Honest answers/criticisms

Both Crete and CFI are good companies, but you will make more money with Crete.

Don't let the 8 weeks training scare you off. It's longer for a reason, too make you a better and safer driver. It will be over soon enough and you'll be off in your own truck.

Knoxville has two very small terminals off of I-40 ex 374, however, the company is in the process of building a $5 million terminal there.

As far as where you will be running, you will probably be sent out with a national driver so that you will get experience throughout the country, but there is always a chance you will be sent out with a regional driver.

As far as equipment goes, you will get the same truck as an experienced driver. I personally got a truck with 380,000mi on it while inexperience drivers a week later were put in brand new trucks. It just depends on what is available when you sign on. With the exception of a few Peterbuilts, everyone drives Freightliners with 455hp Detroits and Meritor 10spd trans. These are the no frill models, but well maintained.

 

I too considered CFI, but their policy on parking the tractor trailer on hometime was an issue for me. There are no terminals near me and bobtailing 100s of miles home isnt something I really wanted to do although the Safety head told me it wasnt a problem.
Crete just happened to have a terminal very close to me, so it will work out much better. I will hopefully be going out with a trainer tomarrow. I too am/was a student, so I will be going through 8 weeks as well. I was told that youre out 4 weeks, come home for 1 week, then out another 4 weeks, sent to Lincoln for 2 day orientation, then get a load headed you toward home. Yes, I think its long too, but as evertruckerr said, it will refine your skills. Im glad Im going with a trainer now(as opposed to any other part of the year) because I will be driving in snow with a skilled driver at my side.

*also, the sleepers are double bunk, so you and your trainer wont be getting too close. *

 

training goes as follows - 8 weeks # 500 a week. unless a catastophe happens or your trainer thinks you suck that actually equates to 7 weeks and whatever day you land in lincoln. i was in training for 7weeks and one day, the one day consisted of delivering a load in lincoln that we had gotten there the night before. total of 1.25 hours on duty, including pti. so 7 weeks basically.

they will not "send you home" before 4th week, and they want you to be in the 5th week. if you live by a terminal and youre on your 10, or a restart, or whatever, your trainer isnt going to chain you to your truck and laugh as your groin turns blue. i did my actual home time after 4.5 weeks, but was home 3-4 times during training. was there for 4 days, your trainer goes home at that time too, so if he lives far away, he has to make the trip back to get you. thus youre home longer, youre really only supposed to be there for 2-3.

if youre told youre an 8 week student, youre an 8 week student. dont bother asking to get out early, my trainer has a guy now with 4 years experience, and hes an 8 week because he has no long haul otr experience. they let them go super single after 2 weeks. (truck runs 20 hours a day) we went super single after 4. any other q's feel free to ask, i just got out of training 6 weeks ago.

 

I had 8 weeks, it went quick and I feel I am a better driver for it, Crete is a good company, it has its pros and cons, I have enjoyed my time with Crete thus far. And am glad I had the 8 weeks even though I made no real money in training, I was still making more than other companies trainees.

 

qft, the only company ive found that paid significantly more for training runs through chicago like a fat kid runs through a buffet, and has 2 weeks of driver training. 2 WEEKS. i was running through denver at 430 pm at 2 weeks scaredi was on the verge of death, sure as hell wasnt ready to be on my own.

 

How has it gone since you got out of training? My husband finishes his training next week and I was curious. He's going SE region and is curious about what the money will work out to.

 

pretty well, im getting 800-1100 (highest 1252, lowest 540 on a hometime check) a week gross, i dont know what regional pays, but im only getting .34 a mile til my year anniversary, that extra 7 cents will be nice. think they say regionals get like 2200-2600 miles a week, but im not real sure.

 

are in flatbed or van? how is your hometime?

 

Husband finished training on Saturday and is still struggling to get a load home (today is Friday) and no end in sight. I feel like they are trying to get him home, but he can't seem to get a load going this way.

Overall we are pleased with Crete. Just wish he could get home. He's been gone 6 weeks. He's put in 3300 this week so I guess the money is good. But he seems to be caught up in the Georgia-Mississippi-Georgia boomerang. lol

What they said about the truck is true. My husband got a newer truck than the guy that finished orientation with him who had 10 years experience. Just the luck of the draw.

The only problem I had was with the trainers. The ones he had were creeps. The 2nd one he had left him parked at a gas station (not a truck stop) in the truck for 36 hours over Thanksgiving while he went home. At least the first one took him home when he went home.