Gee when I applied for Crete last month everybody was happy and content with Crete, now lots are saying how bad it is. This is my first full week out of orientation. No major problems yet other then I got a truck thats probably gona be traded very soon its at 450,000 mi. Looking to get an APU in my truck im running the Nort East region and its gona get cold soon lol.

I wouldn't say "lots" are saying how bad it is. Basically you have Supersnake (I keep doing that, must be subliminal, make that Supersnack) who is in one of his low points and tends to be a tad bit more vocal than most, (sometimes he is in a good mood) and a disgruntled applicant who can't seem to understand why he was turned down just because he lied on his app.

I am still doing just fine and my worst weeks are still in the 2500+mi range (I've had far more weeks with 3500+ than 2500) and the vast majority of weeks this year are still over 3000mi. It is human nature to complain louder than praise. I've been know to do a little complaining myself lately, but it isn't as bas a we make it sound at times. As I said earlier, most drivers I talk to have no real complaints and realize the economy will dictate how productive we will be for a little while. Don't let a little bit of complaining (that's what truckdrivers do best) distort your prospective.

As a matter of fact, I am currently sitting in a truckstop because I have run out of hours, can't do that if your not busy. This is the first time in many months that I was not able to work in a reset due to the timing of my last load. It really stinks. These regulations are so ridiculous. Some regulatory moron wants to tell me I cant drive today because I'm out of hours, but it's fine if I sit around all day wide awake, doing nothing and then start driving at midnight to make an AM delivery (I'll be tired, but legal). It make so much more sense to drive through the middle of the night than drive today when I'm wide awake. Total idiots.

Just a quick refresher here:

Week 30.....3752mi
31.....2829mi
32.....3636mi
33.....2916mi (6 day week)
34.....2994mi
35.....2541mi (holiday week, slow freight)
36.....2869mi (home time week)
37.....HOME
38.....3760mi
39.....3559mi
40.....3506mi
41.....2512mi
42.....2845mi
43.....1238mi (Home week)
44.....3295 (First 7days out after hometime -Wen thru Tue)

check out this thread to see how others are doing and add your number too.
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

Just remember, trucking is a cyclical business. Anyone that has been doing this for any period of time will tell you there are good times and bad. This just happens to be one of the bad times. Just ask the thousands of people that are loosing their jobs every day. At least I know I have a paycheck coming in every week and Crete's check will always be good.

__________________
"I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN" Mythbusters

I hear ya Evertruckerr, I just unloaded at consignee here in Albany Ga and I am told by dispatch, " you are 8th in line" so here I sit patiently waiting. I just tell myself it can be worse and give thanks that I do have a job. Actually this year has been very good to me so far with exception of a couple of weeks that I seemed to be stranded in the Quaker state.

I see you are here now. Just would like to say thanks for all your great posts.
James

No truer words have been spoken. Though I was told I was eligable for rehire in one year, I just found out I am NOT. It was my terminal manager who told me I could rehire with Crete. I kinda believed him, but I kinda didnt. Sayin' and doin' are two different things. It was a bit of a let down to know I can never go back to Crete, but atleast now I know the score. Im just thankful I have a job.
Best of luck to you all!

That's a real bummer longbed, it's a tough price to pay for one mistake. I wish you the best with Gainey, although it looks like they are getting hit by the slow freight train too.

I've been keeping an eye on your thread, hang in there.

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

__________________
"I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN" Mythbusters

I think the majority are happy with CRETE, even with slow times. I'm happy with my miles and treatment with Crete, and I ALWAYS compare my miles with ET and I'm ALWAYS behind him (LOL) but I dont run as hard as he does, and I take home time more often then he does. Overall, I wouldnt change carriers even if I have to sit a day.

They deadheaded me from Denver down to El Paso to get loaded going to Indiana. This was via telephone call first and I said WOW, thats alot of deadhead, but found out the shipper was paying the empty miles! Its that wonderful copper freight. DRIVE SAFE

I've been away for my 2nd week of CDL training. Glad to be back home to catch up on the weeks posts....LOTS to catch up on! So far so good....backing much better than I expected, Shifting ( up and down ) is going pretty darn good, too. Got to take a Mack with a Super 10 on the road yesterday. I think I could learn to love that tranny.... Mid-term range exam is this coming Wednesday with rain expected in Ole Virginny. Oh well, guess I'll have to break out the bright yellow body condom and the paper towels for the mirrors.

My school coordinator is going to check our curriculum and hours (300) with Crete for me to see if I may be one of the exceptions to the PTDI requirement.

Supersnack......I'm very curious about the logic that your terminal manager explained about Crete's continued hiring. Can you elaborate? I can certainly understand your reasoning for feeling that they should not.

I feel as I'm back with friends!

Best to all of you,

captK.

Considering the number of available empty trailers from other companies in the El Paso area, for a shipper to be willing to pay the deadhead charge from Denver, that says something about Crete as a company.

I worked only 18 days in October and still ran 8700 miles. However, keep in mind that October, especially the last half, is generally a heavy freight time. This is due to it being the end of a quater for businesses. The end of December, March, and June are also heavy freight times.

__________________
Thank you Christ & Veterans for the blood you shed for my freedom! Hope is knowing that Christ will not let failure be your final resutl.

Say what???!!! I'm sitting in El Paso right now and my load can't pick up 'til Monday. Yes, indeedee ... I'm doing my second restart since starting out on the 2nd and I sure as dookee don't need one.

All in all, the first week back out wasn't too bad,though. 2833 miles. When I do finally pick this next one up, it's a good one. Socorro, TX to DeKalb, IL. That's 1523 miles with drop & hook on both ends. I'm gonna fly with this one ... at least as much as you can fly up US 54 before I hit my first interstate in Kansas ... It's not due 'til the 13th, but I'm gonna get it off ASAP on the 12th. Will I get another restart after that? Hrmmmm ... Dang ... I'd love all this time off if I were salaried!