yes we do come through Nashville fairly often with N/S and E/W travel. Generally 1-4 times a month.
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As to the APU's Crete is claiming that they are waiting to see what California is going to do. They would require a dpf on the APU by 2014 for a certain year truck and sooner on newer trucks. Will they require SCR on the APU? So for now Crete is putting Espar heaters on all trucks and Nite systems on some trucks. The NITE system works okay for a 10 hr break but is usually inadequate for longer breaks. There is an option for a small diesel motor to charge the extra set of batteries but that gets you back into the Ca dictators, I mean CARB, problems. That may very well just be an excuse, but that is the official company excuse and/or reason. Of course the trucks are equipped with opti-idle which is disabeled if the truck is equipped with an APU.

__________________
A foolish man makes a mistake and learns nothing from it.
A good man makes a mistake and learns from it.
A wise man observes the mistakes of others and learns from their mistakes
Lord may I grow to become a good wise man.

Thanks for your postings. I will be entering training 7/15 with either Roehl or Crete. I am really indecisive right now as I have heard good things about both. Like you I am taking a positive attitude into my new career.

Novoids,

I have really enjoyed reading your posts. Best of luck to you. I know you are busy, I appreciate you taking the time to post your experiences.

R/

Frat

__________________
US Navy Chief
"Navy Chief....Navy Pride"
"Destination: Excellence"
CDL Holder

I now work for a smaller company that allows you to idle to keep warm or cool. I really like Crete and all that I have heard about them. My biggest concern with them has been their idling policy. I know they have apu on some of their trucks and the battery packs on the newer ones. But the older ones that have the opti idle I have no experince with. Is it possible to use opti idle and stay under the idle %? I can see my self working at Crete if I knew I could stay cool and warm. I have also been looking at Marten with APU on all their trucks. ANY ADVICE.

Hye novoids was wondering, Im about to go into training with crete in Sept and was wondering do you remember what your heart rate was sapost to be between when you did those exercises? Was also wondering do they make you sign a contract if they train you? I have done alot of research and i think cretes the best one out there right now as far as training

i myself have not been thru nashville. but im sure others have . i have been to date pleased with my choice. im doing well with crete to date....good luck with your choice .if i can answer any / YOU MAY HAVE PLEASE ASK. I WILL DO MY BEST TO HELP YOU. ALSO KEEP THIS IN MIND. all trainers are different and train differently i learned this because the one other person who i was at spartanburg with actually graduated from the same college course i did . he was 3 months prior class. he actually went out 1 day before i did as my drug test results didnt come back as quik as davids did . so anyway his trainer put him in drivers seat from day one and will not get out of it till the start of the 5th wk then trainer will drive i believe 5 hrs after david does his 11 hrs. so my trainer has us share all the expeirence. im sure everyone has diff views on this .but im ok with the way my training is going . personally i feel if the trainer just sat there hes gonna be awefully bored for 4 wks and i also know myself that i also learn alot from doing and also VEIWING so it helps me to watch my trainer shift / make turns/ monitor the trailor.. all sorts of things .. i can only stress this to you a million times focus on operating .... not just driving . learn logging learn trip planning... learn to use your time effectivly...ive said before ive got a trainerwho focuses on time manegmentand when u go to a terminal please STAY AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVE DRIVERS AND THERE ATTITUDES. IT DOESNT HELP . I KNOW IM NEW AND DONT KNOW MUCH BUT I AM A BUSINESS OWNER AND I DO KNOW THAT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE ALWAYS WINS OUT AND ALSO NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS A POSITIVE DRIVER ( ONE THAT TAKES HIS SHARE OF SHORT OR HOT OR BAD LOADS.. IS GOING TO BE REMEMBERED BY DISPATCH ) WILL GET THE MILEAGE OF COURSE THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT COIN IS THE ECONOMY AFFECTS EVERYONE . BUT IVE SEEN FIRST HAND THIS WORKING AND I REPEAT "TO DATE" FOR ME IVE SEEN IT.. AGAIN ANY ? PLEASE JUST ASK.IF YOU R A NON SMOKER I WOULD SUGGEST MY TRAINER TO YOU . KEEP ME POSTED ON YOUR START DATE AND ILL GIVE U HIS INFO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED THANK YOU BE SAFE

MY RESPONSE WOULD BE ALL TRAINERS ARE DIFFERENT .. MINE IS CONCERNED ABOUT IDLE TIME . BUT I THINK IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO IT AND DONT UNECESSARILY RUN THE TRK AND REALLY FOCUS ON GOING INSIDE WHEN U CAN LIKE AT SHIPPER OR CONSIGNEE OR TERMINAL IT HELPS WE HAVE ONLY BEEN OVER 2 TIMES AS WE HAD A PROB WITH NEW PROSTRARS A/C we r in lincoln now hopefully getting it looked at tomm im sure its just a code in puter or possibly thermostat malfunction .but yes its possible and doable and im comfortable... believe me i am one who hates the heat. and im not complaining about cretes 30% IDLE TIME..WOULD AN APU BE BETTER YES IT WOULD ..I CANT SPEAK ABOUT ROEHL . I CAN TELL YOU ONE OF MY CLASSMATES WAS GOING TO GO THERE AND AT LAST MIN CHANGED HIS MIND AND WENT TO TYSON. I THINK DUE TO HOMETIME ISSUE ALSO HAVE 3 MORE FROM MY CLASS WHO ARE WANTING ME TO HOOK EM UP WITH MY RECRUITERAND TRAINER IF POSSIBLE.. SO GOOD LUCK IN WHT EVER DECISION YOU MAKE AND BE SAFE..

