Crete Carrier - A Year In Review - Fall 2013 Going Forward

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by The_Irishman, Nov 8, 2013.

  1. twitch1942

    twitch1942 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 2, 2007
    Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio
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    The opti-idle will beep when battery voltage gets low then truck starts and runs for awhile.Truck a/c & heat doesn't work during this time.Can't get thermostat mode to work.My guess is this is disabled
    .
     
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  3. Olympian

    Olympian Medium Load Member

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    Jun 21, 2013
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    Yep...all the new Cascadias have opti-idle.
     
  4. Olympian

    Olympian Medium Load Member

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    Jun 21, 2013
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    The new (2013 and 2014) Prostars have this feature. Thus, when you stop, you press the auto-start button, then when the batteries need to be recharged, the truck automatically starts up and idles to recharge the batteries. Also when you press the auto-start button, you don't need to turn the key to accessories, as the auto-start button also accomplished the same thing.

    The new Cascadias that Crete is currently buying are opti-idle trucks without battery packs. Man...I haven't had an opti-idle truck in so long I'm still trying to figure out how to use mine and may need to ask you guys a few questions.

    Also, to reiterate what I've heard once again this week is: no more Prostars because once they get 150,000 miles on them all kinds of problems arise.
     
  5. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

    16,904
    38,014
    Aug 19, 2007
    Your Town, USA
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    I can't tell ya'll how glad I got out of there when I did.
     
  6. bowlwinkle

    bowlwinkle Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 27, 2008
    Ankeny, IA
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    I got a14 prostar with the auto start. I like it, it's better than the low battery beep. I think it will also start to warm the engine if it's really cold, not positive of that though. it's been a good truck so far, but only 28000 or so miles on it.
     
  7. stungjoe

    stungjoe Road Train Member

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    Jun 14, 2011
    Yet to be determined.
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    Well that sucks! Oh well, when I come back out I will probably be given the oldest truck available.

    I'm climbing the walls here. It's been five weeks (includes the week of vacation) since I was last out. Four weeks of a liquid diet. Two weeks since my surgery. With one week to go on liquids. Thanksgiving day will be my day to actually have something I can chew. I'm down over 35 pounds so far. I walk one mile a day which I hope to continue doing when back on the road. Oh and I have another month before I can be released to full duty:biggrin_25521:
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2013
    xlsdraw and Astoh Thank this.
  8. xlsdraw

    xlsdraw Road Train Member

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    Nov 17, 2010
    Winter Haven, Florida
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    I believe I am getting the Ralph treatment. The Streak is now up to 12 consecutive loads Under 600 miles. I'm back to looking at other options again. My time here sure has been rocky.
     
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  9. stungjoe

    stungjoe Road Train Member

    1,249
    893
    Jun 14, 2011
    Yet to be determined.
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    Here's what a 12 year veteran with Crete told me about length of hauls. The company makes more money on short hauls. So the more a driver costs the company the more they will try to optimize the driver. If you have a higher OOR average, higher idle time, at the top of the pay scale or the least fuel efficient (including fueling at the proper place in the proper amounts) the more you cost the company so the shorter your loads will be. This is all depending upon available freight of course. I had an idle percentage in the sub 5% range on average. I was at the lower end of their pay scale and had a 90+% of fuel compliance. It also depends upon how squeaky of a wheel you are. Let your AM know you need more miles per load since it's burning up your hours with all of the mandatory time requirements for D/H'ing. I used to send a message "#needmoremiles" sort of like a twitter tag. :biggrin_25517: Let the AM know you're taking all available loads but would like a break. I know I was stuck on some really short days (like 200 to 300 miles/ day runs) and all I had to do was let my AM know. I was getting some nice runs after that. BUT you must be efficient too.
     
  10. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

    16,904
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    Aug 19, 2007
    Your Town, USA
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    Speaking of Ralph...anyone heard from him? Kinda curious as to how his life after Crete is going. I think we need to start a Crete Carrier survivors club for all of us that worked there and lived to tell about it.
     
    Dark_Majesty_06 and Bumper Thank this.
  11. Bumper

    Bumper Road Train Member

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    Feb 8, 2008
    Kingsport, Tennessee
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    Talked to an old Crete buddy yesterday. He is at the Sealy Texas Walmart DC doing local Walmart store drop and hooks for the next 5 days. Needless to say he is NOT a happy camper.....
     
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