Got approved by Crete today.

Got my CDL yesterday, finished the last day of school today and got a call from Crete saying my application was approved.

I had already gotten offers from Schneider, YRC Glen Moore, and Roehl, but Crete was my first choice so I think I'm gonna go with them.

I haven't called them back yet to get more info, but I plan to on Monday. Anyway, I live in Lancaster, PA so I'm assuming I'll be going to New Kingstown for the orientation. I'm just curious if there's anyone on here that's gone through their orientation at the New Kingstown terminal, and if so, what was it like? Any other tips for new guys from veteran Cretans would be great too.

Thanks.

 

Oh, I'll make sure it stays hidden in the pants while driving or on duty.

I'll be back with updates once things progress.

 

I'm pretty sure training is about 8 weeks long once you get with a trainer. I think I remember reading that the pay would be $500 a week during that time.

Not sure what rate you start at once you finally get out on your own. Their website says $.36 a mile, but I think I also heard that they've reduced that to $.31. And that's still good, considering many of the other companies I've checked out are offering less than $.30 (with HHG miles to boot) and don't even seem to have the miles to compensate for that low rate. YRC Glen Moore was offering $.29 and claimed to average 2700-2900 miles a week, but I'm calling b.s. on that one.

 

Spoke with the Crete recruiter a bit more on Monday. Even though the app was approved they still wanted a couple more things -- Proof that I was fingerprinted for the hazmat endorsement and some further employment verification since I have been self-employed for the last 4 years.

So I had to go to the PA State Police barracks to take care of the fingerprinting yesterday and after doing so I requested some kind of receipt proving that I was there, as requested by Crete. The trooper (nice enough guy) said they don't do that and the best I could do was have Crete call the barracks to confirm it. At that point, the best I could do was send Crete copies of the processed check I made out to PennDot for the hazmat fees along with a copy of my hazmat knowledge test authorization showing that I passed. Hopefully that suffices.

Then I had to hit the SSA office to get an earnings report for the last 4 years. I had already ordered one by mail at the end of February, but that has yet to arrive. I called SSA and they tell me it will be another FOUR MONTHS before I should check back! Of course they already cashed my check for $35 -- almost seems criminal. The best part is, when I went into the local office they were able to print the report for me right there on the spot, so it's beyond me why it's going to take the main office a whole 6 months or more to do the very same. They definitely had time to cash my check.

None of this stuff was too inconvenient or time consuming and I'm pleased that Crete is so thorough in their hiring process. I just hope I'm able to get a refund from Social Security, even though it would probably take a whole year to get that money back. I'm not holding my breath.

Anyway, I did find out that after the 8 weeks of training the rate would be $.31 per mile, so that's confirmed. I'm still waiting to find out when I'll be able to start orientation.

I'll post more as things unfold.