CRETE - A Year in Review

Boy, Crete is starting to depress me! They're going down hill as everybody has been saying. Comon, that's not nice to anyone who has to try to idle 30% or less on a '05 truck. That's what we're driving, an '05 freightliner with no frills. lol...

At least, Crete isn't trying to force anyone to have a heat stroke like in California. However, their opti-idle system really SUCK! (At least in our truck)... It has a hard time cooling off in here.

We spent a night in Portland, OR and it was fairly cool this morning. Inside the truck was just over 70 all night. We did keep the engine off and windows open. But when it's warmer outside, it gets hotter inside. Tonny boy really should try to stay in our truck on a hot day. Let's see how he'd feel about that!

Too bad they'd rather stuff money in their pockets than be in their driver's shoes!

Oh well, guess we'll be looking for a local job... Hubby has been thinking about trying for dump truck so we can stay home. We'll see how that pans out anyway! And then we can have our little girl (dog) re-join us! <G>

Take care! Have a great day!

 

My spouse had an application in at Crete, and was accepted, but he thinks he'll stick it out where he is. They said avg miles weekly was 1800 to 2700.

I know they probably wouldn't want to get anyone's hopes up and/or can't promise anything, but that wasn't going to cut it as one of the main reasons to be changing companies.

The other was, although they knew where he was applying from, they asked if he could park his car at the Utah terminal! Let's see, the time and miles would say a big fat, "NO!"


Thanks again, evertruckerr, for posting all of your trips, facts & figures!

 

Are our mechanics (HA!) going to install the APU units, or hopefully (please, please, please) have professionals put them in.
We have had APU unit before and they are wonderful, they will freeze you in the summer, warm and tostie in winter.
But I cant figure out how we will get truck in for installion, when we cant even get in for a B service. Hubby not thrilled about 63 mph.!!!

 

62 mph.............not..........63 mph

 

Who was the manufacturer of the APU you previously used? Am o/o at Crete and doing research. Would like to put one on my truck, but my annual idle time is 20%, so it doesn't make economic sense at this time. However, due to the anti-idling laws, I may be forced to buy.

To play Devil's Advocate....If slowing down means keeping your job, is it worth it?

As an o/o I drive 58mph. This is a savings of $200-$300 per week, on one truck; and it has not affected my ability to generate revenue.

I know it's easy to spend someone elses money, but what if spending that money negatively affects you in the long run?

 

JUST GOT THE MESSAGE ON QC - 62MPH and keep your idle time low!!! 62 mph in WY and NE is gonna be scary!!! Reminds me of the Swift days when they were governed at 60. Anyway, wear a helmet and DRIVE SAFE.

P.S. Drivers, would you please take a 5 cpm cut so we can maintain profit? Thanks Management

 

Wait a second. Doesnt maintainence have to turn the trucks speed down, or can they do it via satellite?
I just checked my QC and havent gotten that message, but Im on hometime until Friday so...
So when do the trucks get turned down? You next A or B service or are they pulling them in when near a terminal?
I dont think 62 will be too bad, but Ill have to wait and see.

 

8 hours a day, 3mph less, only 24 miles a day.

thats what 8.50 a day or so? just skip a meal every day. think of it as cutting back your calories per hour. unfortunately i only eat once a day.

i saw one of the intermodals finally. something to do with pep boys, not national apparently.

heres an interesting tidbit ive been charged 120 bucks 3 times for a lumper i used in april. payroll says nothing wrong i need to call my terminal. we'll see what they find out or the dept of labor is getting a call next. also have been charged 270+ on cash advances 4 times since march. go take 275 bucks off your cash advance, go ahead try it.

got miles out the wazoo tho. too bad that darn lumper keeps taking my money.

 

Evertrucker, Have been reading your posts for several months now, and i must say that they are entertaining, interesting, and chock-full of hints and tidbits for beginning drivers. Keep up the good work! I have a question for you, but first some background; I quit driving back in November,2007, to try the freight broker thing. It didn't work out. So I want to go back to trucking, OTR, once again. Will Crete hold it against me that I haven't driven since Nov.1st?? Crete sounds like a very good company. Please get back to me when its convenient for you. Greatly appreciate your answer! Thanks, Rick