CRETE - A Year in Review

I am truly amazed at how well you all grasp the big picture. Years ago 74-85 when I drove a large car we all thought we were actual rocket scientists, and brain surgeons rather than chicken and garbage haulers. And many really would rather b@##h moan and complain than understand what was really going on. After reading 97 pages of this thread I feel I have been brought up to speed with a lot of what is going on in the present world of trucking.
As most industries, banking, investment, auto dealers, factories, retail chains, real estate, restaurants and just about everthing else in our country Trucking is undergoing a major shift........
With all the time to post, cuz sitting and counting trucks isn't profitable, what is going to be the next phase of trucking?
All noob's earing 32 cpm cuz you old timer's give it up? Closing terminals and reducing staff? Getting the taxpayer's oops I mean Government to float a 700 billon dollar buyout to fix the frieght industry? Teams, intermodal, less benefits, less money, less miles, less trucks, more expensive fuel?
It would be a great time for a think tank perhaps to help your company come up with a plan to survive, or at least for the drivers to.. What do you think?

 

^ A complete response to that would be lengthy and would likely inspire a heated political debate which would have no place on this thread, but I think it's safe to say the days of truck drivers making upper middle class incomes are coming to an end at least partially due to our gradual conversion from a manfacturing to a service economy. There'll be no shortage of displaced workers desperate for any income to feed their families beyond what their education - and ability to absorb education - could provide; so, yes ... there'll be more and more "noobs" willing to drive for less pay and the "old timers" will be phased out or forced to work for less if they have no other options. I wouldn't be surprised to see the "old timers" of the future making what today's "noobs" rake in. Makes me glad I'm only planning to do this for a few more years ...

As for Crete specifically, I'm with Supersnackbar that this situation in the Northeast could be nothing other than shortsightedness and poor planning. There has to be enough freight around on which they could break even - or maybe even take a slight loss - to get us moving out of here into areas where there is freight that does pay. It can't be any less profitable than having large numbers of trucks sitting idle. Everyone else seems to be moving, so I think they need to rethink whatever their strategy is. Of course, that's just my view from ground level. I don't have access to their books. Bet I could do some real damage if I had those ...

Oh, yeah ... All six Crete trucks are still in place although one guy got a load to Denver that picks up tomorrow and delivers Tuesday. Hopefully, he can t-call it somewhere enroute. It's dark and I don't feel like walking around the lot to see if anyone else has joined us.

 

So is freight really slow still in the NE. I am supose to goto orientation on mon. to run NE regional. And does crete us paperless logs? I hope not..

 

^ Yes. Very slow right now. Our oft-audited-to-15 minute logs are also most definitely made of paper.

Meh ... Bedtime. Counting trucks is more sleep inducingly stultifying than counting sheep ...

 

I've been laied off from the car-hauling industry for about 6 weeks now, so I need to get a new job lol.

 

What I find interesting is the difference in posts made by evertruckerr and supersnackbar.

They both work for the same company yet tell very different acounts about working for Crete. One seems to get good pay, $1200 to 1500 per week while the other is considerably less. I know that everybody has a different work ethic but in the end, we are all out here to make money and take care of our families. Why such a big difference?

As for knighton5, I am looking forward to reading his posts. He used to work for Knight and then moved to Crete. He claimed that Crete was the be all end all company for him. Now I read that he is setting up a local job. knightin5, what gives? You now want to be paid for all of the hours you work? Well, maybe I am overeacting. Maybe the local job will be like the Schneider/JB Hunt drivers that work around L.A. You know, paid mileage or salary. They lose money due to the traffic around here. Giving up time to the company. Nevertheless, it will be fun to read what he says.

Getting back to Crete, freight is slow everywhere. I have talked to many drivers that keep telling the same thing over and over. I feel sorry for them and hope for all of you that it picks up soon. Tanker work is staying steady. You might want to look at that type of work for future reference.

 

Yes, local is possible for me, and its tanker. If it pans out, I will take it for the pay and 3 days off a week, otherwise I will stay with Crete. I believe in being happy what you do then going to work doing something you dont like everyday. I hope I didnt bust your bubble and DRIVE SAFE

 

BDUKE, I worked for Knight and moved to Crete, and yes they are a great company compared to Swift, IDC, Knight, maybe you should stop your garbage hauling and apply unless you have gaps in your employment or a felony/bad driving record. Good Company! Good Luck, and give them a call.