Crete Carrier Corp - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Abe · **^ Top** #1 04.21.2009

I have been working for Crete otr for about 6 months now and must say it is a low hassle company to work for in that everything goes smoothly in most operations; truck maintenance, dispatching, shipping, receiving, no touch freight, etc.

I also must say it is a low paying company; my paycheck averages $400.00 to $450.00 a week over 1 months time
I am basically living in a 10 square foot box 24/7 for minimum wage

While this is upsetting, I am still grateful to have a job in these hard economic times even though I made more on unemployment and I could probably work at Mc Donalds for the same money and be home every night

I hate to say it, because I am a newbe too, but every time I go to a Crete terminal, I see new hires
If there is not enough freight to go around, why is Crete always hiring new drivers?

I have been sitting here for days waiting for a load
Hope the economy gets better soon, I am running out of tuna and crackers

Thanks for letting me vent TF, this is a great web site
Sincerely,
Abe

TIMEWEASEL · **^ Top** #2 04.21.2009

Hang in there Abe! Everybody here will tell you that your first year is your hardest....and for good reason. Crete is also one of the better places to work right now, believe it or not, it could be worse...you could be in a lease with some other company. Just hang in there and stick with it and learn the ropes and it'll get better. Freight will pick up again.....and thats why you see new hires....Crete is planning on cornering the market when the freight picks up...just stick with them long enough to bring home some good money for yourself. Good luck Abe and keep us posted!

Cressler · **^ Top** #3 04.21.2009

Abe, Thanks for posting true accurate numbers regarding your wages. Most drivers lie or fluff it up. What your making is going to be the best new average. Thats why I left OTR after 2 years. And it doesnt get better after your 1st year. Companies cut your miles because you are making more so you end up making the same or even less. So dont hang in there. Go home and find a job doing anything, and be able to shower daily and be with your friends and family, the things that matter. Not rotting in a truck for meager wages being micro-managed. And dont fall for the "cretes getting in a good position to take over the freight market" crap. Crete is debt free and can afford to let drivers sit "waiting" for a load that pays what crete is happy with while you get nothing for your time. Time is money except for company truck drivers. Time is all we have.

TIMEWEASEL · **^ Top** #4 04.21.2009

I guess we should all just give up and just not even try anymore. Frieght WILL pick up....it always does...ask some of the older drivers how bad frieght was in the early 80's and see what they say....guess what? It picked up. Guys out on the road need our encouragement....they don't need to be told what a poor career choice they've made. If trucking is so bad then why are so many drivers still doing it and why are some of those many drivers making good money at it? I am proud of each and every driver on the road and thankful for them. Things will get better. THEY WILL.

bowlwinkle · **^ Top** #5 04.21.2009

This time of year is always a little slower in good years, so this year is worse. It will pick up again, and we'll get rolling strong again.
We have to think positive..........or we'll go nuts.

bowlwinkle · **^ Top** #6 04.21.2009

I've always said this job could drive me crazy. The deal is, for me it's a pretty short trip.

Cressler · **^ Top** #7 04.21.2009

I love that term "Good Money". Most who use it have never had any. Its better to be honest with ones self then to be in denial and keep doing something that is not healthy mentally or especially physically. AllIm saying is that there really are other options for work other than driving. Driving can be a great job, but for the bottom of the barrel crap wages coupled with todays inflation, its not worth it I dont think. Go back and read a post of mine from 5 months ago called "the near future of over the road driving", you will think Im psychic.

