CRETE - A Year in Review

hey evertruckerr, supersnackbar, knighton5 and others who have posted to this thread, I have enjoyed reading the detailed entries you all have posted and would like to add to the positive side of this thread. I also drive the National fleet with Crete now for 16 months and life has been great as a company driver. I traded in my old beater '04 Century last month for an '09 Cascadia and so far its been great except for the On-Guard system which currently been disconnected pending repair/update. I run hard and the miles have been great with exception of the last 4 days due to some loads that were behind schedule, other than this little setback I should be on pace to make my penny bump next year. Would be cool to meet up with you guys one day out on the road and share stories and useful info but until then keep it safe and hope to read your next post to this thread.

Haze1

 

One last shot. Anyone know anything about the ICL1 Dedicated positions. The lanes are out of the Philadelphia ports (Chester and Richmond). Average miles and income are 2,350/wk and $53,100/annually, respectively.

They called me yesterday (10/13/2008 ) and stated my application is approved and they want to start moving forward -start date for orientation, etc.

Any info about working at Crete on dedicated accounts, the orientation program, etc. would be appreciated.

I am surprised that no one in evertruckerr nation has is aware of the account. I would guess if you work for Crete and have a puter that u log into evertruckerr that's why the dearth of responses to the ICL1 query leaves me entirely perplexed.

Thanks to all, FWIW I also sent you PM

 

No PMing for me, not enough messages posted

 

We may have heard about the dedicated you're talking about, but not by the ICL1 name. I have talked to a can hauler(shipping container) in the container fleet. He left to work for EPES because it got through the house more, but in orientation there, they decided they didn't need him after all. So he came back to the can fleet. It must not be bad, or else he would have moved into another fleet. Said most of the loads are real heavy (like you expect a shipping can to be) but they don't turn up the ponies under the hood to compensate. I know they have priority when it comes to getting work done at the New Kingstown, PA shop too. I'm not too sure about the hometime and pay rate though, he was getting repairs and heading to the port so he was in a hurry.

Hope this helps.

Haze --- what's the On-guard system. Is that the new collision avoidance thing in the front bumper??? Have heard they are having mucho trouble with that. Even held up delivery of some of the new trucks in an attempt to get Freightliner to expedite repairs. Guess turning it off is one way for them to fix.

 

I also got approved for crete and I have a couple questions. How is crete dealing with the fuel prices? What are they requirements for drivers in terms of speed/ fuel mileage? Does crete preplan for company drvr? whats the layover compensation (just in case.. prime says first day of the week on the driver wtf and $35 the following, is that even a pay) ? Other than that, I'm ready to go, waiting for november after my time off.

 

Obviously you must have quite a bit of experience. What could a newbie expect with the same miles? Who paid for all that loading/unloading? (I'm 60 and definetly not interested in that.

 

Asdrubal22: I'm looking at Crete as an option when I get out of the CDL school I'm in. I live about 45 minutes north of you, what solo options does Crete have for this area and which did you choose? Thanks, GD

 

Crete has slowed their trucks down to 62 mph. The newer trucks (under 250k mileage) are getting APU's instead of using Opti-idle.

The only time I have seen a pplan is when they are trying to get you home, but not every time. Just once in a while.

In the 5 yrs I've been here, I have never been paid a layover. The only time they pay it is if there is a problem under a load, and you are held up an excessive time. (like a screwed up appt time and next appt time is days away) They don't pay layover because of lack of freight. I have sat days waiting for them to find something, with a big fat 0 to compensate.

gregordrives But what about a newbie?


I have never been refused for a lumper, and I have never been asked/forced to unload any load. Many of our grocery whse's have lumper services, some even bill Crete direct, otherwise it's just a q'comm msg getting approval, then a phone call to dispatch to verify it's you before they send you the check number over the q'comm. I guess they have had some fraudulent requests for checks, this way it makes sure that the person asking for money is legitimate. Then just turn in the receipt with your paperwork, or else they take it out of your pay.

 

The easiest way to check, is go to Crete's website ()and go to the 'drivers' tab. There is a way to check what driving divisions are in need of drivers by state.

 

supersnacker - thanks for the responses. Big surprise - no openings on the container fleet! The decision now is between Northeast Regional and National Solo. I am doubting I can handle a steady diet of NJ, NY, CT, and MA. Mileage goals are a bit agressive for slogging through the NE (116K for NE vs 121K for national). Seems like things should be airdropped to the Northeast, because they sure don't like trucks, or truckers! Wow, it seems the only thing I have in common with the NE is a bad attitude!!!

Scheduled for orientation on 11/3.

Any Northeast Regional drivers care to discuss what the enjoy most about their job?