Hey Keith, I have gone to Celadon's program so I can answer any question you may have. They are building a new student dorm as we speak and should open the week you get here. They are also moving their driving range to the same area as the dorms. When I got here in October there was over 180 students for five range trucks (if they all worked) and four to five road trucks. They did a great job of pushing students thur the past month and I believe right now there are about 50 students. The next class starts Jan 6th. The provide transportation, food, and lodging at NO upfront cost to you. Like most companies you sign a contract to driver for x amount of miles. My advice to you is do the High Road Program here at truckingtruth. if you have any questions feel free to PM me and I will give you my cell number. As far as having stuff sent to you, I get about ten packages a week from amazon. Best of luck....all so who is your recruiter?

Hey Keith...Celadon has definitely had some growing pains with their new training program but as Aces-N-Eights can attest they're still a solid place to get started.

And you shouldn't be surprised that recruiters aren't falling over themselves to answer nitpicky questions. They get paid to bring in drivers and there are a lot of desperate drivers and new recruits begging for an opportunity. Their thinking is that they can probably sign up three "sure things" and get their bonuses in the time it will take to email back and forth with you 100 times and then lose you to someone else. So you're not going to get great service from recruiters. They'll answer the basics, but their real money is made bringing in drivers and the nitpicky ones are the ones that will usually go elsewhere or not make it through the program anyhow more times then not. So don't judge the company based on that.

Prime would be next BUT if i did that it would be a temporary solution, I'm looking for a long term plan and I have ZERO interest in paying somebody else's bills for them while trying to delude myself that I am an "owner/operator".If i went with Prime it would just be for a year or so to get my foot back in the door, then move on to some place I want be long term...

You do realize that Prime is not just lease drivers and owner operators anymore, right? They have a huge company fleet now and have for a number of years. I remember back in the day they were just about 100% lease but not anymore. In fact, their company drivers are some of the best paid in the industry so they're worth a look for sure.

Hey Keith...Celadon has definitely had some growing pains with their new training program but as Aces-N-Eights can attest they're still a solid place to get started.

And you shouldn't be surprised that recruiters aren't falling over themselves to answer nitpicky questions. They get paid to bring in drivers and there are a lot of desperate drivers and new recruits begging for an opportunity. Their thinking is that they can probably sign up three "sure things" and get their bonuses in the time it will take to email back and forth with you 100 times and then lose you to someone else. So you're not going to get great service from recruiters. They'll answer the basics, but their real money is made bringing in drivers and the nitpicky ones are the ones that will usually go elsewhere or not make it through the program anyhow more times then not. So don't judge the company based on that.

,Prime would be next BUT if i did that it would be a temporary solution, I'm looking for a long term plan and I have ZERO interest in paying somebody else's bills for them while trying to delude myself that I am an "owner/operator".If i went with Prime it would just be for a year or so to get my foot back in the door, then move on to some place I want be long term...

You do realize that Prime is not just lease drivers and owner operators anymore, right? They have a huge company fleet now and have for a number of years. I remember back in the day they were just about 100% lease but not anymore. In fact, their company drivers are some of the best paid in the industry so they're worth a look for sure.

Thanx Brett, unil i read about Prime's program I did think that they were strictly a lease operation, maybe I should have looked closer at them before choosing Celadon, I had talked to some Celadon drivers over the years when i was still on the road myself and they always seemed satisfied so when Roehl didn't jump at the chance to secure my awesome services(lol) I decided Celadon was the way to go, I think I'll pick Dale's brain a bit before i make any rash decisions

Hey Keith, I have gone to Celadon's program so I can answer any question you may have. They are building a new student dorm as we speak and should open the week you get here. They are also moving their driving range to the same area as the dorms. When I got here in October there was over 180 students for five range trucks (if they all worked) and four to five road trucks. They did a great job of pushing students thur the past month and I believe right now there are about 50 students. The next class starts Jan 6th. The provide transportation, food, and lodging at NO upfront cost to you. Like most companies you sign a contract to driver for x amount of miles. My advice to you is do the High Road Program here at truckingtruth. if you have any questions feel free to PM me and I will give you my cell number. As far as having stuff sent to you, I get about ten packages a week from amazon. Best of luck....all so who is your recruiter?

EXcellent, you're the man I'm lookin for Dale... Wendy Peace is the recruiter I'm dealing with, I'm scheduled for the class that starts January12th. I bought a folding camp chair to take with me, hurray for Amazon, and I'm trying to make sure my ducks are safely in the proper row so that I'm not scrambling at the last minute.. Wendy has been very helpful, i just get stressed easily when I think something MIGHT be going wrong(I know that's not a good trait for a driver but with part of my brain damaged by the stroke, it's something i have to deal with going forward). Thanx for your reply, I'll be in touch

Is there anywhere to find more information about Celadon's training program. There is no review on here. I looked at their website but it is very vague.

I haven't put one together for them yet. I have to call them and get the information but unfortunately that's not going to be anytime soon because of other ongoing projects. You'll have to call their recruiters directly.

Ok, thanks. I may give them a call. Right now I have been talking with Prime. I am leaning toward Prime because most of the people here seem to say the training is good. Knight is also an option. No stone unturned, I guess.

May try them out I dont know :( so many choices!