Beginnings at Crete-Lincoln

I begin orientation tomorrow morning. Inspired by the thread began by GA_Rookie I thought you may find it of some value to compare his beginnings to mine. First let me back up a bit and give some detail on how I arrived here.

About 10 months ago I got my CDL through a school in MN just south of the Twin Cities near my home. My first trucking job was Schneider National out of Green Bay. A CDL school mate and I decided two sets of eyes are better than one so we chose Team Driving. After the 3 week Schneider Training, which included 5 days with a trainer, we hit the road in a fairly new Cascadia. I learned I did not want to team again partially because my team mate was more interested in being home than making money. About two months into this gig we both got an opportunity to drive tankers in the North Dakota oil fields (not for Schneider). That driving was extreme. Road conditions were very bad, did lots of chaining but only slid off the road twice requiring a wench.

Earlier this year my wife developed some rather serious medical problems and I was an 11 hour drive away. In the 6 months I drove tankers I was home twice. Each time for about 5 days. I also have two teenage step daughters whom I love and miss. The oil field gig was great in a lot of ways. I was paid 22 bucks an hour with time-and-a-half for anything over 40 hours. I usually worked about 65 hours a week, sometimes over 70. You do the math. In spite of he money I needed more home time. I ran some numbers and decided a decent paying trucking gig would cover my needs and I'd be home more often. I started looking around. First I applied, and was accepted by, JB Hunt to drive Intermodal out of Chicago. Average pay would be just over a grand a week. Drivers on this site said that would be very possible given the tremendous amount of freight JBH has going into the Chicago rail yards. I wasn't sure I wanted to run in and out of the rail yards and be confined to the upper midwest states. I searched some more. I scanned this web site and looked for a company that seemed solid and might have a reasonable pay and benefit package. Given my experience of just under a year Crete came to the top of the list.I called recruiting, submitted the application and within a week was accepted.

Crete arranged a rental car at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. Incidentally, JBH was bringing me to their orientation via the Grey Dog. Ever traveled 400 miles by bus? I would take hours and hours.I picked up the Crete rental car this morning and drove the 7 hours to Lincoln. By the way, when I left the Twin Cities it was about 32 degrees and spitting snow. In the past several days we've had about 5 inches of snow. More forecast for the next 24 hours. By the time I was west of Des Moines just after noon today it was 68 degrees and many of the trees are showing spring growth. Wow! what a difference. Here I am in the downtown Lincoln Holiday Inn. I have the room to myself even though it's a double (the entire hotel is non-smoking which is great for me!). I am to report to the terminal tomorrow morning by 7:30. I am told it's about a 10 minute drive. I am to advise them I have a rental car which will probably be returned tomorrow. There is a shuttle that runs from Crete to and from the hotel.

I have been given a schedule of the orientation which tomorrow is to include the drug test, physical and road test. I have no idea how many other drivers will be at orientation. Orientation is to be 4 days.At the end of that I am to go out with a trainer for 3 weeks since I do not have a year over-the-road experience.Crete promises the trainer will be a non-smoker also. I'm not a fanatic about this but just prefer it. I had a trainer in the oil fields that was a chain smoker. I was just a price I paid to learn from a pro. If need be, I'd spend time with a smoking trainer, just prefer not to.

I will update this thread daily. Also, I urge you to compare this thread with the great posts from GA_Rookie so you can see how Crete brings drivers into the company.

 

DAY 1- Left the downtown Holiday Inn and arrived at the terminal 5 miles away about 7:15 this morning. When I arrived there was no one at the front door, thankfully it was open. I and another new hire walked down a hall and then heard someone say "good morning gentlemen". It was one of the driver development people. He escorted us into a room set up with tables. On the tables we found a paper-clipped stack of papers about an inch thick. We were assigned seats. By 7:30 there were 10 of us in the room. We began filling out the required paperwork which included driver job description, acknowledge receipt of some DOT rules and regs, direction for pay direct deposit, W-4's for the IRS and W-9s also for the feds. That paperwork took about an hour. While we were doing this the drug testing was underway. One at a time we were taken back to a nearby restroom to pee in the bottle. Crete apparently does not do the hair follicle test. Then 4 of us were handed keys to a company car and given a map to the clinic for our DOT physicals. The clinic was several miles away. We arrived at 9:30. The clinic was packed. it was 10:45 before I was called in for my pre-work test and physical. The pre-work test included lifting a metal crate with 12 pounds, then 25, then 50 and finally 75 pounds. We lifted it from the floor to a shelf just above waist high. Then we pushed and pulled this measuring device to see how much strength we had. We had to test at least 100 pounds for this part (you can see all this pre-work stuff on a Crete video on their web site).