SORRY I DO NOT RECALL THE #S i received my cdl thru a college course so i do not have any ties to crete they dont own me for a yr as other companies do.. one of the reasons i choose crete among others i know that the work well test was not a breeze for us normal people..ha ha i made it thru i also feel if you r going in sept start walking today just do 20 mins daily and u will be amazed it will also become a daily thing for you and maybe u will stick to it..when u are on the road an continue dwn the path to being healthier.. its a start . GOOD LUCK YOU WILL DO FINE IM SURE BE SAFE

Ok im here on sunday at lincoln nebraska.this is the base of ops for crete.. We arrived last nite hoping to t-call our load (delivery rt here in lincoln. But not due till mon am).but no luck t-calling . So we also want to have em look at our new trk prostar wow lucky me as a student to be in a brn new one alls well in it to me alittle less storage then century especially with 2 people with 1 person no problem in either..so anyway wkends cant do much for wht we need but i learned today maybe a fellow here can go into computer and see if its a coded issue or do we really need to go to international directly cause its a warranty issue.( the problem is icon system for opti idle goes on but isnt shutting off when it reaches the temp you set in the bunk ) so you freeze which isnt so bad in this heat but doesnt help the idling situation. So hence the need for repair.lincolns terminal is fairly large has a large break room/ laundry/ vehicles for your use locally/trailor shop /trk shop /company store/trk wash/ showers/even a bunk roomfor you to sleep in a real bed if you choose( remember it helps to stay there to help you idle time).. Everyone so far has been helpful. You can get towels for shower in parts room or if after hrs at front office u leave em your comdata card till u return towels (not a problem..) break room has a large screen tv /vending machines/refridgerator/ micro/ toaster oven / sink./ atm/ bill changer/ coffee machine.and a few menus for delivery also have a restaurant near by walking distance...also food available at the "white house" which is wht they refer to as the main bldg /offices... Apparently theres a cafeteria there during week . Unfortunately we have only been here during wkendsso havent had the pleasure to try there food as of yet. Did have the pleasure of meeting brent/traing ops manager.. Was nice to meet him . He is the person you will be in contact with on a wkly basis thru qualcomm(onboard computer) to let him know how your doing /any ?/any problems... Hows your relationship with trainer. The company will work with you if you feel you are not compatable with trainer but thats after all options have been wore out .so dont think you can just keep sayin my trainer stinks .you have to put forth the effort also.. Its a two way street.. 8 wks is a long time in a closet with another person .so u need to bend also.. Remember you are there to learn utilize all his/her expeirence to the fullest because once you are on your own life changes..look listen .focus for 8 wks as much as u can..tire your self on trip planning/logging/operating/driving/safety/be a sponge even if you dont like the trainer u still can learn from jim. If its unbearable call or shoot brent a message on qualcomm.im not saying all trainers are good or bad im just saying you have options if your not compatable.and crete wants you to learn this trade and become a safe driver while you are here . So i really feel i am lucky to be here and not at some of the other companies i wont mention any names (as i am not at home and i cant swiftly get to my lawyers office to settle a lawsuit with them for slander ) ha ha ... Remember to focus on your task at hand..learning to safely operate a trk and trailor to benefit obviously the company and your self . But do it in such a way that we dont end up being the negative drivers that ive talked about in the brkrooms or at terminals..remember im trying to stay focused and positive ..is this real can i do it everyday in this business? I pray i do ..will i get discouraged? Will i get upset? Im sure i will. But im a 48 yr old family man with more to think about then just myself . So can i control my temper to benefit my family .. I sure can and hope that in return for controlling my emotions and tongue at times i will reap the benefits of being a positive employee for the company i signed on with.i dont want to make it sound mushy but i feel its like a game .so how you play it definetly effects your paycheck. So you be the judge.. Enough of the serious stuff i have had the pleasure of being in 4 or 5 trk terminals in our travels . I think lincoln/columbus/spartanburg/new kingston/ kansas city/knoxville.. .ive gotten the pleasure of traveling to sc. Nc. Virg. West virg md pa. Oh..iowa..nebraska..indiana..ill.wisconsin ga. Tenn. Ky. Louisanna. Arkansas. Mich.. Not bad for 3 wks this past friday... As time allows i will update my times at terminals so u know whats there and how good the service is/was i do know knoxville service has been great .. All of them have treated me fairly and with respect as i do the same.. Remember be with them as you want them to be with you.. It works. Well im going to go for now i will try to answer any ? In a timely manner. Also i would like to tell you all one thing i am never on my computer or phone while driving . Also never on computer while im in the passenger seat .i am focusing on learning not playing. I can get on my puter in my bunk when time permits. Iwant to also respect my trainer enough to show him that i am focusing on what he has to teach me.. It is important u will have all the time in the world after your training to do as you choose.. Well thats it for me for now thats a wk of rambling built in to one hope i didnt bore you all i just feel if i can tell as much as possible about my time someone mite just take some in before they get in trk with trainer. Im gonna focus on wht u should bring with you in alittle more detail then i have .and as usual it changes with trainers butyoul be the judge of your overall needs. I would also suggest more then the 100 dollars they suggest in your paperwork if u get a trainer that eats out alot its costly..i do brkfast shakes and sandwiches i bought a cooler / fridge 88 bucks works well for now till i get my own trk when i can bring meals from home and heat as i go also i bring fruits now ganola bars theres alot you can do to be less costly for you ok enough thank you alll.. Be safe

i have been doing 30 mins on the tredmille for the pact couple days. Also im about to start school and my shifting hand is broken but i still have three fingers to shift with