Stump · **^ Top** #8 04.21.2009

I hate to say it, because I am a newbe too, but every time I go to a Crete terminal, I see new hires
If there is not enough freight to go around, why is Crete always hiring new drivers? Quote from ABE,

The reason for this is Goverment funding, All the big carriers will keep student drivers comeing in and out the doors as long as the goverment is willing to pay them to keep people off unemployment. Its a smart move by the mega carriers to do this, it lets them cut all the small companys legs off by moveing cheap frieght. Both of my parents were in the trucking industry for almost 40 years, Dad a driver, Mother an office worker. The things that go on in the office at these mega carriers from what my Mother told me would blow your mind, still iam a trucker and made it and work for Crete east (Werner)

Its all about finding the right trucking job for you, just hang in there and keep your ears to the street

074344 · **^ Top** #9 04.21.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe

I have been working for Crete otr for about 6 months now and must say it is a low hassle company to work for in that everything goes smoothly in most operations; truck maintenance, dispatching, shipping, receiving, no touch freight, etc.

Welcome to the forum.

I also must say it is a low paying company; my paycheck averages $400.00 to $450.00 a week over 1 months time
I am basically living in a 10 square foot box 24/7 for minimum wage

Yes, unfortunately you are. They are thousands more just like you. This site is loaded with them. Just think how many more are out there that do not know of this forum?

While this is upsetting, I am still grateful to have a job in these hard economic times even though I made more on unemployment and I could probably work at Mc Donalds for the same money and be home every night

We should all be gratefull that we are employed at this time. The fact that you can make more money on unemployment or working at Mcd's is a true testament of how this industry looks at MOST of it's drivers. Not all but most. Pathetic!

I hate to say it, because I am a newbe too, but every time I go to a Crete terminal, I see new hires
If there is not enough freight to go around, why is Crete always hiring new drivers?

This practice in the OTR industry will never change. It is not unique to Crete at all. Even if you exclude all other outside circumstances. The fact is, no matter what the economy, there are always drivers who will accept a job no matter what the pay is. This has been played out over and over again. It is just more magnified now due to the state of the economy. Also, why would a company pay a driver more money to do the exact same job that you are doing? Hence the reason that they can drum up any excuse, legitimate or not, to reduce the experienced driver workforce. As a right to work employee, you have NO say so in the matter. In the companies eyes, it makes good business sence. And business is good!

I have been sitting here for days waiting for a load
Hope the economy gets better soon, I am running out of tuna and crackers

I hope the "tuna and crackers" is in jest. Sadly, most OTR drivers must live on bare bones at this time to eek out a so called living. Belive me, you are not the only one. Just go thru the threads on here.

Thanks for letting me vent TF, this is a great web site
Sincerely,
Abe

Your more than welcome.

By the way, to those of you who hope it gets better, I agree. However, Since Abe is making $400-450 a week, what do you consider as a good weekly wage? Do you double that and say it's fine?

If so, is $900.00 really that good? Is it worth it for the time spent away from family and friends? I would like to know.

Drive safe

Keendriver · **^ Top** #10 04.21.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cressler

Abe, Thanks for posting true accurate numbers regarding your wages. Most drivers lie or fluff it up. What your making is going to be the best new average. Thats why I left OTR after 2 years. And it doesnt get better after your 1st year. Companies cut your miles because you are making more so you end up making the same or even less. So dont hang in there. Go home and find a job doing anything, and be able to shower daily and be with your friends and family, the things that matter. Not rotting in a truck for meager wages being micro-managed. And dont fall for the "cretes getting in a good position to take over the freight market" crap. Crete is debt free and can afford to let drivers sit "waiting" for a load that pays what crete is happy with while you get nothing for your time. Time is money except for company truck drivers. Time is all we have.

"Companies cut your miles because you are making more so you end making the same or even less"
That statement makes no sense whatsoever.The company only makes money when the trucks are rolling.They make the same cut of the pie if you run 1500 mi or 3500 mi.It's just that the 3500 mi wk cut will be muuuuuch more.
And yes it does get better after your first year.You make more money,you have some exp under your belt so you can go to a better paying company.So again you make more money.It doesn't just happen overnight and trucking is not easy,nor is it for everyone.But don't base your decision on a myth."They cut my miles cuz I make too much per mile" I didn't leave after 2 yrs.

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