Then it was back to the terminal and lunch in a downstairs cafeteria. Crete picks up the tab for this. On the menu was a roast beef wrap, turkey melt sandwich, and I forget the third item. I skipped it all and went to the salad bar (I'm vegetarian-strict...no meat, no dairy). After lunch we returned to the room where one or two at a time we were being called out for the road test.

Now I need to back track a bit to the DOT physical. At the clinic we are asked about any prescriptions or other medical issues. I indicated I have sleep apnea and have used a CPAP for several years. The physician asked if I had a read-out from my machine. I wasn't advised this would be needed (word to the wise: if coming to Crete go to your sleep disorders center and have them print out data on your use of the CPAP machine). They need to see that you are using the machine at least 60% of the time and for a minimum of 4 hours a night. Since I didn't have the print out I was required to go to a different clinic and have the card from my machine read and printed. After lunch I and another new hire drove to the location and had this done. We returned with the required info and gave it to the safety department. They will bundle this information and I will be required to return to the medical clinic where I will then have to undergo another DOT physical and will receive a 1 year card. No big deal but it will delay my completion by 1 day since the 2nd physical will be done Friday, the day following the end of orientation.

I was called for my road test about mid afternoon. There was no-pre trip test. The tester just asked if I had driven before. I told him my experience and he just said "okay", you know what to look for. The tractor was a Cascadia and the trailer was empy. We left the yard (I was struggling a bit with the 10-speed. My last experience was on a 13-speed so I had to quickly adjust. Drove for maybe 15 miles on a narrow country highway, then on the freeway, then downtown Lincoln and back to the terminal. Nothing tricky or very hard.

Tomorrow, Day 2 will be all in the classroom. I expect instruction on the Crete way of logging, fueling, etc. More tomorrow.

 

DAY 2-As I wrote above day 1 was drug test, pre-work test and physical exam then some paper work. We were encouraged to not drink any caffeinated beverages prior to the physical or pre-work test. Don't want the heart rate or blood pressure up. This morning it was different. With no physical measurements involved in the schedule I was quite ready for my morning coffee. I walked three blocks from the downtown hotel to the Starbucks which opened just before my arrival at 5:40. Ahhh, the morning fix and the last of my considerable life vices. Now back to the business at hand.

The shuttle picked us up at 6:30 and 15 minutes later we were dropped at the Crete offices. We entered the (class)room and our places were again marked with our names and laying on the tables were black canvas brief cases filled with various materials. But never mind that now, it's downstairs to the cafeteria for the free breakfast. Being vegetarian I chose to stay in the class room and just enjoy my coffee. I learned the breakfast was choices of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon and toast. None would match my chosen diet so no need to go downstairs. While coffee is supplied it just isn't for my taste. I enjoyed my 'Bucks and looked over the material for the day.

A 8 o'clock we began going through the driver's manual concerning safety and load procedures and finally a video message from the company CEO welcoming drivers and discussing in some detail the company philosophy. First in my mind is this is a completely debt free company. All tractors, trailers, real estate is completely paid for. There are no mortgages or loans to be paying down. Gives this driver a sense that there will be jobs and paychecks that cash. We had a break of 15 minutes about mid morning and then went to about noon and a half hour lunch break. Downstairs to the provided lunch. But unlike other "free" lunches here you have choices just as in any cafeteria. I noticed stuffed pork chops and a chicken melt on the menu. There was a third item but I don't recall what it was. Again, I skipped all this fare and headed to the salad bar where I found raw spinach, iceberg lettuce, bell peppers, mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, garbanzo beams (chick peas) and a couple dressing choices (I skip the dressings due to dairy, fat and sugar content). Now back to business for day two of orientation.

