CRETE - A Year in Review

I'll tell you what, (see my post above), that "W" company is looking better and better all of the time....

In my telephone discussions with Crete recruiting, the person I first spoke to told me that if my application was approved, I would be flown to Nebraska for orientation, and that I would need to bring with me my a 7-10 days worth of cloths etc, as I would be leaving directly for my training. I had NO CLUE that there was a 4-6 week wait for a trainer!

What were you told?

I wish I had read your post BEFORE said what I did above - now I have no doubt they were simply blowing smoke up my ....

I just got off the telephone with that "W" company and they "assured me" that I would definantly start my training imeediately.

I was all ready to call them today and tell them I wanted to cancel or postpone my training (assuming my application was approved by Crete).

That "W" company was upfront and honest about their requirements and hiring practices, I had my application approved and had a pre-hire letter in my mailbox within one week, and from what I read, the only drivers complaining are the ones who don't want follow thier system, don't properly understand the system, or who simply don't want to put forth the effort. I have also read posts by folks who work for them and believe they are being treated and compensated fairly. They have not lied to me about anything, so far...

Cretes motto "We mean what we say and say what we mean" <-- "just words"?.....

You just made my day. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways, I feel "blessed" right now I was not hired at Crete. I cannot afford to sit on my behind for 4-6 weeks waiting to be trained, and then only God-knows-how-long to wait to be assigned a truck!

 

My Gosh!!! Talk about picky. I think they are looking into the future for demand, I'm not sure. They lowered there pay rate earlier this year, No more pets for new hires. I think they are in a position right now to weed out the trouble in the fleets and be really picky on who they hire. Just my guess.

 

You may have hit it dead on... I told their recruiter upfront about the tickets, and that one was set aside. I was told "that should not be a problem". Now the recruiter won't return my calls. LOL (you'd think she was my ex). It's like.. you had your shot, we don't want you..c'ya. (Wow.. that really sounds like my ex).

I understand and I do think they are being very picky... why not? I would be too. Hell, other good training starter companies, like Schneider, are not even hiring. The ones that are... the W mentioned, and the industry leader in team driving with fewest miles... the big C.... I wouldn't go to. I'm glad as hell I have something... and am headed back to school for 4 weeks to retrain myself before even doing theirs. Four years, rules changes... I want to make sure I am solid.

 

Yes you get home time every 4 weeks even training.
4 to 6 weeks for a trainer....WOW...well maybe they already have someone with them, i know mine has a 8 wk with him.

 

I've been off the road for 10 years, and living in sw florida is even worse when tring to get back into trucking, 1 company took me, i didnt want to work there because of all the bad reviews. But over all it wasnt all that bad just dont talk to all the misfits they hire and all is well... put my 6 months in and moved on...sorry to hear mugz u didnt get in and yes they check the apps like your applying to work with the FBI.

 

All I have to say is one word. Hypocrites.

They talk a good game with one face, and screw with the drivers with the other. Their recruiters are as much professionals as the dispatch, just college kids filling a position to help with tuition, and answered a want ad. They get paid per person that they get on a list to be hired, and will say pretty much anything to keep you interested.

Got to Indy to del Wed. a.m. But..... they changed the appt until Thursday between the offer and the dispatch of the load. Offer said 11/5, load info said 11/6...and I was too interested in getting the info written down to notice the change. That's 656 mile by Thursday morning. I have given dispatch an ultimatum. They can T'call and I roll on something else, or I'll T'call and I'll rent a car to the house and they can 'stick this load where the sun don't shine..... Seattle, WA'. I have dipped so far into my slow season fund now, I don't know how much longer I can keep dipping and stay afloat.

And to top it off, while in Columbus doing laundry yesterday. I spoke to another driver who did a Walmart dedicated out of KS. And they screwed him out of a bunch of pay on it. If they try that to me after all I have been through this year, you'll probably read about it in USA Today or hear about it on CNN or FOX News!!

I don't know how much longer I will be able to get online from the road. I am very close to having my phones and air card shut off, and thinking about cxl'g my high speed and Dish at home, this along with losing my XM may help, but whats the point of staying here for $650 a week after all the years of driving I have under my belt.

 

Super, sorry to hear of your bad luck. It sounds like someones got it out for you. Though I was only with Crete for 8 months, I never had a serious problem getting miles, and if I would have, I would of went straight to Lincoln with it.
Have you went higher in the chain of command to get this resolved?

 

Super, sorry you are having a bad time. You have been up and down. Is every one down at this time. I have noticed much less freight moving in my area (Virginia Peninsula) than usual.
Longbed, I hope things are going well for you where you are now!

 

I thought they lowered their pay. When I looked at them Summer 07 it was $0.41 CPM, now they were offering $0.39 CPM. At 39 CPM, they are just another trucking company - Schneider now pays considerably more for experienced drivers.

They can all get pickier with freight declining. That is why there is no loyalty in this business. Everything is so short sighted. When freight picks up, they will all be scrambling to fill seats, the CDL mills will start humming, and the rat race continues.

For the guy who was babbling about a 39 month MVR. They ask you point blank on the application about tickets and accidents within the last 5-years. It is up to you to know your driving record! Plus 2 speeding tix and a parking lot incident (wreck?) are bad for an experienced driver. For a "trainee" it gets your app ##### canned.

Oh well, just killing time. Be safe out there and remember this is ET's thread!

 

Mugzy,
I don't want to disrespect EverT's request to keep 'W' off his thread. If you want to email me, let me know. We worked for that company..I would never talk anyone out of driving for a company. But I would for this one!!!!! I can not even talk about that company without boiling my blood. They stressed us out to no end. There are some drivers who hate that company will tell you not to drive for them. They are VERY quick to hire after 2 days and it doesn't matter what your DAC looks like. If it is the last resort, then go for it. I guess.

Sorry Ever, I will shut up now on this subject. Hey, it is snowing here in Oregon...we are on US97 near Bend.