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

Enjoy it while it lasts...most of the Maxxfarce powered trucks can't pass a shop without going in for a repair. Especially after 130-150k miles.

 

Hey guys...anyone here have a few years with Schaffer/Crete, I was thinking of leaving FFE/KLLM for them... I've read mostly good things about them but haven't talked to anyone who actually has driven for them for a year or more. Thanks guys!

 

Several people where I work are singing about going to CCC

I've never worked there but they (CCC) strike me as one of the more decent and humane companies around.

 

They are...got me home a day early for an appointment...u dont see that.

 

Been here a li'l over 2 years. I'm sure they're like a lot of the companies..frustrating at times. But all in all i am pleased with them. Decent miles, decent pay and decent insurance (which I'm using right now- medical leave). Like life, it is what you make it. I get upset sometimes but other times it's just peachy. I've found out that although I am from a terminal that has a notorious mgr. She had my back on more than one occasion. So either the mgr is changing her ways or her reputation was ill-founded. I have talked to drivers who have been here for a decade or more and they still like Crete.

 

I did a year with FFE and then came over to Crete as soon as that year was up. Been here since July and so for I like working for them. They pay quite a bit better, the miles are more consistent, and there hasn't been any sitting, as I usually get a preplan within 5 minutes of emptying or dropping my load, if not before.

Moreover, most of Crete's loads are drop and hook. Now I've had a few instances where the delivery was rescheduled for some reason or another, but was always t-called without having to beg for one and able to get another load when that happens. Another thing I like is they dispatch you and then leave you alone.

Additionally, the benefits are not only a lot better, the cost is only a fraction of what FFE/KLLM charges.

My only complaint is I had to drive some really old trucks initially to start, but not for long as I recently got a brand new one. Hence, I'm fat and happy.

Oh yeah, Crete has a nice terminal network and all the terminals so far that I've been to seem to be rather nice relative to FFE. Also, when you go to the terminals you can fill your truck storage compartment with everything you need such as spare parts, oil, windshield washer fluid, coolant, etc. courtesy of Crete.

Also at the terminals, I've noticed that there are no drivers pissing in each other's pockets for the most part, as most of the drivers like working for Crete. So for the only complaints I've heard were from a couple of older drivers that complained about how good they use to have it, but what you expect, Crete is about a 5 times bigger company today than it used to be too.

In any event, I haven't been with them for that long yet, but that's roughly what my experience has been like. I can tell you that I don't miss pulling and babysitting a reefer. I also don't miss working for FFE either. Maybe some of the drivers that have been with Crete for a number of years can give you more and better information.

 

The other day in Mt Vernon at Walgreens, I was finally unloaded at around 14:00, but I couldn't leave because I was bogged down. Called Breakdown and Breakdown lined up the TA to come rescue me. The TA guy called shortly afterward to let me know that he would have a guy over in about an hour. Well they never arrived until shortly after 18:00. I ended up having to be tow out of my spot.

Afterwards, all the truck stops and the surrounding non-truck businesses as well were all inundated with a flood of trucks, so I went to the eastbound rest area on I-64 to spend the night. Luckily it was easy to find a place to park. Nevertheless, the next morning when I went to leave, I'll be #### if I wasn't bogged down again. Anyway, while I was on hold to talk to Breakdown again miraculously I managed to work myself free and hung up.

Now I'm on a trip to the Wal-Mart DC in Marcy, NY after picking up my load of dog food in West Jefferson, OH.

 

On a side note, I don't use a trucker gps myself, I purchased the rm tnd 500 just when they came out.
I wasn't impressed, it locked up and the touch screen would go 1/2 on 1/2 off the screen making it impossible to select functions even after resetting unit multiple times, 3 weeks in and it met my knee (if its gonna be half broke I'll assist in finishing the job) and a quick departure out the passenger window.
I just use a 5 1/2 year old magellan road mate that I was using prior to the rm and still use it today voice muted and only for reference for street locations and time estimates to where I'm heading, it's not a trucker gps..my phone (for customers directions) and truckers atlas is my main routing source with google maps for those off the map streets you can't see, never have had an issue and I would never follow any gps aimlessly (truckers type or not)...qcom directions are hit and miss but fairly accurate depending on who sent them in

 

Talked with the terminal today and my doctor's office. Looks like after my check up next week I will be released to come back. Now I just have to find out if safety will require another med cert.

 

Hopefully not, good luck.