CRETE - A Year in Review

evertruckerr that is one great post for a newbie like me. You said it well... Nice to run across people that enjoy life.

 

Thanks...what a neat picture...I would have never known how they loaded tires in a trailer....would of thought that they would have them on some sort of preloaded rack.

 

At Arnold Transportation, they use to refer to tire loads as 'Pregnant trailers' because the sides of the trailers use to bulge out like a womans tummy when she is 6 mos pregnant. I haven't seen the Crete trailers bulge as bad on tires loads.

I too had a tire load this week. After hauling a load of natural rubber from Goodyear in TX, up to the Dunlop tire plant in Tonawanda (buffalo) NY. Sat through a live unload, only to have Cory dispatch me on a Dunlop load out of there to Stockbridge GA. But thankfully my load was going to a Kelly Springfield D/C... So it was a drop/hook.Then after that, it was a short 60 mi run. (I did get empty a day early so... even though I updated my PTA, it still must of confused them) Once empty on that looooooong run. I was offered 2 loads. Both delivering Friday... But both, because of the 30 minute crap, out of my logbooks range by over an hour...and with the log dept. on my case right now. I'll play it cool and not take them. Received 3 more offers, all short enough to run. It was beer, beer or diapers.

The 30 minute enforcement has cause me to drop under 3000 miles. Now I am empty in Lexington, KY. I received only 1 offer... A whopping Lexington to Greenfield, IN. for 7 in the a.m.(189 mi) I think they must be short on freight in this area. (I hope) The regional guy that unloaded just before me, was told to head home and call in in the morning (lived at TN/KY line) and it wasn't usual home time.

Today the truck was running like it was going to die again. Yesterday it ran fine most of the day. I hope they get this hiccup fixed. I am having a decent year mileage wise, even with my MRSA time off. Would hate to ruin it buy having company inflicted mechanical problems. The difference between paid and actual miles is only 2854 so far... Not too bad.

I did see 2 more newly APU'd trucks, so they are getting around to installing finally.

 

GUESS WHAT!!!!!
PETS GET TO STAY ON TRUCKS!!!
I just read the new pet policy at Knoxville, TN termin.
Spread the word!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Okay, for those of us who can't get to a terminal yet!! Please elaborate! What is the catch??? My husband and I have been with Crete for 3 years and are getting ready to leave. The main reason was the pet policy, but, now since the idling restrictions have started. We just got our first notice, after having much downtime on two loads and spending well over 100.00 last week on idle aire. We were told by our fleet manager that we MIGHT be able to keep our pet if we can keep our idling down. With the hot weather and downtime that we seem to get we don't see how that is possible.

Anyway, we just faxed an application today to another company, but am curious as to the specifics of pets being able to stay.

 

I have only been beeped on my Qcomm about idling so far. My last idle time was in excess of 35% they said. But also said that they understand that during this time of the year that idling is necessary, but to try to lower it, with the approved recommendations (turn off truck and sit in t/s waiting for dispatch to call you, etc.) I've got bad news for them...my usual replay to 'what is your cell number' is 'there is a 1.25/min charge for all company use of this phone with a minimum charge of 4 minutes... Comchecks are accepted at this location'. So far they haven't issued any Comchecks, and also haven't insisted on me giving them my cell number either. I know, I can afford the extra cell time, but the millionaire management of this company can afford it more...like their attitude was about tolling, it's the principal of it, so goes it with my cellphone. Issue me a phone, pay a portion of my bill, or I can sit and stare at the Q/C while I idle in the heat.

I have been seeing more and more APUs on newer trucks, maybe they'll get me one soon.

I spoke to a driver of one of the new Cascadias this week (with the new DD15 engine). They said that it pulls and runs a whole lot better than the Centurys and the a/c will freeze you out if you want. I think they should change the name of the Cascadia to the Buttugly (pronounced 'boo-tugly') But hey, I didn't like what Kenworth did to the T600(660) either, but they grew on me... Maybe the Buttugly will too

 

The new pet policy came out July/28/08. I can't post entire policy because I don't have a scanner with me.The first line reads: Effective March 31,2008 no new pets are allowed on a Company owed tractor. ALL TRACTORS WITH EXISTING PETS WILL NEED TO COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES: (There are 15 guidelines) We can live with all the rules, deposit, keep same truck until ready to sell or major mechanical problems, pet never allowed on shipper,customer property, on leash all time, clean up (poop), pay own motel bills if pets not allowed in company approved motels,ect.ect. I bought a big box of potty poo bags(I think this is a good ideal anyway) even in pet areas. We use idel air everywhere we can, it's tax deductable, we will follow the rules and we are VERY thankful Crete listened to the drivers and made a policy that is fair to everyone.

 

There are some new policys on APU's being installed, also. But, I was so excited about getting to keep my pet I didn't read them. Haa!!!

 

Thank you for posting more on the dog policy. We really do not want to leave Crete, as long as they are reasonable about the idling we will do whatever we can. We are so thrilled to hear the change on the pet policy. If we were to leave we would have to a .6 cpm pay cut. So we figure we can pay for idle aire at least 4 nights out of the week and then the nights we can't if its not TOO hot, we will use our window inserts and not idle. We actually did that last night Iowa and we actually were a little cold by the time the morning came. We never really wanted to leave Crete, but felt like we were being backed into a corner, since we will not abandon our pet.

BTW, curious if they are saying after our current pet is gone, we can't get another one?? We are going to the Kansas Terminal today to fuel so we'll read the memo, hopefully they have it posted. Can't imagine not having a furbaby with us, but we'll see.

Hope everyone is safe and is having a great day.

 

You may have to name your next pet "furbaby" . Hope that time never has to come for you.

Charlie