The afternoon session went until about 4:30. A maintenance representative was there to talk about truck supplies, break downs, idling issues, and emergency road service. Late in the afternoon a representative from the benefits came in to discuss insurance, 401k and profit sharing. For me I find the 401k a bit of a weak spot. The company matches only 10% of the first 4 percent of contributions. The company match and profit sharing is a "cliff vesting" plan. You have no vesting in the company contributions until the end of your 3rd year. The 10% match is the lowest I've ever experienced. My company match in the oil field was dollar for dollar and vested immediately. At a large media company where I worked for 20 years the match was 50% on the first 6% and vesting was 25% a year. I'm 64 years old so I probably won't be around for years and years which is what investment requires to be profitable.

The shuttle to the hotel picked up 11 of us (some are drivers with trucks in the shop) and returned us to the hotel at 5. Today we were given a $12 voucher for the hotel restaurant for our dinner tonight if we choose (I won't). Tomorrow it's defensive driving and completing our benefit choices. Stay tuned....

 

DAY 3-Orientation in Lincoln is finished for some, not for me and a couple other guys. I notice while we are very near the end of our orientation another small group is starting today. Crete needs drivers. They're looking hard. Now for day three:
Shuttle from the downtown Holiday Inn to Crete at 6:30. Go to the classroom and our assigned seats to find more papers placed for our daily study. But before we begin it's downstairs to the company cafeteria and breakfast which is free to us. I grabbed two bananas while others in my group had bacon, eggs, toast, biscuits, omelets, you know, the usual American breakfast fare. Back to the classroom at 7:30 and we're under way. Today was a day of required subjects such as harassment in the workplace, Qualcomm, messaging between drivers and the "asset managers". I assume this name stems from the fact that we as drivers are assets as in the truck and trailer. Proper management of these assets means the company can make money-so can we.We had a quiz over the Qualcomm material but it was more to make us think about it than to see if we could pass or fail. Before lunch we spent about an hour on hazmat stuff. if you have the endorsement (and you must have or be willing to get it soon) you'll know this material. It's more of a review. Then a quiz over that material. Lunch downstairs (free) at the cafeteria.

The afternoon session was more standard company stuff and then the benefits people returned to pick up our insurance selection, 401k info. Also on our desks was placed our required trailer door locks and king pin locks. These you buy as a set. No matter if you may already have one, you must buy the company selected locks. They will take deductions over a 4 week period to pay for it ($178). If you leave the company return them and you get all your money back. They want every load locked and sealed.

Finally the safety department reps who have been working with us returned to the room to give us the official hire. This included our CommData cards (we all got them). I did not receive the "hire" today because I must have another physical. See the details about my sleep apnea, Cpap measurement read-out above. This will happen Friday and at that time I will be "hired". No big deal. In this business you'd better be able to roll with the punches or you'll go crazy.

Tomorrow I and a couple other guys will have a 4th day of Orientation Crete Style. I'm becoming more impressed daily with the operation of this firm.

 

Day 4 (final day) Lincoln Orientation- It's a bit of mislabeling to call this a day of orientation because technically the orientation is only 2 days long. Day 1 is physical, pre work tests, and paper work. Days 2 and 3 are the orientation. Today, day 4, is all about safety and defensive driving. We moved classrooms and instructors. We began at 8 with discussions about the main causes of accidents. The instructor says they're not really accidents because almost all are preventable collisions. He detailed such causes as following too close, inattention, speeding, etc. We watched some videos on defensive driving. Let me get side tracked a bit here with some detail.

Ever heard of the Smith System? This is my 2nd encounter with it. Named after a man who developed it. In 1948 there were over 36,000 fatalities on U.S. streets, roads and highways. Think about it. This is prior to the development of interstates, freeways and most highways. A man named Smith decided there must be something that could be done. He consulted with an Ophthalmologist. The physician enters the picture because much of the system is based on the ability of the human eye to perceive and comprehend. It's a very sophisticated system (and it costs very big bucks to license it for use). Crete uses this system which could be partly responsible for them having the highest safety rating for a company of it's size.

After 3 hours of classroom work 10 of us piled into a van to put to work what we had just reviewed. We each drove for a few minutes with the instructor sitting in the passenger seat asking us questions such as "what are you looking at?", "How do you feel about the space around the van right now?" and "how often do you look in your mirrors?". Everyone did very well. We returned to the headquarters for lunch. Afterwords we returned to the classroom to take a final exam. Requirement to pass was 100% right. (Okay so we self graded and could change our answers if any were missed. Crete isn't about keeping people from succeeding but to support drivers for success). Then all but two of us were assigned trucks. They were the ones who had already been with a trainer or had sufficient experience to not require further training. I have to take a 2nd physical (see Day 1 and 3 for details above). I will the go with a trainer for 3 weeks because I have just under 1 year experience.

