CRETE - A Year in Review

ET,

You will more than likely never change the mind of folks who are intent on believing that "it cant be done". I'm in sales and I see the exact same thing. People who put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else earning six figures. Others have excuses why they cannot or are not willing to do the "uncomfortable" tasks that would enable them to earn $150k/year.

I know I've nagged you about this before, and you'll probably roll your eyes again, but have you ever considered writing a book/guide/pamphlet about how COMPANY drivers can earn more money?

See, I envision a fee-based service where you would get drivers to send you EVERY WEEK without fail a detailed synopsis of their week. Logbooks, stops (even bathroom stops), food expenses, habits, load offers, drive times, etc.... and then you would, at their assigned time each week, spend 30 minutes on the phone with them going over their week and suggesting changes that COULD be made to enhance their earnings. Obviously, you wouldn't be able to be a driver and do that so you'd have to be home with the wife (not such a bad thing, eh?).

Anyway, you've said all you can say to show folks how to make it (again and again and again and again......). Keep up the thread. I for one love it.

 

Awesome!!!

 

It's not a matter of it can't be done. And I agree with you about some folks not getting it. There are drivers out there with 10+ years experience driving for .33 cents a mile.

The main beef here is that when you work for a company for a long time, things should get better. You should make more money, get treated better. At Crete it gets worse. Pay cuts and constantly more micromanaging BS that make work aggravating. Check out Forbes list of 100 best companies to work for. Every one of those companies is financially successful because they know their number 1 asset is their people. Crete's turnover rates will tell you that they don't get it.

One company on that list is a local company, Baptist Health. They have NEVER laid off an employee, ever. Even in this economy, they grow. Same thing with another company I am familiar with, Publix Markets. They take care of their people. Average store manager makes over $ 100,000. Same guy at Winn-Dixie makes about 60K. Publix has nice stores and is making $$$. Winn-Dixie stores are dumps and the company is broke.

Tonn Ostergard has been heard on more than on occasion saying that drivers are a dime a dozen. Nice attitude.

 

Thats a great idea, problem is the one's that need it the most would never pay for it even if they admit they need the help!

 

Pay does get better but when you hit the top , your at the top. What do you want them to do? Keep raising pay? This isn't the Fed. Gvmt! What pay cut??? I never saw a paycut!

Micromanage??? I know I have a niche here at Crete, but if you do your job without constent complaints you won't be "managed" I go weeks some times months without talking to ANY Crete people.

What does a manager at Publix/winn Dixie, ect have to do with what we make?

Tonn is right driver ARE a dime a dozen, so are auto bodymen, cooks,maids. LPN's, home health aides ect.
Trucking isn't the only proffession that it's workers feel under paid and unappreciated!

 

I'm sitting here in the Pilot parking lot in PA after doing 600+ and shut down for the day. I'm looking out the windshield at the number of truck drivers obviously heading for the store to take a shower. I say it's obvious because the most of them are carrying a huge duffle bag over their shoulder and tugging a large roll along suitcase behind them. All just to take a shower!

I must not be doing something right, because everything I need is in a shaving kit and a small bag that I carry, including my change of clothes. I'm not sure how they can get all that stuff into the shower room and still close the door, but apparently, I need to bulk up some to be socially acceptable here.

(We now return you to our squabble already in progress...)

 

QUOTE>ET>I believe nothing anyone tells me. I live quite contently within my own world. Crete uses me to deliver their freight, I use them to pay my mortgage. Nothing more. The difference between me and many others is that I can put things into perspective. I don't live in a fantasy world of "how things should be". I'm happy with the current situation, if it ever comes to the point where I am not content I will move on. I will not sit around and wish things were the way they "used to be". It's a pointless endeavor and simply leaves those with such mindsets in the dust of progress. I don't know how many times it needs to be said before it sinks in. NOTHING stays the same. EVER!

Oh My!! There is someone else that gets it, great post ET. Unfortunately if all truckers take your advise the truck stop water cooler will be a lonely place. I thank God every day for all the drivers that don't get it because its more miles for me, selfish? no, just working the system and making money. Everyone has the same opportunity and its not my fault if you don't grab it and run with it.

 

Crete gives its drivers the tools they need to succeed, it is up to the driver to do the rest. It is not the companies job to make things 'fair' or reward drivers based on tenure. Why pay a driver with 10-15 years exp 65-80K a year if he doesn't drive the miles? You want fair? Russia tried that and it sucked, Cuba is still trying it and it still sucks. California is bankrupt because it is paying too much to the people for doing too little. Here ends the sermon.