CRETE - A Year in Review

Notice your the only one here without a sense of humor. But I wouldnt have one either if I had to drive local in Los Angeles and then go home every night. I guess Crete wouldnt be a good choice for you since they dont have any local openings in LA. If you ever decide to go OTR (when your kids grow up) I would just suggest calling Crete.
And dont take the truckstop (T/A east and west) thing personal, it was my humurous side talking. Have a good weekend

 

You know if more drivers stopped and enjoyed some of their time out here maybe some of you jaded drivers wouldn't be so cranky. If all drivers showed evertrucker's dedication and patience the job might be better all around. Even though I didn't go with Crete I have learned a lot about this job through Evertrucker's posts. It will be a sad day if he decides to stop posting here because of negative posts.

 

Addressing gar-rose's question about spending money on the road...

If one was to be at home making $40k-$45k annually, and thought that they would not spend money on a movie or an occasional nice dinner, they are deciving themselves. Since the expendatures would still occour, wheather otr or local, it is a wash financially.

Give your self some enjoyment on while on the road will help keep a driver's sanity intact!

ex., I'm in Tracy,CA.. Delivered yesterday afternoon at 1300. It was the end of my day and I can not pick up next load, in Stockton,CA, till 1200 today. The only truck stop in Tacy is a hole-in-the-wall that you have to pay $10 to park. Next door is a Motel 6 with limited truck parking. It had avalability. With no TV in my truck, a long wait, and Monday Night Football coming on later, I decided to get a room and stretch out.

The time away from the truck, watching the TITANS beat Indy, a good night sleep, all priceless. Well worth the $40, and it's a tax write-off, so I will recoup some of the expense at tax time.

I think what you maybe misinterpreting is the fact that ET does not make those expenses unless he's had a hard week of running.

My point is that one needs to be able to enjoy themselves, where ever they are. All work and no fun makes Jack a dull boy!

 

Well ... My luck hasn't improved in the slightest. I got detained for the better part of today and just got a load that drops near home so I went ahead and put in for home time. It's gonna take a couple of days for the steam to stop shooting out of my ears ...

10/16-10/30 ... 5007 miles.

Fifteen days out and I sat the better part of five. I'm not even going to make the pay increase if this keeps up. Still need about 29,000 miles by the end of January to make 121,000 for the year. This also means I'm going to launch on Sunday for the next run. Oh, joy ...

 

Its slow at Gainey too. Ive driven a total of 483 miles since Sunday morning.

 

I agree with you, everyone is arguing over pay. pay for this/ pay for that, find a job that makes you happy and one you can live with. Before I became a PROFESSIONAL Trucker, I was paid very well and had saved quite a bit of money, however I hated my job and could never wait until friday so I could get my 2 days off away from there. So hopefully everyone can find that job where they are content and happy (and pay your bills also), otherwise life isnt worth livin!!! Drive Safe

 

This is my first post. I have read ET's forum from front-to-back, and have enjoyed every minute. I am considering a trucking gig for 2 reasons: I can't find a job in Atlanta because of my age (55), and I was raised a military brat (always moving....), so the OTR for a year or 2 doesn't bother me. My bride of 2 years and I have talked about it, and we both agree our relationship is strong enough that we can weather the storm for however long it takes. With that said....

I took an overnight trip Monday to visit my Mom and brother in Montgomery, Al from Atlanta, Ga. During the trip over and back, I paid attention to who was running I-85. It seemed like there were more Schneider's out there than anyone else. I'd guess that I saw 20-25% of the drivers for Schneider vs. JB Hunt, or Crete. Maybe that's an over-estimation, but it just seemed like it.

I told my bride that with us living in Atlanta, I'd have more of an opportunity to breeze through Hotlanta, and thus have a good chance of sleeping in our bed a few times a week. I hope I'm not deluding myself.....

I have been on unemployment since the last of May, and I only have enough left to get me through February or March of 09. If something doesn't open FAST, I'm going to have to pull the CDL school trigger right after the New Year. Not looking for sympathy....it is what it is....

Ya'll drive safe!

 

WalMart has a DC down in Brundidge, AL. It's out in the middle of nowhere - West to I65 or north to I85. Of course I'm not saying every pumpkin on I85 is haulin wally.

 

Actually I have a great sense of humor. Are you trying to be funny now? Why do you think that if you drove in Los Angels and were home every night, you would loose your sense of humor?

I don't think I will ever go OTR or have the need to call Crete. Thank you anyway. Giving free time to my company is not something I want to do. Since you enjoy it, knock yourself out.

I will enjoy my weekend just like I always do. I like being home every night with weekends off to spend time with my family. That is something you can never get back. The special times.

So unlike you, two more days to go. I'm laughing right now.