Tomorrow my last day in Lincoln. My trainer Chuck and I are heading to Allentown, PA then Virginia with our first load. I will add entries as possible to discuss my training on the road. When that's complete I shall end this work.

 

9 Days with Trainer so time to update. Trainers are assigned by Crete's Driver Development fleet so it's a crap shoot on who one might end up with. I've heard the horror stories (most recently from a woman driver) so there's always some fear about living with someone in a truck for any length of time. Since I have less than a year over the road experience I am to spend 3 weeks with a Trainer. Trainer is not an appropriate description of the person working with me. He is more like a coach. He has 6 years with the company and driving. He isn't here to teach me how to drive but rather to fine tune what driving skills I have. He reminds me to use the mirrors every few seconds, position the rig in the lane and float those gears up and down. Then there's backing. I will not only back the truck to park it for the day but he's likely to have me do it 3 or 4 times perfecting those skills needed in a crowded lot. This is a very good program and will result in me being a much better driver.

Another note about Crete: My experience is quite positive. If you are on the fence about where to go to further a career I'd recommend taking a hard look at this company. I read elsewhere on these pages about driver's favorite companies. One recent post indicated the driver thought his company was the best. I went to that company's web site to read about their opportunities. I would have to be there for 14 years before they came close to matching the cpm I start with at Crete.

If you do decide to pursue Crete and these posts have helped you make that decision contact me (I'd love to get the credit $$$$ for a referral!).

 

The training is over. Own truck, own income and that story will be told elsewhere on these forums. I will complete the training story here:
As noted above the end of the orientation resulted in me going with a trainer for 3 weeks. Crete required that because I had less than a year over-the-road. At the end of orientation every new hire was apprehensive about going with a trainer. Some, just out of a Crete approved CDL school, would be with a trainer for 8 weeks. You can easily understand why this is of such concern. I was extremely lucky. My trainer has been with Crete for about 6 years. He says the hardest lesson he learned was to "keep his mouth shut". There are other trainers who never learn this. I've heard of the control freaks, they cross the line from being a positive force in a new driver's training to becoming back seat drivers who just want things done their way. I'm sure my trainer had to bite his lip on more than one occasion but he was always there to recommend ways to safely get the job done. In my final week in the truck with him I could sense he was somewhat at ease because he would take short naps as we rolled down the road. He never passed an opportunity to have me backing into a dock or parking at a truck stop. We never sought the easy ones. On more than one occasion he had me repeat a parking exercise several times.

On Wednesday of my final week my trainer was advised i'd be picking up a truck at a driver's home just northwest of Nashville. Now here's a recommendation to those of you going with a trainer. Ignore what the company says you should or shouldn't bring. On the list of things to bring; two bath towels. Forget it, you'll not need them. Truck stops always furnish towels and so do Crete terminals. The only time you'd need a towel is at an Ohio rest stop. Crete says "don't bring electronics such as GPS". Really? I followed these rules and when I had my own truck my first two dispatches were into the suburbs of Chicago. It was extremely difficult without a GPS. I would strongly recommend you carry your GPS while with a trainer. My trainer used a Garmin, I have a Rand McNally. A GPS makes it very easy to "see" roads and streets. You may not follow their dirtection but just having the electronic visibility in the truck makes it much easier to navigate.

I ran about 850 miles in 2 days before coming home (Twin Cities area). This is another sore point for me. I delivered a load about 90 miles from my home on Saturday morning. Saturday was my 28th day away from home. I'm on a 21 day schedule as a driver. I put in to return to work Thursday. My asset manager (dispatcher) ask why so long. He said it was 5 days. I advised him Sunday thru Wednesday was 4 days. He said since I was finishing the load on Saturday morning Saturday would be counted as a day off. Really?! So I drove from 5 in the morning and completed the load to Eau Claire, WI about 9:30. I would be home by 11:30 and that's considered a day off? I said okay but I can see my asset manager and I need to have a face to face discussion. I wondered if he worked a Saturday morning for 5 or 6 hours would he consider that a day off.

This will be my last post in this thread although I will come back to see any comments, etc. I hope as you consider a move to Crete you will find this helpful.