CRETE - A Year in Review

Well, my week has been ok so far, except for another fouled up address (and city) but I don't think it was Crete's fault, and they not only got it fixed, but messaged me with the updated miles before I could ask. I dropped and hooked in Indianola, then up to New Albany, MS where the guy said 'you are at the wrong place boss man, but follow me, I am headed up where you are suppose to be'. Thinking it was just another warehouse in the local area, I followed. 16 miles later, we pull in to the processing plant. 35 minutes later, I was rolling to Campobello, SC. A 653 mile run, so even w/my logbook shortened weekend, I am still sitting just under 1800 on Wednesday, with 1/2 a day today, and 2 full days available.

*update*

While sitting here typing, they send me a load that picks up after midnite, headed for Jacksonville, FL...as in a home bound load, but I've been told that I have to hold off taking time off because of the number of drivers off for the holiday. Now, I am waiting to see if they want to change their mind and keep me out like they said...or send me home. Jacksonville is awful close to home to try to run just 1 more week(or a little less)

 

So much for being Mr. Niceguy. They are trying to force me to take this 300 mile Jacksonville run that doesn't deliver until Friday, thus screwing this week into the ground, and erasing all the extra hard running I did last week. I had a bad week 2 weeks ago as well and like I said earlier, if my miles stayed like they were last week, I'll stay out w/o a problem, but since they're screwing with them, I unleashed the wrath of Snackbar on my A/M's sorry butt!!!...told him (among many other things) that a driver that is out 325 days a year shouldn't be averaging 9700 miles a month....period!! Told him if he can't manage this asset any better than that, his boss needs to find someone who can. I tried to bite my tongue, but it seems as though stepping on toes is the only way they take you serious. If it takes putting my foot up someones butt to get them to do their job...just give me a second to find my hip boots so I get it done right. And of course, he acted like I hurt Precious' feelings...tough tamales...grow a pair! This isn't grade school!! In the words of one of Bruce Willis characters " cowboy the F up, and be a man"

I will probably hear about this brew-ha-ha from Deland...but they know me, and how abrasive I can be if Lincoln wastes my time out here...so if they want to talk, I'll be happy to have a chat.

 

would crete take someone who only has a couple months experience?

 

You would have to check w/recruiting on that. I talked to a Crete driver the other day who had chatted w/an orientation class while his truck was in the shop. He said one driver was there fresh out of the military where he had only driven 20-tons, never a tractor trailer, and they hired him and were putting him thru our training department. So, ya never know.

 

It ended up they decided to get me something a little better and keep me out another little bit. I stood my ground, and after they tried every trick in the book to force me to take the Jacksonville load...including claiming I didn't have much time on my 70, until I started rattling off the numbers...they put me on a load out of Beech Island, SC up to Zanesville, OH for Friday. I haven't quite figured out why they force a situation to such a disagreeable level so often. I have tried to compliment their efforts, accepted their excuses without question, tolerated their hours of waiting to hear an answer when I message them...but enough is enough. And then when you start getting grumpy and on the very edge of nasty(without cussing them via q/comm) they act surprised and shocked at your actions. Excuse me...who pushed the 'start' button on the Beech mobile? Don't get on my case when it runs you over!!!!! In a few months my wife's farmers market coordinator position will start paying real money every month instead of just occasionally plus free booth space for her craft booth. It won't be a lot, but they're talking $500 a month. Once that comes in, I may just go ahead and pull up stakes and take the Snackbar campground to another location... I mean, I have tried, but there comes a time when a person has to just cut loose and run before something happens that screws my chances to move to a better company.

 

Strange how life works out....I seem to be just the opposite of you, SSB; that is, in the middle of a pretty decent streak, both with miles and scheduling. Of course, I've already had my go-round with my AM, what with failing to get me home in time for a special event last time. But lest I speak too soon, I'll wait until the next time home (Sept. 26th, for parents weekend at my son's college). I will NOT miss that, especially with family coming from the west coast. So I'll just ride it out until at least then. Hopefully the complaining I did last time will have a lasting effect.

 

I hear ya. And I thought things were going somewhat more smoothly for me for a change. Then they try to force me into 2 bad weeks in this month... I have really tried to go easy on this guy lately...but it doesn't seem to register with him.

 

I haven't quite figured out why they force a situation to such a disagreeable level so often.

Because they dont give two ##### about you or any other person that does not work in the Ivory Tower in Lincoln.

 

Ain't that the truth. If we were like them and only thought about No. 1 and nobody else, where would that leave this company? Out-of-business that's where. The statement I made a dozen pages back has never been more true...Take care of the driver, and the driver will take care of you(and the company)....screw with the driver, and the driver will screw with you.

 

Im starting crete orientation on Sept 5th. Been a long time since I was a company driver but I am looking forward to less business hassles and just trucking hassles now. Ill keep up my adventures in here or a new thread and I hope to me you all at some time there.