The Decline Of Crete Carrier

To all the current Crete drivers who think they are such a God-awful company: I've been driving 12 years now. 5 of those w/Crete. Got huffed-up at them and quit - 2 different occasions. I've yet to find a company that pays better. Was earning .41cpm on the SE region when I quit. Now I'm making .32cpm w/current employer. Sure, some of the folk in operations can be dismisive to drivers need and such but, that's everywhere. If your going to make the sacrafice that comes with just being a trucker - at least be paid well for it. Just a little thought...

 

Back in the mid-'90's I hauled containers. A number of them were reefers going to Asia. One customer in particular, I recall, was fruit going to Japan (where Cantaloupe sold for around $30 ea.!). It seems to me if a container shipped by sea to Asia is possible; why not cross-country?

 

There are plenty of refrigerated containers and rail cars. The railroad does compete with us even in this area. A little competition is good for us, keeps us sharp and competitive. Our competition the railroad still has more delays in their trip than we have as they have to stop to take away and add cars along the multiple stop routes. They also are limited, just as we are, in their available routes to take. We are limited by the available highways and lanes available in higher traffic areas, and they are limited by the railways. I don't see a giant explosion of new railroad tracks going in. We have always been in competition with the railroad and always will be. We are an improvement to the transportation services as the railroad was an improvement over covered wagons. Someday with more technological improvements and automation we may be replaced by automatic trucks and/or trains but I think those of us presently driving, from 21 yrs of age and up, are probably safe in our career choice.

 

How often do you see train tracks going up to the back of a WalMart or to your house for that matter?

I think that if trains can move more freight for less energy that is great, but we will always need some way to deliver from the train terminals.

I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it.

Everything evolves. You will survive if you can evolve with it.

 

I am currently engaged in a lawsuit against Brett of the Phoenix terminal. He summed it up well when he told me. We have no reason to keep a driver at .42 cents a mile when we have them lined up to drive for us at .34 cpm.
He is a fine example of crete greed.

 

In a good economy they wouldn't be able to cut pay that low. Unfortunately the way the economy is, they probably do have wide eyed noobies chomping at the bit for a job. Drivers are a dime a dozen right now. Thats why the pay rates are reflecting that.

 

The pay rates reflect those willing to work a company for very little income. Come on people, we can do better than that. Can't we?

 

Crete won one of four best about 11-12 years ago-them,Sunflower,et al.,ARROW FLATBED and... Talked to former CRST 11 year vet who said difference was night and day between crst and crete. Contest was in t/a magazine,I think.
Made my money and I'm out of the biz.

 

The last time I worked for Crete in 2000 I mainly ran 500 mile trips. That would be ok if you could get home weekly but these morans wanted me to run 500 mle trips and stay out for 4 weeks at a time.

 

As short as 5 years ago, I would say Crete was the best there was as far a trucking companies went. Then came Ostergard, and like a disease, has crippled the company.
Drivers mean nothing, there are 6 managers for each driver, and we poor drivers are pretty much wasting our time trying to make a living.